Larry Elman: Unemployment Editorial

In answer to Friday’s The Daily Dispatch editorial on unemployment (2/1/2013):  I do not know NC law because I moved here after retirement,  but in most States during most of my life there have been two rules which totally eliminate your comments,   as well as those of John Hood of the John Locke Society last week.  First,  most States required persons on unemployment to be able to show consistent job-search efforts,  and those efforts were frequently checked.   Second,  in most States the unemployment amount was tied to a percentage of your pay in your last job.  As this percentage was below 100%,  there was an incentive to become re-employed.  (At 75% of last pay up to a stated maximum, it was barely enough to prevent starvation,  but not enough to sit on one’s butt.)  Both the Daily Dispatch and John Wood apparently believe all persons on either unemployment or welfare are cheating them.  Despite having graduated from an excellent university and having advanced degrees,  I spent time on both when the industry I was in failed.  I resent the Dispatch editorials and I thoroughly resent John Wood’s earlier comments.  Your fellow citizens deserve better.  Until you have lived it,  do not make foolish comments.  You should be ashamed of your editorial.

 

I used the restroom at the Welfare Office and found no toilet paper.  I reported this to the lady at the desk,  who at once shouted,  “There is no toilet paper in our restrooms so you B******s won’t steal it.  Welfare,  Unemployment,  or Food Stamps,  you OUGHT to have S****y A***s.”  It never occurred to her (or to you,  or to John Wood)  that if it were not for those social safety net programs,  she would not have a job,  kids would starve,  and businesses would fail. 

H Larry Elman,  Dabney