My feelings are that after the current 99 weeks of unemployment, an individual will not or won't want to get back into the work a day schedule. He or she is now psychologically retired and will live off the system the rest of their lives.
TP, so untrue.
When I came back to Batavia, I couldn't find work. Sometimes, however, things have a way of working out. My dream job came after over two years of not working (and not on unemployment).
Most people on unemployment aren't milking the system, they are eeking out what they can to pay the bills and still job hunt.
Even after 99 weeks, there is a need to be a productive member of society.
You are painting so many with the same broad brush. A tad unfair, don't you think?
I am strongly opposed to any tax dollars being used for those that are not truly in need.
That being said, at 54 I am on unemployment for for the first time in my life, and have been for a year. My previous industry is now dead - thanks in no small part to the economic policies of this president's and Bush's. Now back in school, there is no way I could finish my degree without the help of unemployment insurance. Note the word "insurance". I paid into it my entire working life.
Would I rather be working? You're darn right I would. Would my skill set qualify me for a position with a comparable salary in another industry? Not a chance.
Though difficult, I would like to see a process in place that considers each case individually. I know that there must be a lot of slackers out there that are, indeed, milking the system. These days all you have to do for benefits is log on to the DOL website once a week and certify your claim - it takes about two minutes, so the abuse is there. Then there are those of us that are trying to make the best of a terrible situation.
Rather than putting a bandaid on a gushing wound, Congress should be focused on stimulating job growth so that unemployed people can find work. Extending unemployment benefits is a short term solution...it helps those out of work, but the money has to come from somewhere. It would be better to use that money for a more long term and permanent solution so that everybody benefits.
Well.Let's see.It cost so much to do business In Ny that creating jobs Is virtually Impossible.The big companies are downsizing and Small and upcoming Ideas and businesses are fighting the red tape to stay In business.
I think that 99 weeks of unemployement Insurance Is enough for a person to figure out which direction their headed.But then again the whole economy Is headed for failure so keep paying them benefits Ny and we'll go back to the way thing were 100 years ago where everyone had to do what they had to do to survive and not rely on government.I'm In awe at the way things are done these days!!
Bob, Your post is spot on with one correction. You never paid into unemployment insurance. Your employer did. You put in the years of employment that qualified you to apply for unemployment insurance paid for by your employer.
Here's a novel idea: <a href="http://www.takeourjobs.org/">Take Our Jobs</a>. If you're out of work, apply for a farmworker job and put an undocumented worker out of work.
I think after 99 weeks people should be able to collect benefits still. I know several people who have ran out and have job hunted since before they were laid off (well the one's who had advance warning) The state needs to do what it did when people were collecting "extended benefits" which was tier III. Make them send in thier work search papers, this way you have to PROVE you're looking for work. Thet state can check with the employers you apllied to at anytime, and if they called and you refused the job then you no longer get benefits. Also, these people i know on unemployment volenteer at animals shelters, other non-profit orgs and two of them are volenteer firefighters.. It seems like people who work for a living are kicked to the curb because they no longer have a job. Its thier tax money - they actually worked.. what about the people who live thier whole life on welfare with out one job.. thats okay though right? its B.S. if you ask me - how the unemployed are treated. I know, i used to be one and it wasnt an easy road, jobs still are not out there for most. Also, people on unemployment are losing everything there for making the economy crap, and the poverty levels higher. Atleast the unemployment money went back into the economy with them having money to spend. Most of the people i know lost everything (homes they WORKED hard to have, cars, even friends/family over it.. It a tough time and if you havent experienced it then you have no idea..
Not everyone on Unemployment gets up to 99 weeks. It depends on when the person was laid off. Anyone laid off Sept. 28 2009 and later, is only entitled to 26 weeks. I was laid off from a job of two years on April Fool's Day (no joke!) Therefore, I only get 26 weeks. I have an Associate's Degree in Human Services and even having that hasn't helped me finding new employment. Before getting laid off, I applied and was accepted into a program to get my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice which is suppose to begin this September. I'm doing this in the hopes it makes me more employable and gives me more opportunities to find a career. Now this will be questionable as the State doesn't have it's budget in place to determine how much financial aid I might be able to receive. (am applying for a loan as well). I'm doing my best to find employment as I have two children to support. It's not easy and I'm trying to stay positive that something will come along before my 26 weeks are up.
