Your morning jolt: Unemployment benefits ‘too much of an allure’ for some, says John Linder
He’s said it before, but this time retiring U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.) is getting some attention with his argument that federally funded extensions of unemployment benefits are counterproductive.
U.S. Rep. John Linder of Gwinnett County/ Cox Washington Bureau
Georgia Republican Rep. John Linder suggested Thursday that extended unemployment benefits keep people from looking for work.
After complaining that the Democrats’ stimulus bill has failed to keep unemployment from hitting double digits, Linder said, “And even when businesses are willing to hire, nearly two years of unemployment benefits are too much of an allure for some,” said Linder. “The evidence is mounting that so-called stimulus policies rammed through Congress are doing more harm than good.”
Linder made his remarks during a hearing held by the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support. He’s the ranking Republican.
The Gwinnett County congressman, who announced this spring that this would be his last term, said roughly the same thing after first reading this May 10 piece from the Detroit News — which cited instances in which landscapers had refused employment in an effort to keep their unemployment benefits.
From a statement issued last month by the congressman:
“When you build it they will come. When you build more of it, more will come, and those that were already there will stay even longer–I’m talking of course about the medley of unemployment insurance (UI) benefit extensions being signed into law. Reports are coming in now that individuals are purposely staying unemployed so that they can continue to be propped up by the American taxpayer as long as possible.”
On Thursday, the Atlanta Press Club hosted a session with Sue Everhart and Jane Kidd, the two women who—respectively — run the state Republican and Democratic parties.
Everhart came to the defense of Karen Handel, the Republican candidate for governor, whom the anti-abortion group Georgia Right to Life had refused to endorse – in part because Handel supports a right to abortion in cases of rape or incest.
GRTL, whose president is Dan Becker, recognizes a right to abortion only when the life of the mother is threatened.
The press club session was moderated by Denis O’Hayer of WABE (90.1FM), who fortunately had hit the “record” button. He posted the sound Thursday night.
Here’s exactly what Everhart said:
“Mr. Becker and I don’t agree on a lot of things. We’re both pro-life. But our approach to our message is a lot different. I do not – nor do members of my party – give a litmus test to people who want to come into the party. We don’t say you can’t run…for the position if you are pro-choice.
“I’m sure that we have many people in our party that are not pro-life. It’s not don’t-ask-don’t-tell, but we’re conservatives. And I think that is the important thing. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but Mr. Becker had requested that I put something on the state [primary] ballot. I said absolutely not.
“It is a social issue. I am interested in taxes, the economy, and the safety of my family in our own home.
“Karen Handel is pro-life…I don’t care what her exceptions are. She is pro-life. I don’t ask people, ‘What is your exception?’ And Mr. Becker is not the voice of the Georgia Republican party or the national Republican party. He represents very few people as far as being as outspoken as he is.
“I would say that two-thirds of the Georgia Republican party is pro-life. And the ones that say they’re pro-choice, they will say, ‘I’m pro-life for myself, personally. I just don’t agree that I should bother with other people’s rights.’”
Eric Johnson, the Republican candidate on Thursday unloaded a series of proposals to contain illegal immigration in Georgia. One element was his suggest that public K-12 schools be required to ascertain the citizenship status of their students. Why?
According to the Rome News-Tribune:
“So we can determine how many illegal immigrants we are providing an education for and then sue the federal government for compensation,” Johnson said.
Down on the coast, people are talking about the firing of Carl Smith, fire chief for the small burg of Thunderbolt, by the town council. Municipal officials said they sacrificed the chief’s $52,000 salary to save the jobs of three lesser employees.
Smith is out of town, but told News 3 in a statement that he is “shocked, stunned, and disappointed at the decision.” He said it’s “nothing more than ‘political retribution’” since he’s seeking to challenge Congressman John Barrow in the November election.
Smith is one of four Republican candidates in the July 20 primary.
The Associated Press is tallying up the costs of four rounds of voting in the 9th District congressional race – A special election and runoff in May and June, followed by primary votes in July and, likely, August:
The May 11 special election and the June 8 special election runoff have cost the district’s 15 counties hundreds of thousands of dollars combined, local officials say.
In Hall County – the district’s most populous – costs for the two elections are about $90,000. In neighboring Forsyth County the price tag is roughly $75,000.
In Lumpkin County, elections supervisor Kimberly Pruitt said the more than $26,000 needed to pay for the special election and subsequent runoff has used all the money she had set aside this year to purchase new voter equipment. And she still has to find another $10,000.
