Economics 101 re Unemployment Comp

[ivanm]

Actually the government can't do anything with the money except to put it into the general treasury.

Your views of these things is so parochial. Literally the employee pays half of the FICA and half of the medicare and the employer pays half. However the employer gets to deduct that payment, so it's not half, and the fact is that this cost is a cost of employing someone so arguably that half that the employer pays is coming out of what the employer might have paid the employee.

But what's the point of this discussion anyway? To really understand this you would have to show a more sophisticated understanding of "wealth" and "value," and economics generally, than so far you have been willing to show, and at this point I don't think you have that understanding.

You are sounding more like Archie everyday with your mysterious understanding of economics that others are too dumb to fathom.

Supposing the topic was something you were not well versed in.  Would you want someone putting you down because of that?  You are lacking in some way or you wouldn't treat people like you do.

[lucy]

Okay, so why is the country going bk?

[Velleity]

Okay, so why is the country going bk?

There you go again, glossing over all kinds of terms and making all kinds of underlying assumptions.

What is this supposed to mean? What exactly do you think is going to happen? Is someone going to seize our government and take it away from us?

Why can't you understand that the federal government doesn't play by the same rules as the rest of us?

[johnhp]

That is interesting.

What happens if Republicans win big in November?

Don't know.  Will they stop spending recovery money?  Who knows what their agenda is other than  to get more leverage to grind the government to a halt?

[nraforlife]

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And the truth is that unemployment benefits are a good, quick, administratively easy way to increase demand, which is what we really need. So right now they have the effect of reducing unemployment.

yeppers even a blind pig finds the occasional acorn

[ivanm]

Unemployment rates are not the same for all states.  In fact the worst cases are more than twice the best ones.  Basket cases like Michigan, Illinois, and the rust belt states are hit very hard where  the plains states are up a little bit but less than half the worst cases. 

http://www.bls.gov/web/lauhsthl.htm

[Velleity]

Don't know.  Will they stop spending recovery money?  Who knows what their agenda is other than  to get more leverage to grind the government to a halt?

I am having a hard time envisioning even them being stupid enough to attempt such a thing. It's one thing to disinform an easily confused dumbass like Ivan. It's quite another thing to attempt to carry out something like you're suggesting here.

[ivanm]

I am having a hard time envisioning even them being stupid enough to attempt such a thing. It's one thing to disinform an easily confused dumbass like Ivan. It's quite another thing to attempt to carry out something like you're suggesting here.

Hey champ, this dumbass retired at the age of 55 and only works if he wants to.  I will challenge you in a number
of fields, even I may be a little bit rusty on some.  I am not so naive as to fall for your socialist snake oil and you just cannot stand it.  Sorry bozo but I helped to defend this country against communism for over 8 years and I am not about to sell out to you now.

[ivanm]

Don't know.  Will they stop spending recovery money?  Who knows what their agenda is other than  to get more leverage to grind the government to a halt?

John I would be surprised if they did anything constructive. The Republicans, particularly the far right ones, seem to be out of touch with their country's needs. Both parties borrow and spend, but they put a different spin on it. Probably the Republican answer for stimulus is to start another war somewhere.   

[johnhp]

I am having a hard time envisioning even them being stupid enough to attempt such a thing. It's one thing to disinform an easily confused dumbass like Ivan. It's quite another thing to attempt to carry out something like you're suggesting here.

If they are not crazy enough to do it, they won't be able to attract the crazies in the primaries.  If they are crazy enough to do it, the ruin the country...again.

[johnhp]

Hey champ, this dumbass retired at the age of 55 and only works if he wants to.  I will challenge you in a number
of fields, even I may be a little bit rusty on some.  I am not so naive as to fall for your socialist snake oil and you just cannot stand it.  Sorry bozo but I helped to defend this country against communism for over 8 years and I am not about to sell out to you now.

You ran running when i challenged you.  Why not take that one up first and then challenge someone else.

[johnhp]

John I would be surprised if they did anything constructive. The Republicans, particularly the far right ones, seem to be out of touch with their country's needs. Both parties borrow and spend, but they put a different spin on it. Probably the Republican answer for stimulus is to start another war somewhere.   

Are you against stimulus spending?

[ivanm]

Are you against stimulus spending?

Not out of hand, but I am concerned about how it is spent.  To me unemployment payments are not stimulus spending even though they are needed.  I think that stimulus money should be spent on projects that result in tangible long lasting results, something that has utility value for the people in the locale, such as a new bridge or a new roadway that is badly in need of replacement. 

I also think that money spent to help computerize patients' health records, at the doctors and clinics, would be an investment that will pay back dividends over time.  My experience with the VA system showed me the value of this.  Of course, not all stimulus projects can be sticks and stones, but we must be careful about spending money on things of no to little ongoing value. 

Giving a family a check for food is not stimulus because it isn't stimulating new business activities that
make new jobs.  That is what is needed, more new jobs so people can get back on their feet without government handouts.  Once they have a job they will have a paycheck and new spending power.

[Velleity]

You ran running when i challenged you.  Why not take that one up first and then challenge someone else.

The dumbass doesn't comprehend the subject.

[johnhp]

Not out of hand, but I am concerned about how it is spent. 

i am not specifically discussing unemployment insurance.  However, it does stimulate the economy.

My discussion was about the stimulus as such.  These Republican guys claim they are against it.  Of course, if they become the majority, they will be all for it without saying anything.  They are liars.