Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits Extension: Senate approves bill

[Common Sense]

Spirtual Movement wrote:

I mean seriously we are all entitled to our own oppinions. Look at the health care bill that is trying to be passed and all the town hall meeting where Americans such as ourselves trying to voice our opinions are removed from the situation because the government knows it is not doing anything right in regards to trying to pass this health care plan. So the same goes for our state of Pennsylvania not being able to pass a budget and now state workers are being affected by this, so therefor in an essence those who are on unemployment are pretty blessed to be able to recieve some compensation when our own state workers aren't. Does this make sense? No! In fact it is sort of backwards to me the people working aren't getting paid and the people who aren't working are. So I can sort of agree with you in regards to getting out there and finding a job but when the state workers aren't getting paid what makes you think that someone who is on unemployment is going to be much more inclined to go out and find a job or even be able to get one with the way this economy is. I know you could go out get a job at McDonalds or something similar but for some the amount they are making on unemployment is more than they would make at a job along that lines. So it is sort of like the saying six and one and a half a dozen in the other you could sort of lean on the fence and teeter totter to eather side, but it is what is going to be in the best interest of the person and their families needs.

A second thought - don't look down on any job - while most McDonald's workers obviously aren't rocket scientists, there are many people who worked there for a first job, or who used it as a temporary springboard to a future career. Entry level positions can become management positions very quickly for someone who works hard and has good people skills, and restaurant management salaries aren't too bad (although the hours are hideous). With a couple years of restaurant management experience, a person has the basic skills necessary for just about any customer service position (there's nothing more difficult than CS in fast food!), Human Resources, basic Accounting (P&L statements, general ledgers, etc), and even general management. With a little bit of schooling added in, that job "flipping burgers" can become a career in "regular" business in 5-10 years.

My point here isn't to make McDonald's jobs out to be the greatest thing ever, but to point out the fact that even a job "flipping burgers" has the potential to be a gateway to a skilled position in the future with the right amount of effort and planning.

With all that being said, go back to your orignal point that collecting is better than "working at McDonald's". Yes, it is, temporarily. This is the problem with UC, and why I keep saying it acts as an introduction to welfare for many. Without the momentum of an end to benefits, people don't have any reason to take the lower paying jobs that have the potential to grow as I explained above. UC is a safety net, which is great, but the net also holds many people stagnant.

[Spirtual Movement]

If you read correctly I simply stated that yes you could go out and get a job at McDonalds but for some the money that they make on unemployment until they find something that is along the lines of what they make is more than what they would take home from McDonalds. I myself was going to actually leave a job that I was making decent money at and go and work at McDonalds because I wasn't happy where I was at. I actually interviewed there and everything, so I wasn't knocking it at all. Stagnant can happen if you are at a job that has the number of employees in upper management positions it needs meaning that you will be stuck in the same position without the opportunity for growth. Some people are satisfied with this and some are not. It is what it is. But it is not the fault of those who have either had health issues arise forcing them to lose their jobs or they have lost their jobs due to lack of work such as in the construction business which has been greatly affected by this economic hardship. This in turn can lead to many other problems while having to seek out unemployment, going from one exteme to another can phsycologically take a toll on someone too forcing them to eventually become satisfied with the income they are recieving from UC.

[Common Sense]

Spirtual Movement wrote:

If you read correctly I simply stated that yes you could go out and get a job at McDonalds but for some the money that they make on unemployment until they find something that is along the lines of what they make is more than what they would take home from McDonalds. I myself was going to actually leave a job that I was making decent money at and go and work at McDonalds because I wasn't happy where I was at. I actually interviewed there and everything, so I wasn't knocking it at all. Stagnant can happen if you are at a job that has the number of employees in upper management positions it needs meaning that you will be stuck in the same position without the opportunity for growth. Some people are satisfied with this and some are not. It is what it is. But it is not the fault of those who have either had health issues arise forcing them to lose their jobs or they have lost their jobs due to lack of work such as in the construction business which has been greatly affected by this economic hardship. This in turn can lead to many other problems while having to seek out unemployment, going from one exteme to another can phsycologically take a toll on someone too forcing them to eventually become satisfied with the income they are recieving from UC.

I wasn't trying to hammer you on this...sorry if it came across that way. You echoed a point that many others make, and I assumed you had the same motivations. My post is still valid, but I shouldn't have implied that you felt differently.

I'm a little confused by the rest of your post, which bounces around a little bit, but I'll certainly agree that you are right that there needs to be some kind of safety net for individuals in special situations (such as poor health). This exists already in other government programs, however, and isn't really part of UC.

[Michelle]

Common Sense, I would like to point out that I have availed myself of every opportunity offered by my local careerlink - I applied for grant money to get a medical terminology course, but since EVERYONE in the state is doing this - there's no more money. Things are looking up just a bit at this point, I have had two interviews in the past week, and one more in another week and a half. All of them pay better than unemployment.

