I am the 53%.

[Coito ergo sum]

If you get a job for 50% of what you need to live on, is that better than unemployment?

I'm really getting sick of this "every person who is unemployed is a lazy cocksucking bastard" meme.

I think you're hearing something that nobody (or hardly anyone) actually says. Who says "every person who is unemployed is a lazy cocksucking bastard?"

From my perspective, if someone says "there are no jobs out there," I can show that assertion to be demonstrably wrong. Certainly in my area of Florida, it is quite simply not true. Are the jobs one's first choice? Can't promise that, but they are jobs.

No, if a job would pay 50% of what you need to live on, then it is not better than unemployment (depending, of course, on what the level of "need" we're talking about is). But, at some point, if the only jobs available are for $10 an hour, then one better adjust to it, and work overtime. Or, ought unemployment compensation be perpetual, such that there is never a need to apply for any more jobs? Just get unemployment, food stamps and other public assistance ad infinitum, until the ideal job shows up?

I didn't say you said it, but that's what the letter in the OP implied. You read it as a majestic, informative piece no doubt. I read it as a whiny temper tantrum from some smug bastard.

I don't think of it as majestic or informative. I think it is sarcastic mockery of the 99%-er crayon notes, which themselves are whiny temper tantrums by people who say they've done all they can do, when it appears to me clear that the vast majority of them haven't. Like the one held up by the young 20-something woman who makes clear that HER MOTHER works 2 jobs, while she stays home complaining that there are no jobs. No explanation as to what mom's job seeking trick is, but one does wonder why daughter doesn't sub in for mom on the second shit job that daughter claims mom is working. Daughter didn't seem to be an invalid.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you get a job for 50% of what you need to live on, is that better than unemployment?

I'm really getting sick of this "every person who is unemployed is a lazy cocksucking bastard" meme.

I agree with that to an extent, but only to the extent that I'm also getting sick of "every person who is unemployed is a victim of others and is keen upstanding member of the community who wants a break."

Truth is there are a lot of lazy cunts with a sense of entitlement and there are a lot of people who'd rather be working than not, but it's not always economically feasible.

"a lot"? Got some numbers?

Don't need numbers G. All I need to do is look out my fucking window. Between the gangs of youths milling about street corners and the mobs of men using pubs and bookies like day hostels, I'd say that's a lot.

Unless you meant the latter, which actually no, I have little evidence for other than I know a couple of people who are looking for work and finding it difficult.

So, "a lot" is just a SWAG.

[redunderthebed]

I believe the correct title is called i'am a smug lucky wanker.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I believe the correct title is called i'am a smug lucky wanker.

Don't forget the Dutch Uncle factor.

[Coito ergo sum]

Get a job for $5.75 an hour. Child care $5.00 an hour. Guess what?

Federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

In that situation, the person's situation makes it difficult to accept such a position, assuming the second parent is unreachable/dead/missing, etc. If there is a second parent in the vicinity, then the State will always go after that person aggressively to get child support. That WILL happen if the custodial parent reports the matter to the State. Then they will open up a child support case, and get an order for support entered, and if the guy/gal (usually guy) doesn't pay, then they suspend his/her drivers license, put a warrant out for arrest, etc. It's no joke.

Although what's done is done, I have a real problem with people pumping out kids when they have no capacity to earn more than minimum wage. But, that's hindsight and doesn't solve the immediate problem.

But, alas, if a single mom works for minimum wage or is unemployed, she also gets free health care for herself and the child through Medicaid, free food through the food stamp programs. In most places, free-pre-K is offered by school systems, even in the summer. That generally starts at age 3 or 4, and there is assistance for needy families and cash assistance available through the State.

And, unemployment won't go to zero. I'm all for taking care of the needy. Not everyone who is unemployed is that.

[Coito ergo sum]

I believe the correct title is called i'am a smug lucky wanker.

"Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make you're own breaks"

[Coito ergo sum]

So, "a lot" is just a SWAG.

There isn't an official statistic for "available job openings." All i can tell you is that if I was looking for a job, I could have 100 job applications and/or resumes/cover letters out the door in couple of days.

