This is the reason why they keep extending unemlpoyement benefits..

[Mike4Freedom]

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/video-greek-riot-violence

In the video they are throwing fire bombs and police and towards the end they rough up some official in a suit.

If only greeks were armed.

They are pissed because of the pensions being wiped out over there. The reason I can understand there frustration is over the fact the bankers got their money.

The bankers created the situation they are in to begin with. The state protects the bankers monopoly.

So I support the greek rioters and just wish they were armed too. The greek revolution would have truly started and been over already.

[oyarde]

The retirement age and pensions were doomed to failure .

[JacksonianBME]

I really don't think Americans would react that way to unemployment benefits being cut off. State pensions and social security, yes, but that is going to happen eventually. Extending unemployment benefits is a self defeating policy for Obama and the Dems because it is an incentive, maybe even a moral hazard in a way, for someone to not become employed. It keeps the unemployment rate up. Where as if he ended it, it is very possible that there would be consecutive down tics in the unemployment rate which would send good signals about a possible recovery. But no they will not end this policy. They can use these people for votes.

[oyarde]

I really don't think Americans would react that way to unemployment benefits being cut off. State pensions and social security, yes, but that is going to happen eventually. Extending unemployment benefits is a self defeating policy for Obama and the Dems because it is an incentive, maybe even a moral hazard in a way, for someone to not become employed. It keeps the unemployment rate up. Where as if he ended it, it is very possible that there would be consecutive down tics in the unemployment rate which would send good signals about a possible recovery. But no they will not end this policy. They can use these people for votes.

I wish you are right . At this time , I see no change , though in unemployment numbers .

[Vessol]

That was a pretty crazy video. Not sure where I stand on it. The Greek government is nothing but a bunch of puppets run by the EU. But, most of the protesters are communists and socialists. Not to mention, I deplore violence used in any way.

[Tyr]

I really don't think Americans would react that way to unemployment benefits being cut off. State pensions and social security, yes, but that is going to happen eventually. Extending unemployment benefits is a self defeating policy for Obama and the Dems because it is an incentive, maybe even a moral hazard in a way, for someone to not become employed. It keeps the unemployment rate up. Where as if he ended it, it is very possible that there would be consecutive down tics in the unemployment rate which would send good signals about a possible recovery. But no they will not end this policy. They can use these people for votes.


Clearly. 15 million people suddenly decided to go on the Government dole as businesses closed shop or outsourced to 3rd world shitholes. I sure wish I could find all this work that is readily available for these people, maybe my business could do business with these companies with all this work.

[Travlyr]

I was wondering that too. Where will the unemployed find work?

[JacksonianBME]

I was wondering that too. Where will the unemployed find work?

I did. In fact, I've had nearly a dozen interviews over the past 4 months. Just that nobody decided to pull the trigger on me until recently.

[oyarde]

I did. In fact, I've had nearly a dozen interviews over the past 4 months. Just that nobody decided to pull the trigger on me until recently.

Congratulations & Good Luck !

[Travlyr]

I did. In fact, I've had nearly a dozen interviews over the past 4 months. Just that nobody decided to pull the trigger on me until recently.
Yes, congratulations. The bigger question is who is going to create 15 million jobs when the unemployed lose benefits?

[Inflation]

I was wondering that too. Where will the unemployed find work?


The bigger question is who is going to create 15 million jobs when the unemployed lose benefits?

The unemployed must put on their entrepreneur hats and CREATE jobs for themselves and their fellow work seekers.

The age of jobs being passed out like candy is over. 'Work' is a verb, not a noun. 'Work' is something you DO, not an object that may be transferred between people.

The good news is that people are willing to work for little to nothing, because there is such a massive oversupply of labor relative to demand. That makes it much easier to find motivated employees than during an economic boom.

[Travlyr]

The unemployed must put on their entrepreneur hats and CREATE jobs for themselves and their fellow work seekers.

The age of jobs being passed out like candy is over. 'Work' is a verb, not a noun. 'Work' is something you DO, not an object that may be transferred between people.

