Too many of my fellow citizens are without work. All too often, this challenge cannot be laid on their doorsteps as they got caught up in the maelstrom of failed economic policies and the (continued) empowerment of Wall Street robber barons.
We can, if we choose, create a set of policies to put millions back to work on a relatively fast track. Rather than fighting to give further tax cuts to subsidize the wealthiest among us, we should have a laser-like focus on JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!, with an emphasizing on job creation through paths that will help solve problems beyond the question of getting more people paychecks. (Such as a Clean Energy Jobs stimulus package.)
In the interim, until such time as the economy has a greater chance of providing real opportunities for qualified and dedicated people to have reasonable shots for employment (and paths for people to have openings / opportunities to become qualified) at livable wages, the government should provide for the common welfare. What does that mean in the near term? Funding reasonable unemployment insurance payments to keep people in their homes and fed, to boost the economy, as the economy develops to the point where there are tangible paths to fruitful employment.
The people at risk speak out … and ask others to do so as well.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
These are not people who “want” to be unemployed nor do they “want” to be on unemployment but the reality is that the economy isn’t providing viable paths for them to be employed. We do not strengthen society … We are not “form[ing] a more perfect Union” and the government does not “promote the general Welfare” through policies that will put them on the streets rather than back to work.