State Senate Republicans To Unemployed: Drop Dead

[Bobl]

Michigan Senate Republicans today just banned unemployment compensation to unemployed State citizens who have exhausted their benefits but are in training for new employment. This would prevent the State from receiving funds from the Stimulus Act for this purpose.

Quote from Karen Bouffard, The Detroit News:

"...The legislation also would (have) extend benefits for unemployed workers who have exhausted their benefits but are enrolled in an approved job training program.
Enactment of the provisions would have enabled the state to receive $138.9 million in additional federal funding under the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, according to a House legislative analysis. However, Senate Republicans said the bills would increase costs for employers who contribute to the unemployment, and ultimately discourage businesses from locating in Michigan..."

[Ocean2026]

I guess this means you don't agree with the GOP. I am not sure who is right on this and doubt you have the economic savvy to know either. At least these GOPers are at work look what Ensign and Sanford have been up to!

[mjs]

I just talked with Marvin today and I didn't hear him use those words, but I'll keep an eye on the mail the next few days.

Poor guys. They have to choose between free money to do nothing or subsidized loans and a part-time job to go to school. Choices choices.

[Bobl]

I guess this means you don't agree with the GOP. I am not sure who is right on this and doubt you have the economic savvy to know either. At least these GOPers are at work look what Ensign and Sanford have been up to!

I know that this State has probably been hit harder than any other, and to tell the Feds "no, thanks" to 139 million dollars that could help people who are suffering is not in the best interest of those who are losing homes and medical care. An investment in these people is an investment in the State, as well. Why let another State take this money?

If these Republicans want to help the State save money, they (and the Democrats) should begin and expedite the process of changing the State Constitution so that the redundant and bloated bicameral legislature is replaced by a smaller one house body. This would require a vote of the electorate but could potentially save millions of dollars annually.

[ThaFuzz]

I know that this State has probably been hit harder than any other, and to tell the Feds "no, thanks" to 139 million dollars that could help people who are suffering is not in the best interest of those who are losing homes and medical care. An investment in these people is an investment in the State, as well. Why let another State take this money?

If these Republicans want to help the State save money, they (and the Democrats) should begin and expedite the process of changing the State Constitution so that the redundant and bloated bicameral legislature is replaced by a smaller one house body. This would require a vote of the electorate but could potentially save millions of dollars annually.

now, now, who are we, the peons of the electorate, to deny career politicians the political stepping stone of a state house or senate seat?

[irish_mafia]

Someone has to tell them to drop dead.

The benefits are meant as a last ditch back up not a salary.

Too many people taking the check until they get around to getting a job.

[Just Amazed]

Someone has to tell them to drop dead.

The benefits are meant as a last ditch back up not a salary.

Too many people taking the check until they get around to getting a job.
Obviously you haven't had to look for a job. There are none.

[irish_mafia]

Just Amazed, I am amazed,

There are plenty of jobs for qualified applicants. We just hired people last week.

One of the qualifications would be getting off the couch, targeting the companies that you think are a good fit and applying.

[lilpup]

How about for overqualified applicants who want to stay in Michigan? I've applied to many, many jobs I'm capable of but can't even get a call for an interview.

(I guess I lucked out when the newspaper delivery company didn't ask for a resume or much information at all when I applied.)

[Bobl]

Someone has to tell them to drop dead.

The benefits are meant as a last ditch back up not a salary.

Too many people taking the check until they get around to getting a job.

Well, thanks for the death wish, Irish Mafia. Maybe, before I pass away, we could sit down for a cup of Irish Coffee, first.
I worked for more than four decades, drawing unemployment for a few months in the 1983 recession. Never thought I would be in this position, looking for a job at the age of sixty in the middle of the largest economic meltdown since the (first) great depression, after two consecutive employers moved operations to Mexico and India. I am surviving by doing asphalt patching, roofing, boat detailing, and any odd job that can be found. It is difficult work at this age, but I am fortunate that I have good health and managed to save an emergency fund. Others are losing homes and their health. There are precious few jobs out there, believe me.
I am looking. Have an interview tomorrow, as a matter of fact.
If I do find a job, am I allowed to live, or should I, as you suggest, drop dead?

