How bad?

Even worst than that. By now, everyone who cares has heard about the rotten employment numbers last month, but one data point really jumped off the screen (my emphasis)...

Manufacturers, construction companies, financial services all cut jobs in December - casualties of the housing slump. Retailers also sliced jobs.

Retail layoffs in December? Jeebus.

Oh, well, at least we can take some comfort in knowing Clinton (the husband) was wrong. The era of big government survives, thanfully...

The government added 31,000 jobs in December, while private employers actually cut payrolls by 13,000...