Inconsistencies in Job Reports Identified in February 2012

Inconsistencies in job numbers were first noted in 2012, and most likely involved more than the U.S. Census Bureau. Data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated an unusual drop in work force participation from 2009-2011. Although not unprecedented, it is the first decline seen in the work force in the last 35 years.

4 First time in 35 years the BLS reported 3 year decline in US workforce. Nice 4 Obama #UnemploymentRate #YouDoTheMath pic.twitter.com/0RUTFLpz
— ★Patriot★Mac★ (@patriot_mac) February 7, 2012

The suppression of labor force participation would yield lower unemployment rates, and bolster the administration's claim that the job market was improving, when in fact, job growth was flat or still declining. And bad job reports leading up to an election, is normally not a good sign for an incumbent seeking reelection.