Tom Delay: People Are Unemployed Because They Want To Be

[SuperBurban]

Yea Tom, People are just lining up to get laid off. 

"You know," Delay said, "there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don't look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.

Host Candy Crowley: Congressman, that's a hard sell, isn't it?

Delay: it's the truth.

Crowley: People are unemployed because they want to be?

Delay: well, it is the truth. and people in the real world know it. And they have friends and they know it. Sure, we ought to be helping people that are unemployed find a job





http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20100307/cm_huffpost/489050

Do any of these guys have any contact with reality?   

[s ǝoɾ]

I know these people he speaks of.

[SuperBurban]

I know these people he speaks of.

In normal times, I would agree that a lot of the people that get laid off, tend to wait until the UE is about to end, to look for, or accept a job. Or even workers that would look forward to getting laid off over the winter. But I do not think that is so much the case now.

[s ǝoɾ]

In normal times, I would agree that a lot of the people that get laid off, tend to wait until the UE is about to end, to look for, or accept a job. Or even workers that would look forward to getting laid off over the winter. But I do not think that is so much the case now.

Can't speak for Colorado. 

I can speak for a buddy who needed a place to stay a few weeks ago.
"uh so when are you going to go job searching?"   
"wtf? why would I go job searching? I have an unemployment check"
"hey, so-and-so is hiring"
"screw that, I have a check"

[SuperBurban]

I can speak for a buddy who needed a place to stay a few weeks ago.
"uh so when are you going to go job searching?"  
"wtf? why would I go job searching? I have an unemployment check"
"hey, so-and-so is hiring"
"screw that, I have a check"

So you are equating one person to 22% of the population?  That is not like your normal method of researching things.

I can speak for a buddy who needed a place to stay a few weeks ago.

that kinda sums him up, doesn't it?

[s ǝoɾ]

So you are equating one person to 22% of the population?  That is not like your normal method of researching things.

that kinda sums him up, doesn't it?

Nope. Didn't even say it was the norm or the only example either one.

I said I know the people he is speaking of. Plain and simple.

[SuperBurban]

Nope. Didn't even say it was the norm or the only example either one.

I said I know the people he is speaking of. Plain and simple.

I guess I'm missing your point then. Are you agreeing with Delay, In that the Federal Govt should not help out the unemployed workers?

[Dodge 85 RC]

I know a person who is doing this as well.  He didn't like the job he had, so he purposely failed a required test for the job and got himself fired and has been collecting unemployment for the last year.  He has no aspirations of going back to work, nor does he have the financial need to either.  He could retire and stop milking the system.

[herostoryrory]

I believe him. I don't even think there was a recession,or that it was even that bad.It was hyped and people believed it. If it was, I wouldn't have been forced  to work 60 or more hours a week since I started there.
If people actually wanted to work then all of these places that are hiring, right now, my place being one of them who have just hired a fourth driver wouldn't need to be looking for employees.
The jobs are there, they always have been, no one wants to do them.

The majority just say "Yeah, but I'm not going to do that because (insert the reason here).
The jobs are here,right now.I hate my job.Ihate driving with a passion.But I'm going to have to say the same thing"I'm not quitting because I will hate that too.
I could quit tomorrow andhave another job by the end of the day.The jobs are here and always have been.

[s ǝoɾ]

I guess I'm missing your point then. Are you agreeing with Delay, In that the Federal Govt should not help out the unemployed workers?

No.

Their assistance should be more valuable help wise, and less monetary wise.

Many many people tried to talk me into this when I was leaving active duty. They explained exactly how to work the system, how to show up to mandatory interviews to "not get the job" and continue collecting the easy money.

There are many who have set certain dollar/wage/salary limits to their decision to go back to work. A good friend of yours stated "I ain't takin no $10/hr job". That's ~$1,200/month after taxes, likely more than unemployment offers.  

The goal of unemployment should be getting people back to work and on a steady check, not at home on a government provided check. That is the same socialism they so vehemently speak out against.

The country needs jobs. There are millions out of work who WANT jobs. There are those who don't. This should not be considered an attractive alternative.

