My late and loved high school football coach could spin a compliment into a critique flawlessly. Taping a teammate’s ankle one day before practice, my coach told the player, “all you do is come to practice.” While a true statement, what my coach also meant, I think, is that practicing daily versus occasionally is necessary but insufficient. Particularly, it was time for my teammate to step up his efforts. And he did, playing four years of college football then trying out for a pro team.

Speaking of the necessary, we turn to the monthly federal employment report. It is a necessary but insufficient piece of data to understand how the economy is (not) working. Currently, however, the September jobs report is missing at least in part due to the shutdown of the federal government. Given the reach and size of the U.S. economy, that’s a big problem, one grabbing attention, politically speaking.

“As families face higher prices,” writes Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Vought and Chief Statistician Calabria, “workers confront a weakening labor market, and businesses navigate increasing economic uncertainty, timely access to this data is critical – particularly for the Federal Reserve (Fed), which meets later this month to make interest rate decisions that affect every American.”

The adage that time is money in a capitalist economy comes to mind. Accessible employment........

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