Comments on: Local Jobless Rate Drops

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:34:09 +0000

REGARDING:
” You have no idea what it is like to try to find a job in a rural area. . . . How would you like to know that your only option at a job was 50 miles away in Pensacola ”

Those who remain in rural areas when jobs are elsewhere believe the benefits of living in the country are better than the benefits of living in the city. That’s a personal decision. (Note that Crestview is about as close to you, too.)

If you were a gem cutter, ski instructor, gold prospector, snowplow operator, a seismologist, snowmobile mechanic, gondolier, an ice road trucker, an apple picker, a nuclear engineer, a rocket scientist, a hula dancer, a mercenary, a merchant marine, a stone mason, a coal/diamond/copper miner, or a car-maker, you would likely find it really hard finding a job around here. Further, some jobs don’t pay well no matter where you are.

It is possible to find work where the work is to be found or to learn to work in another field. (Field work????) Some live and work all over the world, not because they want to see the world, but because that is where the work is.

Just a thought

By: Bamcubz

Bamcubz — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:54:32 +0000

I live in Jay, have for 8 years now, and have commuted to work to Pensacola that whole time. Was unemployed with the recession Reagan brought on, so yes I have collected unemployment before but usually was able to find work again before it ran out. I’m not one to sit at home and when you are a single mom during most of that time and have no-one else to rely on to feed your kids, you take a job no matter what it is plain and simple. I know how rough it can be to get out there and hit the pavement day after day, being told no for all sorts of reasons from under qualifed to over qualified, to we are just taking applications on a hire freeze. Make you not want to even bother sometimes. For those that are actually looking for work GOOD LUCK TO YOU. For those sitting on thier butts at home either thinking they got it made living off the goverment, don’t for get it OUR taxes that is paying for that privelge.

By: north end resident

north end resident — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:22:49 +0000

This is in response to Big chief & Bamcubz’s comment. Yes, I am sure there are some out there that abuse unemployment benefits but most do not. You make it sound like this is just welfare for the lazy people of this world. Apparently, you have no idea what it is like to be out of work by NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN during a recession. Never received nor applied for food stamps. I am 52 year old female, 5′2″ tall, 115 lbs and worked since I was 16 years old except for the year I went to college. That is 35 yrs of work/college. You have no idea what it is like to try to find a job in a rural area. Things are different now than years ago. You are required to lift 50-100 lbs for many jobs today. Now you tell me at my age, height and weight how I am suppose to do that. Yes, I did lift up to 50 lbs for many years and would love to be able to do it but no longer can. The last job I was employed at for almost 12 years. Apparently, those who condemn unemployment are still employed or have plenty of money to survive! How would you like to know that your only option at a job was 50 miles away in Pensacola and the wage $7.25 hr. 100 miles per day for gas cost including wear and tear on a vehicle and almost 2 hrs per day of travel. $7.25 x 40 = $290.00 Now subtract taxes, gas expenses out of this. Forget any kind of deduction on health insurance because there will not even be enough left to pay monthly bills. I suppose some believe government should just keep giving to the rich and just forget about those that have worked all their life and out of a job by no fault of their own.

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 23:59:19 +0000

And some of us gave up and collected S.S.I. because we can’t find a job at 62. Even though we can’t prove it no one wants to hire us because we are too old! I can lift 100lbs. and work circles around some of these kids, and I’m only 5″ tall and 62 yrs. old…how about giving us a chance employers??!!

By: Bamcubz

Bamcubz — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:59:11 +0000

Well now that their unemployment has run out, some of them may actually go out and look for a job. Even if its one they were too proud to take several months ago, when you have no income at all and you lights and water are being turned off, then maybe you will swallow your pride. Be glad minimum wage is what it is because it is better than nothing. Some of you may have to take a wage cut or even work two jobs but to keep your family feed you have to do what you have to do. (yes, I know several people this applies to).

By: Big Chief

Big Chief — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:02:07 +0000

Many of these folks are not looking for work because the government keeps extending unemployment and food stamp benefits.

I know two people who are on their 4th extension and neither has even turned in one single job application.

State government needs to do a better job of keeping tabs on these folks to ensure that they are at least making an effort to find work.

I wish there were a hotline where we could report fraud, waste and abuse of these benefit programs,

By: Its not Rocket Science

Its not Rocket Science — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:26:14 +0000

Has it ever occurred to these so called Geniuses that the jobless rate dropped because the 1300 that they claimed went back to work, DID NOT GO BACK TO WORK, they simply ran out of unemployment benefits and can no longer file for benefits? I mean, they base these statistics on the number of people filing claims. They think that just because 1300 less people than usual filed, that they must’ve went back to work. WRONG ASSUMPTION.