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74 comments Add your comment
rmg
June 11th, 2010
3:12 pm
I would love to see this Linder guy be denied “retirement benefits” because of the depressed economy. Maybe then he would see the light. I guess the good news about his “opinion” is that he is retiring. The only course of action that people have for these “law makers” who are obviously so out of touch with the public’s problems is to vote them out. Good riddance!
T Knight
June 11th, 2010
4:24 pm
Why would anyone read the Huffigton Post and think they would right anything other than a left leaning liberally biased piece. Makes you wonder huh?
AtlantaJeff
June 11th, 2010
8:50 pm
It is very easy form John Linder to say these things – and easier for him to believe them. He alreaady has stolen his millions from whatever budgets – and tucked them into an off-shore numbered accounts (VERY easy to do)!!!! So of course he would think that giving ANYONE – a break during bad times would not be right!!! He’s got his – so he really does not care about anoone else – just keep his taces down!!!!!!!!
Is that a poll in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
June 11th, 2010
11:35 pm
The sidewalk in front of Bullfeathers is really going to miss his face-print.
Silent Jay
June 11th, 2010
11:38 pm
Was he in the car with Dale Cardwell?
Tim
June 12th, 2010
12:13 pm
ALL of you riders of the short bus, Listen up !! There are NOT ENOUGH jobs to employ everyone. So where the fk do we find work, its the same way in EVERY state. So what are we supposed to do to pay for things, like heat, food, fuel,internet access ?? We also still pay TAXES on each dollar of unemployment, so as such, we are still EQUAL to you. I bet most of these tards that say we are just sitting on our butts have never served 1 day in a combat zone in any military branch. Speaking of the Military..how many Troops have come home after 1-2-3 Tours of Duty and even THEY CANNOT GET JOB ???? When I was Honorably Discharged years ago, it took My resume approx 13 months to be noticed and I was offered a job. So I guess we should just show our thanks to those who Defended Our Freedoms and Our Very Lives by not giving them unemployment benefits ??
Used to be Disgusted
June 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
Plain talk: there is nothing more stupid and disgusting than a republican from Georgia. This used to be a good place to live, but no more.
FairlyOdd
June 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
Unemployment benefits too much an allure! Sort of like a prebate check would be? Right, John.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
June 12th, 2010
6:08 pm
Hit it on the head, thanks. Linder wants the “FairTax” so the rich can pay less and the poor and low income can be under more control by the risen Babylon’s caesar we all came here to escape. The New Secular Order means nothing to him…and we all have to pay his cushy retirement for his work destroying the Republic.
FairlyOdd
June 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
Unemployment benefits too much an allure! Sort of like a prebate check would be? Right, John.
True American Voice
June 12th, 2010
8:59 pm
Keeps people from accepting job offers??? WTF? There are NO job offers. Hence the NEED for unemployment benefits. You mister Linder should be ashamed and thrown out of office. Lets take away your livelihood, or even half of it, for a week and you couldn’t survive. How dare you pass judgment on the millions of people who are out of work because of the economy. May God help you see the error of your ways.
True American Voice
June 12th, 2010
9:06 pm
Also, Unemployment is not WELFARE… the people receiving unemployment were formally employed and would like to be again. I cannot believe the absurdity of our government. Once upon a time it was a sacrifice by hardworking regular American people to work for the government which was a low paying zero respect job, but they did it because they wanted to better the country for themselves and future generations. Now that “Political Science” and “Government” can be studied and “Politician” is an actual career… people do not care about the people anymore. They want a high paying, tax funded job so they can sit on their asses and take vacations while millions of people have to wait on them to decide whether or not they will have a home next week or food for their children. It’s disgusting. I’m proud to be an American and I support our troops 100% and I am so grateful for all they do. However, our government needs a serious redo. Its sick and sad. Go back and read your history books folks! The politicians of yesteryear were farmers, soldiers, local business owners and they CARED about what happened to the average person because they WERE the average people. I bet Mr. Linder doesn’t know the price of gas, daycare, an electric bill OR a gallon of milk.
