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Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 | 3:11 p.m.
Rep. Dean Heller
Republican Rep. Dean Heller wonders if the government creating a new generation of “hobos.”
Heller told a weekend crowd at the Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Elko that Washington’s efforts to continue extending unemployment benefits for jobless Americans may be creating a dependent class, unable to get back to work, according to the Elko Daily Free Press.
“Is the government now creating hobos?” Heller asked.
From the Elko paper:
Heller said the current economic downturn and policies may bring back the hobos of the Great Depression, people who wandered the country taking odd jobs.
He said a study found that people who are out of work longer than two years have only a 50 percent chance of getting back into the workforce.
“I believe there should be a federal safety net,” Heller said, but he questioned the wisdom of extending unemployment benefits yet again to a total of 24 months, which Congress is doing.
House Republicans received a presentation in January from an analyst who told them of the connection between long-term joblessness and the unemployed.
Heller has mainly voted for extending unemployment insurance as Nevada’s jobless rate spiked to 13 percent.
However, more recently he voted against the unemployment extension when it was packaged as part of a broader $150 billion jobs bill that also included spending on highway construction and other projects.
It is a "question of wisdom" that Heller even has a job. Like most Republicans, It is fine to give money and bonuses to the companies that bankrupt us, but the "little people" that actually do all the work should fend for themselves.
How much did that study cost that showed that long term joblessness and unemployment are related....? DUH
For all we know from this information, the studies they reference were likely conducted in a time when it was unusual for large amounts of people to have long stints of unemployment. At such a time, I can see someone with a gap in their employment history having problems due simply to the obvious stigma that entails. However, if the market is saturated with applicants like right now, I think people who are searching for work sufficiently to qualify for unemployment deserve a break. I was recently unemployed right up to zero hour for unemployment benefits, and it was only by the grace of God that I found employment in time. Politicians who can't sympathize with people hit hard by recession (a pretty large constituency, that!) need to be put in a place where they have to look for work themselves and see how it goes, if you know what I mean. ;)
Should we fault the "hobos" that are now jobless, or the "hobos" in political offices that created the economic mess with their policies?
Hobo-Heller was, in part, at the steering-wheel when wheels fell off and now he has the gall to call-out Joe Sixpack in the homeless shelters.
Funny how the politicians in charge, on both sides, were never held culpable for the economic collapse, but now have the audacity to point fingers at a new generation of hobos created by their ignorance of Wall Street.
So everybody go to Dean Heller's house and he is going to hire us, right?
Do you really think we WANT to be unemployed..I am not a hobo, Mr Heller, and it iss stupid insensitive statements that make and productive and realtive conservative issues a laughing stock when you placate your constituates for political posturing.
Express your freedom of speech, Mr Warmth.. I am awaiting my job offer.
Sorry Dean, Hobos happen because there is no unemployment insurance, Not the other way around. Dean needs to go back to school and take a history lesson. Unemployment insurance is there because of lessons we learned a long time ago. I say fire him.... He is a worthless drain on our economy. Do some good and send his paycheck to a soup kitchen!
Comment removed by moderator. Contained name calling.
We gave the banks and Wall Street money to keep them from failing due to their greed. Instead of lending that money out they kept it and gave bonuses. We gave money to businesses to create jobs and they kept it without creating jobs. So what happens when we give the unemployed a check? They create jobs and keep the economy moving by spending it. It's the bankers and the businesses that are on welfare. It's the people and their unemployment checks that are giving the country a stimulus where it needs it.
The banks and the businesses sure aren't doing anything but make it worse. Time to stop the trickle down crap where the rich take their cut and put the money directly in the hands of those that need it and have it trickle up. That way the bankers and businesses will have to work hard to a get a cut of the cash instead of stealing it all for themselves.
Probably one of the most cynical statements I have ever heard. Over at Lake Las Vegas, 350 people are being laid off at the Ritz. 180 people are being let go at Casino Monte Lago. 530 Hobos? I've seen people crying as they are informed of their release. No jobs here, no future, no nothing.
