The rate of labor force participation is also at a record low. It's tempting to argue that, "well it's the economy". Uh, no. Murray's graph here shows that labor force participation does not at all dovetail with national unemployment numbers. As you can see, the 1970s are period with high national unemployment and high workforce participation. On the other than, the 1980s and 1990s have low national unemployment rates and low work force participation rates. This would be the "test."
The more compelling story is the cultural change in white, lower class America.