Hundreds of recently posted job openings here: http://tampabay.jobing.com/search_results.asp?

I assure you, also, that many job opportunities are not listed on line, and they take work to get to. That's why you search corporate/company websites, hire headhunters, and network through local chambers of commerce. Either that, or quit cuz it's hard, I guess.

I know an illegal alien who makes a good living running a house cleaning business. But, it's probably "too hard" out there for Americans.

[Audley Strange]

If you get a job for 50% of what you need to live on, is that better than unemployment?

I'm really getting sick of this "every person who is unemployed is a lazy cocksucking bastard" meme.

I agree with that to an extent, but only to the extent that I'm also getting sick of "every person who is unemployed is a victim of others and is keen upstanding member of the community who wants a break."

Truth is there are a lot of lazy cunts with a sense of entitlement and there are a lot of people who'd rather be working than not, but it's not always economically feasible.

"a lot"? Got some numbers?

Don't need numbers G. All I need to do is look out my fucking window. Between the gangs of youths milling about street corners and the mobs of men using pubs and bookies like day hostels, I'd say that's a lot.

Unless you meant the latter, which actually no, I have little evidence for other than I know a couple of people who are looking for work and finding it difficult.

So, "a lot" is just a SWAG.

Swag here means loot.

No it's not a swag G. I know lots of families of whom not a single one of has worked a day in their life in the forty odd years I've been alive. I know many people who are proud to have never worked, see it as "a mugs game". They're usually the same sort of wankers who moan about immigrants "taking our jobs" ironically.

There are 6 families in my close, all of whom work, there are five closes joined to it. Of which the close directly next to me also has 6 families, none of them work or have any desire to, the close next to that? One guy owns the local pub, the rest, scroungers. Round the corner? Dole scum, next to that? 4 dole scum a student sublet and a young couple with a kid both of whom work.

I'd suggest my anecdotal evidence is not uncommon not here nor across the U.K considering the amount of people here swimming around all day, most of whom were not working prior to the recession. I'm not talking about elderly, infirm or people with learning difficulties. I'm talking about a culture who expect, nay demand that everyone else pay for their continued existence. Which would not be so problematic if so many of them were not an actual hindrance to our society with their drunken violent sectarian behaviour.

[MrJonno]

I assume you are somewhat qualified with reasonable valuable skills which means if you go looking for a job you will probably find one even in the worst recession in a few months. I'm confident I could do the same its really depressing being unemployed and I hated ever minute of it (after about the 1st week even through I wasnt in any financial difficulties)

When you don't have this for whatever reason and its 100 people applying for each waiter job its a very different matter or you are say over 50 when when the chances of you ever getting a job again are very low

[Santa_Claus]

Am surprised that 53% of the USA are proud to be not very bright. I thought it would be higher.

[Coito ergo sum]

Am surprised that 53% of the USA are proud to be not very bright. I thought it would be higher.

Too stupid to avoid paying taxes...

[Audley Strange]

I assume you are somewhat qualified with reasonable valuable skills which means if you go looking for a job you will probably find one even in the worst recession in a few months. I'm confident I could do the same its really depressing being unemployed and I hated ever minute of it (after about the 1st week even through I wasnt in any financial difficulties)

When you don't have this for whatever reason and its 100 people applying for each waiter job its a very different matter or you are say over 50 when when the chances of you ever getting a job again are very low

Well I can read and write and act professional, civil and not lump about like the world owes me a living and the company I'm working for should be grateful that I deign to turn up at all. I've seen a lot of that and you know what? I'd fire the fuckers and give those who DO want a job the chance of one.

You know, I think you are making the mistake that because you want to work, you think everyone does, it's not the case. I'm not saying all unemployed people are work-shy layabouts, but in the U.K. there is a sub-culture who definitely are.

[Santa_Claus]

I assume you are somewhat qualified with reasonable valuable skills which means if you go looking for a job you will probably find one even in the worst recession in a few months. I'm confident I could do the same its really depressing being unemployed and I hated ever minute of it (after about the 1st week even through I wasnt in any financial difficulties)

When you don't have this for whatever reason and its 100 people applying for each waiter job its a very different matter or you are say over 50 when when the chances of you ever getting a job again are very low

Well I can read and write and act professional, civil and not lump about like the world owes me a living and the company I'm working for should be grateful that I deign to turn up at all. I've seen a lot of that and you know what? I'd fire the fuckers and give those who DO want a job the chance of one.

