[OCCASparky]

That would be initial unemployment claims. Even in a good economy there are claims because of normal job turnovers, etc. The benchmark to a "healthy" economy would be a weekly jobless claims number around 300-350K. Hit 400K and you're in trouble.

As has been noted, it hasn't fallen below 400K more than a week or two here and there since Zero took office.

[DoughtyOne]

Okay, I agree. I’m not sure if I’m making my point clear, but the 438,000 number is just one week’s (at least, as I understand it) new claims.

The 50,000 figure was the jobs created for the whole month.

1.6 plus million jobs lost (new claims) in November and 50,000 total added.

Is there a mistake on my part?

We’re looking at about 1.550 million less jobs at the end of the month. Do you see an error in my logic?