Economists warn: stats distorting a "sober reality" as GOP takes credit for state's jobless decline

[Triana]

North Carolina’s unemployment rate took a sharp turn downward in December, suggesting a rapid economic turnaround, but economists warned that the statistics are distorting a more sober reality.

. . .

Gov. Pat McCrory cited the data as a validation of Republican economic policies.

. . .

Republican U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers piled on, using McCrory’s “comeback” mantra. “North Carolina is witnessing an economic comeback – and this is no accident,” she said, crediting state GOP leaders for the shift.

But Allan Freyer, an analyst at the N.C. Justice Center, which opposes most of the Republican economic policies, said the picture is distorted. “Only 1 out of every 10 formerly unemployed workers found jobs in the last year,” he said in a statement. “At a time when there is just one available job opening for every three unemployed workers who need it, it’s no surprise that so few of North Carolina’s jobless workers are actually finding jobs.”

THE REST:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/01/28/3571919/republicans-quick-to-take-credit.html

[barbtries]

1. does this tie in with the kick to the gut to unemployment benefits?

how republican to fuck over so many people then claim a win by the numbers.

[Triana]

2. Yes. Exactly. By kicking hundreds of thousands off the UI roles....

...so they no longer have to be counted. Thus, the unemployment rate goes down. Not because so many have found jobs but because so many are no longer counted as unemployed.

[barbtries]

3. that's what i figured

the bastards.