Howard,
I noted the job description they gave on that site. They aren't sugar coating.
"** Job may include using hand tools such as knives, hoes, shovels, etc. Duties may include tilling the soil, transplanting, weeding, thinning, picking, cutting, sorting & packing of harvested produce. May set up & operate irrigation equip. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions (Summertime 90+ degree weather) & is physically demanding requiring workers to bend, stoop, lift & carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis."
I find it ironic that Americans losing jobs have been told to reinvent themselves by getting more training and education. Now, the ultimate reinvent. Become a day laborer.
If I were hiring for this job, the first thing I would look at are the person's hands. Are they calloused? If not then the person isn't going to last one day.
It is one thing to offer this as a suggestion, but how realistic is it to believe that many people, now collecting unemployment insurance are physically capable of doing this type of work?
I'm in the same boat as Bob is, although I was not in the workforce for as long as bob has been. I'm back in school in the hopes of becoming more employable. Seeing as over ten years of management experience doesn't mean a thing with out a piece of paper that says you were capable of staying awake in a class setting for two to four years.
With out the unemployment benefits, which by the way don't even come close to what I was making before I went back to school, I wouldn't be able to go to school full time and get this degree knocked out quick as possible.
I say make them all take drug tests if they fail no more unemployment..Also since they are being paid by New York state why doesn't the state have them do work ..Such as clean up parks ,work on road crews..Babysit for free at state run daycare...
Hey Mark the unemployment isn't a free handout. You had to have worked in order to qualify for it. It is not welfare or food stamps.
I served on active duty in the Marine Corps for thirteen years. When I got out in May of 2009 I signed up for unemployment INSURANCE benefits that as my job searching I did prior to separation was fruitless.
I was in Supply for ten of my thirteen years and recruiting for the last three years. Of the thirteen years on active duty I was a non-commissioned officer for eleven of those years. So now Im back in school to better myself and with out the unemployment INSURANCE benefit I would not be able to afford to go to school full time.
The people getting the unemployment INSURANCE benefit aren't being paid by the state. Their employers paid into an unemployment insurance fund. That's where that money is coming from. Don't go confusing the welfare payments and foodstamp benefits with something that was earned by the people drawing it.
And I'm going to keep drawing the unemployment benefits for as long as I'm eligible for them unless anyone out there has a job that I'm qualified for that pays $4800.00 a month.
Bob Barker's story, :) I mean Bob Harker's story is very simular to what happened to my uncle quite a few years ago. He put in TONS of years at Kodak and was let go like he was some dime a dozen temp employee. He was in his 50's like Bob and because of unemployment he went back to school and learned a new trade (heating and air repair) he now has a nice state job at a local prison. (God forbid we allow the scum of the earth to get a chill in the winter, or break a sweat in the summer, but i digress) I am thrilled for my uncle, and i truly hope that Bob's story has a fairy tale ending like my uncle's did. (Kudos to Bob for going back to school) God Bless anyone who uses unemployment to BETTER themselves and get back on the road of honest employment, to those of you who use it as a vacation...SHAME....99 weeks seems like a loooooong time to be "honestly, truly, looking for work" I like what Doug said "people used to do what they had to do to survive"
Bob, do you mind if I ask what your trade was that you can no longer find work for, and what it is you are studying now?
I cant believe that some ppl voted no. I remember in 2006 I had a very difficult time landing a job and at that a job that paid ok to keep me afloat with out to much play time. With out unemployment I would have made my truck my home...although it wasnt what I was making at least I could try to keep up. I was told to work at Burger King or MacDonalds...first off I am vegetarian...but thats not the primary reason, I would have had to work 3 low paying jobs to keep on top of all I had goin out for bills and such.
