First we got that imperfect Obamacares that only helped thousands of people get insurance and treatment that they otherwise couldn't afford. I was already done, then.
But now, ho ho, he's going to appease Republicans by offering the unemployed WORK so that they can maintain/add to their skills while still receiving jobless benefits??? WTF!!!!
Could this possibly happen in a tea-bagged United States?
The Obama administration is looking for states that will experiment with unemployment insurance programs by letting people test a job while still receiving benefits.
The plan is a key feature of a payroll tax cut package that President Barack Obama negotiated with congressional Republicans in February.
The Labor Department will open the application process Thursday for 10 model projects across the country. Any state can apply for the "Bridge to Work" program.
The plan is modeled after a Georgia program called "Georgia Works." Under the plan, workers who have lost jobs can be placed in other temporary jobs as trainees for short periods to retain their skills or gain new ones while receiving jobless assistance. About a third of the time, those workers wind up getting hired full-time.
The concept works, AND is really smart and shows an awareness of what matters when the jobless are out there interviewing for new jobs:
* up-to-date job skills
* new skills viable for work in 2012 as opposed to 1992
* no or fewer resume gaps
Germany does something similar, although their preference is to keep those who would otherwise be laid off with their company, while subsidizing the portion of their existing salary that their employer can no longer justify paying.
This program can help businesses too; it will offer some help to companies who could use some extra production but cannot afford to bring on full-time employees, and increases the number of qualified applicants when/if business picks up and they can hire full-time. It gives them the opportunity to evaluate the character and work ethic of someone who was previously unemployed...not just looking at their resume and trying to decide whether to "risk" hiring someone who was laid off 6 months ago.
The most SHOCKING thing that dastardly Obama has done? Garnered RepubliCAN'T support!
Supporters of the programs say it helps workers retain or learn new skills and add new job references to their resumes. The plan passed with support from leading Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
It also is designed to answer critics of unemployment benefits who say the aid discourages some people from aggressively seeking work.
Now, it's fairly safe to assume the Republicans support it because they think the unemployed are worthless loafers and at least their beloved corporations will get some work out of 'em, but who cares what their motivations are? A vote is a vote, at least in this case.
Gosh, I'm tired of this from Obama. What a mistake it was, bringing in a President who brings people together, even the worst (Repubs) and the least (destitute/unemployed) of us.