Tom Delay: People are Unemployed Because They Choose to Be

[one...two...tree 2,762]

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[William33 110]

Typical statement from an out of touch politician.

I'm sure a minority of UI beneficiaries are abusing the system, but the majority would prefer their normal salary over the paltry UI benefits.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They don't call him "The Hammer" for no reason. It would be helpful, though, if Mr. Delay could point out where exactly the 10MM+ open positions are that the unemployed refuse to take.

ETA: The good news here is also that there really isn't any unemployment problem. Available jobs are all over the place. Seems the Obama administration tackled that issue right quick.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He may not be that far off base. The people I know that are unemployed don't take their job search seriously until they run out of benefits. But, by then, they are so used to sleeping in late, and not taking care of themselves, that the prospective employers don't give them a second look.

Make them stand in line every two weeks to get their checks, and document their job search, then maybe you might some folks get back to work. That was the way it was thirty years ago. And, every six weeks, you went to a counseling session, and those sessions were brutal. They actually called the employers you said you visited. Half the time you got your benefits suspended for a week or two. Time for some tough love.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Lone Ranger

[Kevin and 10]

I know people that won't take jobs because the pay is lower than what they get from unemployment.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I know people that won't take jobs because the pay is lower than what they get from unemployment.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Kevin and 10]

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It isn't, most people would do the same thing.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I received UI several years ago for a few months while looking for a job and I can't understand the argument that UI keeps you from looking for work. The UI was a fraction - a tiny fraction - of what my income was when employed. Yes, it helped pay some bills but I wanted to get off of it just as soon as possible. To claim that people are somehow comfortably living off UI is ridiculous.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I received UI several years ago for a few months while looking for a job and I can't understand the argument that UI keeps you from looking for work. The UI was a fraction - a tiny fraction - of what my income was when employed. Yes, it helped pay some bills but I wanted to get off of it just as soon as possible. To claim that people are somehow comfortably living off UI is ridiculous.

I think depends on where you are in life really. If your 35 with kids yeah its rough. In fact for most people its rough. I'd say for the very young crowd its a lot of money. Imagine if your living with your parents or renting a room for 400USD. But that's like 10% of the population.

I've also heard in other threads that its people's poor planning because there is no emergency fund. The standard advice was to have enough for 4-6 months. However, that conventional wisdom wouldn't have been enough this time around. Without UI you'd need 12-24months or more.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think depends on where you are in life really. If your 35 with kids yeah its rough. In fact for most people its rough.

So, in regards to the overall situation, the argument is bull.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

So, in regards to the overall situation, the argument is bull.

Correctorino

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I received UI several years ago for a few months while looking for a job and I can't understand the argument that UI keeps you from looking for work. The UI was a fraction - a tiny fraction - of what my income was when employed. Yes, it helped pay some bills but I wanted to get off of it just as soon as possible. To claim that people are somehow comfortably living off UI is ridiculous.

There seems to be two classes of folks that get unemployment. The ones like you that find they can't manage their lives on unemployment, and get off it as soon as they can. But, there is also a class of folks that find a way to manage just fine. Those are the folks that work just long enough to qualify for benefits again.

I forget the stats, but something like the largest group of beneficiaries collect 6 to eight weeks of benefits before finding a job. The second largest group, and the group that accounts for like 80% of the benefits paid, collect like 20 weeks or more, exhausting their benefits before getting a job.

I am sad so say, too many of my "friends" still live that latter lifestyle.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

There seems to be two classes of folks that get unemployment. The ones like you that find they can't manage their lives on unemployment, and get off it as soon as they can. But, there is also a class of folks that find a way to manage just fine. Those are the folks that work just long enough to qualify for benefits again.

I forget the stats, but something like the largest group of beneficiaries collect 6 to eight weeks of benefits before finding a job. The second largest group, and the group that accounts for like 80% of the benefits paid, collect like 20 weeks or more, exhausting their benefits before getting a job.

I am sad so say, too many of my "friends" still live that latter lifestyle.

These stats. Are they pre-recession or recent?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

These stats. Are they pre-recession or recent?

They are off the top of my head, pre-recession. I trying to track down some current stats, but it seems to be a secret for some reason.

I do have one friend just exhausted his 90 weeks of UI.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

These stats. Are they pre-recession or recent?

they are probably fictional.