Why Folks Suffer

For more informative charts like this, see The Daily Kos. 

"The chart shows real GDP in the U.S. and the level of total civilian employment from 2002-2011. The total output of the U.S. economy in Q3 of this year finally increased to a level above the output in the fourth quarter of 2007, when the recession started (blue line). In other words, the U.S. economy has now made a complete recovery from the 2007-2009 recession.  But the labor market is still struggling to recover. We have 6.6 million fewer jobs today in the U.S. than in December 2007 when the recession started (red line in chart), along with a 8.6% unemployment rate, and thus another "jobless recovery."
—Mark J. Perry, Ph.D., visiting fellow, American Enterprise Institute

The recession’s over, what great news!

But lots of folks still have the blues,

there’s no recov’ry yet in sight

for working people and their plight.

The bankers still are making money

For them the outlook’s pretty sunny.

But those who have to earn a wage

Can’t find a job in this new age.

The jobs are gone, they won’t be back

The whole job market’s out of whack.

So if employment’s what you seek,

I’m afraid you’re up shit’s creek.