I don't think older folks understand just how much more difficult and expensive the government has made it to employ people today (unless they're running a business). There's so little flexibility in hiring and Medicare and Social Security taxes put a 7.5% tax on every dollar (practically) spent on employee wages.
The young used to be able to show up at an office or place of business right out of high school (or earlier) and right away be given something to do for a modest amount of money. No way today. Too risky and too expensive.
The Republicans would destroy the Democrats if they just did something to reform employment rules and payroll taxes.
The Republicans are just as knee deep in it as the Rats are.