U.S. unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, December 2007 to December 2009. Chart courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the jaws of job loss have surfaced again. Although the unemployment rate was unchanged, nonfarm payrolls lost 85,000 jobs in December, a number that was slightly higher than expected given a drop in the unemployment rate in November.

Check out the data: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Will the economic downturn continue to bare its teeth in 2010? Share your thoughts here on our blog.