Dean Heller is a disgrace. Vote him out.
"hobos."
Hey, Dean? 1920 is calling. They want to know if you had a stick and 'kerchief to wrap up some fixins' to carry as you walk along the railroad tracks.
Here's hopin' ya find some 'gumption, pard-ner!
Good Lord. And he serves in Congress.
Hobos?
I suppose we are also creating families of "hoboettes" all living off that 2-300 week.
Is he taking a page from the Gov? Did these guys all go to the same foot in mouth school or are they sincere?
He's right, two years is enough, time to move on and find something else to do. Your old job ain't coming back.
yeah we'll have 30 million hobos, that's alot of hobos
hey, he's right.
that hurts like finding out the hot girl in high school doesn't like you, but he's right.
we're going to tax the people that DO have jobs to the point they won't be putting any money back into the economy for cars, homes, furniture, etc. to create new jobs if we keep paying benefits year after year.
after 6 months, you should be forced to do volunteer work to keep getting a check. women's shelter, soup kitchen, litter pick-up, etc.
Mr Heller is so detached from reality.
We have over 100,000 people who cannot find work.
We have an additional 100,000 who are functionally unemployed at a part time level that cannot support a family.
3 years ago they all had gainful employment.
They are losing their homes, cars, boats etc etc etc and a lifetime of living in Las Vegas.
Yes, they prefer doing this than returning to work.
I am tired of the politics of destruction.
I am tired of detached fools who sit in judgement of families that are losing everything because politicians let greed get in the way of the good of the country.
Mr Heller probably figures that his old boy network will get him a job if he loses his.....he would not anticipate being out of work and desperate for a dime.
These people are just that....there are NO ditch digger jobs to obtain....7-11s are laying off
McDonalds are not hiring (well except for relatives of staff coming from Mexico and China)
He needs to wake up as do many of the callous fools who make comments here about people the know nothing about.
"Is the government now creating hobos?" Heller asked.
Only a NutJob would say such a thoughtless, tasteless, mean-spirited, selfish thing.
I normally think Heller is an idiot, but I agree that we should not be extending unemployment. Its giving too many people an incentive to sit around and do nothing. I have said this before and I will say it again, I do not know one single person who is actually looking for a job who has not been able to find one. Myself included. The people I know who havent found a job sit around in their pajamas all day watching scooby doo cartoons. I mean seriously.
THIS is the best Republicans have? I mean, look, I'm a Democrat and I think there are plenty of bad examples in the Democratic party, but compared with this .... The dumbest Democrat is smarter than the smartest Republican, it appears.
@ stevem: I disagree that Heller's correct. I think he's over-simplifying the issue and working with out-dated assumptions that work in a thriving economy but not during a recession. Nonetheless, I like your idea to put people into volunteer work. When I was unemployed, aside from remaining productive in society, that was pretty much a means for me to maintain sanity, and because it's volunteer the work didn't interfere with job searching. To top it off, no matter what the economy, there are always people who are willing to pay for a favor, however temporary/scant that form of work/compensation.
@ vc: With the picture of a lazy buffoon you present, you're thinking of people who abuse welfare and disability (e.g., that idiot who tried to shoot up our courthouse recently). In order to get unemployment, people must have at one point had a job, and must continue to look for work. They are subject to audits to ensure that they're genuinely searching, particularly if they're on the dole for an unusual duration of time. I don't know what kind of sleaze you know, but the vast majority of unemployed people are genuinely trying without success.
I hope this makes Ed's psycho talk or Keith's "worse person in the world." on MSNBC.
Let's make Dean a hobo, he gets a pension and free medical care fore life if he's in the congress over 5 years. I wonder how many more houses go into foreclosure if unemployment is cut off?
