Unemployment - Spin Spin Sugar

Everyone tries to put their points in the best light. It's human nature to try to look good, or as good as possible. But to not question what's being told to you, by the government in particular, is an unsound approach to taking in information. Why? Because they spin, spin sugar (no disrespect intended to the Sneaker Pimps).

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell last week, the government said Thursday, a sign that the job market is making gradual improvement.

Job losses are likely to slow in coming months, economists said, a trend that could be reflected in the government's July unemployment report to be released Friday.

"We believe the lower claims figures are an important economic development and confirmation that the economy is turning the corner," Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, wrote in a note to clients.

First-time claims for jobless benefits dropped to a seasonally adjusted 550,000 for the week ending Aug. 1, down from an upwardly revised figure of 588,000 in the previous week, the Labor Department said.

[Emphasis added]

This isn't reporting the rising unemployment figure as a single number, it's saying the rate at which unemployment is increasing has slowed down. While that's a thin slice of a good sign, it seems a bit like pretzel logic. Especially when, buried near the bottom of the same article is the following paragraph;

The recession, which began in December 2007 and is the longest since World War II, has eliminated a net total of 6.5 million jobs. The unemployment rate is expected to rise to 9.6 percent when the July figure is reported Friday.

[Emphasis added]

Tell me, why is it that the headline is about getting better ("drop more than expected"), when the situation is merely getting worse more slowly? I think you know the answer. If you're conservative you recognize the media bias and aren't swallowing the poison any more. If you are an independent, I mean a real one not a liberal claiming to be an independent, you probably realize this too. But if you are a liberal, how do you sleep at night? I understand the lies don't matter, and the ends justify the means garbage you espouse. But really, what type of conscience do you have to go along with this type of tripe? And if you really believe in all that help your fellow man, goodwill stuff, how can you possibly reconcile it with not only believing things are getting better, but actually spouting this drivel to convince people that things are going well when they really aren't. You should be ashamed of yourself, and ashamed of your President. Not for his beliefs (which are wrong nonetheless), but for his deceit and heavy handed approach to those who disagree with his views.

My advice, take it or leave it, is to wake up before you end up, Six Underground (apologies again, to the Sneaker Pimps).

I guess that turned into a bit of a rant. Well, rant over.