Much of the full-time/part-time issue is benefits. Medical costs are crippling businesses and it has nothing to do with Obamacare. Medical costs have been skyrocketing for many years.

I used to work for a multinational company that was self insured. They were spending in excess of $500m/year for health care 5 years ago.

But, no doubt about it, it's a tough economy right now... Lots of folks are hurting.