The Federal Government and the media are working very hard to avoid telling us how serious the unemployment situation is in America right now.  On September 9 at RightWingGranny, I posted an article explaining the the unemployment numbers released on that day were estimates, not real figures.  The article reported that:

“For the latest reporting week, nine states didn’t file claims data to the Labor Department in Washington because of the federal holiday earlier this week, a Labor Department official told reporters. As a result, California and Virginia estimated their figures and the U.S. government estimated the other seven, the official said.”

The estimated numbers was used as a rationale for the statement “applications for U.S. unemployment benefits declined more than forecast last week, easing concern that employers will accelerate firings as the world’s largest economy cools”  The statement was based on estimates, not true numbers.  Well, guess what.  The real number are out.  CNN Money reported today that “the number of first-time filers for unemployment benefits rose to 465,000 in the week ended Sept. 18.”  The article at CNN also mentioned that “it also marked an increase from the upwardly revised 453,000 initial claims filed in the previous week, which was shortened by Labor Day.”

The article further states that investors were disappointed with the higher than expected numbers for this week and the upward revision of last week’s numbers.  Didn’t they read the small print that said last week’s numbers were estimated by the government?  If the recession were truly over, as President Obama is telling us, wouldn’t these numbers be going down? 

Good Grief!