Patricia Overy’s Example Can Help Christians Resolve America’s Unemployment Crisis

America does not have an Unemployment problem.

America has an Unemployment crisis on its hands.

The average unemployment rate over the last two decades has been 5.7%. See http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm

In February 2010 it was 9.7%

Here’s the bad news.  Unemployment is unlikely to go down to the average of 5.7%.

Not, at least, for a generation [25 years].  Maybe, never.

For, over the last 20 years Manufacturing was a major force in the American economy.

No longer.

Most Manufacturing has already fled abroad.  And Service-industry jobs are fleeing, too.

So – where are the jobs over the next decade going to come from?

From Green initiatives.

Like, Renewable Energy.  Carbon Capture.  Energy Efficiency.  Green Buildings.  Green Transportation.  Waste Management.

But, these are all industries that are aborning.

None of them will really come to maturity – that is, begin to churn out well-paid jobs and secure employment – for another 5-10 years.

What is to become today of the 25 million people who are part of the real unemployment rate of 16%-17%?   

Patricia Overy’s example can help resolve this unemployment crisis.

She gave up her job [see http://www.washingtonhotwire.com/?p=873] so that a colleague would not be fired.

Now, the Overy household lives on one income.  Her husband’s.

So, also, should every Christian household in America.  Live only on one income. 

The jobs that they give up will go to those currently unemployed.

According to the Census Bureau data for 2004 [cited at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States] there were some 50 million households in America with 2 incomes .  Today, undoubtedly, a few more. 

In 2008 some 76% identified themselves as Christians.

That makes for some 38-40 million Christian households with 2 incomes.

If all Christian households did what Patricia Overy did – give up one of the two jobs in the household – and live on one income only – America’s unemployment crisis would be over.

 
Egbert F “Burt” Bhatty has worked 30 years as an Analyst at the American Embassy, New Delhi, and at British [Dunlop] and American [Chase Manhattan] multinationals.  He is a Certified Catechist.  Holds a 3-year [part time] Certificate in Foundations For Christian Ministry.

Material published in washingtonhotwire.com, unless specifically noted, may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.  Attribution, though not required, will be greatly appreciated.  “…..freely ye have received, freely give.”  [Matthew 10:8 KJV -- King James Version]