True American Voice
June 12th, 2010
9:11 pm
Also to clarify (and this is my last post on the matter)… I do know that LOTS of people depend on welfare and legitimately need it. Members of my family included such as my single brother and his children… but I also know that a lot of illegal immigrants benefit from our welfare system and have no intention of looking for jobs. So don’t compare the unemployed to the illegal welfare dependents. That is what I meant by that. To reiterate… unemployment is not welfare which Mr. Linder seems to think that is how we see it.
labor dept employee
June 13th, 2010
12:44 am
No, YOU, do not pay for unemployment insurance – your former employer does. That is one of the huge misconceptions. When people are denied unemployment and they say well I paid it in, they took it out of my check, I want my money. You didn’t pay it in – no unemployment insurance was taken out of your check. Depending on your separation, you may not be ENTITLED to it.
look out
June 13th, 2010
7:55 am
Well where is the real news media coverage telling the real truth about no real jobs and the millions of unemployed workers with no jobs and no real hope of finding a job and losing there unemployment benefits…. tell the real truth they wont and cant because their all controlled. But IM sorry to say there’s a real smoke screen now which I hope gets stopped very soon and its real oil. But what about the real American people without jobs and losing everything without unemployment benefits to help put the food on the table and roof over our heads please help the American people without jobs like myself lets get the ball rolling lets stop money power and greed stand with me and fight to the end because I see a uprising like never before coming and it will be unstoppable like the domino effect one by one they will fall. I would say 99. Something percent all want to work. But look at the people with all there great jobs in government living fat even in every little town feel lucky now don’t let the animals into the streets to make fight and beg for dignity I see the real wolfs beware big packs. TELL THE REAL STORY AND THE REAL TRUTH!!! 584
• well just ask you this big question? Where did the MONEY GO and who got the big bonuses we don’t even know about not to count the ones that we do.780 billion and then 870 billion give or take a few billion
.I think they named it wrong it’s not bailout it was handout and that’s not what the American people are asking for is handout may be a hand up. And that’s what exactly what they deserve is what was paid in, in ones name under their SSN, for some as much as 30 to 40 years or more, and never collected a dime, and you can ask yourself the same question? Again where did the money go?
I guess when someone steels something they don’t want you to know who they are and for sure don’t ever plan on given it back even if they get caught. Ask yourself where are these crooks are they so hard to find because there right under our noses and I’m talking the handout bailout. And we ask this question? Does The Government Owe Unemployed Workers? ”
I would say about 99. Something percent, all want to work and to find a job. But they just aren’t there and lost their job at no fault of their own. I bet that if any body would like to give up there job and change places with one of the unemployed workers. You won’t see anybody.
The people with jobs beware you to could become one with out one. It’s easy to think and say things about people, but maybe if you go yourself, you will have a better insight to reality.
For all of you with good secure jobs with big mouths, I would invite you to come join us and see how you will feel or just live in one of the millions of unemployed people’s shoes. Because nothing is for sure accept you know the inevitable. So I would be warned to you not to curse yourself, and go spend your money, and help out the economy, and just feel lucky, you will think genius.
Ask yourself were did the money go bailouts, banks rip-offs; maid off is a small pimple on a frogs ass on a big log in a big lake, the smoke screen has cleared, we can all see now the buyoffs, payoffs the top regulators, CEO’S, de regulators, speculators, Greedy at the top present created this great problem, find them tract them hunt them down make them give back the money and we wont be worried about another little extension But you have to start at the top. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE AMERICIAN PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS, GIVE US JOBS AND WE WILL WORK LIKE NEVER BEFORE! We shouldn’t be worried about getting help and who is really in control, ask yourself were did money go, and where is it really going. We all know it’s not hard to figure out, it’s the wealthiest,
Greediest few, and to bad this saying still is true, the man or men with gold make the rules, or maybe that was OIL! “But the power is still with the people” we want our money back the FEW stole it from us, it didn’t just disappear it’s somewhere in the world, and they’re ha ha laughing all the way to banks!
Watch out for the weasels that have turned into moles.
I have one big question what is the FAIR TRADE ACT, and who is it really fair for, but most of really know and the ones that don’t know need to. IT IS FOR THE WEALTHEST FEW, and boy where they really happy, and it is great for them, but I think they got the name wrong, It should be called the UNFAIR TRADE ACT and that is exactly what it is for the MANY Americans with no jobs. There’s your manufacturing jobs its really quite simple but ahhhh, let me think what should we do to get them back well how about nothing, but we’ve already done that. How about let’s try something new and what could that be!
What about that great tax reform of 1986 which gave the biggest tax breaks? To the wealthiest few, and then started taxing unemployment benefits who are mostly the many, at the bottom of tax earners. Which is still in effect today, the first 2400 dollars off the top for 2009 what a joke? How about that tax break back for when you’re down even that would help WE THE PEOPLE
Now with construction and housing failed, America’s real backbone we want our money back the FEW stole it from us, it didn’t just disappear its somewhere in the world and they’re ha ha laughing all the way to banks
Or maybe let me think how about GOLD let’s acquire as much as we can, have you ever wondered why they want your unwanted gold, just ponder that idea for one moment.
