Another probable culprit is the rapid expansion of government payments jobless insurance, food stamps, Medicaid, disability and various tax credits that provide millions with an alternative income to getting a job.
Mr. Obama wants to blame all of that on his predecessor, and no doubt the recession that began in December 2007 reduced revenues and increased automatic spending "stabilizers" like joblessinsurance.
In fact, research shows that unemployment insurance helps keep jobless workers attached to the labor market so that they're not dropping out and giving up.