If members of congress buy goods made outside of the US then they could extend unemployment bennies...The answer to this problem is sooooo simple but the powers that be dont really give two sea gull poops...
I know the feeling, I was employed in the manufacturing industry for over 30 years, and now those jobs don't exist in NY.I just went back to work in week 95 of unemployment. In my opinion, one of the biggest problems are all the temp. agencies. If I were a business, and I could get fairly cheap labor, not have to pay benefits, and then let the employees go when they reach "regular status" what incentive would I have to ever hire a person and pay a fair wage with benefits?
Hey Mark, If they did all you suggest, they would have to lay off all those currently doing those jobs, net gain = 0. And here is another commie idea,why don't we drug test everyone who has a NY state drivers license, or anyone who is receiving any benefits from any branch of state or federal government, that outta help keep costs down.Get real.
Frank why would they have to lay off those that are doing those jobs,They could use them as extra help to get more things done...My point about drug testing those that get unemployment ,You can't be able and ready to work if you are using drugs.They should be testing all those that get welfare also.How's that for a commie idea...that's getting real....
I do agree with you on the temp.agencies.The state does need to put an end to that ..To many companies do that over and over ,never adding to the payroll but just using temps ,and like you said never have to pay any type of benefits..
Mark,The liability, the workmans comp, way too many issues to throw random people into that equation.What happens when someone gets hurts, let alone the unions would have something to say also, I think when all is said and done, you can,t put the unemployed into that type of work, too much red tape, and in the end, I believe it would cost more than the umemployment insurance. And when you starty talking about drug testing those on welfare or any public assistance, look out, here comes the ACLU.
A previous comment on this
A previous comment on this poll is not available because of technical difficulties.
My feelings are that after
My feelings are that after the current 99 weeks of unemployment, an individual will not or won't want to get back into the work a day schedule. He or she is now psychologically retired and will live off the system the rest of their lives.
TP, so untrue. When I came
TP, so untrue.
When I came back to Batavia, I couldn't find work. Sometimes, however, things have a way of working out. My dream job came after over two years of not working (and not on unemployment).
Most people on unemployment aren't milking the system, they are eeking out what they can to pay the bills and still job hunt.
Even after 99 weeks, there is a need to be a productive member of society.
You are painting so many with the same broad brush. A tad unfair, don't you think?
I am strongly opposed to any
I am strongly opposed to any tax dollars being used for those that are not truly in need.
That being said, at 54 I am on unemployment for for the first time in my life, and have been for a year. My previous industry is now dead - thanks in no small part to the economic policies of this president's and Bush's. Now back in school, there is no way I could finish my degree without the help of unemployment insurance. Note the word "insurance". I paid into it my entire working life.
Would I rather be working? You're darn right I would. Would my skill set qualify me for a position with a comparable salary in another industry? Not a chance.
Though difficult, I would like to see a process in place that considers each case individually. I know that there must be a lot of slackers out there that are, indeed, milking the system. These days all you have to do for benefits is log on to the DOL website once a week and certify your claim - it takes about two minutes, so the abuse is there. Then there are those of us that are trying to make the best of a terrible situation.
Don't begrudge me that.
Rather than putting a bandaid
Rather than putting a bandaid on a gushing wound, Congress should be focused on stimulating job growth so that unemployed people can find work. Extending unemployment benefits is a short term solution...it helps those out of work, but the money has to come from somewhere. It would be better to use that money for a more long term and permanent solution so that everybody benefits.
Well.Let's see.It cost so
Well.Let's see.It cost so much to do business In Ny that creating jobs Is virtually Impossible.The big companies are downsizing and Small and upcoming Ideas and businesses are fighting the red tape to stay In business.
I think that 99 weeks of unemployement Insurance Is enough for a person to figure out which direction their headed.But then again the whole economy Is headed for failure so keep paying them benefits Ny and we'll go back to the way thing were 100 years ago where everyone had to do what they had to do to survive and not rely on government.I'm In awe at the way things are done these days!!