Well everybody knows that it’s what we think is worth the most in value as were concerned, as we know it, but what real good is it really, bling, bling. I guess you could stamp in god we trust on the bars and then what eat it. Follow the gold maybe with a big metal detector from space. It’s never left the planet yet, and has been causing problems ever since it was found thousands of years ago, and don’t forget GREED to the equation.
I have another great idea how about creating some real jobs in our own country, instead of selling and giving away our jobs to foreign lands abroad for the few rich to get richer and selling out our own people, of this great land.
If all of the special interest groups, lobbyists, greedy people in this world didn’t get bills and laws passed for themselves to proliferate our government we wouldn’t have all these problems like we have today. Maybe we all don’t know that since the beginning of time, as we know it. Money, power and greed have brought down the most powerful and strongest of nations of this world. Like the squirrels how money nuts do you need to hide, so let’s find the stolen nuts and share with the rest of animals in the forest. I think its time for we the people to awaken and take back this great country that are forefathers founded so many moons ago.
One little simple gesture, one wink of an eye, one stroke of a pen, one slight nod that’s all it will take to help out the millions of Americans. That’s all it would take from the wealthiest 3% that control our government. And I know nobody usually works for the poor. Let’s get the ball rolling again without the big balloons we all learn from our mistakes. Nobody should be above the law
I have no problem with humanity and helping out the rest of the world. I do have a problem with deceit and lies to what’s really going on, the American people are mushrooms kept in the dark with only one media that control our senses and the biggest heists in recorded times has just happened!
There are enough drops in the big bucket to go around, nobody wants to talk about all of eastern Europeans that just came to this country in the last few years and get everything for free, money, houses, food, no taxes for 5 years, $150.000 dollar vouchers from department of agriculture for homes that if long as they don’t default or sell their home for 10 years the money is free. Here’s one of the best ones here’s a real good one $ 45.000 dollars free for some, right when they enter the country this all true, and take your jobs. The jobs that aren’t there! I dare you if you can, to do your investigative research, it shouldn’t be real hard to find out. I think you should start with the loop holes refugee status or the churches, that should get you started. And the list is so long to really list, but some of you are worried about the Mexicans and they where already here and I guarantee they don’t get anything. You would be amassed what the Russians and many other groups, get from their far away land when they set foot in America. They don’t want to talk about this tax burden on the taxpayers I know we are the “quote” “the melting pot”, but lets get real why should one group or groups get things that others do not get isn’t this land supposed to be the land of equal opportunity without discrimination, we all know our past witch wasn’t good, shouldn’t we have learned from our mistakes. Let’s TELL THE REAL TRUTH I dare 20/20, 60 minutes CNN or any other news group to follow the real story, it will never happen. Let’s put the real truth on the table, tell the real story, it won’t happen because you are all controlled just like all of us and you will think genius, but what about,
“WE THE PEOPLE”
The people with jobs beware you to could become one with out one. It’s easy to think and say things about people, but maybe if you go yourself, you will have a better insight to reality.
Look at the controlled media saying more jobs have been created and unemployment is at 9, 7 who are they really trying to fool well we all know it’s the American public. When we know when we count every body that doesn’t have a job it would be about 17.5 it all sounds good but its not reality. And their all looking for a job if it true shows us exactly where these jobs are even if it were true it wouldn’t go far with the15 to 18 million or more people without jobs. Just more media hype does even the media believe the propaganda. Their so post to report but who pays there paychecks, and who are they owned by its kind of like the good old boys once you are one you look and see nothing and look the other way because you don’t want to jeopardize your livelihood. As long as you’re doing well, just another way of trying to hide the big mistakes made on Wall Street and the banks with the government the buyoffs, payoffs the top regulators CEO’S de regulators, speculators and they don’t want to accept or admit the real truth. Don’t even mention the bailouts!
This will all be at to burn the bridge before you can cross it so to speak, before the big Unemployed Workers uprising in this great country because they foresee it coming, and they have time and money to try to stop it, but they won’t be able to deny it when where all on the streets in major protest and in there front yards and backyards with tents. I think nobody wants a handout but maybe a hand up. I still see a lot of pot holes out their lets all fix them. propaganda for the next election in November. I wonder if they think that those 18 million will make a difference in the election if the let them starve and out in streets not to happy to be understated. But my prediction is they will push for Wall Street hand outs and put the American people with no jobs on the back burner
RP
June 13th, 2010
10:18 am
Good lord, what are some people thinking?
