#1 Topic : Jobs

[bluehenbillk]

Let's face it - this is the biggest factor in the 2012 election, what the unemployment rate will be come voting time - are people worried about their jobs if they have them.

Obama took his shot last night - how would you fix it?

Here's an idea & it'll be unpopular with some but it'll get more people employed:

Extending unemployment benefits to 99 weeks is a terrible idea. Cap benefits at no more than 52 weeks. 99 weeks in effect creates a second welfare state & is a fiscal drain to the states that already have enough problem as is. Going out to 99 weeks allows people to be lazier in looking for a job versus having a realistic deadline even in a bad economy on getting a new job. Furthermore, the unemployment system is so watered down right now - it's about transferring money to people out of work & getting nothing in return. Here's what we change: at the 26-week mark if the person is still unemployed, they would need to attend a weekly 1-2 hour workshop on re-entering the workforce. It could be writing a resume &/or cover letter, it could be networking, it could be job fairs, it could be learning new trades/skills, but show the people writing the check that you're serious about getting a job. You don't show up to those events of your choice for a week, you don't get a check that week.

Look, I've been unemployed for a time in this economy, I can sympathize. It took me 10 weeks to find another job. 99? You're just not trying hard enough or looking in the wrong places if it ever gets close to that number. Make it 52 & create programs to GET PEOPLE OFF unemployment versus carrying the worst of the bunch longer.

it may take a village to fix a nation, take your best shot.....

[93henfan]

I was listening to The Big Talker out of Philly a couple of weeks ago. A guy that ran a small construction firm said he can't get anyone to work for him. He's offering $25/hour.

He said that the trade workers are more content to take $45/hr on union jobs for six months out of the year and collect unemployment the other six. They net more money and work half as hard.

[∞∞∞]

Shift back to a manufacturing/technology economy. Stop telling kids to go to college for useless degrees and get more people to go to trade schools. Invest into energy independence, space, and infrastructure.

[AZGrizFan]

Make the chronically unemployed WORK for their check.

It just seems crazy that we've got companies (and local/county/state governments) laying off workers because of budget cuts, but we're extending unemployment benefits which allow people to collect $$ for doing NOTHING....why can't the federal gov't pass the $$ through to the states & local gov'ts to allow them to fund jobs and getting something out of the money? Why continually give people something for nothing?

Then again, Pelosi thinks extending unemployment benefits creates jobs so what do I know?

[AZGrizFan]

I was listening to The Big Talker out of Philly a couple of weeks ago. A guy that ran a small construction firm said he can't get anyone to work for him. He's offering $25/hour.

He said that the trade workers are more content to take $45/hr on union jobs for six months out of the year and collect unemployment the other six. They net more money and work half as hard.

Same unions who picket every non-union job in Phoenix with illegal day-workers they went and picked up at the local Home Depot parking lot.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Fu*k the jobs.

You stupid mutherfu*kers that voted for Obama deserve another 4 years of this POS. I really want you to get the full version of the fu*king he is putting on this country. I want unemployment over 15% when hes done in 2016.

You wanted him, you got him!

[TheDancinMonarch]

Fu*k the jobs.

You stupid mutherfu*kers that voted for Obama deserve another 4 years of this POS. I really want you to get the full version of the fu*king he is putting on this country. I want unemployment over 15% when hes done in 2016.

You wanted him, you got him!

Real unemployment is already at least 15%. Four more years and we'll be lucky if it's under 25%.

[∞∞∞]

Fu*k the jobs.

You stupid mutherfu*kers that voted for Obama deserve another 4 years of this POS. I really want you to get the full version of the fu*king he is putting on this country. I want unemployment over 15% when hes done in 2016.

You wanted him, you got him!

'Cause there isn't a legislative branch, or Wall Street, or Unions, or anything else to blame. All Obama's fault.

How 'bout we stop being such a divided nation, wishing ill on people who don't agree with you, and start working like adults to fix our problems? What's that quote again? Something like "90% of success is attitude." If we keep berating each other like this, nothing's ever gonna get solved. United States of America...

[93henfan]

Fu*k the jobs.

You stupid mutherfu*kers that voted for Obama deserve another 4 years of this POS. I really want you to get the full version of the fu*king he is putting on this country. I want unemployment over 15% when hes done in 2016.

You wanted him, you got him!

'Cause there isn't a legislative branch, or Wall Street, or Unions, or anything else to blame. All Obama's fault.

