There is a large pool of unemployed, and all of them are hurting economically. I feel for them. But the long term unemployed..those who haven't been able to find a job..it's probably because they don't have the skills that employers need, or they're not the best possible employees. So the government, in it's infinite wisdom wants to provide an economic incentive for a business to hire someone who's most likely NOT the best possible candidate..
Ken, does that mean that prior to 2008, 25% or so of all workers were “not the best”? Yet, they were employed, the economy was doing just fine, productivity was high, and so were corporate profits and stock prices.
Could someone list the skills that are needed, today? I keep reading anecdotes from folks with degrees and experience and even with good job reviews who have now been out of work long enough that they will never be rehired in their previous positions and have joined the ranks competing for part-time or low-paid jobs.
We are self employed. We have hung on to about 1/2 of our previous business. This is in an area not all that hard hit by the Depression. One business is in local markets with 2 locations, one is in national markets. Our competition in both businesses has suffered more than we have. In the service business, it is because we offer something people value as necessary. In the manufacturing business, it comes down to a high name recognition in a niche market with no remaining competitors. We have also been able to slash operating and overhead costs, which took creativity.
I am not trying to be argumentative or snarky. I just don’t think the majority of the unemployed had marginal skills or were necessarily poor employees.