The job numbers are going down for several reasons. Every year, retailers start the seasonal hiring period for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. This happens EVERY year at this time. I can tell you, after working many years in retail, the number of people hired this year reflects part-time employees. You can hire twice the number of part-time employees for the price of one full time employee. So the numbers don't tell you these positions are part-time, seasonal help. They do, however, make the numbers hired appear to be good, when they really aren't. Nobody can make ends meet on part-time, minimun wages. After Christmas is over, these people will be laid off.....same cycle every year!

Another reason is, many who have been drawing unemployment have used up all their eligibility time. Once they drop out the system, they are no longer counted. The economy isn't moving in the right direction! I have been unemployed for a year and actively seeking work. You can't make me believe that the economy is better. Our savings is gone and we are barely making it from pay day to pay day.