So, where have many of the workers gone?
Food Stamps
In 2000 there were 17 million people on food stamps
By 2007 there were 26 million people on food stamps
By 2012 there are 47.5 million people on food stamps
S.S. Disability Payments
In 1990 there were 2.9 million people on S.S. Disability
By 2000 there were 5 million people on S.S. Disability
By 2005 there were 6.5 million people on S.S. Disability
By 2012 there are 8.6 million people on S.S. Disability
Pell Grants
In 2000 3.8 million young people received Pell grants
By 2005 5.2 million young people received Pell grants
By 2008 6.2 million young people received Pell grants
By 2012 9.7 million young people received Pell grants
Unemployment benefits
Unemployment benefits were established in the 1930's to provide a short term, temporary, helping hand to folks who lost their job.
In the 1930's the unemployed received 26 weeks of benefits
By 2012 the unemployed receive 99 weeks of benefits
This doesn't even touch on Welfare. If you pay people to stay at home, many will do so rather than to seek employment.
This is why the U.S. economy is stagnant and will stay stagnant.
Great article http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324461604578193141690993174.html