This week the NY Times expressed outrage at Congress’ reluctance to extend federal unemployment benefits.  

 “Desperately needed unemployment benefits have been held hostage …The right thing to do is obvious. The House and Senate should immediately extend unemployment benefits and aid to states...”  

 The vote is scheduled for later this week.  Congress had previously extended payments to 99 weeks, but May 30 was the deadline to file for this extension and its renewal is now up for debate. I play volleyball with young people who milk the system.  They work for awhile, get fired, play volleyball fulltime, and then go back to work when their benefits expire. 

 At what point do we say enough is enough? The Times kindly provided us with an estimated additional cost to support extended benefits through November: $40 billion.

 I’d like to think that the majority of the unemployed are needy people who need those checks to support them during the daily job hunt.  But I suspect otherwise.

In Spain, the jobless can receive compensation for up to two years. Unemployment in Spain is also now approaching 20 percent. Coincidence? I think not. Of course, I’ll never convince The Times.

 “Unemployment benefits are correctly considered emergency spending — they are a vital safety net, and the money is crucial to supporting consumer demand in a weak economy”

I thought that a “safety net” is something used to catch someone when he is falling. Not half a year after he fell. By that point he has been slowly and safely lowered to the ground. It’s his turn to stand up.