What's Wrong with America's Economy?

It's no secret at all that America's economy is, and has been for recent years, falling. The majority of American's think that Obama and Congress are not doing a good job in handling the economy, and that we, as a nation, are on the wrong path to recovery. One of the reasons people may feel this way towards Obama is because he states the problem as a need for competitiveness with China. As much as that could help, it is not the main issue and we should not soley be focusing on that. Another big issue, is the job market. The current unemployment rate is 9%, and about 40% of those people have been out of work for longer than 6 months. This is because jobs are not available to them unless they have a college degree. Reform needs to be made for lesser skilled men in the job market if there should be any hope for reform. College prices are continuously rising, and the amount of Americans that can afford it is declining. Having a job market where only college graduates can receive jobs is a huge issue that needs to be looked at and reformed. Another problem is, workers see this, and they get discouraged. A lot of out-of-work men have simply given up on the job search simply because it offers no hope for a stable future. The percent of "prime-age" males in work has dropped 15% this decade, but the lack of oppurtunity will keep the percentage there, unless reform is made. And even if these low skilled men did get jobs, a lot will be taken out of their pay, like money toward EITC, or Child Support (if valid to them). Kids in high school are becoming more likely to drop out because the amount of hope that they will be able to find a job with a high school degree only is not very high at all. Some are suggesting trade-barriers for jobs, and others to improve skills. Whichever is the better, I don't know, but I do know that something needs to be done soon, or else the unemployment rate will rise, and the economy will fall.