Making of a Lay-About Where have all the workers gone?

Here is a radical thought. What if the high unemployment rate was indicative of a large percentage of people that no longer want to work. The Lay-About is something my grandfather used to call people that would rather lay around the house rather than go to work. I believe we have created this new section of society through legislation which mandates extended unemployment benefits,free health care and in general encouraging entire generations to join the welfare state. Why work if you don't have to? My opinion comes from observation and not from what I have read in the news . Now before the hate e-mails come in , let me say I feel terrible for the people laid off due to the economic downturn. I have hundreds of friends here and in the on-line world that are disabled and would love to be able to work as well. But the mainstream media would have us all believe is that there are no jobs for people I am here to say that I have had jobs but no people.
I have been attempting to hire people off and on for the past year. A year ago I spent $300 on help wanted ads and received 10 applications, last month I spent $500 and received 5 applications. That's not the norm, I've been running one business or another for about 30 years. I placed one ad a few years back that yielded 100 applications. I don't run a sweatshop (although it is very hot in the print room). We pay 30% over minimum for entry level, access to health-care, 2 weeks vacation after the first year and entry into a printers union (we train). My point is it's a pretty good job, and no one seems to want to work anymore. Since I don't hire illegals I have since hired through temp agencies and even hired someone in the family to fill the positions.

Where have all the workers gone?

I'm sure you have opinions. Please comment below. I would love to find out that this is a local phenomenon and that my country is not just going to hell