It’s not Welfare benefits that they are trying to extend another six months; it’s Unemployment benefits. Those are benefits for people who lost their jobs and are trying to find new ones.
The Congressional Budget Office has said every dollar in unemployment benefits, is worth a $1.90 to the economy.
In the current Senate, 60 votes is the bare minimum required. There is no such thing as a simple majority anymore. When one party votes consistently as a block, “majority rules” means nothing.
When I was unemployed 6 months was the longest you could get benefits for. Now it’s up to 2 years. I’m sorry, you can be underemployed for more than 2 years, but to be unemployed, you simply have to have your standards set too high. My ex-wife who didn’t finish high school was able to find a job in one day when she decided to get a job. I must say I’m stunned, but if she can find a job, there must be work available.
My husband has been looking for work for nearly one year. In Michigan, there is a lot of competition for IT work, and as he’s older he usually only gets contract work: six months to a year or two, if he’s lucky.
Let’s not forget the 50+ crowd, like my hubby. After nearly 18 months he was finally approved for retraining. Now he won’t have the skills he needs until next May. With all the hamburger flippers in their 20’s, who’s’ gonna hire a 50+ with rheumatoid arthritis in his ankles.
Oh, and he was a proofreader and has data entry experience.
My last layoff was 2004 and I was already a senior citizen and very experienced in my design field. After 2 years trying every acceptable firm in town, I decided to freelance and I am happier (if poorer) working just a lot less. I just hope my savings with SSA hold out for my life expectancy and I can keep working. I also enjoy the freedom to do crafts and arts I did not previously have time for (as I like Medieval recreation, and am making it a major study ,-)
I was unemployed for 6 months and all the people I saw who were unemployed more than a year either had bad personality issues (no wants to hire a know it all), no motivation to find work (which is why cutting benefits help), or had really high expectations (unemployed for a year but wants to be a cto or upper management? - heck no). I settled for a less desirable job and worked that until I found the job I really wanted. Most of these people just want handouts as far as I can tell by talking to them.
TheDOCTOR about 14 years ago
For a majority of the bills they want passed… this is a GOOD Thing.
aardvarkseyes about 14 years ago
Like the bill to extend Welfare benefits to over 1 million unemployed people? That’s cold, man, it’s really cold.
ksoskins about 14 years ago
It’s not Welfare benefits that they are trying to extend another six months; it’s Unemployment benefits. Those are benefits for people who lost their jobs and are trying to find new ones.
The Congressional Budget Office has said every dollar in unemployment benefits, is worth a $1.90 to the economy.Yukoneric about 14 years ago
My wife’s unemployment just got reduced, now I make almost as much as she does.
cdward about 14 years ago
In the current Senate, 60 votes is the bare minimum required. There is no such thing as a simple majority anymore. When one party votes consistently as a block, “majority rules” means nothing.
Colt9033 about 14 years ago
Its the government, I’d be asking for more than 5 cents…
SnowCritter about 14 years ago
Ah, the U.S. Senate. It’s got to be the only elected legislative body where minority rules.
Wildcard24365 about 14 years ago
@SnowCritter It’s a minority with money, you see.
Big difference.
Nebulous Premium Member about 14 years ago
You don’t need a supermajority to pass a bill, The problem is that you need a supermajority to decide to vote on the bill.
So a minority can’t change anything, but they can successfully defend the status quo.
Nighthawks Premium Member about 14 years ago
let’s go bomb somebody, show everybody what badasses we are
MisngNOLA about 14 years ago
When I was unemployed 6 months was the longest you could get benefits for. Now it’s up to 2 years. I’m sorry, you can be underemployed for more than 2 years, but to be unemployed, you simply have to have your standards set too high. My ex-wife who didn’t finish high school was able to find a job in one day when she decided to get a job. I must say I’m stunned, but if she can find a job, there must be work available.
dianecliff about 14 years ago
My husband has been looking for work for nearly one year. In Michigan, there is a lot of competition for IT work, and as he’s older he usually only gets contract work: six months to a year or two, if he’s lucky.
Quabaculta about 14 years ago
Let’s not forget the 50+ crowd, like my hubby. After nearly 18 months he was finally approved for retraining. Now he won’t have the skills he needs until next May. With all the hamburger flippers in their 20’s, who’s’ gonna hire a 50+ with rheumatoid arthritis in his ankles.
Oh, and he was a proofreader and has data entry experience.
vldazzle about 14 years ago
My last layoff was 2004 and I was already a senior citizen and very experienced in my design field. After 2 years trying every acceptable firm in town, I decided to freelance and I am happier (if poorer) working just a lot less. I just hope my savings with SSA hold out for my life expectancy and I can keep working. I also enjoy the freedom to do crafts and arts I did not previously have time for (as I like Medieval recreation, and am making it a major study ,-)
irtheman about 14 years ago
I was unemployed for 6 months and all the people I saw who were unemployed more than a year either had bad personality issues (no wants to hire a know it all), no motivation to find work (which is why cutting benefits help), or had really high expectations (unemployed for a year but wants to be a cto or upper management? - heck no). I settled for a less desirable job and worked that until I found the job I really wanted. Most of these people just want handouts as far as I can tell by talking to them.
Heavenly about 14 years ago
Um…nice generalization Matthew.