Now they are manipulating DOL's unemployment numbers

[Robbien]

Last week a big hoopla was made over the fact that the unemployment rate dropped slightly from 393,000 to 390,000. But, surprise, they are now revising that 390,000 to 396,000. Of course they had to revise last week's number because this week's unemployment rate jumped to 398,000, and they are now saying the jump from 396,000 to 398,000 is a slight jump. Wouldn't look good if unemployment jumped by 8,000.

[zoidberg]

1. How can a 'rate' be 390,000?

I'm not quite sure what you are talking about. Mass layoffs maybe?

Government agencies revise their numbers all the time. So while this certainly isn't good news, I wouldn't be so quick to call foul.

[Name removed]

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[KAZ]

3. They've done this 3 weeks running.

Press swallows it whole. Not sure the market does.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

4. they lie and then revise it EVERY quarter!

As far as I can remember, the Bush administration has put out phony numbers every single quarter, trumpeted falling unemployment, then quietly revised the numbers back up later. Seriously, I believe it's been every single time now.

[JHB]

5. "Now"?

When did they NOT do that?