[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

To claim that none of the problem is due to the expanded benefits is disingenuous. Of course it is part of the problem. There may be other reasons too, but the expanded benefits are one of them.

It's really rather simple, if company A and company B need the same employees and company A starts paying more then the employees will go to company A. If the Govt is going to pay $14+/hour but company B only pays $12/hour then employees will go with the Govt.

The Govt wanted to set a $15 minimum wage but that didn't work. The Govt then voted to enhance unemployment benefits to the point that the benefits were competitive with what some companies were paying. If they couldn't force companies to pay more they could draw employees away from companies that pay less.

We can argue over whether company B should pay more than $12 but that isn't the point here.

Economists and the Govt tell us that analysis shows the expanded benefits are not the issue; companies that are trying to hire lower-wage workers say something different. Economists and the Govt told us things about the pandemic based on analysis as well - I'll believe the companies.

First, i read nobody saying "To claim that none of the problem is due to the expanded benefits is disingenuous."

If you could cite what post number said that, especially the word "none" because not only have I not read that, nor heard it, I have yet to see or hear anyone even hint that.

Second, could you link me to a professiinal business person, not a political activist who said "companies that are trying to hire lower-wage workers say something different. ". It flat out is not that simple. Making it that simple is either...or...and neither is right

[Swoop]

Originally Posted by jebartle

You know of course that we have lost 600,000 souls, some of which were part of the work force.

Given the fact that more than 460,000 of those 600,000 were over 65, that leaves less than 140,000 people of working age who died with Covid. Compare that to a workforce in the US of over 207 million and it had no statistical impact.

[blueash]

Many industries are being affected including agriculture, education, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, computer software, and construction. A recent survey of the commercial construction industry shows that 85 percent of contractors are having difficulty finding workers, he said.

Gee, I wonder if there is a demographic that has been filling the need for agricultural workers, hospitality, and construction workers that became unavailable over the last couple of years? You know filling all those jobs that the locals wouldn't do for the wages they paid and the hard labor they required.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by blueash

Gee, I wonder if there is a demographic that has been filling the need for agricultural workers, hospitality, and construction workers that became unavailable over the last couple of years? You know filling all those jobs that the locals wouldn't do for the wages they paid and the hard labor they required.

So where was the problem hiring people before the pandemic and government paychecks if this has been going on "over the last couple of years"?

IIRC, unemployment, especially among certain "demographics" was at an all time low...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

So where was the problem hiring people before the pandemic and government paychecks if this has been going on "over the last couple of years"?

IIRC, unemployment, especially among certain "demographics" was at an all time low...

You must have been watching a talk show during the months when there were dozens of farms that went out of business due to lack of available migrant workers. And when I say migrant, I mean migrant. Not "illegal immigrant." The legal documented ones were afraid of being caught up in raids and sent back to their home countries even though they were here legally. And that actually happened. In fact a few actual American-born American citizens were "sent back" to Mexico, by mistake. But I guess they didn't mention that on whatever TV channel or social media site you were watching. Or you did watch it and just forgot.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by blueash

Gee, I wonder if there is a demographic that has been filling the need for agricultural workers, hospitality, and construction workers that became unavailable over the last couple of years? You know filling all those jobs that the locals wouldn't do for the wages they paid and the hard labor they required.

There is sooo much wrong with your statement. That “demographic” you mentioned, in addition to their wages, have so much subsidized and paid for by Americans that many live far better than many of us. They know how to play the game and are very good at it. I wonder if the minorities in America who are struggling realize who’s eating their cake.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

You must have been watching a talk show during the months when there were dozens of farms that went out of business due to lack of available migrant workers. And when I say migrant, I mean migrant. Not "illegal immigrant." The legal documented ones were afraid of being caught up in raids and sent back to their home countries even though they were here legally. And that actually happened. In fact a few actual American-born American citizens were "sent back" to Mexico, by mistake. But I guess they didn't mention that on whatever TV channel or social media site you were watching. Or you did watch it and just forgot.

How many, two or three, and did criminal activity have anything to do with it?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Florida's unemployment rate is very low. That means most people who are "working people" are already employed. Florida has a high retiree rate, and a LOT of people have fled the north to move to Florida to retire in the past year. They've chosen to not return to work at all, and they're not getting unemployment or bonuses for staying home. They're retired, taking early pensions.

A lot of stores had closed down completely, gone out of business. All of THOSE employees have had a year of unemployment and career advancement educational opportunities. MOST of them have found jobs either in the same sector, or moved up to better jobs in other fields.

The rinky dink minimum wage stores and fast-food joints now have to compete to get employees, because most of those employees are seeking better elsewhere - and are getting better elsewhere. For instance: Publix isn't suffering for lack of employees. Why? Because they start their crew out at better than minimum in the first place. Plus a modest benefit package that doesn't exist anywhere else, including stock options for part-timers.

