Interesting that the last time the participation rate was this low was under Jimmy Carter. Apparently when the government and economy are out of control there are those who choose to just wait it out?

Every time the unemployment numbers come out and they say how they're getting better (bla bla bla) it gets mentioned about how the actual job numbers are getting worse...less people are in the work force, but that never really get's any traction. It's been bugging me because it's a big deal to consider and the unemployment numbers mean nothing. If food stamps have tripled in 5 years (or whatever the actual number is) isn't that another huge red flag? I don't understand why it gets ignored.. Well, other than it's part of the brain washing agenda to trick the masses into believe things aren't so bad.... along with printing money to artificially prop up the economy.... It's all for show......right up until the fat lady sings. (I think she's behind the curtain sipping lemon juice and warming her pipes as we speak too.)

Are they giving up because "the economy is so bad", or because the powers that be have made it possible to "live without working" at an inconvenience level that causes less pain/stress than actual employment?