Democratic Economic Theory

Understanding Economic Theory Advanced by Democrats

As Explained by Abbott and Costello (“Who’s on First fame?”)

There is much that can be learned about the current Economic Theory Advanced by Democrats like Bernie Sanders, Alexander Ocasio Cortez and President Joe Biden and it can be clearly highlighted in a discussion between Abbott and Costello held decades ago and portrayed as follows in its entirety for your convenience:

COSTELLO :  I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.

ABBOTT :  Good Subject.  Terrible Times.  It’s 5.6%.

COSTELLO :  That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT :  No, that’s 23%.

COSTELLO :  You just said 5.6%.

ABBOTT :  Right. 5.6% are Unemployed.

COSTELLO :  O.K. 5.6% out of work.

ABBOTT :  No, that’s 23%.

COSTELLO :  Okay, so it’s 23% unemployed.

ABBOTT :  No, that’s 5.6%.

COSTELLO :  WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 5.6% or 23%?

ABBOTT :  5.6% are unemployed.  23% are out of work.

COSTELLO :  If you are out of work you are unemployed, right?

ABBOTT :  No, Obama 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.  You don’t count anymore!

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 5.6%. Otherwise, it would be 23%.

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 a Democrat.

COSTELLO:  I don’t even know what the hell I just said!

ABBOTT:  Now you’re thinking like Biden.