compare this to my area which is a big machinist area. There is demand for about 10,000 machinists. The local colleges combined graduate like 50.
You guys make the case for increased immigration. The nation needs more workers to fill jobs, both blue collar and stem. As we see from the data, a sizeable section of working age Americans don't work and aren't looking for a job for whatever reason. The case from unions and redneck republicans to limit immigration is that low supply, less competition, will increase their pay. But that's at the expense of their customers and artificially shrinks the economy. It's humanly unconscionable and economically suicidal.
Start by cutting federal funding to all degrees which are worse than economically worthless (waste of time and go into debt to make as much as a bartender). Govt should only fund useful degrees. Assuming that one did not inherit anything, how can one be working age, and survive without working or being homeless?
And the folks in charge... "Let's legalize weed." Right. That'll help our science and math scores. F'n idiots.
The lowest unemployment, I think, was during WWII. It was three-point something. But we are at a low point now compared to recent history. I agree with your thesis however, viz., it will be difficult to force unemployment up using interest rates alone considering the high demand for labor. I have posted in other threads about alternative to what the Fed is doing. They are doing what they know how to do. It's based on the Phillips curve. But that relationship does not apply well in all circumstances. In my personal opinion, if the government wants to bring down inflation they have to first properly identify and acknowledge its root causes. The methods that will work best will be the ones that attack the root causes. I don't agree with Larry Summers, even though what he suggests will eventually work. I believe there is a better way to achieve a similar result.
"economically worthless" is a good way to say it. Thank you. We must never lose sight of the difference between education and job training. While one of these two goals may not be as directly financially rewarding as the other, the other may be more important to society in the long run. Regardless, education, as apposed to job training, is still capable of leading to financial riches and possibly more likely to lead to a satisfying life and happiness. In an ideal world a person will be both educated and well trained for their job.