You know, I think you are making the mistake that because you want to work, you think everyone does, it's not the case. I'm not saying all unemployed people are work-shy layabouts, but in the U.K. there is a sub-culture who definitely are.

I think the larger sub-culture are folks who do work - but are not much use, but marginally better than nothing. IME I would say that group is around 80% of a workforce (inc. management) - and that's in the private sector . the irony is that many know that and take one of 2 approaches - play the game or stress themselves into a mental mess by trying to make up for the shortcomings of the others / the company, an approach which is doomed to fail.

[MrJonno]

There are a good few % of people that should never be let near a job, paying them £65 quid a week to stay out of jail is a bargain.

Its a sad fact but we have a few million people who are quite simply surplus for requirement and can't economically be rescued. The dole is bribery for them not to riot or die messily on your door. No problems paying it as a tax payer even to people who arent interested in working

[PsychoSerenity]

I, for one, HAVE been left high and dry by a company that went belly up, and left all its employees high and dry. I can only tell people what I did, and it lacks all "smugness." When I was engaged in a job search for my life - I needed to get a job soon or I would have a hard time hanging on to things like my car and house. And, I wasn't about to file for unemployment unless it was my only option - I put myself in the mindset that my new job was looking for a job. So, I got good nights' sleep, woke up at 5:30am, even though there was no job for me to go to. I showered, shaved, and got dressed, had breakfast, and then went to my new job of "Job Seeker."

I created a list of sources for possible jobs, and I checked those sources daily. I would add sources to that list as I found them. I would exhaust those sources daily, with the goal of being among the first resume's received by the potential employer. I would make a list of all jobs applied to, including contact person. If a contact person wasn't listed, I would do some sleuthing and find out who that person was, if possible. I would always mark a followup date on a calendar to make sure that if I hadn't heard anything in a certain number of days, that I took the proactive measure of following up either with additional written correspondence/emails or phone calls. You do that every day for 8 hours a day minimum. Keep track of all applications and responses. Send "thank you for your consideration" letters/emails to everyone who turns you down, ask them to keep you on file for the next opportunity.

You look in the market for "headhunters" that will take your resume to employers and take a commission of you're hired. Might as well do that -- again, keep track of all potential employers and follow up periodically with all headhunters working.

You contact all your friends, and tell them what you're looking for: (a) ideal, (b) acceptable, and (c) last resort, o.k. I'll take it type job.

You create a network list from anyone you contact regarding jobs you've applied for. Always ask for the name of human resource managers and other managers to keep in contact with. Talk to them. Tell them you what you want, and why you qualify. Ask if you can follow up in a few weeks to see if anything has changed with their needs. You want to do stuff like that, because sometimes a person they choose to hire doesn't work out. If you're there to strike while the iron is hot, then you can make it easy for them to hire you rather than go through the interview process again.

You go to the local Chambers of Commerce and other business and networking organizations with a stack of resumes, cards, and any other materials you can think to put together and which are relevant, and you tell people what you're looking for, and continue to make contacts. You go to local job fairs, community business expos, and other such things- anywhere where any possible employer might be. It all depends on one's experience and education - but, in hard times, sometimes added flexibility is needed, and we can't stay in our chosen career.

There are so many resources out there, and so many places to contact for possible opportunities, that if a person is not working their ass off massaging cover letters, tweeking the resume to tailor it for particular jobs, sending out emails, updating lists and followup calendars, and posting envelopes, etc., for a good 6-8 hours a day, then one really isn't doing all they can do.

But, that's just my view on it. It's far from smug. It's the experience of someone who has been there, and knows what it's like to be on the balls of his ass, and that knows what it is like to, in fact, "get a job, any job." What's the alternative to getting a job, any job, anyway? Staying home?

Why the sudden change from first person to second person? How much of this did you actually have to do? How long did you end up being unemployed for?