WASHINGTON — Businesses stepped up hiring in December, adding a net total of 103,000 jobs during the month and offering a little hope for a sustained improvement in the struggling U.S. jobs market.

The Labor Department said government jobs fell by 10,000 in December, but private employers — the backbone of the economy — boosted hiring, adding 113,000 jobs after a gain of 50,000 jobs in November.

The December job gains helped to drive down the jobless rate to 9.4 percent from 9.8 percent in the previous month, marking the largest one-month decline in the nation’s unemployment rate since April 1998. December’s jobless rate was the lowest since May 2009.

Another key reason for the drop in the December unemployment rate was that the government no longer counts people as unemployed when they stop looking for work.

The decline in the jobless rate will have an important psychological effect, noted Torsten Slok, an economist at Deutsche Bank.

“The Fed has been worried about the unemployment rate, so the further it gets away from 10 percent, I think that’s good news,” Slok told CNBC Friday.

December’s overall payroll gain was smaller than the 145,000 that economists predicted. Still, more people were hired in previous months than the government first estimated.

The government's revisions showed the economy added 210,000 jobs in October, above the previous figure of 172,000. November's total was revised to 71,000, up from 39,000.

Over the past three months, the economy has added an average of 128,000 jobs. That's just enough to keep up with the population growth. Nearly double is generally needed to significantly reduce the unemployment rate.

Speaking at a window manufacturing plant in Landover, Md., Friday morning, President Barack Obama said December’s job report shows a clear trend toward economic improvement and stronger growth. But he also cautioned the recovery will take time.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40960689/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy

How many of these jobs were created by mom and pop who contracted with companies like Hickory Farms for the Christmas season, in other words how many of these jobs are seasonal? Clinton created a sick amount of jobs when he was Gov. unfortunately they were minimum wage at foster farms. Things aren't always as they seem, I do hope the economy turns around soon so we can get out of this funk were in.

Two Words:

Say them with me...

"Seasonal hiring."

There is ALWAYS a sure in employment in December as stores try to brace up for the needed manpower with the "shopping season."

The optimism is a lie and a joke! The thing to watch for is BUSINESS GROWTH as in new businesses starting. That is the real backbone of economic growth. Until we see an increase in manufacturing and not RETAIL SALES this optimism is misplaced! And so far new business starts have been very dismal!

The Article continues.

Also encouraging was a report Thursday that fewer people applied for unemployment benefits over the past month than in any four-week period in more than two years.

A decline in layoffs has consumers feeling better about the economy and spending more freely. This past holiday shopping season was the best in four years.

And a payroll tax cut that goes into effect this month will give Americans even more money in the new year. Economists expect that will boost economic growth and give businesses more confidence to hire.

“Consumers are no longer as concerned about their job security, and that’s giving them a little more confidence to go out and spend,” said Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody's Analytics.

The economy needs to generate about 125,000 jobs a month just to keep up with population growth and prevent the unemployment rate from rising. More than double that amount is needed to reduce the rate.

Last year, the nation added an average of 86,500 jobs a month through November. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, actually rose — from 9.7 percent in January to 9.8 percent in November.

But many economists expect hiring to ramp up in 2011. Goldman Sachs projects that employers will add 2.2 million jobs this year, or about 180,000 a month, double last year's amount. Moody's Analytics puts the figure at about 250,000 per month.

Still, the recession left a deep hole in the job market. More than 7.3 million jobs were eliminated during the downturn. Most economists expect the unemployment rate will still be near 9 percent by the end of 2011.

Story: Jobless rate likely to fall further, but slowly
Fewer people said they were out of work last month. The number of unemployed fell by more than 500,000 to just under 14.5 million, the lowest since April 2009.

The unemployment rate has topped 9 percent for 20 months, the longest such streak on record. And even with last year's job gains, the unemployment rate fell only from 9.7 percent to 9.4 percent.

Through all of 2010, the nation added 1.1 million jobs, or an average of 94,000 jobs a month.

The health care and leisure and hospitality sectors showed the strongest job gains last month. Health care added about 36,000 jobs, while restaurants and hotels hired more than 29,000 new workers.

Retailers added 12,000 net new jobs, and manufacturers 10,000. The bleeding continued in construction, which cut 16,000 jobs.

Including those who are working part-time but would prefer full-time work, and those who have given up looking for work, the underemployment rate was 16.7 percent last month. That's down from 17 percent in November.

I quit applying for unemployment because I ran out and do not qualify for any extensions. And that payroll tax cut is no big deal, if they were to put say $75-$100 per individual per week in tax cuts that would be something to crow about.