How 'bout we stop being such a divided nation, wishing ill on people who don't agree with you, and start working like adults to fix our problems? What's that quote again? Something like "90% of success is attitude." If we keep berating each other like this, nothing's ever gonna get solved. United States of America...

Fucking Arabs.

[∞∞∞]

'Cause there isn't a legislative branch, or Wall Street, or Unions, or anything else to blame. All Obama's fault.

How 'bout we stop being such a divided nation, wishing ill on people who don't agree with you, and start working like adults to fix our problems? What's that quote again? Something like "90% of success is attitude." If we keep berating each other like this, nothing's ever gonna get solved. United States of America...

Fucking Arabs.

Not my problem if y'all wanna invest a couple billion a week to blow up Jafar and the Bazaar's of Baghdad.

[HI54UNI]

Let's face it - this is the biggest factor in the 2012 election, what the unemployment rate will be come voting time - are people worried about their jobs if they have them.

Obama took his shot last night - how would you fix it?

Here's an idea & it'll be unpopular with some but it'll get more people employed:

Extending unemployment benefits to 99 weeks is a terrible idea. Cap benefits at no more than 52 weeks. 99 weeks in effect creates a second welfare state & is a fiscal drain to the states that already have enough problem as is. Going out to 99 weeks allows people to be lazier in looking for a job versus having a realistic deadline even in a bad economy on getting a new job. Furthermore, the unemployment system is so watered down right now - it's about transferring money to people out of work & getting nothing in return. Here's what we change: at the 26-week mark if the person is still unemployed, they would need to attend a weekly 1-2 hour workshop on re-entering the workforce. It could be writing a resume &/or cover letter, it could be networking, it could be job fairs, it could be learning new trades/skills, but show the people writing the check that you're serious about getting a job. You don't show up to those events of your choice for a week, you don't get a check that week.

Look, I've been unemployed for a time in this economy, I can sympathize. It took me 10 weeks to find another job. 99? You're just not trying hard enough or looking in the wrong places if it ever gets close to that number. Make it 52 & create programs to GET PEOPLE OFF unemployment versus carrying the worst of the bunch longer.

it may take a village to fix a nation, take your best shot.....

I'll add to yours - at 26 weeks they do their 1-2 hours at a workshop plus have to start working 20 hours per week on community service type projects. They can clean up parks, sort books at the library, paint fire hydrants, whatever.

[ASUG8]

Sounds like a pretty sound plan to me.

Let's say that you're a recently unemployed financial analyst making $50K/yr, $961 per week and believe that with time you can secure employment for the same money given enough time. You're pocketing $400/week on unemployment, but could go to Home Depot and work for $12/hr, or $480/week less taxes. Those are 40 hrs every week that you can't look for suitable employment, so there's an opportunity cost there. How long do you stay on the teat before you realize that maybe you're unemployable at your previous salary? I think the answer is indefinitely unless there's a reasonable time frame like you proposed to at least make sure folks are trying to find work. Maybe after 26 weeks (or some other time period) you begin a gradual reduction of benefits to spur them along.

[AZGrizFan]

Sounds like a pretty sound plan to me.

Let's say that you're a recently unemployed financial analyst making $50K/yr, $961 per week and believe that with time you can secure employment for the same money given enough time. You're pocketing $400/week on unemployment, but could go to Home Depot and work for $12/hr, or $480/week less taxes. Those are 40 hrs every week that you can't look for suitable employment, so there's an opportunity cost there. How long do you stay on the teat before you realize that maybe you're unemployable at your previous salary? I think the answer is indefinitely unless there's a reasonable time frame like you proposed to at least make sure folks are trying to find work. Maybe after 26 weeks (or some other time period) you begin a gradual reduction of benefits to spur them along.

Maybe at 26 weeks the benefit ends, like it use to. That would spur them along EARLIER than 26 weeks.

[Cap'n Cat]

Extending unemployment benefits is a better investment in the economy than tax breaks because the people receiving those benefits actually spend the money on goods and services, thus boosting the economy. Tax breaks go to Mercedes-Benz convertibles for rich Conks' daughters, partying their way through Arizona State and UCLA.

[Ivytalk]

Make the chronically unemployed WORK for their check.

It just seems crazy that we've got companies (and local/county/state governments) laying off workers because of budget cuts, but we're extending unemployment benefits which allow people to collect $$ for doing NOTHING....why can't the federal gov't pass the $$ through to the states & local gov'ts to allow them to fund jobs and getting something out of the money? Why continually give people something for nothing?

