Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on May 10, 2011

Click here to view bill details.

 I just emailed Senator Rocco (the only Republican to vote in fabor of this bill) to ask him why he voted in favor of this bill.  It was either an accident, or he is really a democrat. Unemployment is turning into welfare. How long is enough??

You can certainly see by the votes which party is concerned for working people that have been put out of work by this recession, and which party doesn't care, but instead view the unemployed as slackers.

gypsy - its all about you not the 2 party system no-one on this forum wants to hear your misaligned statements. - get out of the basement and get a job.

And where do you work?  Unemployment is not welfare.  Do  your research.  This recession closed  many companies,  my son's company closed also.  He had been there 17 yrs.  He has a degree but not techy enough for all the jobs out there right now.  Has seeked help from colleges and Michigan Works and been told no training available for you because you have a degree already.  He applies for jobs and no experience other than what he was doing so he never gets called in for an interview.  He has been told by people who know that no experience is tough in todays  market.  Everyone has different situations on why they can't get a job.  Global economy has made a huge difference and when you have thousands in student loans you are paying on it is  hard to find something that will pay those and general living expences.  You should think before you speak.  And yes Republicans are not for the  average joe,   only big business.  People that were not effected by the recession have no clue what people are going through.  So I  would suggest closing your mouth.  You hurt people unnecessarily.

Sweetflower (that's ironic). Anyway, I love how democrats want free speech until they hear something they don't agree with, then they say something like "Close your mouth." Nice.  Anyway, I never said unemployed people are slackers or anything like that.  Will one of you pro-unemployment folks please tell me how long you think it is "fair" to let people collect unemployment?  2 years? 3 years? 6 years? 10 years? A good friend of my lost his job at Steelcase a few years ago.  He started a small engine repair business in his garage and is happier than ever.  We must all adapt and overcome! Paying people to stay home for an endless period of time is a form of modern day slavery by our government.  It is not good for the person or society.

jons.... opinion by anecdote? As for how long should unemployment go on, how about until the unemployment level is 5% or under. Unemployment is not "paying people to stay home". It is keeping their heads above water until the economy improves.

rtdbussiness(sic)..... You are not the judge of what people reading this forum want to hear. You are a voice that is swiftly losing it's audience.

You did not answer my question,  you must be working and it  sounds like never drawn unemployment before.  You are talking about a subject that apparently does not effect you.  You have to be in people's shoes before you know what it is like to have to ask for help.  Unemployment is paid for by the employers little by little for bad economic times like now.  How long people draw is determined by the recession we are in and the percentage of people not able to find work.  This recession and housing meltdown made it worse and longer.  I am sure you apparently watch the news for  your info,  so you have to know how bad it was.  And Michigan was especially hard hit and had been for 10 years,  way before the other states felt it.  Manufacturing going overseas helped Michigan to go down.  Your frriend may have gotten himself going but all people are different.  Some don't even have a garage to start a business in.  You are talking about someone else,  not yourself.  As I said you are working and have no clue what is going on with people.  If you aren't in their shoes or been there,  I see why you think its a give away program.  Most people spouting out that way are the same.  People need help and the ability to get thru until things greatly improve and businesses actually do some hiring.  Trickle down for the last 12  years of the Bush tax cuts did not trickle down.  Never does.  If you don't believe me,  google it.  Lots of articles on it.  Good luck and please don't think  everyone is sitting home doing nothing.  It is not true.  Things are improving but a long way to go.................

 

 To answer your question, I am working and never have drawn unemployment. When I first got married, 23 years ago, I worked for $50 dollars a week while I was starting my own business. I also had a night job. No unemployment there.  As a tax payer, and a business owner, this subject totally effects me. Michigan citizens are the ones paying for these unemployment extensions. All that money has to come from somewhere. As a business owner, this totally effects me too.  I am always looking for quality employees and sometimes they are hard to find when I am competing with the government who is paying people to stay home. And yes, Michigan was in a single state recession for 10 years, thanks to liberal policies which were anti business and caused high taxes,  and entrenched unions. Not many business would want to move to Michigan and pay higher taxes and have to fight unions constantly. Business are leaving California and Illinois in droves, and they should be coming here. Instead, they are going to states like Texas, Tennessee, Colorado and 22 other Right To Work states, but that is another whole topic. Anyway, Sweetflower, we will probably have to agree to disagree. I do feel for the unemployed, as a business owner, I am always just a few decisions from being one myself, but there has to be a limit on how long and how much someone can draw. Otherwise it bloats our state budget, which bloats our taxes which, in turn, deters businesses from staying or coming to Michigan to create jobs and the cycle continues.