What would you do to cut unemployment?

What tangible things are you willing to do to cut unemployment?

For instance, would you be willing to work for half pay to job share with an unemployed worker?
Are you willing to give up employer-provided insurance to help pay for another job?
Are you willing to give up some of the machines and tools at work so that someone else will have to help do the job?
Are you willing to hire a housekeeper or a groundskeeper to take care of your house?
Are you willing to donate enough money to a non-profit that they would be able to afford to hire another worker?
Are you willing to buy American made products, even if they cost a bit more and it takes more effort?

I'm looking for individual things you can/would do, not things others would have to do like raising taxes, forcing businesses to hire more, cutting regulations, etc.

 

Definitely not willing to buy American if there are better deals in foreign made products.

 

The very first thing I did last year is replace all my major appliances. Many that were at least 10 years old. Washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator and hot water tank. I made sure I replaced them with American made products. Except I was fooled on the Kenmore refrigerator. I thought it was still made by Whirlpool, it was an LG. I won't make that mistake again.

I replaced a lot more, although they were not made here. I also replaced my computer, phones, toaster, can opener and coffee maker. I felt with unemployment so high, this would be a good time to replace things I would have to do in a few years anyway.

 

Right, how good a deal are all those foreign made products when you lose your job because of them? I don't mean you have to work for a company that went out of business, or left the country to lose your job? It all trickles down. We have lost much of our Middle Class to those so called bargains.

I'm sorry to say that's the attitude many Americans have today.

 

Those are good, concrete examples of ways that anyone can help create or save jobs.

 

Why should less efficient businesses be propped up? When buying American is a better deal I buy American. When it's not, I don't. Protectionism hurts everyone.

 

You don't think most people are hurting in this country now?

You think it's ok for an American company that pays you good wages and benefits to compete with some third world nations that pays fifty cents an hour and no benefits? Just so you can save two bucks on a shirt, or five bucks on a toaster? How cheap is that shirt or toaster when that American company goes out of business or moves off shore and you no longer have a job, or one that pays a third of what your making now?

 

How about making people who are healthy go to work? I've seen jokes about people on the dole listing their "occupation" as beer taster and holding out for a beer tasting job and it's not too far off from reality.

For those who really couldn't find work, I'd be willing to have taxpayers provide them with work.

For those who choose not to work, cut them loose.

 

Most of the people in this country has no idea of how imports effect them. Hell, they don't work for any of those factories that left. It doesn't effect them. Well it does. It effects all of us down the road. You are seeing it in your pensions your losing that's going to 401-K's. You can see it in less taxes brought in that causes the layoff of teachers, fire fighter, police and office personal. You can see it in truck drivers that no longer brings material to those plants or hauls their products away. You can see it in people taking less vacations, flying less, buying less furniture and other products. Less restaurants to service those factories. It eventually filters down to everyone of us. I don't care what industry your in.

 

If you think your getting such a great deal by having it made out of the country, think again. Go price a Ford or Toyota made in Mexico and one made in the US and tell me you can buy the one made in Mexico cheaper. The company makes a big profit on it, you didn't get any bargain.


People complain of the wealthy having so much and the rest of us having so little. But we are our own worst enemy. We want that two dollar savings on that toaster and to hell with that American company that can't sell it for the same price. Forget he is also paying twelve bucks and hour and giving you benefits. You go after the better deal. After awhile, it doesn't look so good from the unemployment line.

 

One thought I have had to reduce unemployment, is radically different from anything I've heard proposed anywhere.

Reduce eligibility times for social assistance programs and unemployment benefits.

Yes I know, it's barbaric! ...*whatever*

What happened to the unemployment rate when the length of benefits were extended? There was a rise.

Certainly there are unemployment issues plaguing the U.S., but perhaps there is an even greater unaddressed issue... the fact that our society has a growing sense of entitlement. I personally know a few persons that have said, "I can't find a good job," and/or, "I'm not going to work for minimum wage."

Sorry pal, I don't feel sorry for you.

I've long believed, social programs breed dependency. Nothing is quiet as good a motivator, as necessity.

...just my opinion.

 

not because china is doing well.

its neither ok, nor not ok. its the way the world works. you have to compete to stay in business. if you can't compete you go out of business. competition makes the world a better place by increasing productivity and efficiency.

that money adds up. why should I subsidize an inefficient business just because its American? why should I subsidize any inefficient business? those businesses are better off doing something else. you are keeping those people from their most productive use by propping up their inefficient businesses.

 

if restricting trade is so good, why not eliminate interstate imports? california should no longer import anything from new york and vice versa. lol. that's baloney.

