Unemployment in the Central Valley

Unemployment in the Central Valley

The chart (above), from the Fresno Bee, shows the current unemployment figures for the Southern counties in the Central Valley. Chronic double digit unemployment is the norm here. The interesting thing is, unemployment figures are down from what they were a couple of months ago. See: http://sfbay.indymedia.org/news/2004/04/1677011.php . But, unemployment rates always “go down” in the valley during the summer months. The Bee emphasizes the improved economic news by saying that “ the month-to-month spike was not enough to dampen the progress made the past year.” The Bee goes on to say “Fresno County’s jobless rate declined to 12.6% last month compared with 13.4% in June 2003.” Surely this is evidence that the Bush economic recovery is in full swing!

What they (the Bee) does not tell you is that these figures do not reflect the percentage of people who are working part time or have just completely given up looking for a job. Life in the Central Valley is like living in a third world country. We are now referred to as the new Appalachia of America. Economic recovery? Tell that to the residents of Mendota and Firebaugh where the “official” unemployment rate is sometimes an astounding 50%.