I've seen credible studies pegging real UE at 22.7%, and that DOES NOT include tracking and reporting those INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS in the U.S. as jobless - the U6 broader measure topped out at 13.5% in 1985, and yet, we'll be going much higher than 17% this go 'round: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/10/02/broader-unemployment-rate-hits-17-in-september/