Patch Poll: Is it Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down for Economy?

The economy added about 120,000 jobs in March.

The jobless rate ticked down a percentage point to 8.2.

Gas prices appear to have peaked and are coming down.

These signs could be interpreted that the economy is improving. However, some of these numbers come with a “But … .”

The Labor Department reported that employers added 120,000 jobs to their payrolls last month but—well below economists’ forecasts for a 203,000 gain.

The unemployment rate fell but—experts said it was largely due to discouraged job hunters giving up the search for work.

And, gas prices. They may have peaked but—will they rise again during the high-demand summer months?

What do you think?