This is meant to appeal to the dittohead suicide aviators and other haters. This is going to be all over CNN and msnbc tommorow making Heller look like a hater.
i've been looking for a job for 4 months, and i finally found one.
and i mean i was LOOKING for a job. not sitting on my couch and sending a few internet applications out each day.
it was up at 8:00, out the door at 9:00, back at 5:00.
business owners know other business owners.
i would go door to door with my resume and say "hi, if you're looking for someone, here's my resume. if not, think of me if you know someone that does."
it finally worked. a random store in a random strip mall finally called me.
no, it's not a "good" job...but it's a job.
i work = i pay my bills and i have a little left over to go the movies, maybe go to nice restaurant once a month.
if you WANT to work, you can find work. it might not be a corner office with a company car, but for god's sake, people...be a man, be a provider, get off the couch and get a freaking job!
if you're having a hard time, find someone that HAS a job in sales and volunteer to be their assistant. help them pass out flyers, make cold calls, do mailings, etc.
with the extra business you get them, they'll kick a little back to you and when a position DOES open at company xyz...guess who's going get that job?
you!
stevem, you are to be commended for your hard work and persistence in finding work...
But when it's reported that there are 6 job seekers for every 1 job opening, it's not really so clear cut as "if you WANT to work you can find work."
What a pig at the trough. Take the mote out of your own eye, you sleezebag hypocrite!
How's your love child doing, you ho bo?
When I'm out Ridin' the Rails, I like ta have a little somethin' ta share with the other fellars, and I come up with this Hobo Stew...
One can obtain the ingredients fer such behind most local casinos!
Buon Appetito!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2001074_make-hob...
Call'em what you want. Poor people, Hobo's, jobless, homeless or early retirees. It is all the same. They are all considered the balast of our economy. And they ain't gonna get no more, no more, no more, no more. Now hit the road Jack.
"He said a study found that people who are out of work longer than two years have only a 50 percent chance of getting back into the workforce."
Maybe it's because there aren't any jobs???
after 6 months, you should be forced to do volunteer work to keep getting a check. women's shelter, soup kitchen, litter pick-up, etc.
Sorry stevem but many unemployed ARE doing volunteer work just to keep busy. So keep quiet on something you obviously know nothing about.
There are approximately 30 million unemployed and under-employed Americans today; they constitute approximately ten percent of our population. A sane, moral nation would have no qualms about keeping them going. An insane, morally corrupt nation would have no problem letting them starve, in order to keep marginal income tax rates for the top 0.5% of filers at 35%.
I guess libs think they have a right to a unemployment check indefinitely, along with housing and health care. Go figure. Maybe they could volunteer at the firehouse to roll over the fireman so they don't get bed sores.
As usual, republicans have nothing to contribute but hate.
What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
gypc_dave;
You hit the big nail on the ol' railroad tie!
See you out there! If I come acrost ya, i'll share some hobo stew with y'all!
That picture of Dean Heller;
Tells me a story, it does.
I bet a buck gypc_dave is not in the top 0.5% .
rusty57,
now THAT'S stickin' yer neck out!
How do you create jobs by extending unemployment benefits another 24months???????
Where is the money coming from???
With the federal government extending this, are the states going to be stuck with the bill again?
What positive affect does unemployment have on the economy? What work is created?
How do businesses have more money to hire employees by handing out more unemployment?
Dean sounded pretty dumb with the hobo talk but figure out the math.
Railroad Dean, Railroad Dean
Never got out cause he's so mean
Railroad Dean, railroad dean
The locals would had his pork with beans
Railroad Dean, Railroad Dean
lousy lonely loser, feelin mean
Yep...I'm a hobo. I am a 56-year-old, dual-degreed, Caucasian woman who can't find work because I am a 56-year-old, dual degreed, Caucasian woman. Even WalMart, Kmart, and the local grocery stores tell me that they are in a "hiring freeze." At Target I was told that because I am not bi-lingual, I would not be considered. So here I sit, living in my son's basement, mooching off his utilities, and his internet cable (for my job search), while my unemployment benefits make my car payments and keep me in gas and groceries. I gotta eat and I gotta have the car to get to job interviews where I will be competing with dozens of much younger candidates. Perhaps Rep. Heller has a job opportunity for me...ya think?
