As graduation celebrations commence, one has to wonder what is in store for today's young people as they enter the workforce. Cayuga County's unemployment rate is up from April, reaching 4.9 percent at the end of May. Unemployment is also at 4.9 percent statewide, up from 4.2 percent at this time last year.
The government has tried to stimulate the economy, giving Americans a slight break on their taxes. The government even passed a law requiring all television stations to make the switch to digital, in the hope that HDTV sales will sky-rocket as computers did in the early 90s. But if the economy of central New York depends on television sales, I'm very concerned for the future.
Unemployment in Cayuga County has risen, despite significant growth in the often struggling manufacturing sector. With the economy in the toilet, you'd think that people would be lining up for these positions. But today more and more people seem to be leeching off social programs, too proud to work beneath their degree.
The reality is that the number of skilled workers has surpassed the number of available positions. So what is the solution? Well for starters, Cayuga County needs to be receptive to change.
I struggle with this myself. I wrote a few weeks back about how I hate to see cornfields replaced by soy beans, but it's good for the county. I hate to have to compete with tourists for parking spots and restaurant seating, but it's good for the county. If the county's economy can be restored by soybeans or tourism, why fight it?
Frankly, the biggest drain on the economy are the people who aren't working. If you flip through to the classifieds you won't find a blank page. Someone, somewhere in Cayuga County is looking for employees. And I'm equally sure that there is someone, somewhere in Cayuga County who is capable of handling the position but for whatever reason, doesn't want to.
Too many people take advantage of the system. If social programs were restructured to assist only those who are truly incapable of working, it would force people to get up off the sofa. Work equals money earned, money earned equals money spent, money spent spurs the economy and a healthy economy promotes job growth
In the meantime, my suggestion is to put pressure on our state representatives to examine social programs and who benefits. Now that Senator Clinton has suspended her campaign, it's time to turn her attention back to the struggling counties of central New York.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
Unemployment in Cayuga County has risen, despite significant growth in the often struggling manufacturing sector. With the economy in the toilet, you'd think that people would be lining up for these positions. But today more and more people seem to be leeching off social programs, too proud to work beneath their degree.
The reality is that the number of skilled workers has surpassed the number of available positions. So what is the solution? Well for starters, Cayuga County needs to be receptive to change.
I struggle with this myself. I wrote a few weeks back about how I hate to see cornfields replaced by soy beans, but it's good for the county. I hate to have to compete with tourists for parking spots and restaurant seating, but it's good for the county. If the county's economy can be restored by soybeans or tourism, why fight it?
Frankly, the biggest drain on the economy are the people who aren't working. If you flip through to the classifieds you won't find a blank page. Someone, somewhere in Cayuga County is looking for employees. And I'm equally sure that there is someone, somewhere in Cayuga County who is capable of handling the position but for whatever reason, doesn't want to.
Too many people take advantage of the system. If social programs were restructured to assist only those who are truly incapable of working, it would force people to get up off the sofa. Work equals money earned, money earned equals money spent, money spent spurs the economy and a healthy economy promotes job growth
In the meantime, my suggestion is to put pressure on our state representatives to examine social programs and who benefits. Now that Senator Clinton has suspended her campaign, it's time to turn her attention back to the struggling counties of central New York.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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ethan wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:31 PM:
Unknown... wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:54 PM:
AJ wrote on Jun 28, 2008 8:08 AM:
My father died when I was young. Were it not for SS, we very well may have ended up living in the streets. There will always be abuses in the system, and it would be naive to think otherwise, but I think the abuses are overblown indeed. "
Unknown... wrote on Jun 27, 2008 6:08 PM:
AJ wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:40 PM:
Regarding the disabled, what agency would you propose help them? What do you think Social Security stands for?
BTW, does anyone know how many people are out of work in Auburn? My guess is that it is probably somewhere between 500 and a 1000. Not a good thing given that in Auburn there are only 50 jobs listed at the moment, and only a handful appear to pay that well.
Nice going, George. "
Unknown... wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:40 AM:
brew1234 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:40 PM:
qwerty123 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 7:55 AM:
As usual...Ms. Estabrook has her facts wrong.
Yes, Television stattions are being required to switch to a digital signal, but you do not have to buy a new TV.
These signals are digital...NOT HD. They are 2 different things. To get the digital signal with your current television, you will need a converter box. The government is giving $40 coupons for these boxes and you can get one for $49. You pay 9 bucks...not a new TV.
I think the dear Ms. Estabrook needs to learn a bit more before presenting a foolish opinion in a newspaper. "
AJ wrote on Jun 23, 2008 10:24 PM:
While this was written 12 years ago and many of the statistics are outdated (most are FAR worse now), this otherwise paints a pretty good picture of things.
Class Warfare/Corporate Welfare
The Vanishing Middle Class
by Lynn H. Ehrle
http://www.consciouschoice.com/1995-98/cc095/classwarfare.html "
telldastory wrote on Jun 23, 2008 9:28 PM:
You are forgetting that the vast majority of jobs available in this area do not pay a living wage OR offer benefits. What about the working poor? Jobs that pay $7.50-8.50 per hour even if both adults are working does not provide enough for a family. Thus they supplement with food stamps. There is no health insurance offered or it is offered at such a high rate it would eat one of those paychecks. Are you suggesting that lawmakers do away with Family/child health plus or NY Cares for small businesses?
Before you endorse sweeping change you should take into consideration that many people receiving benefits ARE working. If any change is to be made then instead of mandating ONLY those incapable of working get services (by the way that is why there is social security disability) maybe laws should change to provide assistance to the employers. Give them assistance with a living wage and benefits and there would be no more 'working poor'. "
AJ wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:59 PM:
AJ wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:53 PM:
Get a job at Walmart, they'll even help you fill out the government benefits paperwork! It is scandalous! "
telldastory wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:23 PM:
You are forgetting that the vast majority of jobs available in this area do not pay a living wage OR offer benefits. What about the working poor? Jobs that pay $7.50-8.50 per hour even if both adults are working does not provide enough for a family. Thus they supplement with food stamps. There is no health insurance offered or it is offered at such a high rate it would eat one of those paychecks. Are you suggesting that lawmakers do away with Family/child health plus or NY Cares for small businesses?
Before you endorse sweeping change you should take into consideration that many people receiving benefits ARE working. If any change is to be made then instead of mandating ONLY those incapable of working get services (by the way that is why there is social security disability) maybe laws should change to provide assistance to the employers. Give them assistance with a living wage and benefits and there would be no more 'working poor'. "
AJ wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:35 PM:
The TRUTH of the matter is is that IT IS THE CORPORATIONS that are the WORST offenders BY FAR and you STILL DON'T GET IT!!!
If every one who has a problem with welfare for those who abuse the system could get it through your heads that the BIGGEST problem is the billionaire crybaby businesses that drain FAR more of your money out of the system, and you focused your attention where it would really make a difference, maybe your tax bills could really drop.
Please stop blaming poor people!
And I often hear talk as if life is such a gravy train for those who are less fortunate that have to rely on the system for help, which is truly insane.
Regarding the unemployment figures, they haven't been accurate in decades, they have been changed at least two or three times in how they are compiled since Ronald Raygun became president, in order to mask the size of the problem and to limit benefits.
As for the number of jobs - you can usually figure there will be AT LEAST 10 applicants for every job listing.
Please get a clue - this whole debate is getting really tiring. "
sonofmaddog wrote on Jun 23, 2008 3:02 PM: