Unemployment is the proof that a "free market" economy does not work,

[grahamhgreen]

it therefore MUST be supplemented with unemployment insurance or you will have unemployed people whose only recourse is to break the law to survive.

This is a simple precept. I hope everyone gets it.

This is why austerity in a free market economy can not work.

[raccoon]

1. Good post, but seems it belongs in GD. nt

[Yavin4]

2. A "free market" economy has nothing to do with full or near full employment

The use of unemployment/employment is a political device to get the masses to support "free market" capitalism. Capitalism has never, ever been about making sure that people are employed, let alone employed at middle class wages.

Capitalism is about ensuring that those who hold capital benefit the most from the economy. The middle class as we know it is largely a govt. construct. It exists because of govt allowing laborers to form unions and negotiate with capital for middle class wages and benefits. Contracts that the govt enforces in courts.