Posted on 01/03/2014 6:43:55 PM PST by SeekAndFind
People who find themselves unemployed today are no more lazy or unworthy than you or I. They've just fallen on hard times — as a lot of people have in recent years, and as more are sure to in the years to come. They don't want to go on unemployment benefits, which in most cases pay much less than nearly any job.
But that doesn't mean it's a good idea to maintain a permanent unemployment benefits regime that goes on for a year or even two.
As the new year began, Congress allowed its extended unemployment benefit program to expire. Depending on what state you're in, tens of thousands of people will probably lose benefits immediately, and many more will see them run out in the next few months. Depending on the state, benefits for the newly unemployed will go back to roughly 26 weeks.
Legislators may revisit the issue, and if they do, they should first look at what happened in North Carolina, a state that cut off extended benefits already and found that it doesn't end the world — it just hastens the inevitable.
In July, North Carolina became the first state to end extended unemployment benefits altogether. As John Hood notes in the Carolina Journal, the number of employed in the state jumped by 39,000 between July 1 and Nov. 30, after standing still for the entire first half of the year. The state's unemployment rate had taken more than two years to come down by 1.5 points to where it was in June (8.8 percent). Between July 1 and Nov. 30, it declined by roughly that amount (to 7.4 percent). During that same period, about 26 percent fewer workers were dropping out of the workforce each month than had been previously.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
I live in one of the most economically depressed areas in the US. However, small business in our area are constantly begging for employees in the want adds. Trouble is, most small business (retail, fast food, etc.) can’t compete with unemployment benefits. Why work when you can sit on you butt and watch TV and clear almost as much (if not more) as working for a living.
Cut them off and they will be scrabbling for all the low paying jobs they can find.
However, after all these months of free living, they might choose to continue their lifestyle and join the welfare ranks.
Just MHO.
I’m kind of split on this.
I know that times are tough and jobs are hard to find. I also know that while I have never been unemployed for any length of time, my situation may not be the norm. I have never had a problem finding a job to make ends meet, but some of them sure did suck.
I also know that there are those that will sit on their collective butts until the unemployment runs out (my Brother-in-Law was one).
In Florida, unemployment was $224 a week about 6 years ago. I couldn’t live off of that and would have to get a job.
I know that I would (and have) take any job I could get to feed my family and keep my home. I’ve never been too proud to sweep a floor or push aa lawnmower.
Bring back jobs to America.
Now.
Then we’ll worry about unemployment. But bring the jobs back first.
First.
Maybe I’m not being adequately Republican on this issue. If so, I would welcome a comment from Mr. Jim Thompson.
But I’m not for this at all.
America has been sending American jobs overseas now for more than a full generation.
Stop buying everything from overseas.
Stop importing everything.
Bring back jobs right here.
That will solve the problem. Americans need jobs.
I think there are valid points made on both sides. The frustrating thing to me, is that we haven't done anything to actually fix the fundamental problems. Mainly we need to restore the import tariffs and start making things in America again.
I find this comment from the thread article to be an unnecessary tragedy of our own making: "But what if the good jobs just aren't coming back? What if, in the three and a half years since the number of jobs bottomed out, employment remains flat, near a 30-year low? "
Cutting it off is the only way to get some folks to get out and take the step they felt beneath them, a job paying less than they wanted..
Keeping them on the government check, has proven to them by necessity, they could pare down on their lifestyle, so now they can start over, perhaps even start their own businesses, something they refused to do before..
“Americans need jobs.”
—
And Americans need quality merchandise again, even it it costs a bit more.
.
Cutting and pasting the same mantra again aren’t you?
Well, I’ll respond with the same mantra — HOW?
I responded with a detailed idea, this morning, right after your challenge.
No answer from you on that post. I can re-post my idea here for feedback if you would like.
Here is my post from this morning, when you more or less challenged me on my response then as well:
-
Import tariffs.
Universal import tariffs. On every good imported into America.
No exceptions. No difference between any imported goods. Food. Oil. Manufactured goods. If it is imported, pay a fee. The only discussion should be, how much?
Remember it is a fee on all imports, so that is a significant, and meaningful discussion.
Use the fee, to pay down that 17 trillion (and increasing) foreign debt.
Now.
We also need to close the border and deport illegal aliens and their children back to the parent’s country of origin. American born spouses can go back with the illegal spouse back to that country.
If there are millions of illegals here to work, they are taking jobs from Americans. And depressing wages that make the pay too low for Americans to consider it today.
Eliminate welfare & unemployment. Have these people prove that they worked 2000 hours a in the calendar year thru paycheck stubs. THEN have all of congress get together to decide what the minimum salary should be for FULL TIME workers.
RE: I can re-post my idea here for feedback if you would like.
PLEASE DO SO, HERE IN THIS THREAD.
I did so. In the next post.
(waiting...)
I’ve spent a lifetime starting new businesses and hiring people, and I have an affinity, from experience, to hiring people forced off of the public dole.. Just as I also shy away from folks that spend the time bouncing from job to job..
I refuse to spend my time and money training someone that hasn’t made up their own mind what they want to be when they grow up..
However I will spend as much time to train and advance anyone who will display a sincere devotion to a task they I know they are new at and having a difficult time..
Thanks, good post.
I believe you’ve very much correctly identified the strong indicator of quality employees.
America needs more of this. But we need to hire more here.
Not elsewhere.
America needs to hire people right here, in America.
WAY too many were getting $400 or so in unemployment and working “under the table” for a few hundred more.....enough, unemployment needs to return to where it was and stop being used as an excuse to not look for a job, even a part time one. I know a golfer here who doesn’t look for a job because he can live quite comfortably on his unemployment and the few bucks he picks up on the side (bartending)....why work when the Demos will send you a check for a couple of years of sitting on your butt....pathetic!!
Long-term employment benefits have created a class of people who don’t want to work.
This class is always with us.
After 26 weeks sucking on the governments teat and you haven’t found another job your not trying hard if the area you live in is soooo bad then go to another area around you for work not everyone walks to work. Or go to training during your 26 weeks and learn a trade that is needed in your area sitting home watching the boob is not looking for work. Fast food places around my area are always looking for Management not hamburger flippers, but you could start off as a flipper and WORK your way up to Management but then that might mean you will have to get off your a$$.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.