Unemployment Benes

[Trilby]

Well, they cut benes for the unemployed right before the holidays and now they say they won't budge on anything until tax cuts are across the board - including cuts for the uber-wealthy.

When the revolution comes I will be knitting by my fireside, and like madame Defarge, I will see nothing.

[xoxoxoBruce]

You will be unraveling what you've knitted.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Brianna

... they won't budge on anything until tax cuts are across the board - including cuts for the uber-wealthy.

Whereas most people pay 22+% taxes - the lower incomes pay a higher percentage. According to Sen Alan Simpson (the retired Wyoming Republican who is blunt angry about this grid lock), the upper 1% are paying only 16%.

Meanwhile, jobs are not created by that upper 1%. They are only protecting their wealth and incomes; create no new jobs; take no risks; create no innovations. The job creators are lower income people who strive to become that 1%.

Republicans want to protect tax cuts that only enriched the richest 1%. People who are living freely off the fat of the land and past accomplishments. Tax cuts for those who strive to become rich, basically, never existed.

Republicans stated they want to harm America - so that Obama will not be relected. Sen Mike McConnell basically said that. Screw what America needs. Enrich only those who contribute mostly to the Republican party.

Limbaugh says it is good. Therefore we should all believe it.

[freshnesschronic]

I am a 2010 college graduate and I am SO discouraged with my job search, it almost hits me in my core.

I was supposed to hear a final answer back today from an interview I had Monday (they were looking to fill spot very soon) but it's well past business hours and have not heard anything.

I'm not expert on government, on anything really...I just hope those guys in the big offices create jobs for the college graduates who still have to live at home at work at the mall now...

[tw]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

I'm not expert on government, on anything really...I just hope those guys in the big offices create jobs for the college graduates ...

You know what to expect. This recession - the worst of three types - is created by overt and grotesque economic mismanagement. On schedule, the recession ended earlier this year. And jobs continue to be lost for another 18 months.

Government cannot create jobs. It can temporarily save jobs. Only innovation creates jobs. And that happens mostly in industry. History says it takes about 18 months after the recession ends for jobs to be created. Expect things to continue to be bad until maybe next spring.

Again, this is a recession created by economic mismanagement at the highest levels in the 2000s. We have it in America. Also ongoing in Greece, Ireland, and elsewhere. Classic examples of how money games by the corrupt and protected (tax cuts without spending cuts, bond market fiascos, Wall Street types doing what they do best - lying, Enron accounting, etc) years previously means everyone must be severely punished now. Same thing happens when Nixon lied about Vietnam in 68 and 70. No jobs throughout the second half of the 70s.

That concept should be taught in Economics. And is not. Appreciate why things will be so tough. Its not you. It is extremist politics that still say tax cuts create jobs. An obvious lie that could may prolong job losses. Jobs are only created after fiscal responsibility starts paying the bills - ie for Misson Accomplished. And are not created by the richest people who get all those tax cuts. Remember where you were when our leaders in 2003 were mortgaging your job prospects. And when these disasters were being predicted by some here in the Cellar in 2003.

Expect the job market to be bad until at least next Spring. A lesson from history and economic analysis of this type of recession. Companies that lead with new jobs will be ones that innovate.

[Lamplighter]

Expect the job market to be bad until at least next Spring. A lesson from history and economic analysis of this type of recession. Companies that lead with new jobs will be ones that innovate.

Then expect inflation to kick in as a result of the QE2 program of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Oh joy

[tw]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Then expect inflation to kick in as a result of the QE2 program of the Federal Reserve Bank.

The irony of this recession. Because so much wealth was created by inventing assets. By converting paper (ie mortgage backed securities) into assets. By inventing higher housing prices using money games. Therefore massive liquidity has simply disappeared. The average citizen was financially raped. Even with stimulus (ie $700 billion TARP), the amount of liquidity has diminished. Nobody realized how massive our fiscal corruption was. Bernie Madoff only an example of what was acceptable.

As a result, we are not suffering inflation. A fear (using Japan as a learning tool) is of deflation.

