15.8 million out-of-work Americans

[slim 1,525]

there's no good argument to be made not to extend the benefit.

What I haven't seen is people on unemployment taking the necessary steps to "downgrade" their lives in order to make it on a lower wage job or no job at all. They've used UE as a crutch in an attempt to maintain their standard of living.

If we're truly going to get folks off governmnet assistance (because that's what it is... it's not a "right" or "entitlement" like I keep hearing... it's free money from the government that tax payers and businesses pay for) we need them to change their lives and "step down" to a lower standard of living.

With UE being extended again and again, they have no incentive to do so and will simply wait "til the jobs come back." That may never happen.

[evli1966 88]

What I haven't seen is people on unemployment taking the necessary steps to "downgrade" their lives in order to make it on a lower wage job or no job at all. They've used UE as a crutch in an attempt to maintain their standard of living.

If we're truly going to get folks off governmnet assistance (because that's what it is... it's not a "right" or "entitlement" like I keep hearing... it's free money from the government that tax payers and businesses pay for) we need them to change their lives and "step down" to a lower standard of living.

With UE being extended again and again, they have no incentive to do so and will simply wait "til the jobs come back." That may never happen.

[Captain Oates 911]

The reason I cannot be too fiscally conservative is that I received government assistance and it lifted me from blue collar to a professional qualification and I would never have made it without that public money

They got it back about 50 times over from the extra tax I paid.

Investing in people is not just a politicians phrase -it does actually work like that.

I would increase my skills - learning a language perhaps or adding qualifications while looking all day every day for an opportunity.

Getting a job toilet cleaning is not the way to go. It is the way in American social mythology but not in the real world. A new employer would like to see extra languages extra training etc - all that takes effort and application. The toilet cleaning shows you got out of bed but little else.

As a prospective employer, I want to see them coming out of 12 months unemployment with more qualifications and skills than when they went into it - not just with dishpan hands from scrubbing floors.

I had 30 people in my department for 14 years - I personally recruited around 10 per annum and interviewed 5 times that number - either as replacements or expansion and that's the way I thought at least.

[Aubrey 10]

What I haven't seen is people on unemployment taking the necessary steps to "downgrade" their lives in order to make it on a lower wage job or no job at all. They've used UE as a crutch in an attempt to maintain their standard of living.

If we're truly going to get folks off governmnet assistance (because that's what it is... it's not a "right" or "entitlement" like I keep hearing... it's free money from the government that tax payers and businesses pay for) we need them to change their lives and "step down" to a lower standard of living.

With UE being extended again and again, they have no incentive to do so and will simply wait "til the jobs come back." That may never happen.

I'd like for you to experience a layoff from your nicely paying job and then come back and say you're willing to "step down" by giving up your house, your kids good schools, groceries, etc. and take a minimum wage job to avoid staying off the UE rolls. You make it sound like UE benefits replace your old salary. They are substantially lower.

It's not as simple as you people make it out to be. Even those "no skill" jobs are hard to come by these days. Dumping people from UE will only worsen the people losing their homes, going to food banks, and seeking welfare. There are simply not enough jobs for everyone to be hired, no matter the skill level. It's simple math.

In case you are misinformed, people can't "wait til the jobs come back" as you claim. They are required to apply to jobs and keep track of all contact they have made. It's not free money to sit back and do nothing. I am so tired of reading this kind elitist garbage on this board from people who clearly don't have a clue what it is like to struggle to keep a roof over your head and food on your table.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

I'd like for you to experience a layoff from your nicely paying job and then come back and say you're willing to "step down" by giving up your house, your kids good schools, groceries, etc. and take a minimum wage job to avoid staying off the UE rolls. You make it sound like UE benefits replace your old salary. They are substantially lower.

It's not as simple as you people make it out to be. Even those "no skill" jobs are hard to come by these days. Dumping people from UE will only worsen the people losing their homes, going to food banks, and seeking welfare. There are simply not enough jobs for everyone to be hired, no matter the skill level. It's simple math.

In case you are misinformed, people can't "wait til the jobs come back" as you claim. They are required to apply to jobs and keep track of all contact they have made. It's not free money to sit back and do nothing. I am so tired of reading this kind elitist garbage on this board from people who clearly don't have a clue what it is like to struggle to keep a roof over your head and food on your table.

not keeping up on the news are you? slim is unemployed.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Unless the money is used to buy crack from a colombia drug gang and is then used to buy kalashnikovs from eastern europe and the money is then saved by a Russian in a Swiss bank account

I love economics

Yes, because we all know - or should know - that UE benefits are overwhelmingly used to purchase crack.

[Captain Oates 911]

Yes, because we all know - or should know - that UE benefits are overwhelmingly used to purchase crack.

Not saying that - that is your statement - just putting forward the alternative to the 'multiplier' which says Benefits add to the economy to more than their initial dollar amount. Not all receivers spend it as some are quite well off.

As I understand it, benefits are not means tested in the US and therefore a CEO with big money in the bank can receive benefits. They certainly can in the UK.