For JAN2010
4,122,000 people were separated for what ever reason. Voluntary (quits) involuntary (fire layoff discharge) and others such as retirement.
1,890,000 of these were layoffs and discharges
4,080,000 were hired
2,724,000 job positions remained open.

Will everybody who is validly trying to find a job find one? Absolutely not. Will there be others who use the recession as an excuse to quit work? Absolutely.

[mopar65pa]

All I have to say is I have put app after app in for jobs with no response. I called a week to 2 weeks later and got nothing. 

I can not afford a $10 job Joe I have a house and a family that costs more than that. 

I work on the side to make ends meet and it's still tight with a check. I'd happily take a $15hr job doing about anything right now or 6 months ago but they are not out there.

Bottom line is employers know people need work and willing take anything to pay the bills. So they cut their wages for new hires. Lay people off and hire new people at a cheaper rate. MY company did this very thing. I thought that was illegal but I haven't checked to find out.

Rory you know that's not true. Darrel just got hired where you work after a year off and looking. You don't want to work where you do, you bitch and moan about it and the pay. If he had a choice, do you think he would be going there to work? 

Joe I am sure there are people like that right now as always. I have known people like that too but they do this all the time not just now.

I just put an app in today as a matter of fact using my "new" welding credentials. I can only hope they call and the pay is good enough. 

Bottom line in all of this is that the politicians don't have a clue......... 

[s ǝoɾ]

All I have to say is I have put app after app in for jobs with no response. I called a week to 2 weeks later and got nothing. 

As stated, millions are looking for a job and would rather work, no question about that.

Joe I am sure there are people like that right now as always. I have known people like that too but they do this all the time not just now.

Yup. They didn't just recently pop up, well maybe some of them did, hard times is always a good excuse.

They exist, just as the guy said. They are definitely NOT a representation of the over all picture, but they do exist. Probably never know the numbers, because who would honestly admit to milking the system to a public survey? Furthermore, how many of them believe they are putting forth a valid effort, but really aren't? Who is to decide that?

I know a guy who will casually drop 3-4 applications per month, and go to an interview or 2. He in his own mind believes he is trying hard, but it is blatantly obvious why this particular individual could walk into a place needing 15 people RIGHT NOW, and they would still over look him. I haven't found a polite way of telling him why they blow him off. I went to a few interviews with this person, he is nice honest, hard worker, but if I was an interviewer I wouldn't hire him, just based on interview skills.  I wonder how many others suffer a similar fate, get passed over due to similar circumstances? I often look back and consider a few jobs I had previously applied to and noticed I made quite a few blunders as well.

Bottom line in all of this is that the politicians don't have a clue......... 

That is true, although in this case he might be on to something. I don't remember who said "you can't spend your way out of debt" Ol' Bunning did ask an important question..."where are we going to get this $$$?" Fact is, before unemployment was a relatively short term thing for most people. A quick cash pickme up was all that was needed for many. Now that it is almost a career for many, it's not really helping the matter. Divert some of those long term funds into getting people into some of these available job openings. Federal government collects what? $54/person/year to fund FUTA to pay 50% of extended unemployment bennies.

[mopar65pa]

Well now that I have my "papers" so to speak. I'll be heading to the Lancaster county job services to have them try to place me. 

I hate to do that though. But you have to do what you have to do since I'm having no luck on my own.

[tugboatw200]

The wife has been on unemployment for 9 months.  25-30 apps a week, registered with 4 staffing agencies.  She's been on 5 interviews during this time, 2 temp jobs, and frustrated as hell.  It's not milking the system, it's trying like hell to find real employment.  If it wasn't for the unemployment we'd be screwed.

Mike

[herostoryrory]

Tony, its too far back to exist anymore but  I said over a year ago that Landis was hiring and Ursula said Daryl won't work there if he doesn't have too.

[SuperBurban]

Tony, its too far back to exist anymore but  I said over a year ago that Landis was hiring and Ursula said Daryl won't work there if he doesn't have too.

You also said in the same post that you would never recommend it to any one, you remind us once at least once a week how much you hate your job, and your company.

[mopar65pa]

Tony, its too far back to exist anymore but  I said over a year ago that Landis was hiring and Ursula said Daryl won't work there if he doesn't have too.

