I laughed and then got angry when the government released the 8.3 percent unemployment rate last week. There they go again trying to fool the American public. I believe the figure actually is at least 15.1 percent and more like 22.5 percent. Here is how they did it:

First, by not counting discouraged workers (unemployed workers who give up looking for jobs within one year). Every time more people get discouraged, the government's jobless number improves!

Second, by not counting unemployed workers seeking full-time jobs who are forced to accept minimum-wage or lower paying part-time jobs -- the former sales manager greeting shoppers at Wal-mart on weekends.

Third, by not counting anyone who had given up looking for a job after one year (because you are no longer discouraged).

If you include the only first two groups the true unemployment figure is 15.1 percent.

If you include all discouraged workers (all three groups) - just as the government itself did before 1994 - the true unemployment rate in America is 22.5 percent!

Oh, that's right I forgot, it is an election and President Obama promised that if the Congress passed his stimulus bill the unemployment rate would go back to 8 percent. Now, I get it.

Wayne Farber

Bellingham