Recently, in what was heralded by the MSM as a major "win" for our country's masses of unemployed workers, Congress, at the urging of the White House passed the latest extension of unemployment benefits. "Checks will start flowing again soon" beamed the New York Times. "Relief is on the way" shouted the Associated Press.
This last week, while I was sitting with 2,000 wannabe lawyers during the Bar Exam, President Obama was sitting with the "ladies" (can that term honestly be used to describe Whoopi Goldberg) of "The View." You know your presidency is circling the proverbial drain when you are taking questions on a couch with Joy Behar.
Though most of the coverage surrounding the show had to do with whether Mr. Obama was soiling the Presidency by appearing on a day-time talk show, I was struck by the President's following comment:
Touting increases in private sector jobs, restructuring and recovery in the auto industry, and saving thousands of jobs that could have been lost, President Obama said -- with an eye towards the future -- "Don't bet against American workers."
The unemployment bill extended unemployment benefits for workers unemployed as long as 99 weeks.
Now I'm not for a minute suggesting that there are people out there who are not in desperate need of help. I'm not now unemployed nor have I ever been unemployed for anything close to two years. I also know that unemployment benefits don't even come close to covering most salaries.
My questions: Why does the President and other liberal elites feel like they have to "take care" of these workers? And why is the President ignoring the vast majority of economists who have stated that continually extending benefits is only prolonging the unemployment problem? How you may ask? Because by continuing to pay benefits, we are taking away the incentive for people to go out and get a job!
Does Obama really think that American workers are so weak that won't surviving without him (and an average benefit of $309.00 a month)?
If the President were truly betting for the American workers, he'd immediately lower our corporate tax rates, which are among the highest in the world. Then he'd be showing his trust in the workers of our country, the best the worlds has, are more than capable of taking care of themselves.
Even more important than that would be for the President, and the Federal Government, to get out of the private job market! The continual meddling of the Fed is only prolonging and distorting the unemployment problem and the job market in general.
Obama is like a parent who needs to be told that there 35 year old son still living at home needs to be kicked out of the house. Yes the guy is going to struggle at first, but trust me, he'll be fine.
The President is right, no one should bet against the American Worker. I just wish he'd be the first to stop.