Unfortunately, too many economists believe money games can fix an economy. It did not work in Japan for 20 years. It never works. And still some economists are calling for 'healthy inflation'. Or something similar. Price increases. As usual, some economists that can see history also refuse to learn from it.

2000s is when all Americans were extremely wealthy (while the average American saw his income drop 2%). Wealth because tax cuts 'improved' the economy. Our political extremists told us so – even citing the Kennedy tax cut. Now learn from history and Kennedy’s tax cut. Money spent in 2000s means economics must take greater revenge in 2010s.

Massive government debts (ie tax cuts for the rich) meant everyone was wealthy (how good was it for you?). George Jr called that returning wealth to the people. Economics now takes a predicted revenge. All Americans must suffer today for tax cuts and other money games in the 2000s. Since this recession was created by financial games stealing from the public, deflation also exists.

We could start paying the bills and fix things. But wacko extremists want the richest Americans to only pay 16% while all others (including those who create most jobs) pay 22% or higher.

That is where your jobs have gone. Money games because "Reagan proved that deficits don't matter". If you do not know who said that, then you must be an ostrich. Deflation – not inflation – is another symptom of massive wealth squandered by the richest 5% Americans. So they need more welfare - more tax cuts - so that economics will take more revenge in 2020.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

I am a 2010 college graduate and I am SO discouraged with my job search, it almost hits me in my core.

I was supposed to hear a final answer back today from an interview I had Monday (they were looking to fill spot very soon) but it's well past business hours and have not heard anything.

I'm not expert on government, on anything really...I just hope those guys in the big offices create jobs for the college graduates who still have to live at home at work at the mall now...

I've been applying for any number of low-grade jobs since I got mine (Teaching Assistant). I've had one interview. For those who don't know, I have a job, but can't start until my enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check comes through; I have a normal CRB, but this is not adequate for staff, only volunteers.

So every week I go to the Job Centre, sign on, and prove I am actively seeking work. Some weeks I bother, and apply right left and centre. Some weeks I scramble around on Monday morning applying for anything available at the last minute before my appointment. It doesn't seem to make any difference. I've been passed over for retail work, bar work, waitressing etc. I think the only way I'd be successful is if I was still applying for work with children - but for obvious reasons it's the one field I'm avoiding. FTR - if I applied for a position similar to the one I've already been offered in another school I'd still have to wait for the same paperwork.

The whole thing is a waste of the Government's money, but it's a Government check I am waiting for.

But I guess I'm lucky to still be receiving benefits.
The hour or so I spend looking for work and attending the job centre is hardly worth the money I receive. But honestly, I'd rather apply for all the part-time work I see advertised and make my own way. It's just it's not worth it, knowing my "real" job will come through any day now, and I'll waste the time of anyone who employs me. And pretty much everyone offering part-time hours are small businesses. Still, who's to say I'd even get those jobs when I've been passed over for so many others!

Honestly, there's not a lot out there. And when people come on the radio (the bathroom radio is tuned into a talk station) and say "I'd do anything to work if I was unemployed!" I don't think they realise that their perceived sacrifice might not even be available. And if it is, it's only available for such limited hours a week that the main family breadwinner cannot possibly survive on it.

The right wing tabloids love to bleat on about scroungers and dolescum and benefits-Britain, but it's not all council house tenants with 13 children and immigrants in five bedroom houses. From my experience I assume there are many people genuinely looking for work that isn't there. People who were previously happy in office or factory work and are now at their wit's end.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I've been applying for any number of low-grade jobs since I got mine (Teaching Assistant).
I've had one interview. For those who don't know, I have a job,
but can't start until my enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check comes through;
I have a normal CRB, but this is not adequate for staff, only volunteers.

So every week I go to the Job Centre, sign on, and prove I am actively seeking work.
Some weeks I bother, and apply right left and centre. <snip>

The TV heads were just talking about US job prospects in 2011,
and how so many people (84%) who are currently employed
are planning to look for different job in 2011.
The heads also said that employers will be looking more favorably on (these) people who
will be seen as "trading jobs", as opposed to those who have been unemployed for a long time.

