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J posted on 3/17/2010 8:59:00 PM
It is this idea of entitlement held by U.S. residents like Mary Ellen and Huw that truly disappoints me about Americans. Since when has the idea of "pursuit of happiness" meant "give it to because I deserve it?" Whether each of has a job or not, it is the responsibility of the individual to provide for his family not the government. What is unfortunate is that today so many Americans no longer want to take individual responsibility for the very ideals this country was built upon. Huw and Mary Ellen, you can argue until you are blue in the face, but either way the current government, local, state and federal all have major spending issues and this spending flood is going toward "entitlements" and not toward keeping the lights on or even really government employee salaries.
huw posted on 3/4/2010 2:21:00 PM
i would respectfully suggest that you show these posts to a disinterested third party and ask who's doing the ranting?
Ideologues whether left or right don't solve problems for real people - just take a look at the U.S. Senate. Ideologues start with a fixed position and adjust reality to suit their conclusions, pretty much exactly what CF and their counterparts on the left do.
So lets start with reality. There are currently huge numbers of unemployed workers in Pa. There are very few jobs and the ones there are probably require retraining. That is the major issue for people in Pa today and it's probably going to be the major issue in the upcoming elections.
In your blog I read some suggestions regarding unemployment compensation. The first of which is making unemployed people attend some sort of job search program. Let's look at your suggestion. What purpose would it serve? How would it impact unemployment. I say it's a waste of time and money. There are very few jobs available and often 100's of apps for a single position. In my little business I receive numerous calls every week for a temporary position that is only occasionally available and not advertised. There seem to be ample numbers of unemployed people looking for work. Lack of jobs is the problem, not lack of motivation. Now if we really insisted on all these people take part in some sort of job search program what will the results be? They will probably not find work as there are very few jobs to find. It will also cost the State and the taxpayer a considerable amount of money to run the program. New regulations, computers, staff, offices for the thousands of people to go too etc. The end result of your initial suggestion in our current economic climate would simply be more expense to the taxpayer.
What I would suggest, while we work on the larger structural issues affecting employment, is developing programs that can retrain workers for jobs that may be available so we can at least get a small number off unemployment and back to work. Fund target programs, evaluate them and expand those programs if they work. Here is a fine example http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/03/04/business/doc4b8f28acacb92542110501.txt This is a practical, reality based approach that uses government funds wisely and will probably gather wide support. It is not particularly ideological. If we can put aside the ideological bs and partisan wrangling government can be effective. Neither pouring money into it, or starving it are going to work. Solutions need problem solvers, not ideologues.
Nathan Benefield posted on 3/4/2010 8:34:00 AM
Huw,
In your rant against ideology, all you spouted was ideological rhetoric. You're basically saying "put ideology aside and agree with my ideology". No facts, no substance, and no solution.
Explain to me, without using ideological rhetoric, why it makes sense during this recession to - as Gov. Rendell's solution to the unemployment fund crisis would do - charge employers more for each worker. That is, why we should make it more expensive for businesses, nonprofits, and government for every job they current have any new hires they would make.
huw posted on 3/3/2010 11:19:00 PM
for the third time - the jobs have gone away and they won't be back THERE IS NO WORK!
That's the situation families face in Pa right now. They're losing their health care, their homes etc. That's what's happening all across Pa. We need to put families first, right now. Tinkering around with unemployment insurance at this particular time is ludicrous. For so many people in Pa, this is an emergency situation. It's time to put the ideology and petty differences aside and lend a helping hand. Time to put the partisan nonsense aside and work together. What we have in Pa and across America is an economic 9/11. People are desperate there's no time for the usual nonsense
Nathan Benefield posted on 3/3/2010 11:06:00 PM
Huw, it is you who are out of touch - out of touch with the laws of economics.
Unemployment compensation costs money - where does that money come from? Primarily from a tax on employers for each job they create. What is the effect of that? Fewer jobs. Yay! Fewer jobs!
And read the commentary Huw; no where are we saying we should end unemployment benefits. But we are calling for common-sense reforms for folks who are gaming the system (like collecting both severance pay and unemployment, or refusing to actively look for work) - and many are doing so.
Why do you insist on defending these people who are bankrupting the system for those who deserve the benefits they are receiving?
And enough with the "I care more than you" BS. Government programs aren't how we measure compassion.
huw posted on 3/3/2010 10:36:00 PM
Earth to CF
The jobs went to Mexico, China and India - they're not coming back.
And yes unemployment insurance is temporary, for many people when it runs out they will be getting a low paying, no benefits job and desperately trying to hang on. For most folks over 50 their careers are over. Many of them have worked hard all their lives, been valuable members of the community. It's certainly not their fault the economy failed. Let's give 'em a break instead of "nickeling and diming" them on their unemployment compensation. Time to focus a little on the victims of the meltdown and show a little compassion.
Nathan Benefield posted on 3/3/2010 10:20:00 PM
Huw,
The jobs are gone due in no small part to the government policies you support.
And if the jobs "aren't coming back", then there really isn't any point in unemployment insurance anyway, since its designed as a temporary measure which can't be sustained if the jobs don't come back.
And I hate to break this shocking news, but these evil businesses are owned by ... wait for it... people. And they employee... people. And it is evil businesses from which you get your food, and clothing, and housing, and health care.
Why do you hate people so much?
huw posted on 3/3/2010 9:57:00 PM
Earth to the Commonwealth Foundation - the jobs are gone and they aren't coming back!
The article pretty much turns unemployment compensation on its head. How about fulfilling your obligations to the hard working person who has worked for many years. How about putting the people of the United States first, instead of all the business interests. Now there's a radical idea.
Bill posted on 2/18/2010 1:19:00 AM
Mary Ellen:
For 2010 PA employees will pay .08% Unemployment Compensation tax or 80 cents per $1000 dollars in income. For years employees paid no UC tax, the entire burden was paid by the employer.
When you review the actual numbers, the I paid in so much more than I'll ever get back argument just doesn't hold up.
Lynne posted on 2/17/2010 2:17:00 PM
I have had a help wanted sign in my window since Jan 2009. Currently looking for 1 full time and 1 part time position. Great pay and benefits. The only people I have had apply either have a criminal background or they INSIST on getting paid "under the table" so they do not lose their "free" money...ie...unemployment and/or welfare. These applicants have also stated to us that they do not want the job..but they need to prove that they have applied for a job in order to keep their unemployment benefirs. As an employer....there are many jobs out there...get rid of unemployment and welfare and see how may Help Wanted signs disappear. Whatever it takes to pay the bills....get off the government mammory gland and get a job
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