Posted on 12/04/2010 12:20:47 PM PST by bray
I don’t think the cost of providing UC checks is 90%, although it is a lot.
State unemployment taxes go strictly for the checks, the federal unemployment levy goes for the administration of the program.
Your right, I was giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Pray for America
enough brayin
Then they could pay the people who really need the help.
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I am a volunteer triage interviewer at a local food/clothing bank. In this job I gather info from an applicant and determine how the bank can best help them.
In the series of question that I ask one is, “Are you working?” It used to upset me when the person would say, “I don’t have to work, I get a government check.” Now I get upset when they say, “I don’t have to work, I’m on unemployment. I want to say, “Enjoy my tax dollars you leech.”
I sincerely hope the unemployment benefits are not extended. It provides an too-easy reason to not look for work. Unemployment has become the new welfare.
Many of them have forgot how to work.
Pray for America
Payments to the unemployed should come from a ‘welfare’ line item after x number of weeks, because the “Employment Income” budget line is related to costs to employers. In Maryland some employers have seen their Employment Insurance premiums go up 300-500% during the past year. This is really conducive to their hiring the next new employee, NOT!
It is so wrong for people to get comfortable on ‘government checks’ plus handouts from the many agencies around to help the destitute. When I begin seeing starving Americans I will begin to worry that we are not “doing enough”.
Please explain how I am a leech. Thanks.
Meant to say:
I will gladly trade my UB check for anyone’s paycheck.
Unfortunately, people tend to paint with a ‘broad brush’, in assuming that everyone on unemployment is lazy. I wouldn’t call anyone a leech (as spiltmilk stated) unless I knew the entire situation or story. Some are actively looking for work, looking to acquire a new skill set, willing to relocate etc...but not everyone, as simple human nature would predict.
I know two near ‘99ers’ here in town, and they almost wear that badge with honor. Neither has done anything other than look for similar job at similar pay to the one they lost, and continue to look in the same labor market/area they live in. Both complain about the lack of funds provided by unemployment payments, but I guess they’re not that uncomfortable that they have looked to change fields or move to where a job might be or even to take a lesser paying job (or two).
I don’t know what to think at this point...but continually extending the jobless benefits past two years doesn’t seem like a good answer. Not to sound cruel, but at a certain point certain people need to be placed in a more ‘uncomfortable’ situation just so they do something else, anything else, to be productive.
How long is ‘too long’ for unemployment benefits??
I agree that the answer to "how long is too long" is a tricky one. However, the extensions that have continually been funded have not extended the term over 99 weeks. The recent legislation (not passed) would extend the term one can claim unemployment for three months, provided they have exhausted their initial claim - up to 99 weeks.
People who are only vaguely familiar with unemployment hear the word "extension" and the term "99ers" and immediately believe people are being allowed to collect UI forever. This is not the case. Currently, my own claim expires after 26 weeks. Without an extension, I'm done.
Are you starving, losing weight, moving to a new location to find work? If not, you are still in a comfortable position.
I don’t know your own specific position, but I am really referring to people who, for example, lost their jobs because the industry that kept the town going has collapsed - and the town folk seem to be paralyzed into a dependency on government for far too long. The leftists who have been in charge of our Congress for the past three years are happy to have as many people as possible dependent forever.
I don’t think you, personally, are a leech and I’ve been through the same struggle of finding a job after graduation in the Obozo economy. However, strictly economically speaking, unemployment benefits do provide a disincentive to try as hard to find a job. Correct me if I’m mistaken, but all you have to do to collect your unemployment, is fill out 4 applications a week, no matter if you’re qualified or not, and no matter the quality of presentation of your application, resume, or your follow up, correct?
You are correct. It’s actually 3 work search “activities” per week. I can show you a log that documents hours of effort daily and over 1-2 job applications per day on average for six months. My unemployment check is half of what my paycheck was. I’m sure there are some who through large savings, under the table jobs or spouse’s income have no incentive to find work, but this single guy who is burning through his life’s savings just to supplement the UI check and keep the bills paid sure doesn’t see much fun in unemployment.
My point being that looking at unemployment on a theoretical level is one thing. As someone who has worked hard every day to try and get back to work at all sorts of jobs - in my field and equal to my level, entry level, “any job” just to get back to work - I can attest to the fact that there just are not enough jobs out there to get all the unemployed back to work at this moment.
First, go back and reread my reply. I wrote:
Now I get upset when they say, “I don’t have to work, I’m on unemployment."These folks are gaming the system. Using their unemployment benefits as a form of welfare while they while away the hours NOT seeking gainful employement.
I also wrote:
I want to say, “Enjoy my tax dollars you leech.”They are, indeed, leeching my tax dollars. Yours, too. Go read this thread for a good explanation of how unemployment benefits are paid. It is not strictly a state run program financed exclusively by taxes paid by employers. A quick excerpt:
During times of high national unemployment, the Feds institute “extended benefits”. This is NOT Unemployment Insurance. No premiums are paid or collected for these benefits. The program is ADMINISTERED by the states but the benefits are simply expenditures of the Federal Budget.I wish you much success in your job hunt. It ain't easy.
Fair enough, I misunderstood that you were referring specifically to those taking the check and making no effort to get back to work. This strategy is foreign to me as I can’t make my bills on unemployment alone and am rapidly running through my own rainy day savings I have no idea how that’s appealing vs. working but I guess these types are out there if you say so.
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