Over 50 and unemployed

There's a generation of unemployed people out here, ready and willing to work. To do whatever it takes to bring home a paycheck and support their families.
I'm a member of that generation. We're over 50 and unemployed.
In fact, sadly, we have been labeled "the unemployable."
Why?
We worked in high school; worked our way through college; and most of us worked at the same job for years.
So, why are we scorned and our resumes overlooked when applying for jobs? Why are we denied "entry-level" positions?
We want to work. "Entry-level" is just fine. A lot of us still have children at home so we're not ready for retirement - early or otherwise.
We are dedicated, as shown by how long we stay at our jobs. Today, especially in this town, younger people stay with one company for maybe five years before moving on to another company.
We don't. We are loyal to a company. We will give you everything you want ... and more.
I've been out of work for seven months, as have several of my former newspaper colleagues. We're educated; skilled; experienced; and willing to do what it takes to work. Heck, we're not asking for a big salaries. After all, we worked for newspapers and didn't go into journalism for the money.
Fortunately, some of us have found jobs, but a lot of us are still searching. And a government report doesn't give us much hope.
According to the Labor Department, unemployed people ages 55 to 64 are out of work an average of 11 months. Meanwhile, for those in the 25-36 age range, the average time is eight months.
Again, why?
Bring us in for interviews. Give us a chance. That's all we ask.
You may be pleasantly surprised.