Top Ten Economic Problems

Moira Herbst runs down ten reasons for a lackluster recovery.

Problem 1: wages are falling

Problem 2: the middle class is losing ground and getting hollowed out

Problem 3: McJobs are taking over

Problem 4: capital is hammering labor

Problem 5: unemployment is twice what they say

Problem 6: America is going part-time – and not for fun

Problem 7: workers aren't working

Problem 8: union wages are harder to come by. Much

Problem 9: the cost of college is skyrocketing

Problem 10: inequality is getting worse

Update (July 30):  A report from the National Employment Law Project shows how the loss of employment in mid-wage occupations has deepened inequality.  President Obama touts a job creator like Amazon, but warehouse jobs are often temporary and at $11 per hour, hardly amount to a middle-class income.

Update (August 25):  Economics professors David Autor and David Dorn describe how technology is creating a polarized work force.

Update (December 11):  More from Autor and Dorn about how service sector jobs are replacing skilled labor.

Update (May 3, 2014):  Another view of the changing labor market.