evidence: Unlike the jobless rate, which has steadily declined from its April peak, the rate of absenteeism — as it is called by economists — has remained stubbornly high. Almost 1.8 million workers were absent in November because of illness, nearly matching the record 2 million set back in April, according to Labor Department data. [...] Consumer spending tumbled a record 16.4% in April, according to a government report. Clothing stores took the biggest hit, with sales down 78.8%. [...] The April jobs report put the nation's unemployment rate at between 10% and 14.7%, the highest national rate since the 1930s.