Reading between the lines here, I see a clear message: “We’re making these numbers up. Have a nice day.”
Yep - just like consumer confidence was "oh so high" a while back and record sales were reported - only now they're saing that businesses are hurting and hoping like hell that folks spend some money after the holiday "rush/boom".
You went further than I did, buddy.
Since I know that unemployment compensation is expiring for many now and this week is the last week for millions on emergency benefits I never look beyond the headline.
At some point there will be nobody on unemployment because they drained their benefits looking for a job. They'll still be jobless but the unemployment rate should fall below George Bush's 4.7% average unemployment rate. The dems will claim victory for America an use it to take the House.
Meanwhile the real unemployment rate is well above 10%.
It's over.