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California's Economy Stagnates: Unemployment Hits 5.5% High

10/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

California's economy stagnates: 5.5% unemployment—the highest in the U.S.—and slow growth of 3,800 jobs.
This creates a two-tier economy: the 'Upstairs' college-educated and the 'Downstairs' low-wage workers.
Since the 1990s, policies reduced pay and stability for service jobs that provide essential services.
The free market's moral basis supports public-sector and nonprofit jobs that rely on others' productivity.

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Story summary

California's economy stagnates: 5.5% unemployment—the highest in the U.S.—and slow growth of 3,800 jobs.
This creates a two-tier economy: the 'Upstairs' college-educated and the 'Downstairs' low-wage workers.
Since the 1990s, policies reduced pay and stability for service jobs that provide essential services.
The free market's moral basis supports public-sector and nonprofit jobs that rely on others' productivity.