The basic problem is, people simply aren't hiring much. And, when they do, because of the large amount of available labor, they pay ridiculously low wages for non-entry level positions.

I've been tempted to try McDonalds or Burger King, but that would have to be a last resort. They're not going to pay me enough to net $480 a week after taxes. That's what it takes to keep my household running. And, that's with no frills. I'd have to find another part time, which means less time for me and my husband together. It was hard enough on him being alone for 8 hrs a day when I was working, than for him to be alone 50+ hours a week, and of course, that would include weekends. Some life for him.

[Here in Bethlehem]

Our rent here in Bethlehem went up by $75 dollars more a month. Last year, it was $50.

I asked why in a recession they would increase the rent so much and there are no jobs to be had. I was told it because of the casino and those moving in from NY and NJ. We have to pay more because of people moving in from other states and because of a casino that isn't handing out high paying jobs? Are you serious?

We were trying to save up to buy a house here in Bethlehem, but that money is gone now that my husband had to take early retirement and I got laid off. Do you really think we were living high on the hog? I still have to pay my medical bills and our basic bills. We are wondering how we are going to make it through if the job market doesn't pick up.

So, please tell me how we were being irresponsible? We had savings and we thought we had good jobs, but it is all gone now.

[HADENOUGH LEHIGH VALLEY]

Common Sense wrote:

Unbelievable...the transition from unemployment to welfare continues. This means that there will now be 79 weeks of state benefits, which I believe is on top of federal unemployment that runs from 3-6 months. We're now at almost two years of benefits! Also, keep in mind that it doesn't matter who is "paying" for the benefits - in every case listed in the article, it will ultimately be the taxpayer!
I was immediately able to find another job in my new field, and have continued to increase my salary and am now reaping the rewards of my previous sacrifice. However, I always keep in mind that I could be laid off tomorrow and have to take another step back (but not quite as dramatic, as my current field has good long-term employment prospects). For that reason, I live well within my means and constantly take steps to keep my knowledge fresh within my field.
I'm not going through this whole story to pat myself on the back, but to illustrate my point that becoming too comfortable relying on government assistance, rather than yourself, is something to be avoided at all costs.

Ya wanna cookie?
As a commercial carpenter who does have a job, just works for a company who may not survive this mess our politicians have put us in, I am more than happy that my employer has paid into this system to help the workers out in bad times.From the story you posted here, you sound like you are just a shining example of what is wrong with todays society. I've been breakin my back for 30 years to get to this point in my life and unemployment compensation which my employer pays into, pays me much more than your $9 per hour. I will not take a job that will ultimately bankrupt me. Maybe to put it in proper perspective for you, take your vacation from your present job and spend a week poundin the streets applying for another job, even at your lower scale standards you will be hard pressed to find anything unless you get lucky enough that some of the summer help at Mickey D's quit to go back to school.
Just because this whole thing has not affected you personally at this time does not mean it won't happen.As a matter of self pride you should have your employment data removed from the Dept. of Labor and Industry records, since you will never need them....

[Spirtual Movement]

Hadenough Lehigh Valley, Kudo's to you and thank you for your response it is refreshing to know that there are other hard working Americans that will still stand up and voice their opinions for what is right and go against what is wrong. GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE!

[Tarnished Sheba]

Good for you Hadenough Lehigh Valley, well said!!!

[rik]

The PA extended benefit requires 2 job searches per week and requires that you take any job that pays min. wage or above....unlike the fed benefits that state you do not have to accept any job paying less than 80% of your previous job. The fed requirement makes sense for someones initial search and PA's makes sense for an extended benefit if they would suppliment that $7.50 job you take with the difference of what you were entitled to this way the individual maintains a decent salary and the state saves the wages they are earning. Face it in this economy, many of those with job openings are trying to take advantage of the situation with wages that are an insult....example, I am a Industrial maintenance mechanic and licensed electrician with a Associates degree in electronics and HVAC, also a certified welder. I make about $13 per hour on unemployment and am getting offers for industrial maint. jobs paying 13 to 16 dollars an hour....highly skilled labor( I was making 24 per hour). These companies would have been offering 17 to 21 an hour 4 years ago. My daughter make 15 and hour at a phone companies call center which required no formal education and included benefits so why would anyone give up skilled labor for unskilled labor wages? I would stock shelves before I prostituted my skills to a employer that is taking advantage of a bad economic situation.

[ron]

hey, i hope you drive an "AMERICAN" car to help our unemployment situation.

[Neveni]

Mr. Commom Sense .... you're clueless!!!

[Amazed in PA]

How positvely snotty. Who are these people turning down work ? "Two years of benefits" is also pretty ignorant. Where are you getting your misinformation?

