Breaking the cycle of unemployment


To the editor:


Denmark did a study on unemployment benefits that were granted for four years. Denmark learned that the longer the period of unemployment benefits, the longer individuals stayed out of work. Those obtaining and accepting jobs spike near the end of the unemployment benefit period. The results were repeated again when they studied the benefits that where granted for five years.

The United States is experiencing the same employment cycle that Denmark experienced. The longer the unemployment benefit cycle; the longer individuals will remain unemployed. Most of our unemployed will not accept a job until near the end of the unemployment benefit cycle.

The United States must do two things with unemployment. First we must return to a reasonable and sensible unemployment benefits period. Secondly we must establish a declining unemployment benefits rate schedule. At some point, unemployment benefits must be below the minimum wage level. The only way to encourage many individuals to return to work is by eliminating unemployment benefits or by reducing the benefit to less than what can be earned in an entry level job at minimum wage.

Rather than keep extending the unemployment-benefit cycle, our politicians must start looking at ways to wean our citizens off the unemployment-benefit cycle and entice them to return to work. Each day an individual is not applying the skills needed in the workplace those skills are deteriorating and becoming less and less valuable to prospective employers.

Getting citizens off unemployment is just one of the many things our current politicians can do to improve our economy. Other things that can be changed to jump start our economy are: eliminating or reducing federal regulations; reducing government spending at the federal level; reducing taxes on businesses and individuals; reducing the national spending deficit; reducing the national debt; opening up public lands for fossil fuel extraction; and getting rid of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These are just a few examples that are having major impacts on our national economy.

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