[ridgeabilly]

More than a few Grand Oil Party members will find out first hand what extended unemployment is like after the next election.

[Detroitej72]

I love how some people here think the unemployed are lazy and not seeking work. I guess you feel as Scrooge did, let them die and decrease the surplus population. Nice attitude.

Over the last few years, several members of my family including myself have found themselves unemployed, jobs sent overseas, companies gone bankrupt, etc. I was fortunate to find work after many months of desperately searching, but many are still without. Until you get a dose of humility and are out of work, don't sit in your almighty chair and judge and chastise others. You don't know what people's circumstances are, you just buy that bull that the elite in their towers spew.

[mjs]

I know that this State has probably been hit harder than any other, and to tell the Feds "no, thanks" to 139 million dollars that could help people who are suffering is not in the best interest of those who are losing homes and medical care. An investment in these people is an investment in the State, as well. Why let another State take this money?

We were up to our asses in unemployment debt a long time before we become ten asses beyond our heads. Is someone saying that the additional money would have required zero contribution from the state? When you're in debt so deep you risk losing your house, you don't go on a shopping spree even if everything is half off. Michigan will never ever recover all of the lost jobs. We are going to lose people or permenantly have the highest unemployment. We were living unsustainably and putting our head in the sand can't change it.

I've seen fire and I've seen rain, I've lived forced OT and layoffs, but I never thought we'd see this humility and reality again.

[Islandman]

There is nothing worse than looking for a job and being told over and over again you're overqualified and won't be happy here. I learned my lesson with that after 911 and moving back to Michigan after working in NYC. I hope to never again have to look for a job in Michigan; it's painful.

I can't even imagine what it's like now. :(

[CountrySquire]

I would like to see a whole lot more thought put into what to do with these people before they are laid off. Jobs become obsolete, global economy etc etc. I understand all that horseshit. But some one needs to be thinking about getting these people ready for work where there are positions that need filling. This should not be the sole responsibility of the laid off person. It should be shared between the employer and the State with the employer picking up the larger piece.

[oladub]

I guess this means you don't agree with the GOP. I am not sure who is right on this and doubt you have the economic savvy to know either. At least these GOPers are at work look what Ensign and Sanford have been up to!

Sanford tangoed with the Obama administration about strings that were attached to unemployment benefits. He did not reject all Porkulus money. Only the free money that he didn't think S. Carolina could match. Eventually, Congress went around Sanford by giving it directly to S. Carolina's legislature to distribute.

This is a classic case of unlimited wants and needs confronting limited means. The solution is simple. Raise taxes and/or cut back on State cost sharing aid to local communities. So what's the problem?

[jiminnm]

oladub is correct. To get the short term unemployment Fed monies, states have to permanently increase their state funded unemployment benefits. Other states are deciding that is not in their fiscal interest as they would have to raise taxes or cut other benefits to do so.

[Blarf]

Just Amazed, I am amazed,
There are plenty of jobs for qualified applicants. We just hired people last week.
.

What about those who aren't qualified?

[Bobl]

What about those who aren't qualified?

According to the poster, they should drop dead.

[mjs]

Or do like many of the qualified people did and live frugally for a few years, work a low paying job, and take advantage of Federal loans while they become qualified. Or do like the greedy trained people always do and move for a job.

[ccbatson]

In the big picture, unemployment benefits are interpreted as a license not to work, a major disincentive.

[Detroitej72]

In the big picture, unemployment benefits are interpreted as a license not to work, a major disincentive.

More likely a crutch to help them make ends met until they find new employment. Stop trying to spread right wing propaganda.

