Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Unemployment is a problem, no doubt. That's undeniable. I agree that the reported percentages are probably understated. And I agree with some who have said that extending unemployment benefits, as Congress did recently, does nothing to encourage people to get out and find a job...any kind of job.

But the fact that the economy is undergoing a pretty robust recovery is also undeniable. I was looking at some fundamental analysis of the economy in the last few days and stumbled on some compelling statistics. One of the measures that some of the economists and analysts use to measure true economic activity is how much "stuff" is getting shipping within the U.S.

In recent months, the amount of goods being shipped, by rail and air and by the shipping services, UPS, FedEx and even the USPS, is expanding dramatically. Both FedEx and UPS reported dramatically improved profits and activity. The FedEx CEO noted that the level of shipping activity is higher now than at any time in the history of the company. UPS also reported record profits. The tonnage of freight being shipped by rail is setting records. The recovery of the economy is also undeniable.

The conundrum--I sure don't have an answer--is how come business activity can be so robust and unemployment still so high? Have we become that much more efficient in so short a time? Were a lot of people being paid for not doing a whole lot of work? If had the answer to those questions, I could probably run for POTUS...or at least one of those sweet seats in Congress.