Optimism about an economy recovery may lead many to believe that jobs, housing, health care and other trappings of an American middle class lifestyle could be around the corner. However, this New York Times article titled, The New Poor - Despite Signs of Recovery, Long-Term Unemployment Rises - Series - NYTimes.com, suggests that a better, more stable future is unlikely for those hit hardest by the economic meltdown. In fact, the standard of living for Americans who've been foreclosed, laid off, injured or fallen sick without health care, besieged by debt, could very well be permanently ratcheted down to the ranks of the poor and dispossessed.