Fox News host Glenn Beck: Some unemployed 99ers should be ashamed to call themselves American

New York Daily News ^ | 8/17/10 | Aliyah Shahid

[Nachum]

Glenn Beck has a message for the chronically unemployed: You're a bunch of un-American losers. The Fox News host thinks some 99ers — those who have used up their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits—should be embarrassed to call themselves Americans (Snip) "Go out and get a job," said Beck. "You may not want the job. Work at McDonald's. Work two jobs. There has been plenty of times in my life I've done jobs I hated, but I had no choice. Two years is plenty of time to have lived off your neighbor's wallet."

[coconut47]

My husband ended up taking a job May 2009 after being on unemployment for 5 months for 1/4 of the pay he was making before. But hey he’s not on unemployment anymore. We just don’t do vacations, savings, no eating out, just sit at home and do nothing anymore. I guess thats what our government wanted. Went through our savings and everything. Fun life. Hope our Government is happy they’ve created this mess.

[highlander_UW]

Yea, I heard Beck say that and I thought, what a jerk. Morally, I couldn’t do what he does, sell gold as an investment. That’s a total and complete rip off. As if the economy goes to ground and I’ll just go down to Publix with my gold certificate or my gold bar, chip off a little for some bread. He risks discredits much of what he says because the more people believe him that we are heading to Armageddon, the more gold he sells…how nice. We are heading for a mess but that will lead us to a more barter type system with fed/state revenuers getting in our business. That’s what long term unemployment is doing. For example, a small business guy needs some help, a friend or relative who is collecting unemployment will work under the table for 6 – 10 dollars/hr. Win-win till we get in and straighten things out. Please don’t leave our wounded and dead on the battle field.

God will not forsake me. Even if I have zero money I have the basic skills and equipment to live in the woods (although I will have to squat on government land...but hey, it's my land too!) I will get through this and I have not despaired...and I don't begrudge Beck his selling of gold even though I don't have the money to buy any. I haven't worked under the table for money, although I'm beginning to wonder at the ethics of it when it's the federal and state governments that are causing the economic problems.

[Tolsti2]

I sense a certain smug satisfaction by some that people get ‘knocked down’ to counters and mowing lawns on here.

It’s a form of class warfare and being ‘on top’ that makes some very pleased about the current situation.

[madison10]

Recruiters are an evil group to deal with

Amen to that. Snotty bunch, at least the ones at employment agencies are.

[highlander_UW]

When I went looking for work I let no-one know what I actually did. Got a grunt level construction job (labor). I was 40 and everyone assumed I was some loser.Their words) Who cares. It payed some bills and helped me to save my business.

I have yet to find a job in my state where they don't ask about prior work experience and ask for references. How did you get around that? Given that I'm in my 50's I can't imagine claiming that I have no prior work experience and it doesn't matter. I'm not much concerned with people's opinions though.

[coconut47]

I know someone that just got hired after being laid off since Sept 2008. She was making 50,000 a year and had to accept a job in a cafeteria making 8.00 per hr. She’s a single mother with 2 kids. How do they expect anyone to live off of that?

[freedumb2003]

Just because you can find an ad for a job that you think you are qualified for, that still doesn’t mean anyone would hire you. I don’t anything about you, but I wouldn’t hire you just because of your cocky attitude that you think you deserve a job.

Ask me 4 questions about IT and ERPs and check again. I don't DESERVE a job, I bring incredible value to the job. I have 3 companies that stay in touch with me in the hopes I will be willing to change employers.

When you are in front of a potential client and can say "this person has 30 years experience with Large Scale Projects including Fortune 100 companies G H and J and has specific knowledge in the following areas: (Global implementation, multi-currency, multi-language, etc, etc. etc.), it sells work.

Read all my post -- I keep my toolkit sharp. I am always on top of the latest technologies and, more importantly, I synthesize their application to real world problems.

It takes a LOT of work after hours, but it pays off.

[freedumb2003]

>>Well, to be fair, I could have kept my job at a decrease in pay if I was willing to abandon my children and move across the country<<

Your children are nailed to the floor?