Yes and you just proved the point that you can't just "find a job" anywhere anymore.

Darrel needs a job end of story and is willing to sacrifice what he has to, to get one at this point.

[MT_84Ram]

Must be those damned liberal democrats trying to help the unemployed working people again.

[slohand65]

I was recently (as in 3 weeks ago) laid off from a job I had had for 18 years. I will be paid until the end of this month which means I cant file for unemployment until then. However unemployment will not pay my bills even with my wife working. I have been steadily looking, firing off resumes, put mine on monster. Called every contact I had made in the last 18 years, so far nothing. I agree with the person who said a $10 an hour job wont cut it as that is about what unemployment pays, at least in Florida. I am looking at shortly losing my house and all that my wife and i have worked for because of the lack of paying jobs. I find no shame in working for $10 an hour but the gods honest truth is that would not hold off the inevitable and would actually prevent me from being able to interview for a job that would pay me. I also agree that there are people purely taking advantage of the system. I have seen it and Im sure anyone reading this thread has too. I don't blame anyone in particular for the current state of the job market but as I have found out it is not as easy as some think to just go out and find a job.

[mopar65pa]

as I have found out it is not as easy as some think to just go out and find a job.

In my 32 years of working. I have NEVER been out of work and not able to get another one to suit my financial needs within two weeks. 

 I have always had another job before I even thought about giving my 2 weeks notice.

You are right also, taking a $10 an hr job or two jobs is not an option when you are still trying to find one the will suit you and you financial needs. 

[slohand65]

This is only the second time in my life i have been without a job, the first was in the late 80s when the airline industry took its first big nosedive (remember Eastern and Branif). I changed professions and started all over again. I am too old to do that again and financially it would ruin me.

[mopar65pa]

This is only the second time in my life i have been without a job, the first was in the late 80s when the airline industry took its first big nosedive (remember Eastern and Branif). I changed professions and started all over again. I am too old to do that again and financially it would ruin me.

This will be the second time I changed professions too. I went from Floor coverings to commercial construction 10 years ago. Now I'm looking at welding. 

[slohand65]

This will be the second time I changed professions too. I went from Floor coverings to commercial construction 10 years ago. Now I'm looking at welding. 

Ouch welding is fun, till you have to do it all day everyday. I was dumb and stayed working at airports just not for an airline and not on airplanes. Now most all of them are so broke they cant afford peanuts much less new construction.

[mopar65pa]

Ouch welding is fun, till you have to do it all day everyday.

Well it's the only thing around here that pays more than $10 an hr in my skills area. 

I can do that till construction picks back up I guess. 

[slohand65]

Well it's the only thing around here that pays more than $10 an hr in my skills area. 

I can do that till construction picks back up I guess. 

Very true, it beats the alternative.

[herostoryrory]

You also said in the same post that you would never recommend it to any one, you remind us once at least once a week how much you hate your job, and your company.

That's right. I saw Daryl leaving from there after getting hired and told him to back out before he's stuck here.BUT the job was available for over a year and took this long to fill. I wouldn't reccomend it but it was there.

[ramchargertodd]

Yea Tom, People are just lining up to get laid off.  

"You know," Delay said, "there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don't look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.

Host Candy Crowley: Congressman, that's a hard sell, isn't it?

Delay: it's the truth.

Crowley: People are unemployed because they want to be?

Delay: well, it is the truth. and people in the real world know it. And they have friends and they know it. Sure, we ought to be helping people that are unemployed find a job

He is RIGHT.  People have an entitlement mindset they they deserve or are owed a certain income level.  They think they are too good for menial labor jobs.  
If I lost my job I would be very hard pressed to find one that paid what I'm making now.  BUT could I go out and find a job?  Absolutely.  Not at the income level I'm accustom to but there are plenty of jobs that people are too proud to do.  If my family was in need, I would be working 2 minimum wage jobs to make ends meet.  
I have church buddy that is a database programmer that has been out of work for month and has been working at the airport as a baggage handler to make ends meet.  One of the sharpest guys I know but isn't too proud to do what is necessary.