[Steven W.]

The nation's unemployment rate remained at 5.8 percent

higher than any would like but news that rate remains the same is reported as a plunge! if they weren't so transparent it would be funny.

[LS]

Yes, it is way too high. But remarkable given that we are at war---but not a "total war" that would employ everyone---and that we are still recovering from 9/11, and that the rest of the world is in recession.

I'm not as optimistic as I was, mainly because I don't see where the tech sector will break through---but that's probably a good sign, since if I could see it, I'd already be rich!

[A. Pole]

higher than any would like but news that rate remains the same is reported as a plunge! if they weren't so transparent it would be funny.

You do not understand. The "unemployment rate" does not equal the rate of joblessness.

People who exhausted the unemployment benefits or gave up or work a few hours a week or else are not counted toward "unemployment rate". You can have stable "unemployment rate" with shrinking economy and growing number of jobless.