Then again, Pelosi thinks extending unemployment benefits creates jobs so what do I know?

'Like George Carlin's "Bering Strait Theory": "Put all them welfare people to work filling in the Bering Strait and charge them Indians a buck a head to go home."

[AZGrizFan]

Make the chronically unemployed WORK for their check.

It just seems crazy that we've got companies (and local/county/state governments) laying off workers because of budget cuts, but we're extending unemployment benefits which allow people to collect $$ for doing NOTHING....why can't the federal gov't pass the $$ through to the states & local gov'ts to allow them to fund jobs and getting something out of the money? Why continually give people something for nothing?

Then again, Pelosi thinks extending unemployment benefits creates jobs so what do I know?

'Like George Carlin's "Bering Strait Theory": "Put all them welfare people to work filling in the Bering Strait and charge them Indians a buck a head to go home."

[AZGrizFan]

Extending unemployment benefits is a better investment in the economy than tax breaks because the people receiving those benefits actually spend the money on goods and services, thus boosting the economy. Tax breaks go to Mercedes-Benz convertibles for rich Conks' daughters, partying their way through Arizona State and UCLA.

OK, Nancy Pelosi.

[Cap'n Cat]

Extending unemployment benefits is a better investment in the economy than tax breaks because the people receiving those benefits actually spend the money on goods and services, thus boosting the economy. Tax breaks go to Mercedes-Benz convertibles for rich Conks' daughters, partying their way through Arizona State and UCLA.

OK, Nancy Pelosi.

Look it up. It's true.


The Mercedes thing is a jab, of course.

[Bronco]

[AZGrizFan]

OK, Nancy Pelosi.

Look it up. It's true.

Oh, I'm sure you're right. If we were to end unemployment benefits and force them to actually go out and FIND A JOB, they'd NEVER spend THAT money on goods and services, though.

[GannonFan]

Unemployment benefits are merely a holding position economically, nothing more. Actually contending that they help the economy beyond that, or even grow the economy, is just simply foolishness. And if they become big enough that spending on unemployment benefits means that spending on real things to grow the economy aren't done, or that the unemployed are not flexible enough to take the jobs that are out there, then they become an actual drain on the economy. There are jobs out there, I drive by places everyday that are advertising for openings. I've been unemployed before and I'll be again, I'm sure, but you buck up and take a job you can get and make do. 99 weeks was and still is absurd. Start by cutting it in half - a year is still too much time for unemployment but it's a start.

As for jobs, beyond the unemployment benefits, if we're going to cut taxes then let's do it for real, none of this Mickey Mouse short term crap that no one's going to jump through all the hoops to use in the first place and that everyone can see won't help them the moment the tax cut goes away in a year and they're stuck with a bigger tax burden than before. We've bandied changing the tax code for years - make the cuts, make the tax code simpler so it's more realizable, and be done with it. And then leave it alone for several years.

[catamount man]

the lazy do not want to work plain and simple. There was a lady FOR WEEKS standing out in the median on Hwy 123 between Clemson and Seneca, SC holding the good old "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" sign. As one that kept on driving past, I would notice that no more than 2 miles down the road, a local McDonalds for WEEKS has plainly stated on their billboard "Now hiring for 3rd shift and lobby", another gas station, "applications being accepted"........

I mean, I don't get it. I got fired from a pretty good job in November 2009 and within 2 weeks, my ass was working again, albeit in automotive manufacturing which I had zero experience in, but I toughed it out until I got another job and the job I am at now is one of the best, if not the best job, I've ever had. 16 months, pay is good, got health coverage, etc, a health savings account that gets fed bi-weekly.

It's all about your attitude, getting off your ass, making contact, presenting yourself as somebody that is willing to work, and being humble. The times I was waiting in line at the local unemployment office were some of the most eye opening times of my life. I heard comments like "No, now I gotta have a job where I get paid every week. not every 2 weeks". THE MOTHERFUCKER HADN'T WORKED IN A YEAR!!!!!!

You want to see how divided a nation is and the attitude is different amongst different camps, go spend time in an unemployment office. I'm sorry, just calling it as I've seen it. Obama and jobs? Psssh.......he has no clue, plain and simple. Just another politician that thinks it's their job to control private business and commerce. He's an idiot.

[kalm]

Let's face it - this is the biggest factor in the 2012 election, what the unemployment rate will be come voting time - are people worried about their jobs if they have them.

