This is macro-economics at the core.  Loss of union jobs.  Freeze on government wages.  Automation.  Corporate profit taking.  Lack of corporate re-investment.  Small rise in minimum wages.  The list is endless.

What I find truly shocking follows.  I always knew the illiteracy rate is about 30% but when you add on those that can read and do basic math (but not very well mind you) the results are quite sad:

42% of Canadian adults between the ages of 16 and 65 have low literacy skills. (http://www.literacy.ca/literacy/literacy-sub/)

With the Western world becoming more and more technologically driven, how can real incomes rise in the face of that?