We want everyone who really wants and needs a job to have one. After all, we can handle lots of the challenges we encounter if we have work and regular income.
"Normal" joblessness may linger around 5 percent, just because of voluntary movement of people among jobs. But the current economy is anything but "normal." We have a 9.1 unemployment rate in the United States - with some locales doing a good bit worse.
In Hamilton County, we are hardly "bragging" about our unemployment rate of 8.2 percent - though that's better than the national rate.
But people in some nearby counties are in even greater pain. Unemployment rates are 12.7 percent in Grundy County, 12.2 percent in Rhea County, 11.9 percent in Meigs County, 11.7 percent in McMinn County, 11.5 percent in Bledsoe County, 11.3 percent in Polk County, 9.6 percent in Marion County, 9.2 percent in Bradley County and 8.4 percent in Sequatchie County.
In neighboring Georgia, Catoosa County has 8 percent joblessness. It's 9 percent in Walker and Dade counties and 11.1 percent in Whitfield County.
In Chattanooga, there fortunately are prospects of substantial employment growth, which will benefit the entire area.
Meanwhile, those of us who have jobs should appreciate them, and should seek to help those who are involuntarily unemployed.