Exactly what is this cat doin' to create jobs, anyway? Looks to me as if he'd rather spend his time going to hifalutin luncheons to bash the subculture that he and his party created.
Has the moron considered that people are out of work because there just aren't any jobs out there that have less then a few hundred over qualified people trying to get them?
Or that if the government abolished income taxes that people who earn money would have more to spend and invest so more jobs would be created?
You can't blame Obama on this one... the US was already screwed by the time Bush left office! Which party was running the show when all of these things leading to the recession was occurring without anyone noticing? Oh yeah! The Republican Party!
stevem,
EXCELLENT posts on this topic.
I agree 100%. a man gotta do what a man gotta do. get off your arses and provide for your family.
anybody who believes that a significant percentage of the unemployed AREN'T happy (or at least content for the short to mid-term) to sit home and collect benefits while they watch their big-screen TV and play video games and surf the internet is kidding themselves.
I have seen personally several employees fired for nonperformance from jobs, and then know they filed for unemployment, because they felt they "deserved a break" before going back to work.
this is particularly endemic to those who may not have a high earning job, and rationalize that doing a full week's work for only a marginal bit more than unemployment benefits isn't worth it.
We need job creators and right now those job creators are nervous about the unknown. What I mean by the unknown is that democrats in congress are pushing the same bill that failed again when it looked like they would back up. Business and investors don't know what to invest in since investors got screwed in the GM takeover. Shareholders got pennies on the dollar so Obama could save the UAW.
Bush and Paulsen made some stupid moves but don't forget that the last 3 years, congress was controlled by the democrats. You may think that Obama is blameless but he is not! He is creating uncertainty and the Czars he appoints are anti capitalists. You may have forgotten the cap and trade garbage he was wanting to pass were he said that energy costs would "inevitably skyrocket" if his Cap and Trade Bill passed. Do you really think Obama is interested in saving Americans money through his health care bill after he tried to screw us with Cap and Trade? On top of that Obama mandated the states to expand unemployment when the states can't afford it.
Be careful when you call someone blameless when the evidence is stacked against him.
I do agree with you that government shouldn't strangle job creators and they should loosen their grip so businesses can free up capital and hire employees putting a real end to the recession. The end will never come when businesses and investors have a reason to be scared.
Justanaveragejoe whines about the unemployed;
"I have seen personally several employees fired for nonperformance from jobs, and then know they filed for unemployment, because they felt they "deserved a break" before going back to work."
They might have filed, bro, but the state doesn't give benefits to those "fired for nonperformance."
Try Again.
ok gmag, I'll try again.
Nevada is an "at-will" state, meaning technically your boss can fire you when they want for any non-discriminatory reasoning.
however, in the real world, business owners must always weigh the risk of frivolous lawsuits from former employees claiming they were discriminated against or terminated for prejudicial or personal reasons. thus, in the real world (the one you libs don't really live in) employers are often afraid to fill out the paperwork that comes from the state after an employee claims unemployment. they are afraid if they truthfully point out the employee was a lazy POS who deserved to be fired, and does NOT rate unemployment, that the ex-employee will go straight to the heavy hitter and file a claim.
sometimes the business owner chooses to follow the path of least resistance.
sad, but true.
just_an_angry_joe says...
"in the real world (the one you libs don't really live in)"...
Hmmmm... that doesn't even make sense.
"lazy pos"... Lovely.
I've worked in both the public and private sector; many years in each.
I HAVE NEVER seen an employer "afraid to fill out the paperwork" if their case is solid. Ever. In my experience, you either have cause or you do not have cause.
"Technically", your boss cannot "fire you" for no good reason, just because you happen to work in an "at will" state. They can certainly terminate you, but technically, ESPECIALLY if a prospective employer of the terminated employee calls for a reference, it is not a "fire".
