Having been laid off before, I could not find work in my existing field, so I took two part-time jobs to tide me over.
When I finally was able to interview in my chosen field again, the HR manager told me that my willingness to work (even two part-time jobs) shows that I am a dedicated worker - that was one of the reasons she called me in (and I got the job).
TYPICALLY, someone not working for 6+ months is not willing to work or simply not really looking to work.
Of course, there are exceptions in every situation, but there is work out there; maybe not your IDEAL job opportunity, but there is WORK to be done.
Lastly, job hoppers are usually seeking the next pay-raise, not a career with a company. Given time, opportunity and effort, most people would get that next pay-raise in short-order. But, those who job-hop have a tendency to not want to wait until the opportunity comes along.
They will ditch a company to claim a quarter an hour pay-raise, ignoring the comfortable work atmosphere, ignoring the free-time allowed, ignoring the benefits (paid and unpaid), ignoring the COMPANY - as a whole. So, yes, companies are leery of those who job-hop.
Having worked in HR, I can tell you that both of these trends are well-founded.
Now look, this thread is no place for common sense, experience, and airing of what we ALL KNOW inside about human nature. This thread is a place for faux conservatives to find their inner Occupy Wall Street and blame big bad free enterprise. Take your logic and wisdom someplace else!!!!