The good news is that people are willing to work for little to nothing, because there is such a massive oversupply of labor relative to demand. That makes it much easier to find motivated employees than during an economic boom.
I don't buy this solution. Creating a job is not as simple as you make it sound. Years ago, when banks were willing to loan for business start-ups, most business couldn't make it to year three, and it is more challenging now than ever before.

Ron Paul has me convinced that full employment is possible if we use honest money rather than fiat money. Commodity money is the only hope now. Jobs aren't coming back, and the unemployed are not going to magically start business when their benefits run out.

[JacksonianBME]

Ron Paul has me convinced that full employment is possible if we use honest money rather than fiat money. Commodity money is the only hope now. Jobs aren't coming back, and the unemployed are not going to magically start business when their benefits run out.

I don't disagree with your commodity money statement. I think there are some jobs out there, good ones even, for those who are on gubmint cheese. You know, maybe like 1 million, but not 15 million. I think a good PERMANENT policy would be 100% tax write offs of the expenses on building a factory, hiring somebody, and repatriating any cash and capital from overseas to try and reinvigorate manufacturing investment.

[Inflation]

When banks were loaning money to start businesses, the cost of labor was sky high.

Now labor is cheap, making it easier to start a business.

Identify an economic niche and fill it. Or find a business making excess profit and compete with them. The simplistic view of jobs is that they are objects to be distributed by the government to the peasants. My view is far more complex, recognizing that work is actually an economically viable, ie productive, relationship.

Magic has nothing to do with this. People will start creating jobs for themselves when they get hungry enough, and stop waiting for Santa Government to bring them one for Christ Mass.

But I do agree that full employment is only possible with honest money. In the mean time, find a role in the black market or underground economy. Like in Soviet Russia!

[invisible]

The unemployed must put on their entrepreneur hats and CREATE jobs for themselves and their fellow work seekers.

In the ideal world this is exactly the solution, and historically has been the solution. Unfortunately this is simply not possible for most people nowadays, especially if you're out of work and broke. Try putting an ad on craigslist and advertising your services, your first customer will be the state licensing authority conducting a sting operation. States are going after unlicensed / undocumented / unapproved businesses like never before, even down to kids having a bake sale or lemonade stand. Get rid of all licensing requirements, insurance requirements, inspections, zoning, etc and only then will this statement have merit. If one only had to hang out their shingle to start a business, don't you think most (there will always be people who find getting paid a pittance to not work more desirable) people would have done so by now?

[Inflation]

In the ideal world this is exactly the solution, and historically has been the solution. Unfortunately this is simply not possible for most people nowadays, especially if you're out of work and broke. Try putting an ad on craigslist and advertising your services, your first customer will be the state licensing authority conducting a sting operation. States are going after unlicensed / undocumented / unapproved businesses like never before, even down to kids having a bake sale or lemonade stand. Get rid of all licensing requirements, insurance requirements, inspections, zoning, etc and only then will this statement have merit. If one only had to hang out their shingle to start a business, don't you think most (there will always be people who find getting paid a pittance to not work more desirable) people would have done so by now?

Message repeats:
"....I do agree that full employment is only possible with honest money. In the mean time, find a role in the black market or underground economy. Like in Soviet Russia!"

[LibForestPaul]

Clearly. 15 million people suddenly decided to go on the Government dole as businesses closed shop or outsourced to 3rd world shitholes. I sure wish I could find all this work that is readily available for these people, maybe my business could do business with these companies with all this work.

Not too mention the destruction of what service jobs are still available here.
http://www.rlapc.com/
J-1 WAIVERS FOR PHYSICIANS TO DELIVER MEDICAL SERVICES IN DESIGNATED UNDERSERVED AREAS OR AT VA HOSPITALS

How closely does the consular officer look at the H-1Bs being issued to applicants who have BSN degrees when the job requires a BSN degree but the job is not for a Professional or Registered Nurse? I regularly see nurses who entered on H-1B visas, began working as a nurse immediately and never worked as a "Patient Educator", "Rehabilitation Specialist", or other of the 17 job descriptions I have seen which qualified the nurse for an H-1B visa. I do not do these visas because I think they are fraudulent but there are so many issued that it makes me wonder.

