You don't seem to have any doubt. When I broach this subject, it always goes one of two ways (so far): 1. Other party either agrees or doesn't agree entirely b

You don't seem to have any doubt. When I broach this subject, it always goes one of two ways (so far): 1. Other party either agrees or doesn't agree entirely but acknowledges the disparity between common experience and economic reports 2. Other party is an economist and believes the official data is more-or-less beyond reproach. Maybe I jumped the gun. I figured since you were demanding proof, you are likely to belong to the latter option.