Capiche'?
Someone should send Dean a can of Hobo beans and a kerchief for all his worldly belongings. Jesus H. Chrust.
gmag,
you claim to have worked in both the public and private sector, but OBVIOUSLY not in a SMALL business, and even more importantly, NOT in a ownership role where the ultimate responsibility for firing rested with you.
Even the tone of your latest post exposes you as the type of "disgruntled employee" who would run straight to the heavy hitter to see if you had a case as soon as you were fired.
As stated, small business employers follow the path of least resistance every day, for fear of frivoulous legal retaliation.
If that means they have to let somebody go with a lukewarm performance evaluation and tell them they are being let go because of business being slow, vs. telling it like it is, that they are a lazy POS that is stirring up trouble every day at work and milking the clock, then that is what they will do.
And often that means that same lazy POS will be able to claim "benefits" for 24 months while they sit on the sofa and eat twinkies and watch Oprah.
Joe,
I'll certainly admit there are some of those darned Oprah watchin' twinkie eaters.
It is unfortunate.
Just bear in mind, right this minute in the state of Nevada, there are MANY THOUSANDS of former employees who worked hard and did a good job for their employer, and the economics of the day dictated they be "terminated." That sucks.
"Even WalMart, Kmart, and the local grocery stores tell me that they are in a "hiring freeze." At Target I was told that because I am not bi-lingual, I would not be considered."
OMG Vouty - you actually spoke to a REAL Person????? REAL PEOPLE??? The closest I've come to a "real" person at those stores is the sales clerk who turns on the computer so I can fill out the ONLINE job application.....and then that's it! You log off and leave the store.
"They might have filed, bro, but the state doesn't give benefits to those "fired for nonperformance."
Correct. If you are fired - NO unemployment. And that is with EVERY State, not just Nevada. Even if you are layed off or lose your job because of downsizing etc., there is still no guarantee you will received unemployment benefits. It is up to the employer.
Good point, kind of obvious to me it's hobo heaven out there. Free booze, free food, free money, free air and water. Time to tax the air, and charge for rain, I say. Too many people getting air for free, and that pisses me off. I get so angry at this I could scream. The free food banks and pay as you go sperm banks are replacing the old fdic banks, which are failing as a result of their own avarice. The answer is to pay. and Pay and pay
Does this mean we will have a new boxcar willie?
Screw you, Heller,
I have a Master's degree and have been unable to find work for over a year.
But let's take into account that I am a white, middle-aged female...and I've noticed that college graduates are getting the jobs. I don't begrudge our young people at all, but - hey - have some sensitivity to those of us who may be experiencing some biases.
Yeah, I wish I were a black female veteran - I could get a job for the U.S. government quick enough...and yes, I've applied for over 300 jobs.
If I were a business owner or company supervisor in charge of hiring, stevem would be the only one here I would hire. Everyone here whines and has excuses, and he is the only one with a positive attitude and solutions, even volunteering, hoping for a little cash.
A large percentage of unemployed and homeless are Veterans. This shows Heller's contempt for the troops and the Vets.
If you ever have the opportunity to meet Rep. Heller, DO IT. He is a straight shooting kinda guy. I think you pretty much know where you stand with him, and I personally think that is refreshing in politics. By the way, look at Rep Hellers record regarding Vets, he stands up for them.
No name calling unless you are a politician running down your constituents. I'm glad this got on msnbc.
He doesn't stand up for the vets who are un-employed, he calls them "hobos."
Time for the rich boys of the GOP to go!
Heller has money for jobs programs in Iraq and Afghanitstan, but not for Americans.
There is hope.
http://www.UncleSamforCongress.com
Excerpt:
As a citizen activist in his state, Dehne has spoken at more
than a thousand public meetings to expose wrongful actions
perpetrated by public officials.
As a cadet at the Air Force Academy, Dehne swore to support and
defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Dehne took this oath to heart and has never forgotten it.
