Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Opinion: Many Americans aren't going back to work, but it's not for the reason you might expect
Paul Brandus
Opinion: Many Americans aren’t going back to work, but it’s not for the reason you might expect
Published: Aug. 12, 2021 at 8:56 a.m. ET
By Paul Brandus
Unemployment benefits play only a small role, research shows
Millions of Americans now receiving pandemic aid will see their benefits end in September.
{snip}
Thus, jobs aren’t being filed because folks are getting a measly $300 a week from the government. They’re not being filled because people aren’t financially compelled to go back to work, particularly if it involves commuting.
There’s a broader observation to be made about working for the sake of working, of striving and achieving and proving yourself in the marketplace, regardless of the financial position you’re in. But that’s a discussion for another day.
And I don’t want to sugarcoat this. There is no question that millions of Americans are struggling, and for whom $300 a week is a big deal. But there’s also plenty of data to suggest that many others are riding out the pandemic in good shape.
There’s no one-size-fits-all policy to accommodate everyone. If times are flush for millions, then surely we can find a way to continue helping those who aren’t so fortunate.
{snip}
About the Author
Paul Brandus contributors@marketwatch.com https://twitter.com/WestWingReport
Paul Brandus is a columnist for MarketWatch and the White House bureau chief for West Wing Reports. Follow him on Twitter @westwingreport.
Opinion: Many Americans aren’t going back to work, but it’s not for the reason you might expect
Published: Aug. 12, 2021 at 8:56 a.m. ET
By Paul Brandus
Unemployment benefits play only a small role, research shows
Millions of Americans now receiving pandemic aid will see their benefits end in September.
{snip}
Thus, jobs aren’t being filed because folks are getting a measly $300 a week from the government. They’re not being filled because people aren’t financially compelled to go back to work, particularly if it involves commuting.
There’s a broader observation to be made about working for the sake of working, of striving and achieving and proving yourself in the marketplace, regardless of the financial position you’re in. But that’s a discussion for another day.
And I don’t want to sugarcoat this. There is no question that millions of Americans are struggling, and for whom $300 a week is a big deal. But there’s also plenty of data to suggest that many others are riding out the pandemic in good shape.
There’s no one-size-fits-all policy to accommodate everyone. If times are flush for millions, then surely we can find a way to continue helping those who aren’t so fortunate.
{snip}
About the Author
Paul Brandus contributors@marketwatch.com https://twitter.com/WestWingReport
Paul Brandus is a columnist for MarketWatch and the White House bureau chief for West Wing Reports. Follow him on Twitter @westwingreport.