Bob, Your post is spot on
Bob, Your post is spot on with one correction. You never paid into unemployment insurance. Your employer did. You put in the years of employment that qualified you to apply for unemployment insurance paid for by your employer.
Here's a novel idea: Take Our
Here's a novel idea: <a href="http://www.takeourjobs.org/">Take Our Jobs</a>. If you're out of work, apply for a farmworker job and put an undocumented worker out of work.
I think after 99 weeks people
I think after 99 weeks people should be able to collect benefits still. I know several people who have ran out and have job hunted since before they were laid off (well the one's who had advance warning) The state needs to do what it did when people were collecting "extended benefits" which was tier III. Make them send in thier work search papers, this way you have to PROVE you're looking for work. Thet state can check with the employers you apllied to at anytime, and if they called and you refused the job then you no longer get benefits. Also, these people i know on unemployment volenteer at animals shelters, other non-profit orgs and two of them are volenteer firefighters.. It seems like people who work for a living are kicked to the curb because they no longer have a job. Its thier tax money - they actually worked.. what about the people who live thier whole life on welfare with out one job.. thats okay though right? its B.S. if you ask me - how the unemployed are treated. I know, i used to be one and it wasnt an easy road, jobs still are not out there for most. Also, people on unemployment are losing everything there for making the economy crap, and the poverty levels higher. Atleast the unemployment money went back into the economy with them having money to spend. Most of the people i know lost everything (homes they WORKED hard to have, cars, even friends/family over it.. It a tough time and if you havent experienced it then you have no idea..
Not everyone on Unemployment
Not everyone on Unemployment gets up to 99 weeks. It depends on when the person was laid off. Anyone laid off Sept. 28 2009 and later, is only entitled to 26 weeks. I was laid off from a job of two years on April Fool's Day (no joke!) Therefore, I only get 26 weeks. I have an Associate's Degree in Human Services and even having that hasn't helped me finding new employment. Before getting laid off, I applied and was accepted into a program to get my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice which is suppose to begin this September. I'm doing this in the hopes it makes me more employable and gives me more opportunities to find a career. Now this will be questionable as the State doesn't have it's budget in place to determine how much financial aid I might be able to receive. (am applying for a loan as well). I'm doing my best to find employment as I have two children to support. It's not easy and I'm trying to stay positive that something will come along before my 26 weeks are up.
Howard, I noted the job
Howard,
I noted the job description they gave on that site. They aren't sugar coating.
"** Job may include using hand tools such as knives, hoes, shovels, etc. Duties may include tilling the soil, transplanting, weeding, thinning, picking, cutting, sorting & packing of harvested produce. May set up & operate irrigation equip. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions (Summertime 90+ degree weather) & is physically demanding requiring workers to bend, stoop, lift & carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis."
I find it ironic that Americans losing jobs have been told to reinvent themselves by getting more training and education. Now, the ultimate reinvent. Become a day laborer.
If I were hiring for this job, the first thing I would look at are the person's hands. Are they calloused? If not then the person isn't going to last one day.
It is one thing to offer this as a suggestion, but how realistic is it to believe that many people, now collecting unemployment insurance are physically capable of doing this type of work?
I'm in the same boat as Bob
I'm in the same boat as Bob is, although I was not in the workforce for as long as bob has been. I'm back in school in the hopes of becoming more employable. Seeing as over ten years of management experience doesn't mean a thing with out a piece of paper that says you were capable of staying awake in a class setting for two to four years.
With out the unemployment benefits, which by the way don't even come close to what I was making before I went back to school, I wouldn't be able to go to school full time and get this degree knocked out quick as possible.
I say make them all take drug
I say make them all take drug tests if they fail no more unemployment..Also since they are being paid by New York state why doesn't the state have them do work ..Such as clean up parks ,work on road crews..Babysit for free at state run daycare...
Hey Mark the unemployment
Hey Mark the unemployment isn't a free handout. You had to have worked in order to qualify for it. It is not welfare or food stamps.
