Only 25 -30% of the U.S. population actually works

Originally posted by chiron613
The post is a bit biased. Most of the people who aren't working are our loved ones - children, spouses, parents. They're not working for various reasons. They're in school, they're taking care of the kids, they've retired after a lifetime of hard work. They're not supposed to be working.

Most of the unemployed would rather be working. Most of the disabled would rather not be disabled. Yes, some cheats get disability who don't deserve it. Some people who work also collect welfare. But most desperately need the pittance they receive.

People who collect unemployment paid into the system. True, the employers write the checks, but that money comes out of what the employee might otherwise have been paid. Also, unemployment runs out. Work fifty years, get up to a year of unemployment benefits.

I am currently unemployed, have been for over a year. My benefits ran out in July. I used up my life savings. I have zero money to my name, no assets to speak of. I am well and truly screwed. I have simply not been able to find a job, either in my own field, or doing anything else. Over the past 15 months, I've sent out over 500 resumes and applications. At the moment, I'm trying my hand at being a street musician. So far, that hasn't been profitable.

So basically, I'm facing homelessness. At best I can get into a shelter and collect welfare. I couldn't pay my rent this month. When my landlord gets tired of not getting the rent, he'll evict me. Then men with guns will come and take all my belongings and put them out in the street. They will escort me out of here, and I'll be homeless. You think I wouldn't rather be working? I would gladly be among the 25%, paying my taxes to feed and house the other 75%. Fine with me. Work is good. Idleness is not good.

You seem to think that people on welfare or disability have it easy. Nothing could be further from the truth. They get nothing. It's shameful how little they get, not enough to eat, not enough to pay the rent. They live in abject poverty, which tends to keep them from finding work. They can't get together enough money for a phone. How can they apply for a job, if they have no way to be contacted? What states should do is at least put healthy people on "workfare", where they do some sort of job for the welfare benefits they receive. It would help them emotionally, and it would help us get some of those little, less-important tasks done. It might make it easier for them to get off welfare. Everybody wins.