What is the State of the Union?

Context: Economists say a real job recovery is just around the corner. Numerous indicators show the economy roaring back from a mild recession. But analysts are frustrated by the job market's stubborn weakness.

Course, you can't rally the jobless majority with the truth....plus it ain't as catchy.

Factors holding down job growth: New technology has allowed many companies to do more with fewer workers; relentless pressure to cut costs has encouraged firms to move jobs abroad; surging health care costs make U.S. workers expensive to employ; and terrorism and corporate scandals have left CEOs wary of costly, long-term risks. Washington can't do much about this in the short run.

Since when did jobless = ignorant? Grandstanding aside, having more time means that we can actually read and process statistics. We'll belive the bull when our relatives actually get work.

a) Not necessarily, if you're willing to work at Wal-Mart.

b) From a macroeconomic perspective, jobs are undoubtedly up from some selected point. But I wish some pundits' jobs could be outsourced overseas.