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I've had occasion to ask some out-of-work folks to do some work on my property, for a reasonable fee. Surprisingly, ALL of them have declined, saying that they had unemployment and didn't need to work.

I, for one, am sick of supporting lazy people who just look for handouts.
There are those who truly WANT to work. I just hope they would be willing to take jobs that may not be as prestigious as they want...

And, I'm another in favor of cleaning out Congress and starting over.

I am one of those "lazy" people. I receive SS benefits to which I and my employers contributed.
I have found that rather than not wanting to work that there is a question of "a reasonable fee."
Whose reasonable fee are we considering? No, the folks are not going to mow your lawn for 50c per yard (front/back) Snow packed driveways and walks won't be shoveled for the $5 that I could get.I recently paid a couple of young gentlemen $65 to dig a path for the postman to get in and out and the public sidewalk in front of our house. They did a good job. That job would have gotten me $5 tops. Probably less. But this was our year for snow. Here (my house) measured 42" for both storms combined [DC Metro]. I still have a car to dig out. One of two.
You are right. There ARE those that truly want to work. I know that there are many programs and agencies to assist. But how have we helped anyone? Smiles going in, tears coming out.
Replace congress with what? Another congress? No matter the name, the greedy SOBs will still get their perks.
Ya know, If I came across a post this long in a thread I would probably skip over it...

May I point out here that receiving unemployment benefits and health insurance through COBRA is not "the dole" as you so quaintly put it.
Safety Net, TANF and other programs administered by the Dept of Social Services are for those folks who have no more unemployment benefits and no other income.
It requires long, involved applications processes and results in benefits that barely let you live and feed your family while you continue to look for work.
These benefits vary from state to state. NY has one of the highest rates, but also has one of the highest cost of living.
But all states have rules about not working under the table while receiving unemployment benefits.
I would be happy to lead Mr. Bunning through the process.

What exactly is "the dole?" I've heard that all my life (that's a long time). I have made my assumptions, but was never told what "the dole" is in any official (that may be the wrong word) way.

"the dole" is a British term applied to a British program to support the indigent.

Unemployment is an insurance policy all workers pay into and it is NOT "the dole" nor is the country the correct county to have a "dole." Nor is SS the "dole" since people have paid in to that. And as long as someone has worked and paid taxes, therefore funding TANF and other short-term programs, that really doesn't qualify either.

People on UI have to watch it when working as you can lose benefits (including health benefits) if you make too much money. Its really important to have health insurance.

As to being sick of people who want handouts, in case you had not noticed, we're having a depression which is being called a recession. I'm sure the haves then were similarly repulsed by the folks who were starving during the depression.

Thanks, CelticAutumn for the clarification of yet another weasel word we hide behind.

view link Time called Bunning one of the nation's five worst senators in 2006.

"I've tried to contact Sen. Bunning's office several times, and I finally found an office in Lexington," said Johnsen, who, like other employees, makes it clear that he is not speaking for his agency. "When I got through, I informed the staffer I wanted to leave a message to the senator about what I do with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, so he has an idea of the impact of his actions. His staffer hung up on me numerous times before I could explain. . . . I never was able to explain the important work I do in preventing large truck and bus fatalities on our nation's roadways." view link

HE'S FLIPPING OFF MORE THAN JUST JOURNALISTS.... Sen. Jim Bunning (R) of Kentucky, who has occasionally seemed mentally unstable in recent years, is single-handedly blocking a bipartisan measure to extend unemployment benefits for Americans out of work, which has also led thousands of transportation workers to be furloughed without pay today. view link Bunning is feeling some heat over this, and he's not handling the pressure especially well. The senator has a bit of a run-in with the media today on the Hill, and resorted to flipping off an ABC News journalist this afternoon.

Noted that this Senator is not running for reelection. He's been forced out as a disgrace by his own party.

Too bad that this Senator does not realize that he is an obstructionist. A lot like his fellow Republicans.

In regards to Jimmy? well consider the source. Also as I have previously stated pubs tend to deal in "absolutes" Plus now after what they have done to the middle class hard workers we do need a lil help. It's a matter of knowing who REALLY does nedd the help. Personal note...I had previously felt the same about "handouts" never looked for gov't aid/help. After spinal cord surgury left me somewaht disabled & in cronic pain, Istill went back to running hair salon. Way too soo. After hubby decided that physical therapy could be too costly & ins. may not pay. (there was a lack of oxygen going to brain) Anyway a customer said that he was impressed that I was on feet working. He new a guy who was on disability while playing on a softball league.

The dole has become a group of entitlement programs reserved for politicians, CEOs, and the already rich. If it were used to support the poor, it would be called socialism; can't have that, now can we?