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Aloe Blacc, "I Need a Dollar" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Frictional unemployment isn't really a problem; there is an appropriate value judgment in economists describing frictional unemployment as a key piece of the "natural rate of unemployment." Structural unemployment, while also part of the "natural rate" is more troublesome, as it involves preventable distortions in the efficient functioning of the labor market. Cyclical unemployment & the discouragement of workers—causing them to cease participating in the labor force & thus drop out of the official unemployment rate, even though they are not gainfully employed—are serious problems requiring both private & public solutions. There have always been persons out of work, but methinks "I Need a Dollar" speaks more to those cyclically unemployed & those who have ceased to participate in the labor force in the midst of our current, much-heralded "recovery."

"I Need a Dollar" is also this only tune for this week's theme from the money-based playlist "Filthy Lucre." "Filthy Lucre" is all about dollars & cents, both good & bad, & there is so very much more to the economy than just monetary issues.

"I had a job but the boss man let me go,
(He said,) 'I'm sorry, but I won't be needin' your help no more,'
(I said,) 'Please, Mr. Boss Man, I need this job more than you know,'
But he gave me last my paycheck and he sent me on out the door…

"Well, I don't know if I'm walkin' on solid ground,
'Cause everything around me is crumbin' down,
And all I want is for someone to help me!

"What in the world am I gonna do tomorrow?
Is there someone with a dollar I can borrow?
Who can help me take away my sorrow?
Maybe it's inside the bottle,
(Maybe it's inside the bottle)…"