[lbo-talk] another sucky employment report

[Doug Henwood]

I haven't torn apart the numbers yet, but this morning's U.S. 
employment report for February really sucked - just 21,000 new jobs, 
and large numbers dropping out of the labor force, bringing the 
participation rate back to 1991 levels. Meanwhile, the chief 
executive of the world bourgeoisie is enthusing about two possible 
new jobs at a stock car plant:


>Bush's Economic Indicator: 2 New Jobs
>President Campaigns on Tax Cuts at Stock-Car Chassis Maker
>
>By Mike Allen
>Washington Post Staff Writer
>Friday, March 5, 2004; Page A04
>
>BAKERSFIELD, Calif., March 4 -- President Bush rhapsodized Thursday 
>about the possibility that a stock-car firm in this hot, dry 
>community will add two jobs this year, as he refined his campaign 
>message of economic optimism.
>
>Bush, seated on a highchair along with five small-business workers 
>and owners, was speaking at a "conversation on the economy," a 
>talk-show-type event the White House stages regularly in front of 
>television-friendly signs that say, "Strengthening the Economy."
>
>Prompted by the president, chassis-maker Les DenHerder said the tax 
>cuts Bush backed might allow him to hire two or three more people.
>
>"When he says he's going to hire two more, that's really good news," 
>Bush said. "A lot of people are feeling confident and optimistic 
>about our future so they can say, 'I'm going to hire two more.' They 
>can sit here and tell the president in front of all the cameras, 
>'I'm going to hire two more people.' That's confidence!"