[ccbatson]

If you get a chance to talk to someone receiving unemployment, probe their motivation to quickly get back to work, even at a very low paying job, before, and after the benefits run out. I bet that 98% or more are less enthused prior to the necessity demanding that they get to work.

[CountrySquire]

If you get a chance to talk to someone receiving unemployment, probe their motivation to quickly get back to work, even at a very low paying job, before, and after the benefits run out. I bet that 98% or more are less enthused prior to the necessity demanding that they get to work.

Hmmm, so does that mean a person who loses a good paying job with benefits through no fault of thier own should refuse unemployment and take the first burger flipping job that comes along?

[rb336]

In the big picture, unemployment benefits are interpreted as a license not to work, a major disincentive.

only by some who have no critical thinking skills, or who have surrendered common sense to dogma, or who are doctors who think empathy is "illogical" (or was it "irrational"?) or someone who fits all three of the above

[mjs]

If you get a chance to talk to someone receiving unemployment, probe their motivation to quickly get back to work, even at a very low paying job, before, and after the benefits run out. I bet that 98% or more are less enthused prior to the necessity demanding that they get to work.

I'm one of them. I look for jobs and don't turn down in-state jobs approaching what I was paid, but if its out-of-state, I ask for a significant raise to see if I get lucky. I took low paying jobs in the past that matched unemployment and took far more pride in working them than being a leech, but I figure if I'm esentially working for free, why take that job from someone that needs it and why pay for a benefit I never get to collect. The company is also giving us layoff pay to reduce the chances of going to work for the competition. My boss calls regularly asking that I don't go elsewhere. Since I have more than enough saved up that I could live off of unemployment for the whole 57 weeks, I was going to just wait for our place to reopen. I'm getting bored enough now that I think I'll just move out of state for the same pay I was getting. If the government wasn't giving me a paid vacation, I would have taken a job paying less than half as much or simply moved out-of-state for the same amount a long time ago. All unemployment is doing at this point is keeping areas without jobs from losing population.

[CountrySquire]

If things where the way CC wanted them I would have to wonder what that job interview would be like:

"I see Mr Smith that you where laid off in December 2008 from ABC Machine Shop and since then have been working at CVS as a Cashier. Tell me Mr. Smith if your skills as a machinist are as good as you say they are why is it you are working at CVS? Do you prefere retail work? Why should I give you a chance at my Machine Shop?"

Also, why would CVS hire Mr Smith knowing full well that he will quit once he finds a job in his field?

[mjs]

If I were the machine shop manager, I'd accept "because I feel a man shouldn't let life beat him down, but rather keep doing whatever he can to be a hard working member of the community" or even "I thought it was better than sitting on the couch all day". Considering his working that job proves he's humble and willing to work, I'd also feel it wasn't a chance if the man was experienced, knew his stuff, and had a letter of recommendation from his last boss. You have to remember that managers and owners got to where they are due to hard work and determination so they respect it.

If I were the CVS manager, I'd pretty well hire him on the same basis of character. It might even embolden me to get rid of any slackers I might have. If the new guy does leave and I become desperate enough to rehire the slacker, he might actually come back having learned a lesson in humility and life. Its not like a hard working skilled laborer requires a long training period before becoming a good cashier. I'm also not so sure he'd quit. Maybe he'd be willing to avoid a pay increase if it meant nicers hours, cleaner conditions, and a friendlier management team.

As Nucor says, "You can teach a farmer to make steel, but you can't teach a farmer's work ethic."

[Flanders]

If I were the machine shop manager, I'd accept because I feel a man shouldn't let life beat him down, but rather keep doing whatever he can to be a hard working member of the community. Considering his working that job proves he's humble and willing to work, I'd also feel it wasn't a chance if the man was experienced, knew his stuff, and had a letter of recommendation from his last boss. You have to remember that managers and owners got to where they are due to hard work and determination so they respect it.

