I realize there are no free rides in this world and that some people will always take advantage of the system. However, I can not find any data that supports rising unemployment,homelessness, and foreclosures, with economic prosperity. An extreme example of generous unemployment benefits might be the recent NPR coverage of Denmark. In sharp contrast to the American penchant for low taxes, the Danes seem to be proud they have the highest taxes in the world. However, in what we would consider a weird twist, not only are they happier than us according to surveys, they also have a very properous economy. According to NPR, this may be a consequence of the country offering 2 years of unemployment. This may seem wrong to us but according to NPR, it results in the economy being more productive because companies are more willing to lay off unneeded employees. Also, employees are less concerned with being laid off knowing they can draw unemployment for 2 years. What a different mindset from us! I'm not suggesting this would work for us. I'm only pointing out how we as Americans can have a tendency to limit our options based on preconceived notions/ "gut instincts", rather than facts. I personally, would rather feel like I gave too much and might have been taken advantage of by some, than to think I made certain I didn't let anyone take advantage of me but I missed an opportunity to help a friend or neighbor. No easy answer.
Jack Tucker - 14 years ago
What percentage of these voting for an extension understand that the employer has to pay for it and it raises their cost of doing business and somewhere in time they can't make a profit so they go out of business and now there is more unemployed people. Where will the money come from to pay for this? jackfran@peoplepc.com
I realize there are no free rides in this world and that some people will always take advantage of the system. However, I can not find any data that supports rising unemployment,homelessness, and foreclosures, with economic prosperity. An extreme example of generous unemployment benefits might be the recent NPR coverage of Denmark. In sharp contrast to the American penchant for low taxes, the Danes seem to be proud they have the highest taxes in the world. However, in what we would consider a weird twist, not only are they happier than us according to surveys, they also have a very properous economy. According to NPR, this may be a consequence of the country offering 2 years of unemployment. This may seem wrong to us but according to NPR, it results in the economy being more productive because companies are more willing to lay off unneeded employees. Also, employees are less concerned with being laid off knowing they can draw unemployment for 2 years. What a different mindset from us! I'm not suggesting this would work for us. I'm only pointing out how we as Americans can have a tendency to limit our options based on preconceived notions/ "gut instincts", rather than facts. I personally, would rather feel like I gave too much and might have been taken advantage of by some, than to think I made certain I didn't let anyone take advantage of me but I missed an opportunity to help a friend or neighbor. No easy answer.
What percentage of these voting for an extension understand that the employer has to pay for it and it raises their cost of doing business and somewhere in time they can't make a profit so they go out of business and now there is more unemployed people. Where will the money come from to pay for this? jackfran@peoplepc.com