Obama took his shot last night - how would you fix it?

Here's an idea & it'll be unpopular with some but it'll get more people employed:

Extending unemployment benefits to 99 weeks is a terrible idea. Cap benefits at no more than 52 weeks. 99 weeks in effect creates a second welfare state & is a fiscal drain to the states that already have enough problem as is. Going out to 99 weeks allows people to be lazier in looking for a job versus having a realistic deadline even in a bad economy on getting a new job. Furthermore, the unemployment system is so watered down right now - it's about transferring money to people out of work & getting nothing in return. Here's what we change: at the 26-week mark if the person is still unemployed, they would need to attend a weekly 1-2 hour workshop on re-entering the workforce. It could be writing a resume &/or cover letter, it could be networking, it could be job fairs, it could be learning new trades/skills, but show the people writing the check that you're serious about getting a job. You don't show up to those events of your choice for a week, you don't get a check that week.

Look, I've been unemployed for a time in this economy, I can sympathize. It took me 10 weeks to find another job. 99? You're just not trying hard enough or looking in the wrong places if it ever gets close to that number. Make it 52 & create programs to GET PEOPLE OFF unemployment versus carrying the worst of the bunch longer.

it may take a village to fix a nation, take your best shot.....

I'll add to yours - at 26 weeks they do their 1-2 hours at a workshop plus have to start working 20 hours per week on community service type projects. They can clean up parks, sort books at the library, paint fire hydrants, whatever.

Workfare. That would be a nice compromise for the Republicans to offer up. A modern day CCC where the tax payer is getting a ROI. Maybe we can ask the recipients of the $9 trillion in loans the FED has handed out to pay for it.

End all tax breaks for corporations that have outsourced jobs. Sorry, the gravy train is over. The US has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world but the second lowest effective rate among OECD nations. We have rewarded anti American behavior for too long, at the expense of our own manufacturing base. And if you want to relocate your entire operation you will pay, as a non-domestic company, tariffs equal to what China charges for US products.

Lastly, any future government stimulus will only be spent with domestic companies. Again, just like China has done. The world still needs our markets and we need to look at this like we are gearing up for war, only an economic one this time.

[GannonFan]

I'll add to yours - at 26 weeks they do their 1-2 hours at a workshop plus have to start working 20 hours per week on community service type projects. They can clean up parks, sort books at the library, paint fire hydrants, whatever.

Workfare. That would be a nice compromise for the Republicans to offer up. A modern day CCC where the tax payer is getting a ROI. Maybe we can ask the recipients of the $9 trillion in loans the FED has handed out to pay for it.

End all tax breaks for corporations that have outsourced jobs. Sorry, the gravy train is over. The US has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world but the second lowest effective rate among OECD nations. We have rewarded anti American behavior for too long, at the expense of our own manufacturing base. And if you want to relocate your entire operation you will pay, as a non-domestic company, tariffs equal to what China charges for US products.

Lastly, any future government stimulus will only be spent with domestic companies. Again, just like China has done. The world still needs our markets and we need to look at this like we are gearing up for war, only an economic one this time.

Gee, that's super - trade wars are almost always the answer to expanding economically. I'm sure we don't need to worry about having access to all the markets that we still need too - I'm sure they'll all be open while we close our markets off.

[kalm]

Workfare. That would be a nice compromise for the Republicans to offer up. A modern day CCC where the tax payer is getting a ROI. Maybe we can ask the recipients of the $9 trillion in loans the FED has handed out to pay for it.

End all tax breaks for corporations that have outsourced jobs. Sorry, the gravy train is over. The US has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world but the second lowest effective rate among OECD nations. We have rewarded anti American behavior for too long, at the expense of our own manufacturing base. And if you want to relocate your entire operation you will pay, as a non-domestic company, tariffs equal to what China charges for US products.

Lastly, any future government stimulus will only be spent with domestic companies. Again, just like China has done. The world still needs our markets and we need to look at this like we are gearing up for war, only an economic one this time.

Gee, that's super - trade wars are almost always the answer to expanding economically. I'm sure we don't need to worry about having access to all the markets that we still need too - I'm sure they'll all be open while we close our markets off.

We don't have to close our markets, just play by the same rules, quit pandering to the likes of Hewlett Packard, and quit unnecessarily spending tax payer money overseas. 50,000 US factories have closed in the last decade. In case you havent noticed, were having a tough time replacing those jobs.