You can’t move to another state to get work if you are upside down on your mortgage!!
If everyone was a college grad that wouldn’t equal more jobs! If you haven’t noticed, blue collar AND white collar jobs have been outsourced! Not everyone in society has the ability or college funds to be a geneticist.
So much judgement! I hope the air doesn’t stink up on that high horse.
Ole Guy
June 14th, 2010
5:06 am
When are we going to stop putting these people in office so they can pretend to be concerned for the peoples’ welfare, suck in a pretty damn good salary/benefit program funded by the very people they turn around and insult the hell out of? And then, like morons, we pay hommage to these people by re-electing them.
Unfortunately, people, we deserve just what we get. This little gem, eminating from one idiot politician, pretty much typifies the whole damn lot…WAY WAY WAY OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
June 14th, 2010
8:22 am
You’re right. Linder is the worst of us. Went to dental school to dodge Vietnam. Born and raised in Minnesota, home of the great American patriot Jesse Ventura, Linder came South to Georgia in pursuit of Mammon, not G-d like so many millions of others, “lost” his Meeneesota accent to “acquire” the speech of the “Castilian Richmondese” as if only the Ephraimites at the Brook Kidron and the Bourbon Court in Spain were cultures whose decadence and perversion showed up in their effeminate tongue. Then when he was mocked on talk radio he flipped around and came up with a new voice, Presto. He is no man and no American, having conned the People serving fascist plutocracy in The Best Government Money Can Buy.
Money Rules
June 14th, 2010
10:42 am
The government politicians need to cut off the flow of funds for all these deadbeats who don’t want to work. Giving unemployment for years makes the citizenry lazy and unproductive. Make them work at governmental agencies to get cash and they can fire all the lazy workers at these agencies right now, saving millions!
RP
June 14th, 2010
7:03 pm
Money Rules … what an ignorant boy you are.
Cutting Unemployment Insurance does not magically make jobs appear!! If there are 5 job seekers per opening, well, do the math if you can.
Years of offshoring jobs, and now people want to tsk tsk the unemployed for being “lazy”
Money, you must be a fabulous human being.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
June 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
RP – They’re off-shoring jobs and industry to increase the spiraling concentration of wealth for the false elite fraction of a percent, who hired Linder, as an act of economic treason in direct opposition to America’s Creed’s E Pluribus Unum. That’s why they had him pursue the “FairTax” fraud: to help the rich.
It’s a “Shoot the Moon” gambit and the Working/Middle Class is the “stopper” the Roman Anti-Christ needs to destroy to restore the Old Sectarian Order to power.
This is what a prophet of the Creator, G-d of the universe, had to say about it, “look to a single and splendid government of an aristocracy, founded on banking institutions, and moneyed incorporations under the guise and cloak of their favored branches of manufactures, commerce and navigation, riding and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeomanry. This will be to them a next best blessing to the monarchy of their first aim, and perhaps the surest stepping-stone to it.”
Thomas Jefferson – America’s Author, Founder, and Prophet
Georgians, at least, would do well to pay attention. G-d will bless America through this Greatest State if we recognize and purge the evil upon us Linder has been assisting in Washington. It speaks well of Georgia that he is moving “downhill” to Mississippi, where the vestiges of de facto racism and oppression will make him more “at home.”
Eileen
June 15th, 2010
6:01 pm
Question to Mr. Linder: Are you or any of your political buddy’s hiring? I’m available and so are over 12% of people in Ca. I worked all my life and now have nothing, I will lose my apartment and have to live in my car.
Guess who is voting this year, oh yeah I can’t I won’t have an address. But you don’t care your retiring….
True American Voice
June 16th, 2010
4:08 pm
I agree RP.
True American Voice
June 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
Props to Eileen. Well said.
M.Dennis
June 25th, 2010
11:27 pm
Im sure there are alot of Peolpe on Unemployment Benefits that are abusing it, but Im sure there are alot More that needs it. I’ve was on my job for 10 years & was laid off 6months ago & now I cant find a job nor can I get Unemployment. I was told that I exhausted my benefits…WTH! Mr. Linder, I Hope You & The Rest of those GREEDY, Blood Sucking Senators get Voted out of Office!