[Michael]

Hmmm. So 15 million people unemployed and 3 million jobs available. I'm sure that if they tried hard enough 3 people could do the same job and they could split the salary so then they won't have to be subsidized by us tax payers. Better yet why don't we give Goldman Sachs the money we were going to use for unemployment benefits, obviously our money is better spent with them. No wait, maybe we should deport anyone in this country who is not working to Mexico so they can learn a hard lesson and then come back to the US and work for pennies. I hope everyone picks of the sarcasm because the ealier post blaming people for being unemployed and basically calling them lazy is RIDICULOUS. Do some research on other industrialized countries and how they treat their workers. A hiring manager, yeah right. You sound like a CEO of a fortune 500 company trying to make sure you continue to get your government bailout. Companies could hire right now but then they would ave to pay workers. Most companies could hire right now and push the unemployment figures to 5% and still make a profit. But they won't because not hiring people will ensure bigger profits. Common sense needs to find..of I don't know... some common sense.

[Drew]

Michael wrote:

Hmmm. So 15 million people unemployed and 3 million jobs available. I'm sure that if they tried hard enough 3 people could do the same job and they could split the salary so then they won't have to be subsidized by us tax payers. Better yet why don't we give Goldman Sachs the money we were going to use for unemployment benefits, obviously our money is better spent with them. No wait, maybe we should deport anyone in this country who is not working to Mexico so they can learn a hard lesson and then come back to the US and work for pennies. I hope everyone picks of the sarcasm because the ealier post blaming people for being unemployed and basically calling them lazy is RIDICULOUS. Do some research on other industrialized countries and how they treat their workers. A hiring manager, yeah right. You sound like a CEO of a fortune 500 company trying to make sure you continue to get your government bailout. Companies could hire right now but then they would ave to pay workers. Most companies could hire right now and push the unemployment figures to 5% and still make a profit. But they won't because not hiring people will ensure bigger profits. Common sense needs to find..of I don't know... some common sense.

It's people like you that have no idea how jobs are created. Jobs aren't created because some rich CEO decides he/she wants to be generous and give people a job out of the kindness of their heart. Jobs are created when the owner/CEO/entrepreneur/etc decides that certain work that needs to be done for the company is worth paying someone else to do. Why do you have so much hostility towards profit? Profits allow companies to expand and hire more people.

[HADENOUGH LEHIGH VALLEY]

When you look at the staggering unemployment figures, then look at the number of foreign work visas issued monthly(125,000 monthly) as we speak, then look at the total lack of border responsibility which adds greatly to citizens being out of work, this shithole of a country needs to be overtaken by people who care about the citizens here more than their billionaire buddies and other foriegn entities. I firmly believe the time is coming where we will have to force those in power from their pedistal, and to take this country back to its once proud beginnings where people came here to be an American and to make this a better place for us all.

[apdset58]

Maybe if companies would lay off people who act as though they don't want to work and keep us people who work their butts off, then the unemployment rate wouldn't be so effin bad.

You see, when someone acts lazy and as if they don't want to work, then it typically means that they don't want to or have to. If that is the case, why keep them?

I can personally tell you that, before I was layed off, there were plenty of people who were on the phone chatting with their buddies, filing their nails, and doing absolutely nothing. Now, for someone on any post to sit here and act as though they "get it", they need to just shut the eff up. Otherwise, you show that you have NO COMMON SENSE!

Yes, there is a hint in this last sentence as to who I am talking about.

[HADENOUGH LEHIGH VALLEY]

apdset58 wrote:

Maybe if companies would lay off people who act as though they don't want to work and keep us people who work their butts off, then the unemployment rate wouldn't be so effin bad.
You see, when someone acts lazy and as if they don't want to work, then it typically means that they don't want to or have to. If that is the case, why keep them?
I can personally tell you that, before I was layed off, there were plenty of people who were on the phone chatting with their buddies, filing their nails, and doing absolutely nothing. Now, for someone on any post to sit here and act as though they "get it", they need to just shut the eff up. Otherwise, you show that you have NO COMMON SENSE!
Yes, there is a hint in this last sentence as to who I am talking about.

This would help the unemployment rate how??????

[Cranium]

apdset58 wrote:

Maybe if companies would lay off people who act as though they don't want to work and keep us people who work their butts off, then the unemployment rate wouldn't be so effin bad.
You see, when someone acts lazy and as if they don't want to work, then it typically means that they don't want to or have to. If that is the case, why keep them?
I can personally tell you that, before I was layed off, there were plenty of people who were on the phone chatting with their buddies, filing their nails, and doing absolutely nothing. Now, for someone on any post to sit here and act as though they "get it", they need to just shut the eff up. Otherwise, you show that you have NO COMMON SENSE!
Yes, there is a hint in this last sentence as to who I am talking about.

This seems to be a growing problem inplaces, but the nusinesses put up with it until they finally decide to leave.

EchoStar DishTV of Mckeesport is one example.