Do you see the myths the party of no created?

First,

Republicans say Obama has done nothing for the economy, and
Obama-Care will do nothing but hurt the HC Industry.

They also say it will hurt the economy, but
when they pressed for a continued tax-cut for their friends, their hypocrisy clearly showed their true concern.



This clearly shows what the current Admin inherited. Yeah, yeah I know we should just forget where the mess came from and how bad it was. But, it didn't just majically appear from thin ice.

It also shows that Obamas policies did in fact stop the downturn.
The foundation for a stronger economy is being built, but it will take time and it will take Gov investments.
Just like the problems didn't majically appear all by themself, they won't majically dissappear by themself either.



It appears the HC Industry was the strongest source for jobs. But wait, aren't we told the new HC bill will hurt the industry?





There's your seasonal employment.



16,000--- I guess the 1%, who the Repubs fought so hard to get a continuation of their tax-cuts, just can't build as many new homes as a stronger middle class could.

My tax-cut will be around $1000 this year.

This guy has been in office two years and the only thing he has done is print and spend money we don't have!

He has ywp years left and you can bet your sweet *** and half a titty that he'll be spending the majority of his last two years campaigning around the country and probably even over in Europe and Africa.

We should NOT forget that this crisis we are in is a result of Bill Clinton.

Retailers include seasonal employers and seeing as though construction is manufacturing I'd say there was a 6,000 job loss in that manufacturing industry.

that's about $84 a month, if it were $84 per week that would be awesome. Do you think any of the millionaires in DC will only receive a $1000 dollar tax cut this year? Half of em won't even do their taxes and the rest will be rather generous with themselves.

I need to feed, patch up and medicate some animals. Have a great day

Health care jobs are up? That is not good! Manufacturing is the backbone of a a strong economy. Sales is no indication of a better economy either! Property values have not fallen yet. Also fuel prices are rising again. What do you think will happen when gas hits $4.00 a gallon again?

Frankly Obama has done way too much damage as it stands. Obamacare only benefits the INSURANCE INDUSTRY! Didn't the example of what happened when Auto insurance became mandatory. And the idea of being find for not having the money to contribute towards a screwed up system? On top of that how about all those Illegal Aliens who will not be refused medical services on OUR dime?

Obamacare is not to the benefit of the American people. it is an attack on the "haves' by the "Have nots!"

On top of that how many of these out of work losers are out picking strawberries? Ag is still dominated by immigrant labor becasue so many "Americans" will not do that kind of work becasue it is beneath them.

Worst is how America is falling back on Ag instead of manufacturing. Look at what happened to the South during the Civil War for not having the industry to support a war machine. China already said themselves that War with America is inevitable. What happens if we can't ramp up production to deal with them? We surrender? I sure in the Fuque will not surrender to them!

We re run by lazy sell out shittheads who do not see the bigger picture and this is an example of how short sighted people are to the real problem. Worst is how to deal with the stranglehold on new job growth agencies like the AQMD and EPA are as well as Labor unions and other factors like Corruption in banking and government.

Also this unilateral support for the DNC is appalling. People point the finger at the GOP and blame war and everything else under the sun exclusively on them when DNCs own are heavy investors in companies that are part of the MIC. They make money off of wars. WE DON'T!

Wake up. Seasonal Job Growth means nothing when we don't have growing manufacturing to KEEP people employed!

On top of that we really need to get a handle on illegal immigration!

Wow!! those businesses were mainly for Christmas help only.
Now in the new year, they will lay off again.

There ya go again. LMAO

Read to comprehend.

LOL...read the post from AndyBGood so YOU can comprehend.

Fanta can I ask you a serious question? Do you thin that individuals as well as companies have nothing to do with the economy or unemployment? To say that something happened while a president is in office only happened because of his influence is failed logic. Just because A comes before B doesn't mean A caused B. You can give your opinion to say if you think his policies are working, but to state this as proof would be incorrect.

Construction is not manufacturing.

It's called the cart before the horse, and I never do that.

What killed this economy and keeps it from recovery are the Repub and their theory of trickle down economics.

The tax-cuts to the rich alone could finance the HC bill or be used to pay off a big chunk of the debt.

Why would anyone fall for the hypocritical rhetoric of the Repub Party?

I just personally believe in equality and that people shouldnt have to pay more taxes just because they make more money. We would also have less debt if the government spent less money. I don't think your views are wrong I just have different ones.

Sure I will probably never be in the highest tax bracket so it would be easy for me to say make them pay more so I can more things for free but I just don't think that's right. He'll we could even suggest the creating of a new bracket for over 500k but again it would go against what I think is fair.