Dunkin gives you a free cup of coffee during your shift, and you have to buy your shoes from an approved online vendor. Why would anyone WANT to get paid minimum wage to work at a place like that, when they can work at Kohl's and get a sign-on bonus, you can buy your shoes wherever you want, and you get a discount on whatever you buy in the store?

People ARE back to work. They've been back to work. They've just chosen to not work at places where they felt they were treated like dirt.

I wonder if all (or any) of that is true.
Where did you get that, Socialism Weekly or the little red Mao book?

I haven't seen "the facts", but the simple common sense is that people who are paid to stay home , will.

[nick demis]

I'm to old to go back to work. Or just to lazy as my wife would say.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Florida's unemployment rate is very low. That means most people who are "working people" are already employed. Florida has a high retiree rate, and a LOT of people have fled the north to move to Florida to retire in the past year. They've chosen to not return to work at all, and they're not getting unemployment or bonuses for staying home. They're retired, taking early pensions.

A lot of stores had closed down completely, gone out of business. All of THOSE employees have had a year of unemployment and career advancement educational opportunities. MOST of them have found jobs either in the same sector, or moved up to better jobs in other fields.

The rinky dink minimum wage stores and fast-food joints now have to compete to get employees, because most of those employees are seeking better elsewhere - and are getting better elsewhere. For instance: Publix isn't suffering for lack of employees. Why? Because they start their crew out at better than minimum in the first place. Plus a modest benefit package that doesn't exist anywhere else, including stock options for part-timers.

Dunkin gives you a free cup of coffee during your shift, and you have to buy your shoes from an approved online vendor. Why would anyone WANT to get paid minimum wage to work at a place like that, when they can work at Kohl's and get a sign-on bonus, you can buy your shoes wherever you want, and you get a discount on whatever you buy in the store?

People ARE back to work. They've been back to work. They've just chosen to not work at places where they felt they were treated like dirt.

I think alot of people are missing the point. Unemployment is not meant to be a career goal. Its to carry you over while you ACTIVELY look for a job. The kids in their 20s still living in mommy and daddys basement rent free with not even a HS education should not be picky about what jobs they take. Minimum wage jobs are a stepping stone not a life long career either. You see many older people working minimum wage jobs because they want to keep active or maybe supplement their SS checks. The kids working the jobs should be educating themselves while working them. And dont say they cant afford further education. There are many grants out there to assist. And what about the ones who have 5 kids, cant afford them, never should have had them and are looking for you and me to support them. Thats the issue. Unemployment used to require you show proof that you are looking or your benefits were cut off. Ga. and Im sure several other states will cut off benefits permanently for anyone convicted of a drug violation. So, bottom line. Get off your butt, crawl out of mommys house and get a job. Any job. Have some pride in yourself!!

[noslices1]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Are our leaders so blind to what is going on in main street America? All across the country there are help wanted signs but people are paid too well by the govern not to work. Is this someone's plan to increase wages, or just destroy the country?

Lack of workers is even hurting China. Not enough workers to unload the ships full of Chinese junk at our ports.

The “extra” pay helped many people through the pandemic, but for some reason the government wants to keep as many people unemployed as possible, $ucking on the government tee t as long as possible as a control. Just like the takeover of healthcare to keep everyone in line and dependent on the government.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

I think alot of people are missing the point. Unemployment is not meant to be a career goal. Its to carry you over while you ACTIVELY look for a job. The kids in their 20s still living in mommy and daddys basement rent free with not even a HS education should not be picky about what jobs they take. Minimum wage jobs are a stepping stone not a life long career either. You see many older people working minimum wage jobs because they want to keep active or maybe supplement their SS checks. The kids working the jobs should be educating themselves while working them. And dont say they cant afford further education. There are many grants out there to assist. And what about the ones who have 5 kids, cant afford them, never should have had them and are looking for you and me to support them. Thats the issue. Unemployment used to require you show proof that you are looking or your benefits were cut off. Ga. and Im sure several other states will cut off benefits permanently for anyone convicted of a drug violation. So, bottom line. Get off your butt, crawl out of mommys house and get a job. Any job. Have some pride in yourself!!

Very, VERY well said!

[Nannyof3]

Excellent!! I'm so tired of hearing about "all the lazy people who are paid big government $$ to stay home". Your explanation is right on the mark, excellent, thank you.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

If the Govt is going to pay $14+/hour but company B only pays $12/hour then employees will go with the Govt.

Are you saying that the government is paying $14/hour in unemployment or do I misunderstand? I thought the unemployment was $300/week, which comes to $7.50/hour for a 40-hour week.

[JoelJohnson]

$300/week X 52 = $15,600/year. Who can live on that? AND IT'S NOT FOREVER!