[BFranklin]

I can tell you after being laid off, unemployment is a trap. I went on many interviews that offered me jobs but I didn't take them cause I made more money from unemployment doing nothing. After a year I couldn't stand it anymore and finally took a job making a few hundred more a month. Being on unemployment just makes you unproductive and lazy, at least it did for me. Glad to be off it!

[moostraks]

If/when they pull unemployment benes you will see a whole new wave of economic problems because the money being floated for these benes is keeping many of the current non-bankrupt businesses afloat. I think that is why they keep kicking the can on this issue as they are waiting for the perfect moment to rip off the bandaid and it isn't going to happen because they have to get industry (which is being negotiated out faster than brought in through various trade treaties) not just depend on current service sector to supply new jobs. So they float the ridiculous idea that the unemployed all 15.1 million (using government numbers which are arguable) can survive off of shoveling snow in driveways and the like or they are just leeches. Meanwhile the crooks created and profited from the situation, and anyone from the lower income brackets who doesn't willingly eat canned dog food bought from selling salvaged metals from roadside trash cans is a socialist sympathizer lazy good for nothing piece of trash who is out to steal from the wealthy and embracing class warfare (if anyone doubts this sentiment they should spend 20 minutes listening to Rush Limbaugh and his callers).Fwiw his isn't the only program uttering this sentiment but does most often illuminate this point of view...

As for the utopian dreamers who buy into the notion that we will get non-funny money and less government interference in business creation imo it ain't gonna happen because the system is run by a bunch of lobbied crooks who are protecting the corporate interests of the established businesses. People with families who depend on them can't just fund themselves through a black market business without jeapordizing losing them. Heck of a choice you are putting forth to those in need. One should forgo the legal option of government programs to illegally support themselves and face serious criminal repercussions at the hands of a system run by the very crooks who rigged it and are self-protecting

[georgiaboy]

The unemployment benefits must be cut off, and for the 15 million left without them, you have several choices. As others have mentioned, you can start your own thing, or get several part time gigs. You can also widen your job search geographically. Ever thought about leaving your home state, or even the US, to get work?

Great comments, BF. Unemployment benefits are truly a trap.

[Pauls' Revere]

I was wondering that too. Where will the unemployed find work?

This guy has an answer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPAvjSockt4

[speciallyblend]

Yes, congratulations. The bigger question is who is going to create 15 million jobs when the unemployed lose benefits?

This is a riot waiting to happen. Those folks have been out of work for yrs now and living paycheck to paycheck oops i meant unemployment check to umemployment check(which isn't much compared to what those folks did make)... They know if they do not extend millions will be broke with no job or ability to pay their bills!!! Seems to me a great way for the us gov to declare martial law, stop the checks and then when the jobless riot! Declare Martial Law! somehow i see this coming if they cannot create jobs and stop these checks! contrary to what some rpf folks think a strong majority of folks on unemployment are legit!!! The bottom line is there are no jobs and not many folks are hiring! Starving folks and hopeless folks tend to riot!! This coming from someone working who has lost everything!

[HOLLYWOOD]

The Greeks that are protesters... GET PAID to protest.

I'm surprised no one has posted the information on how the protest system works in Greece.

[cindy25]

it has more to do with buying votes than fearing riots; I think some would like to see riots. the big winners of inner city riots of the 60s were black politicians. it caused white flight, and just look at how many cities have black mayors, forever.

[kahless]

The way I look at it, the federal government has robbed me of several hundred thousand dollars in taxes for their bullshit over the years. I therefore expect them to give me unemployment benefits when I need it so at least I can get some of my money back from these thiefs.

There are many people out there like me whom are working poor that get lucky with a few good years and because of those years would have lived fine for many years to come if it was not for the United States federal and state governments robbing us blind of our hard earned money. They steal and take our money on good years when we are finally able to get ahead. If they did not do that I would never need unemployment in my entire life time.

I am at a point in my life where much if it is behind me and my financial situation would be more secure than it is now if it was not for those leeches and parasites in the state/federal government robbing me blind on my high earning years. They gave money to the rich in bailouts, my money, the money they stole from me and I therefore expect them to at least give me unemployment benefits when I need it.