If I were the CVS manager, I'd pretty well hire him on the same basis of character. It might even embolden me to get rid of any slackers I might have. If the new guy does leave and I become desperate enough to rehire the slacker, he might actually come back having learned a lesson in humility and life. Its not like a hard working skilled laborer requires a long training period before becoming a good cashier. I'm also not so sure he'd quit. Maybe he'd be willing to avoid a pay increase if it meant nicers hours, cleaner conditions, and a friendlier management team.


LOL...I have known waaay too many "managers" and "owners" who obtained their positions by other than hard work and determination. More like through nepotism, office politics, and sexual relationships, to mention only a few. Maybe you have an office-handbook romantic notion of how businesses are run, but it has been my experience to discover otherwise.

[mjs]

Well, GM and those like them are in a weakened position now. It wasn't my idea to keep the free markets from dealing with them. I know of another example like the one you cite. The business went into bankruptcy, was sold, the Feds tried to charge him with fraud, and he moved to New Orleans in disgrace. As for the other 98% of American mamangement.

I answered saying if I was the manager. If we're talking about the managers your talking about and you really want the job, try bringing a hooker to the job interview. If thats the type of place you want to work, I probably didn't want to hire you anyway. I know I'd stay at the CVS job under those circumstances. Its not ethics until having them causes you consequences.

[rb336]

Well, GM and those like them are in a weakened position now. It wasn't my idea to keep the free markets from dealing with them blah blah blah

What free market? the one where US companies can't compete because of protectionist policies? the one where the Industry Ministries underwrite 80% of the development costs of new cars and technology?

[CountrySquire]

If I were the machine shop manager, I'd accept "because I feel a man shouldn't let life beat him down, but rather keep doing whatever he can to be a hard working member of the community" or even "I thought it was better than sitting on the couch all day". Considering his working that job proves he's humble and willing to work, I'd also feel it wasn't a chance if the man was experienced, knew his stuff, and had a letter of recommendation from his last boss. You have to remember that managers and owners got to where they are due to hard work and determination so they respect it.

If I were the CVS manager, I'd pretty well hire him on the same basis of character. It might even embolden me to get rid of any slackers I might have. If the new guy does leave and I become desperate enough to rehire the slacker, he might actually come back having learned a lesson in humility and life. Its not like a hard working skilled laborer requires a long training period before becoming a good cashier. I'm also not so sure he'd quit. Maybe he'd be willing to avoid a pay increase if it meant nicers hours, cleaner conditions, and a friendlier management team.

As Nucor says, "You can teach a farmer to make steel, but you can't teach a farmer's work ethic."

Actually, depending on who is screening the resumes the work at CVS would likely cause Mr. Smith to get set aside. He would not even get called for the interview either because the hiring manager will assume Mr. Smith's skills are not current enough, which is why he had to take lower position at a store, or he won't want to wait around to fill the position while Mr. Smith gives CVS two weeks notice. I've had recruiters tell me they like to hire off of MTB because they know the applicants there are out of work and can start immediately.

[MCP-001]

As Paul Harvey used to say, "...And now it's time for the rest of the story."

Had Lansing chosen to accept those benefits, then Lansing would have had to continue to fund those benefits from here on out.

Don't take my word on this, take their's (http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/expanded_unemployment_benefits.html).

"The Recovery Act would make nearly $140 million available to Michigan for temporarily extending the jobless benefits. But states can't make the benefits temporary."

Given that Michigan is looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a $2-billion hole in its current budget, it cannot take on any new expenses.

[jams]

[QUOTE]Given that Michigan is looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a $2-billion hole in its current budget, it cannot take on any new expenses. [QUOTE]

Whole lot of families in Michigan are in the same situation.:(

[mjs]

$2.2 billion only includes the debt that can be specifically attributed to unemployment benefits and that was mid-May. At 12.9% unemployment, there's worse things that can happen to the State than folks moving out.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090521/OPINION03/905210413/1001/Michigan-goes-into-debt-to-aid-jobless

[jiminnm]

As Paul Harvey used to say, "...And now it's time for the rest of the story."