I served on active duty in the Marine Corps for thirteen years. When I got out in May of 2009 I signed up for unemployment INSURANCE benefits that as my job searching I did prior to separation was fruitless.
I was in Supply for ten of my thirteen years and recruiting for the last three years. Of the thirteen years on active duty I was a non-commissioned officer for eleven of those years. So now Im back in school to better myself and with out the unemployment INSURANCE benefit I would not be able to afford to go to school full time.
The people getting the unemployment INSURANCE benefit aren't being paid by the state. Their employers paid into an unemployment insurance fund. That's where that money is coming from. Don't go confusing the welfare payments and foodstamp benefits with something that was earned by the people drawing it.
And I'm going to keep drawing the unemployment benefits for as long as I'm eligible for them unless anyone out there has a job that I'm qualified for that pays $4800.00 a month.
Bob Barker's story, :) I mean
Bob Barker's story, :) I mean Bob Harker's story is very simular to what happened to my uncle quite a few years ago. He put in TONS of years at Kodak and was let go like he was some dime a dozen temp employee. He was in his 50's like Bob and because of unemployment he went back to school and learned a new trade (heating and air repair) he now has a nice state job at a local prison. (God forbid we allow the scum of the earth to get a chill in the winter, or break a sweat in the summer, but i digress) I am thrilled for my uncle, and i truly hope that Bob's story has a fairy tale ending like my uncle's did. (Kudos to Bob for going back to school) God Bless anyone who uses unemployment to BETTER themselves and get back on the road of honest employment, to those of you who use it as a vacation...SHAME....99 weeks seems like a loooooong time to be "honestly, truly, looking for work" I like what Doug said "people used to do what they had to do to survive"
Bob, do you mind if I ask what your trade was that you can no longer find work for, and what it is you are studying now?
I cant believe that some ppl
I cant believe that some ppl voted no. I remember in 2006 I had a very difficult time landing a job and at that a job that paid ok to keep me afloat with out to much play time. With out unemployment I would have made my truck my home...although it wasnt what I was making at least I could try to keep up. I was told to work at Burger King or MacDonalds...first off I am vegetarian...but thats not the primary reason, I would have had to work 3 low paying jobs to keep on top of all I had goin out for bills and such.
If members of congress buy goods made outside of the US then they could extend unemployment bennies...The answer to this problem is sooooo simple but the powers that be dont really give two sea gull poops...
oh...I had over 28 interviews
oh...I had over 28 interviews in the year 2006...
I know the feeling, I was
I know the feeling, I was employed in the manufacturing industry for over 30 years, and now those jobs don't exist in NY.I just went back to work in week 95 of unemployment. In my opinion, one of the biggest problems are all the temp. agencies. If I were a business, and I could get fairly cheap labor, not have to pay benefits, and then let the employees go when they reach "regular status" what incentive would I have to ever hire a person and pay a fair wage with benefits?
Hey Mark, If they did all you
Hey Mark, If they did all you suggest, they would have to lay off all those currently doing those jobs, net gain = 0. And here is another commie idea,why don't we drug test everyone who has a NY state drivers license, or anyone who is receiving any benefits from any branch of state or federal government, that outta help keep costs down.Get real.
Frank why would they have to
Frank why would they have to lay off those that are doing those jobs,They could use them as extra help to get more things done...My point about drug testing those that get unemployment ,You can't be able and ready to work if you are using drugs.They should be testing all those that get welfare also.How's that for a commie idea...that's getting real....
I do agree with you on the temp.agencies.The state does need to put an end to that ..To many companies do that over and over ,never adding to the payroll but just using temps ,and like you said never have to pay any type of benefits..
Mark,The liability, the
Mark,The liability, the workmans comp, way too many issues to throw random people into that equation.What happens when someone gets hurts, let alone the unions would have something to say also, I think when all is said and done, you can,t put the unemployed into that type of work, too much red tape, and in the end, I believe it would cost more than the umemployment insurance. And when you starty talking about drug testing those on welfare or any public assistance, look out, here comes the ACLU.