Romney: Workers Should Pay Their Own Unemployment Benefits

[dennis4868]

Mitt Romney has a solution to America's unemployment problems. Rather than giving Americans government help when they lose their jobs (help which he says will keep them unemployed), Romney suggests workers pay for their own unemployment insurance. The government, on the other hand, should spend its money spurring companies into making new jobs.

As part of a sharply-worded attack on the Bush tax cut extension compromise published in today's USA Today, Romney states his case that the extended unemployment insurance contained in the compromise will keep those out of work from looking for new jobs. In its place, Romney suggests "individual unemployment savings accounts over which employees would exercise direct control when they lose their jobs."

Romney doesn't detail how the plan would work, but suggests something similar to, say, a health savings account, which employees pay into with their own money and can then draw from tax free when faced with medical costs. Personalized savings account aren't the only solution Romney offers to solve the unemployment mess.

The other option, he writes, is "putting in place financial incentives for employers to hire and train the long-term unemployed." Again, Romney doesn't offer details, but the phrase suggests government spending aimed at companies.

So, to summarize: Romney's plan to fix unemployment includes workers spending their own money and the government sending checks to companies.

The rest of the article is here....http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/romney-slams-tax-cut-compromise-concept-of-unemployment-benefits.php?ref=fpblg

BY BASHING OBAMA 24/7 (or primary him) WE WEAKEN HIM WHICH COULD VERY WELL LEAD TO A PRESIDENT ROMNEY....Let's keep our eyes on the ball and the real villans in the story!

[eleny]

1. The whole concept of benefits in employment is being vilified by the right wing

Meantime, the ultra wealthy are getting more and more.

[guruoo]

2. I thought we already did. nt

[Myrina]

22. Yeah, really. WTF??

:shrug:

[sadbear]

3. If what they say about unemployment insurance is true,

then why aren't millions of Americans leaving their jobs simply to collect unemployment benefits?

[Cant trust em]

5. This argument cracks me up.

If people want to give poverty a shot just to get benefits, then by all means be my guest. I personally will prefer to work and earn real money to live the lifestyle I want.

[prolesunited]

17. I know

Every time I hear someone going on about how good the poor have it because they get everything for free (their words, not mine), I look them straight in the eye and say if the poor have it so good, you are free to join them any time. Funny, I've never seen anyone pursue it.

[prolesunited]

19. This is an argument that assumes

the worker controls their employment, which is only true if a person is self-employed. The company lays you off because of their decisions or poor management or manipulation of the system and YOU get to pay for it.

People do put away for unemployment. It's called savings, but they are exhausted when companies sit on billions and refuse to hire people.

[polmaven]

23. Good question!

:thumbsup:!

[Robbins]

4. Good analyis

Some here actully agree with him In bashing Obama 24/7

True Democrats need to put their eyes on the ball and realize our real enemies are Romney,and Palin.One of these 2 will be the
Republican nominee.

[treestar]

6. There is such a thing, income replacement insurance, people can buy

How very Republican of him to think that is the way it should be for everyone.

[superduperfarleft]

20. Income replacement insurance is for disability, not just unemployment alone. n/t

[Blue Meany]

7. I thought we did pay for unemployment insurance...n/t

[DURHAM D]

11. Only in 3 states do employees contribute to the fund.

In most states the unemployment insurance is funded only by the employer.

[a kennedy]

25. NO, I used to work in the State of Wisconsin unemployment

office and you do not pay into unemployment, it's a employer funded insurance program only.

[liberal N proud]

8. This Mitt-Wit is going to run for President in 2012 and he doesn't even know how the system works

:wtf:

[rubberducky]

9. If we take our eyes off of the ball we WILL end up with

a pub in the next election. Really good way to show the dems how mad we are! If you thought Bush was bad, just watch what they put up against Obama. They will be thinking that we are all so mad at Obama not delivering our pony that we will sit this out. Or we will go some wierd route with 3rd party, or worse yet, we will primary our own incumbent.

[displacedvermoter]

26. You should always mention "poutrage"

in your postings about ponies, as it shows more scorn for those who disagree with you and the President!

It also helps to convince the people you are bashing of the error of their ways, and the correctness of your cause!

[BadgerKid]

10. End game: a country of day laborers.

The GOP would rather us give our money directly to them rather than them having to earn an honest profit.

[area51]

36. +1 n/t

[Hello_Kitty]

12. How can we weaken the President when we're irrelevant?

I wish you guys would make up your minds. The Left is either so omnipotent it has the power to destroy this Presidency through our incessant pony-demanding OR we're a tiny ineffectual fringe to whom no one pays attention. Because I keep seeing us described in both those terms, sometimes in the same post.

Which is it?

[superduperfarleft]

21. Whichever is most convenient to whatever particular argument they're making at the time.

You're welcome.

[maxrandb]

27. Well, by standing on the sidelines during this past election

"some" on the left ENSURED they would be irrelevant.

You think maybe we might have gotten a better deal had we actually "gained" seats in Congress in November, or at least minimized the damage?

The "effing" message that was sent was "hey, we're not playing anymore, let the Tea-baggers set the agenda".

Seems to me if that was the message that was sent, we can't be "pissing and moaning" because the Tea-baggers are setting the agenda.

:eyes:

[Hello_Kitty]

35. Excuse you?

I worked my ass off this past election, just like I always do. I canvassed, phone-banked, raised money, etc. As did a lot of other people this administration and its loyalists are slagging off.

[DCKit]

13. Would we also see those accounts emptied every year-end as we do with MSAs?

With the proceeds being dumped into the black hole of Reagan's Voodoo economics shitstorm of debt? Or should we just let the Fed "hold" our money for U.S.?

I have no doubt Mittens would lurve that.

[Turbineguy]

14. They already do.

It's called "savings", "home equity loan", "IRA withdrawals".

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. Most Wage Slaves Will Never Make Enough Money To Pay In The Fund

And when they lose their jobs they will have peanuts...

[Enrique]

16. Obama better co-opt this idea ASAP

can't have him losing in 2012!

[louis-t]

18. What? A repug plan that's full of hype but light on

details? The dickens, you say!

[lafayettelonewolf]

24. Why am I not suprised?!

This guy's just another piece of crap. Cry Mitt cry...you want your little tax break? Well, you're gonna have to pry it from my cold dead hands, sunshine!!!

[golfguru]

28. Romneycare signing in Massachusetts

[WI_DEM]

29. Romney would be a very weak candidate if nominated

this proposal would comeback and bite him big in the ass.

[and-justice-for-all]

30. and I believe that elected Reps should get the same health care we do...

and when they are voted put of office, we should not carry their asses for the rest of their lives.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

31. But Obama's just like the Republicans!

:sarcasm:

For the rocket scientists who say there's not a dime's worth of difference between Obama and Republicans, well, here's a million dollars of it.

[Exilednight]

32. I hope Obama did not read this. The last thing we need right now is another piece Republican ......

legislation signed into law by a Democratic president.

[Supersedeas]

33. With the holidays approaching, surely the Media will be ALL OVER THIS

In the spirit of compromise, leaders must do what's right...and yet, Mittens gets a free-pass when throwing bones to his base.

[Arkana]

34. Um, technically this already happens, doesn't it?