 

Originally Posted by Marine1
Most of the people in this country has no idea of how imports effect them. Hell, they don't work for any of those factories that left. It doesn't effect them. Well it does. It effects all of us down the road. You are seeing it in your pensions your losing that's going to 401-K's. You can see it in less taxes brought in that causes the layoff of teachers, fire fighter, police and office personal. You can see it in truck drivers that no longer brings material to those plants or hauls their products away. You can see it in people taking less vacations, flying less, buying less furniture and other products. Less restaurants to service those factories. It eventually filters down to everyone of us. I don't care what industry your in.

That is stupid. Trade within and out of the US is fine if it's on a fairly level playing field. It's not on a level field when your trying to compete with people who will work for 50 cents an hour.

Trade within states is especially good, because the profit stays here. People in California buy furniture in NC, they buy a stove from Indiana, people from Indiana will travel to California to go on vacation, the money is circulating all over the country. Where does most of the money go from Chinese goods? You might want to look at their new sky scrapers and bullet trains. It goes back to China to make more jobs for Chinese. I'd rather see most of it stay here and make jobs for my fellow Americans.

 

First, I will state that unemployment is not the actual problem and that anything offered that is meant to solely improve unemployment is most likely going to be a net negative in the long run.

 

NO

What employer-provided insurance? My company already dropped that option, thanks to the spike in rates, thanks in part to Obamacare.

I doubt few companies would do that, since technology not only makes the work easier, but it increases production. In a competitive market, a company would only knock themselves out of that competition.

Can't afford it. If I could...sure...it would make my life easier.

Can't afford it. If I could...sure.

I alway try to if possible, but I'm not going to spend 2 days of research to buy inexpensive items. Also, some items that are claimed to be made in the US are not 100% so.

If the Government would focus on spending to improve infrastructure, we would not have this unemployment issue and we would gain a benefit.

 

Me thinks nationalism is the cloud distorting your view.

 

That will be tricky until property owners start realizing they can only charge half the rent.

I think we should get rid of the insurance industry. It's done the opposite of what it's supposed to.

My primary tool at work is a computer, as embarrassing as that is to admit. It takes three of them, dedicated to various tasks, but I could probably figure out how to make it all work on two.

God, yes. But given the cost of rent, I don't think anyone would be able to work for what I'd be able to pay them.

Same problem there.

Yes! In fact, I looked into it, and most DVDs (intended for the North American market) are stamped in America. A few in Canada. I guess the cost of production versus the cost of shipping is pretty low. I'm not sure where the books I sell are printed.

Good idea.

 

Daybreaker...not meaning to get personal, but if you have a permanent job, why would anybody rent? In most places, a person would pay the same amount in house payment as they would for rent of a comparable home....especially since house prices are way down in most areas. Add in the deduction for mortgage interest, it usually is even cheaper in the long run. Plus you build equity.

 

Well if about 15 millon Americans out of work and about another 5-7 million only working part time hasn't brought some kind of nationalism to people, than nothing will.

We see pay and benefits being lowered for many who are working. We see defined pension plans being lost and 401-K plans taking their place. We see millions of Baby Boomers that won't be able to retire, because their 401-K's have lost a fortune, but people will ignore it, untill it happens to them. Then they will scream of no work, the rich has all the money and we need to do away with private enterprise and let the government run everything.

I some how thought the American people would wake up to what's happening, but they are to much in love with that five dollar shirt, even if eventually it may cause them to lose the shirt on their back. I'm already retired. I have my defined pension, IRA's and Social Security, doing what we're doing now won't hurt me a lick. But it's just not me I care about.

 

'Cause they're your neighbors?

 

I don't believe in borrowing. Especially from the bank. This puts certain limitations on my ownership options, I realize ... but it has some great advantages, too.

I save up money and I buy stuff. I never take out loans and I never do anything on credit. This has worked well for me. I'm sticking with it.

 

I want them to be happy doing what they have a comparative advantage doing. my neighbors don't want to be a drain on society by operating a business that needs propping up.

 

To cut unemployement, I was looking from a whole different angle all along, and I saw what I brilliantly explain in my video. as far as what I am/WAS willing to do is this: buy equipment and produce a video, once I saw that typing is not enough. I put a lot of my time and money into it. the things you list in my view are all meaningless within a big picture, for example to buy only American even if it's more expensive can be compared to buying ice cream only from your block and not from across the street. if you yourself are willing to do anything for this cause, before you donate any more time or money I suggest watching my video several times. it's 10 minutes long, I see no other solution at all.

 

I only buy American made-Union made products where available and will continue to do such as long as i have access to them.