/rant off

btw - what I have received in unemployment benefits in the last 10 years is like less than 1% of what those scum sucking pigs in congress stole from me in taxes

[tangent4ronpaul]

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/video-greek-riot-violence

In the video they are throwing fire bombs and police and towards the end they rough up some official in a suit.

If only greeks were armed.

They are pissed because of the pensions being wiped out over there. The reason I can understand there frustration is over the fact the bankers got their money.

The bankers created the situation they are in to begin with. The state protects the bankers monopoly.

So I support the greek rioters and just wish they were armed too. The greek revolution would have truly started and been over already.

They are:
http://www.tuccille.com/blog/2008/01/lessons-for-law-abiding-from-greece.html

But Greece is supposed to have strict gun-control laws. In fact, Greece does have strict gun-control laws. Shotguns are relatively easy to come by for hunting, but handguns and even rifles are tightly restricted. According to an online posting by a Greek gun owner:


There are generally two ways that one can legally get a gun in Greece.

One is, if your life is in danger, due to your job, social status or functionality, or if you have some good friends in the right places. In that case, you can easily obtain, what is known as a Concealed Self-Protection Carrying Permit (let's call it CSCP, for short). This permit allows you to have only one gun and a very limited amount of cartridges (30 or usually less). Now, if you are allowed to have 30 rounds, you can only fire, let's say half of them for practice. How can a person be trusted to protect his own life with so little practice is of course beyond my comprehension.

The second reason that entitles you to own a firearm, is to be an athlete in a shooting sport. This permit allows you to have more than one guns (usually a 0.22 LR, a 0.32 or 0.38 or 9mm, etc) in order to be able to participate in the corresponding shooting matches. In order to get such a permit, you must be a member of an athletic shooting club for several months, and to have participated in several matches (using either your friend's guns or your clubs guns, if they have any). The club is responsible for supplying you with cartridges you need for your practice sessions and your participation in shooting matches. Of course, this permit does not allow you to carry your gun(s) on yourself. You are only allowed to transport you guns in bags or suitcases to and from the shooting range. For those interested to know I have this kind of permit.


It's unlikely that the fellow on No Reservations was expending his limited legal allotment of ammo for the edification of Bourdain and company, so chances are that at least his ammunition was illegally owned, and it's a fair bet that the gun itself wasn't one familiar to the authorities. Nevertheless, he felt perfectly comfortable popping off rounds in front of a TV crew.

Why? Well, the answer may be found in another part of that Greek gun owner's post:


...there are some areas in Greece, like Crete and Mani, where guns are not that restricted. That does not come from these areas having different legislation that the rest of the country. It is more of a customary habit than anything else, which however is endorsed by some politicians.


OK -- so the festive-minded gunman was probably taking advantage of Crete's traditional nudge-and-wink attitude toward the country's gun laws.

In fact, as of 2005, the Greek government estimated that the country's population of 11 million harbored 1.5 million illegal firearms.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100014_16/08/2005_59656

Gov’t aims at illegal weapons

With more than a million-and-a-half illegal guns in the country, the Public Order Ministry is working on a draft bill that will update local gun laws and help flush unlawful weapons out of the system, government sources said.

Of the 1.5 million weapons that have not been declared, authorities estimate that about 800,000 are hunting rifles. Most of these guns, some 600,000, are said to be on the island of Crete.

There are additionally about one million legal hunting rifles in Greece.

Authorities consider both the number of registered and unregistered weapons large in proportion to Greece’s population of 11 million.

Authorities will give gun owners a final chance to declare their weapons by the end of the year. Gun collectors have until August 2006 to properly register their weapons.

After these deadlines, people who own unregistered weapons will face financial penalties, sources said.

The draft bill will also help bring the country’s gun laws in line with European Union guidelines.

-t

[speciallyblend]

....

[LibForestPaul]

The unemployment benefits must be cut off, and for the 15 million left without them, you have several choices. As others have mentioned, you can start your own thing, or get several part time gigs. You can also widen your job search geographically. Ever thought about leaving your home state, or even the US, to get work?

Great comments, BF. Unemployment benefits are truly a trap.

Yes, yes, just need the will to work... damn lazy good for nothings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWrX6kC9Nhs

[DAFTEK]

..