He states that he has run into more domestic enemies than foreign.
Sam Dehne, a registered Democrat, has lived in Nevada for
more than 43 years. He graduated from the United States Air Force
Academy in 1962. Dehne spent 5 years flying B-52 bombers in the
Air Force before becoming a pilot with Pan American World Airways
in 1967 ~ while also flying F-101 and F-4 fighters in the Air National Guard.
Dehne retired from the military and has spent the last 15 years as the
most-vocal political watchdog of Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, Nevada.
Dehne's ubiquitous presence at government podiums throughout
northern Nevada has made him a household name and has
endeared him to the citizenry... but not to the bureaucrats.
The public officials he oversees dare not try to stop...
(We just filed the papers today.)
Sam 3/3/10
Heller's constituency is very conservative and he tries his darndest to reflect them in his views and votes.
Dean Heller should know about Hobos, after all, he represent a district in the state that siphons its existance from Clark County.
The United States has 15 MILLION citizens out of work...good luck to everyone who has lost their job.
The health care bill will further bankrupt our country and send us into a whirlpool of destruction never known to any of us. No doubt Mexico will look good to many of us - looking for a piece of ground on which to grow food.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Representative Dina Titus knows that the majority of Americans DO NOT want this health care fiasco of a bill, yet will vote YES on the bill anyway.
Contact her and tell her you DO NOT want her to vote for the bill - and that you will oppose her in future elections.
319 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3252
Fax: (202) 225-2185
8215 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 205
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Phone: (702) 387-4941
Fax: (702) 837-0728
"Is the government now creating hobos?" Heller asked.
um, yes...a new generation of hobos created by Wall Street.
and those future unemployed investors, traders, or bankers would become "HOBOS OF WALL STREET"
hahaha!
Quit the Democrat/Republican finger pointing game, we are not in awe of your power trip. We hired you to work for us.
Please watch your budgets and treat our money as if it is your own. Prior to losing my job, I have not had a raise in the last 5 years.
Reign in your benefits. Do you deserve the kind of retirement and health benefits that you receive, while the people you work for will scrounge for retirement and health (nice to know we supported you)
Through research I find that in Jefferson County Colorado we have Officials that are getting reductions in property tax assessments while my property tax continues to go up. I have filed a protest and received a rejection!
Please consider bailing out the unemployed as you bailed out the greedy big banks and financial institutions that caused the down turn in economy and increase in national debt (Oh by the way this did not start under the Obama administration).
I have worked 51 years, (since 13 Years of age, currently 64), and believe that you should work all of your lives to attain the benefits you receive from us.
The people you work for are not hobos (Mr. Heller), we want jobs. Should American companies discriminate against the unemployed, stereotyping them as poor performers? The people you work for bear the cost of foreign aid, should we consider domestic aid. We consistently rescue other countries, are these countries doing anything for us?
I find it humiliating to be out of work, especially when it is due to the economy and outsourcing my job to India.
We do not need to enter any more wars for imaginary "weapons of mass destruction". We should concentrate on our enemy Osama bin Laden and his constituents.
Should American jobs be outsourced off-shore due to American tax breaks given for off-shore outsourcing?
Should our government representatives be salaried at the unemployment rate and benefits? I hope you don't have to do that.
Please remember, you are working for the American Tax Payer, we are not slackers or hobos. We have always accepted responsibility and stand by our country, not democrats and republicans.
Thank you and God bless,
I guess making a gaff is one way to become internationally known.
Heller has caught the attention of Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in the Telegragh of the UK.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/amb...
If only those pesky poor people would just get jobs, or disappear, right? I mean, if the unemployed get discouraged after years of looking for a job that doesn't exist, because businesses are sitting on BILLIONS of dollars in profits rather than investing in the social good of our communities, we should definitely punish them for existing by ignoring them until they starve to death. Welfare for the poor, bad, welfare for billionaire owned corporations, good, amirite?