POLITICS’ ROLE IN UNEMPLOYMENT The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paints a very gloomy picture regarding unemployment situation in our country. BLS (2011) reported that the unemployment rate stood at 9.1 percent in August, 2011 which translates to about 14 million people. Unemployment is indeed one of America’s biggest problems in recent times. Linn (2011) notes that Gallup poll that was conducted in February, 2011 showed that unemployment was ranked by Americans as the most significant problem facing them. This poll observed that unemployment surpassed economy as the most important problem facing America. This problem is further compounded by the fact that more than 8 million people who would rather be in full- time employment are working part- time, as noted by BLS.