Traditionally governmental numbers produced by the labor department have been altered from time to time to provide statistics that are both meaningless and unfounded in fact. When the numbers they play with statistically do not yield favorable results, then they change the criteria or basis for the data. One can look at the computational methods used circa 1970's, before Nixon resigned and unemployment was very high, and compare it to a new basis instituted circa 1990's.
Perhaps a more reasonable assessment or interpretation of the data can be found at http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/us-recession-true-unemployment-rate-already-at-20/
Comparisons of this time period with other timeframes of unemployment yield useless findings because of the methodology involved.
Sad to say, but unless modifications to the stats incorporate those that have been pushed off the roles for one reason or another, such as benefits running out, the current stats don't really provide an indication of the truth.
I have opened a twitter account that addresses unemployment. You can find it at twitter.com/WAStrnad.
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Wayne Strnad of IL 11:00AM July 10, 2009