Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Believe it or not, this gives you one of the best explanations of unemployment.
Works in Australia too.
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America .
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It’s 7.8%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that’s 14.7%.
COSTELLO: You just said 7.8%.
ABBOTT: 7.8% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 7.8% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that’s 14.7%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it’s 14.7% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that’s 7.8%.
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 7.8% or 14.7%?
ABBOTT: 7.8% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work.
COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, Congress said you can’t count the “Out of Work” as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!
ABBOTT: No, you miss his point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn’t look for work can’t be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn’t be fair.
COSTELLO: To whom?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But ALL of them are out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you’re off the unemployment roles that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don’t look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That’s how it gets to 7.8%. Otherwise it would be 14.7%.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have people stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like an Economist.
COSTELLO: I don’t even know what the hell I just said!
ABBOTT: Now you’re thinking like a Politician.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/isnt-your-face-red/
And I always thought they were simply silly. But I was a child when I saw Abbott and Costello on TV. Profound truth via comedy!
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Strange looking back! Certainly this skit was a wise one.
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100% Classic! ❤
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No wait! That’s 200% Classic. There’s two of them. That’s how it should be counted, right? 😉
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No, you are doubly right Stephanie! ❤ ❤
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Stephanie, you are right! ❤
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Brilliant!
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Simple things are sometimes the best!
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That is so scarily accurate.
I love Abbott and Costello. Grew up on those movies. 🙂
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I love the way they end their discussion! 🙂
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I laughed out loud. Which was a bit embarrassing in the staffroom. 🙂
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Staff rooms need light relief!
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Priceless!
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I laughed out loud… and then quickly shared this witty dialogue on social media and to my friends. Barabara, I even got bold enough to add you to the “A Few (not even close to all) of the Blogs I Treasure:” list in my latest blog.http://katespencer17.com/2015/08/04/lovely-blog-award/ Thanks for making me smile. 🙂
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed this one Kate. It came to me via e-mail, and I did the same!
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Apt for many countries, Kate, I think!
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Hilarious!
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😀 😀
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Head spinning. Who’s on first? http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/08/03/charmed/
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So enjoyed your poem, Judy. What wonderful images you invoke. 🙂
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Too true to be good!
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Love your twists, Cynthia!
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