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