I would take issue with the idea that benefits are not an entitlement. They are, because the workers have paid into the scheme in the past. I know there is no pot of money and it's and unfunded scheme, nevertheless the understanding is that if a worker has deductions while they are working, they are 'entitled' to draw when they are not. That's the social contract in the UK and US

I paid close to half a million GBP in tax and Unemployment deductions and never received unemployment pay. I was 'entitled' to it had I claimed.

Edited July 26, 2010 by saywhat

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Yes, because we all know - or should know - that UE benefits are overwhelmingly used to purchase crack.

i do remember california cutting people from being able to get cash withdrawals at casinos.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i do remember california cutting people from being able to get cash withdrawals at casinos.

Welfare recipients, yes, I remember that too. Apples and oranges.

[Captain Oates 911]

i do remember california cutting people from being able to get cash withdrawals at casinos.

haha yes that's as daft as the UK not allowing people to buy more than 1 packet of aspirin to stop them committing suicide.

Like they would never think of going to the other shops and buying a packet in each

These nanny state moves are so pathetic

Good job they are or we wouldn't be able to get round them so easily

When they get to monitor us with under skin devices sending location and substance levels etc etc etc back to the government, they will be able to send the cops if we have more than 3 beers a week or are within 6 feet of a 16 year old with different DNA

Don't a laugh it's coming closer every day

On the outskirts of Shipley, there are 5 speed cameras in 400 yards on the same strip of road.

This post and all of yours are now with the national security agency who take a copy of EVERYTHING

every email, every time we check our bank accounts, every time we browse any site. All that data is captured

They promise they won't use it inappropriately so that's alright

Edited July 26, 2010 by saywhat

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not saying that - that is your statement - just putting forward the alternative to the 'multiplier' which says Benefits add to the economy to more than their initial dollar amount. Not all receivers spend it as some are quite well off.

As I understand it, benefits are not means tested in the US and therefore a CEO with big money in the bank can receive benefits. They certainly can in the UK.

I would take issue with the idea that benefits are not an entitlement. They are, because the workers have paid into the scheme in the past. I know there is no pot of money and it's and unfunded scheme, nevertheless the understanding is that if a worker has deductions while they are working, they are 'entitled' to draw when they are not. That's the social contract in the UK and US

I paid close to half a million GBP in tax and Unemployment deductions and never received unemployment pay. I was 'entitled' to it had I claimed.

The economic multiplier effect of UE payments is fairly undisputed. The $1.60 figure is rather conservative.

You are right, UE benefits are not means tested. They're also not exactly reflective of the pre-unemployment salary of the benficiary. Might be the case in the lower salary ranges but it matters little - at least where was on the receiving end of this earned benefit - whether you were making 50K or 200K. You'd see the same weekly check. Specifically, when I was receiving UE benefits, the weekly benefit max was about $250.00. That was a fraction of what I was taking home from the job I was laid off from and it was certainly not an incentive to remain unemployed. Yes, it helped pay some basic bills but it wasn't enough to survive on.

[Captain Oates 911]

The endless years and hardluck tales, and some that have just moved on,

I guess it could be envy when I wonder what's gone wrong

Fingers point at all the problems, but that won't change my mind

I must have been held back in hardknox school a few more times

A few more years, a few more tears, are we the losers in the game?

When time is done and kingdom come, we'll not be losers in the game!

No one ever said it's easy to watch the world go by

Console myself by trying and trying, and trying just one more time

Put on a smile and fake your way in through another door

But only if you have more luck than a thousand times before

A few more years, a few more tears, are we the losers in the game?

When time is done and kingdom come, we'll not be losers in the game!

Try again, change direction, spend more money, new horizons, what's it gonna be?

Take your hits, I hate my job, live like who, think like what, no thanks I'll just stay me

At least Americans believe in heaven eventually - so that's a consolation

Edited July 26, 2010 by saywhat

[Craneman 2]

not keeping up on the news are you? slim is unemployed.

Do not confuse the issue with facts !

[Craneman 2]

Good news, the Brazil economy is at pre 2008 levels and shows signs of even more rapid growth.

Anyone willing to relocate ???

I'll bet I get no takers from the unemployed ?

[sara535 15]

What I haven't seen is people on unemployment taking the necessary steps to "downgrade" their lives in order to make it on a lower wage job or no job at all. They've used UE as a crutch in an attempt to maintain their standard of living. If we're truly going to get folks off governmnet assistance (because that's what it is... it's not a "right" or "entitlement" like I keep hearing... it's free money from the government that tax payers and businesses pay for) we need them to change their lives and "step down" to a lower standard of living.With UE being extended again and again, they have no incentive to do so and will simply wait "til the jobs come back." That may never happen.

Slim,

UE is not a right or an entitlement, its paid for by taxpayers and businesses - umm, right. and up until the day I was laid off, I was one of the taxpayers paying into it. I paid into it for 15 years, I am certainly not going to feel guilty now for utilizing it. its called INSURANCE for a reason, to be used when you need it...... I can assure you that no one around here in Central California (unemployment rate about 13%) is living high on the hog on our unemployment checks. Plenty of lifestyle downgrades going on, but at least we still have food and utilities and my rapidly growing teenage son has new shoes when he needs them.