Had Lansing chosen to accept those benefits, then Lansing would have had to continue to fund those benefits from here on out.

Don't take my word on this, take their's (http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/expanded_unemployment_benefits.html).

"The Recovery Act would make nearly $140 million available to Michigan for temporarily extending the jobless benefits. But states can't make the benefits temporary."

Given that Michigan is looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a $2-billion hole in its current budget, it cannot take on any new expenses.

How dare you attempt to derail Republican bashing with the facts.

[jams]

there's worse things that can happen to the State than folks moving out.

Synopsis for
The Grapes of Wrath:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032551/synopsis

Yep, Michiganders are the new Okies.

[gibran]

In the big picture, unemployment benefits are interpreted as a license not to work, a major disincentive.

compared to the licence to starve. become homeless:confused: or live without medicine..compassion is waisted on the poor to some...

[jams]

This lunatic, in letting Scrooge's nephew out, had let two other people in. They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed to him.
"Scrooge and Marley's, I believe," said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. "Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?"
"Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years," Scrooge replied. "He died seven years ago, this very night."
"We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner," said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.
It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word "liberality," Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.
"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."
"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.
"Both very busy, sir."
"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"
"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.
"You wish to be anonymous?"
"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that."
"But you might know it," observed the gentleman. "It's not my business," Scrooge returned. "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!"

................

[ccbatson]

Any honest work is good work and better than welfare....yes, flip burgers as you work back up the ladder

[CountrySquire]

Wouldn't happen. Any professional, tradesmen, etc... is seen as damaged goods by those doing hiring if they have gaps in their employment history, or if they performed work beneath their perceived level. I had a hell of a time getting back to work when I took time off from contracting to the big 3 as an engineer, to pursue my degree at night while I worked menial day jobs. So the guy refusing any unemployment and who takes the burger flipping job isn't benefitting himself, rather he is just helping his old boss out that just fired him and conservatives who hate paying taxes.

[mjs]

I took time off from engineering to do menial work while I was in school and start up a completely unrelated business. I had no problem getting back in. But, the market was strong then. Maybe you had a hard time because the market was terrible so you would have struggled in a job search either way.

When I fill out my evaluations on management candidates, I look for a guy that has the background to know when he's asking for something hard from his employees and when he's just being snowballed by a couple of lazy cry babies. I sneak a few questions on it into the casual part of the conversation. You just can't be a good manager unless you understand your job and the job of your subordinates.

[ccbatson]

It happens all of the time. Guess what...when the person pulls him or herself up like this, they succeed. It isn't easy (like taking a handout), but it works.

[mjs]

"I'll work harder" said the work horse.

[ccbatson]

Absolutely, so long as the workhorse gets to keep the results.

[mjs]

I was quoting Animal Farm where the pigs kept getting to keep a larger and larger percent of the results until the horse died from being over worked. Isn't that what the liberals want to hear from the people that work every time some one says they are unhappy about something?

[MCP-001]

$2.2 billion only includes the debt that can be specifically attributed to unemployment benefits and that was mid-May. At 12.9% unemployment, there's worse things that can happen to the State than folks moving out.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090521/OPINION03/905210413/1001/Michigan-goes-into-debt-to-aid-jobless

Not exactly.

The last "hard numbers" were put out May 15, 2009.

Quick summary: "Based on these revenue and appropriation assumptions, a deficit of $1.6 billion in the FY 2009-10 GF/GP budget is currently projected. (Page 6, second paragraph)." (http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Publications/BudUpdates/YearEndBalance.pdf)

The general consensus in Lansing is that the number has gone up since then. The number I had used is only an estimate, but my source for that estimate has been accurate in the past.

