GOP has a plan to put the unemployed back to work..... Have them pick up trash

[octoberlib]

If this is GOP compassion, I'd hate to see their contempt:

"Whereas, there is an unemployment crisis in this State, with many citizens in need of work; and Whereas, it is in the best interest of the State to maintain clean and safe roads and highways as well as to help provide employment opportunities; and Whereas, the creation of "Hero Crews" employed to combat roadside litter will be a step toward both cleaner roads and more employment. The Department of Transportation shall establish the "Hero Crew" jobs program from available funds. Hero Crew members shall be temporary State employees compensated at rates to be determined by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation."

It appears the braintrust of the NC Senate is either hemmorrhaging or has a massive tumor. Senator Allran seems to think throwing in action words like "hero" and "combat" will somehow add some shine to giving people the "opportunity" to pursue a career in a field normally dominated by prisoners, but I doubt this pig will stand still long enough to allow a ribbon to be tied on it.

http://bluenc.com/republican-solution-unemployment-pick-trash

[JimDandy]

1. A temporary job picking up trash

doesn't equate to a career. But this whole concept is more problematic then just that observation.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Why not just throw them all into prison for Existing While Poor

or Theft of Public Air or something and then put them into chain gangs? Gotta be cheaper than minimum wage, at least if they downgrade prison conditions a little. After picking trash, maybe they could pick dandelions & plantain in the parks to feed themselves on.

See? We can solve virtually any social problem with a little creative thinking.

[LeftofObama]

3. Maybe while they're bending over to pick up trash

the senators in NC can be there to kick them and tell them how worthless they are!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. But what will they do with all those sacks full of Republicans they pick up?

[dkf]

5. Is that only good enough for volunteers?

I've helped pick up rubbish as part of my niece's community service project. Was I supposed to feel demeaned? What does this mean for janitors who must clean toilets or nurses who have to wipe up incontinent people?

Geez. It's like cleaning up is beneath us. Why isn't beautifying your community a good thing?

[octoberlib]

6. In NC they recently slashed unemployment benefits

from 26 weeks to 20 disqualifying North Carolinians from receiving jobless benefits from the federal government and reduced the maximum weekly benefit by $200.00. This bill
also takes money away from badly needed road projects. This is why so many of us view this bill with scorn. Beautifying your community is always a good thing!

[dkf]

7. Hmm well that explains the less than positive reactions...

Did they extend federal unemployment? I know that was on the chopping block with the fiscal cliff. I didn't realize the state could prevent people from collecting Federal unemployment by cutting their own requirements though.

It used to be states would clamor to get access to Federal money. What a change.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

9. No extension of Federal benefits... July 1 is cut-off date.

Now you realize:

http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/site/blog_entry/n.c._enacts_harshest_cuts_to_unemployment_insurance_shutting_off_federal_ui

Federal unemployment benefits would end July 1 under GOP plan
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/24/2630252/federal-unemployment-benefits.html#storylink=cpy

[dkf]

10. Good grief that's pretty drastic! I don't recall seeing anything about this in GD.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

11. Local news tends to sink in GD... depending on the issue.

The NC forum is pretty active.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

8. Unemployment is 9.5% in this state....

we need PERMANENT, LIVING-WAGE jobs, not temporary, low-wage jobs. Cuts to unemployment benefits are explained to you above.

Fall for the use of Orwellian "Hero Crews" all you want... I reject it. And this has nothing to do with diminishing those in service positions, but you already know that. Stuff the bullshit.