'Bout time somebody said it...

We're basically paying people not to go back to work. Contrast this article with the silly shit from the NY Times op-ed page this morning (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/opinion/13tue1.html)

Liberals (like the Times) want to exempt unemployment extensions from their own "Pay-go" rules, which require any new spending to be offset by either cuts or increased revenues (taxes). They claim that the unemployment benefits extension should fall under the category of emergency spending.

So, my questions are:

• At what point do we stop? We've already increased from 26 weeks to something like 79 weeks. When is the emergency over? If I'm unemployed, why would I go back to work - the government seems dead set on paying me to stay home - the rational mind (econ 101) would seem to think this is a great deal.
• And, if we're gonna support this ongoing underclass with my tax dollars, why don't we ask for something in return? Have these recipients of my "compassion" cleaning up the trash that lines the roads in my town. Have 'em stationed at malls to clean windshields or wash cars. For God's sake have 'em contribute a little bit to the people who are footing the bill for them to sit on their fat asses and continue to not work...

in reference to: Incentives Not to Work - WSJ.com (view on Google Sidewiki)