[liberty or death]

99% do not check references. Learned that when I was young and according to my adult sons it's still true. Just gave them old work experience which was varied. Funny thing is that when I was hired the boss man yelled at me for 5 minutes about how quick he'd sh!t can me for any infraction. It was very humbling but months later when he heard I owned a lodge he was a sickening suck-up. Had he known most of my adult life was far more successful then his I'd have never been hired.

[GonzoGOP]

I sense a certain smug satisfaction by some that people get ‘knocked down’ to counters and mowing lawns on here.

Not from me certainly. I have the greatest respect for someone who will take a big cut in pay rather than stay on the dole. Shortly after I got married, when the electronics company I was working for went bust, I had to take a job that I was overqualified for in order to have a job. It wasn't the sort of thing that impressed the new mother in law. But I used the relatively open nights to go back to school and pick up my masters. It took four years instead of two because I could only afford to take one or two classes a semester. But it put me into a different job market and I was able to move out after getting the degree.

Like I said I'm well aware that the job market sucks. I have family out of work and others sweating jobs. We went through a wave of layoffs early last year where everyone was waiting for the tap on the shoulder. And I'm back in night school getting my Java certification so that if I get laid off I'll have a more marketable skill set. But I know I'll probably end up taking short term consulting jobs or work at half the pay I'm getting now.

[Jane Long]

You nailed it. McDonald’s isn’t looking to hire 55-year-olds with college degrees.

In Texas they are...or at least their burger competitors are. It might not be the best paying job, but it's a job. A friend has worked his way up to full time manager and isn't complaining.

[freedumb2003]

>>You’re clueless.<<

Yes, working hard for 2 decades to stay in the forefront of one’s industry instead of just drifting along makes one “clueless.”

Maybe you are just lazy? Looking for jobs to come to you instead of doing the hard work it takes to make you useful?

I make it a point to ensure I can do at least 3 people’s jobs to ensure I am giving value. Do you do the same? Can you objectively claim when they hire you they are hiring 3 people? I can and I can prove it.

[imskylark]

My husband delivered newspapers when he retired from the Navy and couldnt’ find a job. He did it for almost 2 years. He hated it but it got us through until he was able to get a good job. He told a friend who lost his job that he could deliver papers as well. The friend has 5 kids and refused. It was beneath him. My husband is a proud man but taking a handout when he can actually work is what is ‘beneath’ him.

[freedumb2003]

>>Not from me certainly. I have the greatest respect for someone who will take a big cut in pay rather than stay on the dole. <<

Well stated. There is no such thing as an “embarrassing job.” Honest work, from the board room to the garbage dump is ALWAYS to be respected (well, except maybe some Union “Jobs” and government “workers”).

[caww]

I have applied for work equally as you mentioned...but I downplayed my resume to fit the position...and I got the job.

..that works both ways...people tend to inflate what they actually have done to one degree or another and companies know this...but to get a job that is less than desirable in order to work and make your own money...you have to bite the bullit of pride and down grade your resume to fit the job requirements they are asking for....It is humbling but you are then in the running. it is way better to be working...’All work is honorable”...then to be without work.

[freedumb2003]

>>My husband delivered newspapers when he retired from the Navy and couldnt’ find a job. He did it for almost 2 years. He hated it but it got us through until he was able to get a good job.<<

You married a Real Man. A Real Man does what it takes no matter what.

Congratulations on your find! :)

[Tolsti2]

Clueless and arrogant, a nasty combination.

[My Favorite Headache]

Correct.

[GOPsterinMA]

All so sadly true.

I do have to say that to my surprise the landscaping company that cuts the laws at my condo complex has all Americans working, at least that's who works at my place.

GonzoGOP: I have no rational explanation as to why the government is hellbent on giving away jobs to foreigners - legal or illegal.

[itssme]

There are jobs available at department stores, i.e. Kohl's and Sam's Club, to name a few, for those 55 and older who are willing to earn less and cobble a few part-time jobs together or better.

The world has been turned upside-down and it calls for swift changes on our part. Don't expend your energies looking back...we must look forward and understand that life will not be the same, and make plans accordingly. And this applies to all ages.