| Kasz216 said:
In general i'm in favor of "permanent" welfare, with minor strings, that aren't adminstrative. For example, you have to work somewhere 20 hours a week or something. That should be plenty of motivation. As for it being time to stop funding extended unemployment... that's actually true. The way unemployment works actually should totally piss you off right now... it essentially is welfare that priortizes the middle class and rich over the poor. Unemployment is essnetially an insurance that you pay for that covers you for around 1 and a half, to two years. The extensions have allowed people to get unemployment benefits for years past that. After 2 years, you should be kicked off unemployment, and be slowley adjusted downwards towards "regular" welfare. I mean think about it this way. 7-8 years ago I worked in a factory where I made ~20 an hour as ppart of the UAW. Today I make 8.50. After my 2 years of unemployment i've paid for would be up in both situations... in one situation i'm getting $20 an "hour" worth. (well 80% I want to say), In the other i'm getting 80% of 8.50. Same person, only difference is, I used to have more money, therefore i deserve more money? |
Currently, unemployment i get now is less than half what I used to get, because the job I had is far lower than what I had. The issue with the article I posted, is the person writing it, just wants it to stop, under the belief that people on unemployment just don't have enough gumption to get a job out there, so not having any will light a fire under them. It is not what you had suggested. The presumption out there is that the jobs are there.
Personally, I am going through hoops, and having to seriously find stuff to do, and press on. I am networking pretty heavy and even trying hard to even get unpaid work, and those aren't that numerous, particularly among stuff that is viable for a resume.
A problem here is that it isn't even the true belief that people need freedom and having the negative income tax you spoke about. People genuinely believe the poor have issues and are subhuman and need increased babysitting to get their shiftless butts in motion. So, you don't get a baseline of support with minimal administration. You see cases where there is increased calls for drug testing of those on unemployment and other welfare, because of the belief it MUST be drugs that is the reason, eventhough there is little shown in the way of people on welfare are more on drugs than those who aren't.
I think what the study does show is that when you are without, your cognitive processes get taxed and your ability to plan long-term is shorted out, and the stress makes you more short-sighted. I see I have to battle this myself, but I find I do try to press on by letting go of stuff.