[mjs]

They're talking about the general budget. The paper was talking about the money the State owes to the Feds for an unemployment funding shortfall. My understanding of unemployment is that its a seperate State account funded by a specific employment tax who's proceeds can only be used on unemployment benefits. Its simply a government ran mandatory insurance.

[MCP-001]

They're talking about the general budget. The paper was talking about the money the State owes to the Feds for an unemployment funding shortfall. My understanding of unemployment is that its a seperate State account funded by a specific employment tax who's proceeds can only be used on unemployment benefits. Its simply a government ran mandatory insurance.

True, but that was the $2-billion figure that I was using.

And if my information is correct, even though its on separate ledgers, Michigan is also on the hook for that additional $2-billion from the feds as well.

It's got to be paid back from somewhere.

[ccbatson]

And the point of the animal farm analogy...individuals should be in control of the results of their efforts....complete control.

[jams]

And the point of the animal farm analogy...individuals should be in control of the results of their efforts....complete control.
...including the workers that actually produce the products or services?

I have stock in several companies, which makes me a part-owner. My only labor was a few key strokes on my computer, so for that, I deserve more than the guy that has worked very hard for that corporaration for years?

[mjs]

He said effort. You said labor. Yes, if you saved so much that your dividends exceeds a person's pay, you do deserve something. Believe it or not, there's some folks that have saved so little in their savings and retirement accounts that they can't dip into it to save their homes! Some people even started missing payments when the very first check wasn't there. Can you imagine budgeting this way? To these folks saving and investing so the Corporations can ensure us little guys have paychecks that won't bounce is very very hard indeed. They just don't understand what it was like to lose money in the market because they never saved enough to invest dollar one. Despite having never meet anyone that hadn't seen economic problems in their lives, they actually believed nothing bad could ever happen to them. Me, I know markets rise and fall and I count on zero from the Federal politicians so I too am doing work myself and going without so I can eventually have enough that my dividends exceed my pay and thats when I retire.

[jams]

Good luck with that!

One missed period, and you're a working class slob.

[ccbatson]

Yes, the worker that makes the widget should have complete control to sell his labor to make that widget (or not, in which case the company will bid to buy the labor elsewhere). If the widget is his intellectual property, then he owns both the product and the labor. Easy.

[Detroitej72]

Any honest work is good work and better than welfare....yes, flip burgers as you work back up the ladder

I'm sure your mortgage company and auto finance company will be very understanding when you explain to them why you can't met your monthly payments because you passed up unemployment for a job paying half that.

You asked earlier about people on unemployment. I had the pleasant(note sarcasm) experience a couple years ago to be unemployed when the ad company I worked for went bankrupt. Even with unemployment benefits, I still lost about 30% of my wages and was only able to get by because I am pretty conservative with my spending. After my unemployment ran out, I still had about 6 months before I found another job making far less than I previously earned. I worked hard, and finally after another year found employment at my present company earning about what I made 3 years ago. I was extremely lucky in my efforts, many others are not.

I suspect you sit on your soapbox and preach that anyone who is unemployed is lazy and not looking for work when its pretty hard to even get a job at CVS currently while you are gainfully employed. If you were suddenly humbled by loosing your job, I'm sure you'd hum a different tune and, if possible, collect unemployment while you searched for work.

[jams]

CC hates seeing people on the dole.

Despite the fact he has benefited from government largesse all of his life. Any details he, himself, has revealed on this forum, but some of us have very good memories.

[ccbatson]

Only because coercive government monopolies do not allow just competitive free market solutions.

A great recent example being the lie that we can keep our coverage if we like (so says Obama repeatedly), however, making new enrollment illegal, he will cut off said insurers at the knees...leaving us to have the choice to...what? Keep coverage with insurance companies that no longer exist?

