Remember the plight of farm workers in the 19 th century forced to flee the rural life they knew to find work in the industries of the big cities. Urban conditions could be cruel, but the Industrial Revolution ultimately raised living standards. Just because you can find some kind of job doesn't mean you'll earn enough to pay for rent, utilities, food, transportation, health and auto insurance and day care. The service jobs opening up often pay far less than industrial work. The high-tech jobs require education some can't afford.
Poverty persists in the midst of plenty.
This is a good time to be an employee and a frustrating time to be an employer. Most employers, however, would rather have a hard time finding workers to fill jobs to sustain or enlarge their businesses than not have jobs to fill or have to lay off people. One owner of a small Little Rock store says that since giant retailers like Best Buy have moved into the area, the pool of qualified retail workers has dwindled. At the same time his store has reaped the rewards of an expanding economy and the growth of high-wage companies like Alltel and Acxiom. More people can afford to buy his goods.