Confused And Conflicted

This is one of those situations that end up leaving me confused and conflicted.

I was reading a story in the local paper about pending legislation in congress to extend unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed. My first reaction was "No way. Let the lazy bastards get a job."

Then I thought about the dismal state of the job market.

"...while the short-term unemployment rate is back near its pre-crisis levels, the long-term unemployment rate remains higher than at any point from we began collecting records in 1948 to the onset of the Great Recession."

Meanwhile, obama is running around spouting off about 'his' economic recovery.

Saying the economy is doing better than it was a year ago, Obama said "I firmly believe that 2014 can be a breakthrough year for America."

Does anyone besides me see the irony of barry proclaiming that the economy is doing well, while at the same time saying we need to extend long term unemployment benefits?

Which brings me back to the story in the local paper. It focused on a San Antonio woman who was laid off and has been unable to find work. Now her unemployment insurance has expired.

When she was laid off in April, Catherine Dueñas was making nearly $60,000 and was so confident her solid work record would land her another job quickly that she felt no need to apply for food stamps.

That was 10 months ago, by far the longest the 50-year-old mother of three — who evaluated contracts with physician groups for an insurance company — has been without work.

... long boring recap of unemployment benefits bill here ...

She reapplied at UnitedHealth Group, her employer of 12 years, as well as other companies, including Valero Energy Corp., USAA, Martin Marietta, and Baker Hughes.

She said hiring managers told her she'd be a great hire — if she had had a college degree.

Why? She's done the job for 30 years. What would a college degree add to her qualifications? Where do these inane HR requirements come from?

“I've always wanted to go to school but always had to work to support my family,” she said. “I know now that I need to be able to do that, to be able to get back into the same market.”

Her plan is now to take out student loans for an associate's degree in business at San Antonio College.

Poor woman. She's been convinced that taking out student loans to get her a two-year business degree from the local community college will make her more marketable. She's 50 now. When she gets done paying off those loans it will be time for her to retire.

I realize I've been rambling. Despite the simple sound bites being broadcast from D.C., this is a complex problem without a simple solution. While the congresscritters play politics real people are being hurt.