[Bobl]

Detroit72 quote:
"...You asked earlier about people on unemployment. I had the pleasant(note sarcasm) experience a couple years ago to be unemployed when the ad company I worked for went bankrupt. Even with unemployment benefits, I still lost about 30% of my wages and was only able to get by because I am pretty conservative with my spending. After my unemployment ran out, I still had about 6 months before I found another job making far less than I previously earned. I worked hard, and finally after another year found employment at my present company earning about what I made 3 years ago. I was extremely lucky in my efforts, many others are not..."

I could have written that, with the exception of the part about later finding work at about the same rate as the original employment. Congratulations. I fear that most of us will not come completely back, as you did. I very recently found a job that pays about what I made 25 years ago. I, too, was lucky to have good health and an emergency fund to get through. Others were not, and some are out in the street.
Now, with so many bringing home much lower wages or not working at all, how will our economy, which is based on consumer spending, rebound?

To those who criticize unemployed people, shame on you. Show a little respect, and be grateful for your combined wise choices and dumb luck!

[ccbatson]

Not just dumb luck Bobl...a work ethic. Life does not come with any warranties despite what collectivist falsely promise. You did what a free individual used to (and hopefully will again) be able to do...take responsibility, suffer the unfortunate hit, and recover based on your own abilities.

[Detroitej72]

You did what a free individual used to (and hopefully will again) be able to do...take responsibility, suffer the unfortunate hit, and recover based on your own abilities.

Unfortunately under this new "global marketplace" system we are now into, the opportunities are far fewer and harder to find.

Bobl, good luck in your future employment search.

[ccbatson]

Regardless of the cause...taking individual responsibility for one's fate is the key part of the story as I see it.

[Detroitej72]

Regardless of the cause...taking individual responsibility for one's fate is the key part of the story as I see it.

You can take individual responsibility all day and night. Right now there aren't enough jobs for all the unemployed. I have a family member that can't even find a part time job as a cashier at places like CVS, Rite Aid, etc. She has been told by managers that they have hundreds of applications for every one or two openings.

[elganned]

"A conservative is a liberal who hasn't been down-sized yet."

[ccbatson]

Try landscaping as opposed to cashiering. Get rid of minimum wage and start at the bottom to struggle your way up the ladder.

[Detroitej72]

Try landscaping as opposed to cashiering. Get rid of minimum wage and start at the bottom to struggle your way up the ladder.

Kind of hard work for a pregnant female, don't you think?

[Bigb23]

Now you can't access the state Marvin telephone system by cellphone. How else will they be able to screw you ?

[elganned]

Try landscaping as opposed to cashiering. Get rid of minimum wage and start at the bottom to struggle your way up the ladder.
Said by one who's never seen the bottom of which he speaks.

I am an engineer by trade--not a profession in high demand in the current manufacturing slump. I always thought of myself as one of those guys who would "push a broom if I have to, but I'll have a job". Two years ago I was "down-sized" and applied for every job that came along, no matter how menial.

Guess what? Once they take a look at your resume or application, they WON'T HIRE YOU for broom-pushing, or gas station attendant, or landscaper, or any other low-paying, low-skill job. You're overqualified, meaning they know you'll be gone as soon as something better opens up.

Go out and try to find a bottom-rung job, bats. You don't have to accept it, just apply for some and see how far you get. You'll be surprised how much harder the Horatio Alger Formula is in practice than it sounds in theory.

Be sure to get back to us with how you do.

[mjs]

When I started my law practice, I applied to Home Depot so I could make extra cash in the afternoon and during the weekends. I had an engineering degree and law degree. They hired me for a job that literally required me to push a broom every time I closed. I was employee of the month and I proudly added it to my resume when I went back into the engineering field.

You can't find a job in engineering or broom pushing right now because we are in a the longest recession since the great depression. The county has 16% unemployment.

[ccbatson]

You have earned a larger measure of respect from me MJS....That is not an uncommon story btw. In coming up, I stocked at a lumbar yard, cleaned bedpans, assisted in rough carpentry and demolition...all at (or below) minimum wage.