Long Term Unemployed? Are they the bottom of the barrel or not resourceful?

Last night I went to a local Recruiting Club to discuss ideas in a round table discussion and one topic that came up was the long term unemployed. Some recruiters have had a increase of resumes coming in from people who have bean out of work for 2+ years or more.

One Recruiter said he would never hire someone out of work for 2 years, because he said it shows they are not resourceful. Another Recruiter said the long term unemployed haven't used their skills in a long time but are still seeking that same high pay as someone who is current.

Of course there was another guy at the table who was not as delicate and out right said "They are lazy and just looking for a Government check. Now that their checks are gone, they are just now starting to look for a job."

I'm very sympathetic towards anyone out of work and this why I love Recruiting. Yes, there are those out there who do take advantage of the system, but I think they are small fraction and don't represent the whole group.

What do you think? Are the long term unemployed really looked on as un-resourceful or the bottom of the barrel?