Three days a week I drive into town for various activities and trips to the library. During that short , five mile drive, I see help wanted signs everywhere. Who’s looking for help? Restaurants, of course. But also dry cleaners, manufacturers, gas stations, dollars stores. You name the place, they have jobs that need filling. At the same time, most of us know of people who have enjoyed a year long vacation due to the CARES ACT unemployment benefits, augmented by stimulus checks. And they’re not going back to work until the money runs out. Meanwhile, businesses are desperate for workers. Help! Americans on the dole.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Laid off workers have been known to postpone looking for jobs until their unemployment compensation ends for as long as I can remember. This has always puzzled me. I lost a job once, and was frantic at the thought of being without work. Within a week, I’d scouted around and found another position. Yes, I could have drawn unemployment benefits, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed them. The fear of not finding a replacement job would have eaten away at me. And there was another element: embarrassment. I wouldn’t have wanted people to know I didn’t have a job.
All of that’s gone now. The work ethic that made this country great has dwindled away over the years. In fact, those who didn’t get laid off and aren’t entitled to unemployment checks, envy those who are enjoying all the free time. They’re wondering why in the world they’re getting up out of bed every morning to go to work while their unemployed friends can sleep in without worrying about groceries and rent.