Republicans have been complaining about yet another extension this time for an additional 34 Billion dollars going to 2.5 million unemployed Americans. They complain that the 34 Billion is not funded by cuts in the budget or new revenues; it basically is just added to the deficit which is in the TRILLIONS.
The Republicans are also complaining that if the unemployment benefits keep getting extended, people will quit looking for work and just sit on unemployment and wait for more and more extensions. Some economic surveys actually support this theory.
The Democrats are calling the Republicans heartless fools…
I have not entered this particular fray because I know jobs are hard to find and I also know that the jobs available can not even come close in offering the pay and benefits that workers were used to in the past, especially union workers. I also understand that those jobs, high pay for little skill, as in auto jobs, are gone for good and the sooner we adjust to this reality, the sooner we get out of this mess.
On a personal level, we have been hiring at our plant for some time now and we had more job openings (basic production labor) still to be filled. We found a gentleman that would fit the job description well (we offer medical, profit sharing 401(k) contributions and annual bonuses). This gentleman accepted our offer but on the day he was suppose to report for work, he called and said that since his unemployment benefits have been extended, he would not take the job.
This troubles me and if we are just a microcosm of the country; many employers are probably experiencing the same as I am experiencing. Now this is not to say that every unemployed person would rather sit than work but I must believe that a goodly portion probably would; why work for what you can collect by not working.
Is the government prolonging our economic malaise by propping up job expectations that no longer exist? I am starting to believe that and the welfare has to stop somewhere. It is job creation (any job) that is fundamental to getting us out of this unemployment hole and people need to start taking available jobs.
My father worked three (3) jobs to support us and he was proud as hell to be able to work period and do a good job at that.
I think we have been spoiled by easy living for too long and we need to re-establish the work ethic that made this country great.
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