I know this does not apply to you, SG, but it did remind me of your postings last month
about still waiting for your "enhanced CRB".
I started wondering about the British political system, as compared to the US.

That is, if I were in your position (hired, but not yet working the job) and still drawing benefits,
I would seriously consider a letter and phone call to my own State
Senator and/or Representative.
Usually, this is just the sort of thing our politicians love to say about they how they helped
their constituents get through the red tape, blah, blah, blah.

A long preamble, but does the British political system allow for that sort of short cut
thru the bureaucracy to get you into the job you want and have been offered. ?

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

The TV heads were just talking about US job prospects in 2011,
and how so many people (84%) who are currently employed
are planning to look for different job in 2011.
The heads also said that employers will be looking more favorably on (these) people who
will be seen as "trading jobs", as opposed to those who have been unemployed for a long time.
<snip>

The posting above was on 1/1/11 ... and it has come true ... all too true.

The Plum Line
Ryan Cooper
December 17, 2013
Elizabeth Warren sheds light on Washington’s failure

Today, Elizabeth Warren is introducing
a bill to ban the use of credit scores during the hiring process.
While this is a fairly small-bore reform, it is probably still worth doing.

Credit reports were developed to help lenders assess the risks associated with making a loan.
Over the last few years, they have been aggressively marketed to employers as a means
to gauge an applicant’s character or likelihood to commit theft or fraud.
Yet there is no proven link between personal credit reports and
criminal behavior or performance of a specific job.

A spokesperson for TransUnion, one of the major credit reporting companies, admitted in 2010:
“We don’t have any research to show any statistical correlation between
what’s in somebody’s credit report and their job performance or their likelihood to commit fraud.”

And this reform won’t even touch the problem of long-term unemployment,
against whom there is massive discrimination already.
As Matt Yglesias says, those people are doomed:

We could keep paying UI checks. But we’re not going to do that.
And we’re not going to do relocation assistance.
And we’re not going to do direct hiring and public works.
We’re going to do nothing.

We’re going to tell people to go out and look for work,
even though employers looking to hire can still afford to be very choosy
and generally refuse to even consider the long-term unemployed as job applicants.

The country failed these people first by letting the labor market stay
so slack for so long that they became unhirable, and now we’re going to fail them again.
<snip>

...your employer goes out of business
...your unemployment insurance kicks in for a while
...your "extended" unemployment benefits come to an end
...your house payments end and the bank forecloses
...your credit rating goes into the toilet
...your prospective employer asks for a credit score.

Lot's of luck

[xoxoxoBruce]

The country failed these people first by letting the labor market stay
so slack for so long that they became unhirable, and now we’re going to fail them again.

The people failed themselves by shopping at walmart.

[plthijinx]

hell as far as the economy goes...i don't even know where to begin on this. i used to make over 100k a year in electrical design for the oil & gas industry here in houston. now? 10 bucks an hour at a go kart track. c'mon man. bring on the spring time! all cloudy days give way to bright and sunny.....right?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by plthijinx

i used to make over 100k a year .... now? 10 bucks an hour at a go kart track.

Those who control the wealth like it just fine that way. You'll try to make the same amount by working 10,000 hours this year, and someone benefits from your additional productivity.


I've done my part as a taxpayer, when the government used my money to help businesses in trouble, and didn't complain. I did my part as a consumer, spending every cent that I earn, and didn't complain. Corporate America is sitting on huge cash reserves. It's time that that they do their part and hire people and pay those people a wage that can support a middle class family.

[Trilby]

People being at wit's end - that's why I'm going to knit for the revolution.

We are punishing these people here in the US AND giving the millionaires/billionaires tax relief. We will reap what we sow.

The French idea is looking better and better...../radical/devil

[kerosene]

Sundae, what you say is true here, too. At least from what I can see. My husband has been applying everywhere. He has had a few call backs, but mostly nothing. He had one interview, in which he was told he needed a college degree to work there. Company policy. Unfortunately, he doesn't have one. Just 10-12 years experience in his field.