If Congress would quit fucking extending the benefits for the unemployed, the rate would lower dramatically, methinks. Give me a break, some are going on 2 years now, arent they? Cut off the cash, and half of these fucks would go find a job, even if it was for less money than what they're used to.
The union worker who was making $35/hour at his job who got laid off has no motivation to go seek a $12/hour job when he/she is collecting more than that in unemployment benefits...that is, unless, the benefits are cut off.