Long-term unemployment, long-time mess
Just got a call from a man named Joe Brooks about my story on the long-term unemployed in Sunday's paper. "I'm scared to death," he said. His unemployment benefits have expired. "I do not take advantage of the system. I'm looking for a job every day," he said, describing an effort that includes going business to business and talking to friends. "Some people are always going to take advantage of the system."
Long-term unemployment, long-time mess
Jane M. Von Bergen, Inquirer Staff Writer
Just got a call from a man named Joe Brooks about my story on the long-term unemployed in Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'm scared to death," he said. His unemployment benefits have expired. "I do not take advantage of the system. I'm looking for a job every day," he said, describing an effort that includes going business to business and talking to friends. "Some people are always going to take advantage of the system."
What he sees is the effect of long-term unemployment on the underlying stability of our economic system, which is the next thing I'm going to write about. But, Brooks predicts our attention will be short-lived. "I call us the 60-second society," he said. "It's news for 60 seconds and then they move onto the next thing and that's it."
Tell me where you guys think this is all leading. Frankly, I get very upset writing these pieces, because I do not see where or how we're going to get out of this mess.
Where it's leading I cannot tell. Where it should lead, I can. It should lead to the creation of jobs, but the question is: Will it? It should also lead to help people like Joe Brooks, who have exhausted their benefits. The term "Tier V to Survive" should be known by many, but it isn't. Without a massive, concerted effort on the part of theunemployed to get our voices heard, I am afraid we may not prevail, and will be forgotten. The millions of unemployed need a voice. Such a voice can be found at www.unemployedworkersactiongroup.com , a group founded solely with the goal of taking action and gaining as many members as possible to become part of demonstrations and other campaigns to make Congress listen to us.— Jane0218
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Joe can work in the fast food place until he finds better work.— Roy Philipose
- ITS OVER, GET ON WITH IT
- Roy, you and Ed Sullivan win the award for the stupidest comments today. Yes, I'm sure most Repugs think that the unemployment disaster would be solved by everyone working at Mickey D's, Walmart, etc, most with no benefits. As the author points out, this mess is just beginning.— bjps1353
- Why should companies hire people right now when they are sitting on piles of cash and forcing their existing staff to work longer and harder? Having a job today is a privilege, not a right! Employers know this very well.— The Baron
- At what point does he decide to take a job? Probably once his unemployment runs out. I know how difficult it could be, he probably can't pay for his house or sell it for what he owes, but you know what, life is cruel. If a man loses his leg does he sit around and wait for his leg to grow back? No. He lives a life with one leg, even though its more difficult. I got out of the service in December, a job where I was making 5 grand a month. I did three tours as an infantryman, leading guys in combat, but when I got out I KNEW I had to do something. I got the only job I could, selling used cars. At first I was lucky to make 500 bucks a week. But I mastered my profession and now I make over 5 grand a month. It takes work for anything to work. I'm sure he could have found a job two years ago. Probably a job where he would have started at the bottom. But through diligence and dedication he could have worked his way back up to the top, if he had the drive inside of him. However, knowing that he has become dependent on a FREE paycheck I am absolutely sure he has no spirit or drive and probably never did for that matter. Good luck to everyone— BentLogic
- The question was were is this going? Hyperinflation, The collapse of the dollar as the world reserve currency, and a major war! My question is how long will people buy this jobless recovery lie!— edith bunker
- Comment removed.
- We can't go on paying UC forever, but we can not simply cut people off with nothing. A massive hiring for repairing and up grading of the infrastructure would be great, but today labor unions would fight against hiring no union workers, as well as those who don't want to waste money on the poor. Ultimately, we have to dump the international conglomerates and go back to local or regional commerce. I remember when lettuce was out of season, we didn't eat lettuce. We can't count on CitiBank and BofA to create jobs for us, they care only for paper wealth. They are richer now than before they dumped the debt on us, and no less powerful.— JZimmerman
Joe, take your 2nd amendment solution to those who need it best.- The Government has to stop tax breaks for off-shoring jobs. Once it costs more to send jobs overseas as opposed to hiring locally, manufacturing and IT will return. This is a no-cost solution. Getting Republicans to stand up for citizens as opposed to workers will always be a struggle because the average worker does not have as deep pockets as a multi-national corporation.— Lelliottaeten2
- " Oblamo is back lying again and Robert Gibbs is having trouble keeping all of the lies in order. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011420-503544.html "But Republicans were quick to remind Mr. Obama what he said after signing a previous extension of unemployment benefits on November 6th of last year. "Now, it's important to note that the bill I signed will not add to our deficit. It is fully paid for, and so it is fiscally responsible," he said. So eight months ago, he said paying for the benefits was the right thing to do, but now he sees no need to do so. Asked about the contradiction, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said he needed to examine what Mr. Obama said last November and would get back to this reporter. He didn't." "— mm4844
- Hey Bjps, please research your words before you speak. A job is a job, there are many college grads even working low level jobs. "Joe" can join them too, until he finds better work. Don't criticize me. You have no authority.— Roy Philipose
