Extending jobless benefits only compounds nation’s problems
Ms. Miner, I would like to congratulate you. From your columns and the resume/bio at the end of them, it’s apparent your literary prowess has served you well and provided you with gainful employment and income. It seems apparent you’ve never had to walk “on the other side” of the unemployment and wage issues.
I know these are tough times, with too many contributing factors to discuss them all here. “Flipping burgers” (as well as many, many other jobs) is an “entry level” job; never intended to be the main support of a family. Thousands of teens over the years have worked in fast food as a way to earn a little money while they’re still in high school. I have worked those type jobs in the past, and although it would’ve been nice to make $15 an hour, we didn’t expect to be paid much more than minimum wage. The way to earn more is to either produce more and move up the ladder, or to get a better education and a higher paying job. From an ethical and Biblical standpoint, if a man tells you that he will pay you $8 an hour to work for him and you accept that offer, you should do that job to the best of your abilities and not complain. In Luke 3:14, Jesus told the soldiers to “be content with your wages,” and Colossians 3:23 says to “do everything heartily as to the Lord and not to men.” You don’t have to be an economics major to understand fast food places cannot afford to pay employees $15 an hour. If they did, a Big Mac would cost closer to $10 and there would be no more “dollar menu”.
I don’t believe unemployment benefits should be extended beyond 26 weeks. Unemployment compensation (and public assistance as well) was never intended to be a way of life; rather, temporary assistance to get you through until you can get on your feet. In my life, I have bussed tables, washed dishes, cooked, driven a taxi, cleaned toilets, dug ditches (literally) and operated machinery. I’ve only drawn unemployment one time.
I do not agree with the assertion “most people want to work” (in reference to the unemployed). I think most working people do, and most people will work if they can find a job doing what they want. Unfortunately, much of today’s society has an entitlement mentality, and they believe they are owed a living just because they occupy space. Many long-term unemployed are that way because they have become comfortable with drawing a reduced paycheck without having to work for it. I know this is not universal; there are people honestly trying but can’t find a job. More than once, however, I’ve tried to help people find a job and been told, “I won’t scrub toilets”, or “I won’t work in a slaughter plant,” etc. As long as “I won’t …” or “I can’t …” is in someone’s vocabulary, they’re not willing to do whatever is necessary to earn a living. II Thessalonians 3:10 says, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Sadly, the only way to motivate some people to work is to take away all “free money.”
Yes, I know times are hard. This is compounded by so many of our jobs (especially in manufacturing) having been moved to other countries, as well as the number of immigrants coming into this country taking a lot of the available jobs. It was before my time here, but even this city has seen the loss of good manufacturing jobs. In closing, I would like to remind you (and congress) our government has nothing they can give to anyone. In order for the government to give you a dollar, they have to take one out of my pocket.
David Thornton is a Red Oak resident.