The truth? / LJWorld.com

Letters to the Editor

The truth?

By Richard Kay, Lawrence

September 12, 2012

To the editor:

“Logic is sorely needed,” Jana Rea wrote (Public Forum, Sept. 4), and especially, I must add, in this climate of half-truths. Thus she tells us, without qualification, that Lynn Jenkins is “telling the truth” when she said, “Right now we have people who are happy to collect unemployment and not work. We have a problem with people working the system.” Of course logic tells us that this statement might be true in all cases or just in some (1 percent? 14.7 percent? Who knows?). To declare, as Ms. Rea does, that ”Jenkins’ comment on the face is true” is at least misleading, if not one of the “gross misrepresentations” she deplores.

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Armstrong 4 years, 9 months ago

99 weeks of unemployment versus the 2200 + jobs available in Larryville ( Careeer Builder ). If you really want work it's out there or you can sit at home and do nothing while the state pays you to do so. Let the numbers tell the story

Corey Williams 4 years, 9 months ago

If you search careerbuilder for jobs in Lawrence, 2200+ jobs come back. But only 112 are in Lawrence. Look a little harder next time.

Armstrong 4 years, 9 months ago

Big deal, commute like the rest of Larry

Phil Minkin 4 years, 9 months ago

Are you willing to provide transportation?

John Hamm 4 years, 9 months ago

Sorry but you did say "2200 + jobs available in Larryville." Now you might as well have said "millions of jobs available in Larryville" IF you want to include all the job postings everywhere.

Cai 4 years, 9 months ago

are you willing to drive me and/or pay for me to get a car and gas. They're cutting the k-10 connector, and many of the jobs run at times when the buses don't - so that's not always an option.

Armstrong 4 years, 9 months ago

Why would I do anything for you

parrothead8 4 years, 9 months ago

That's very American of you.

Armstrong 4 years, 9 months ago

You rocket scientists are proving Jana Rea and Jenkins point in spades. You have been offered other options to unemployment but all I have seen are excuses as to why you " can't " work. Now we know who is happy to make excuses and collect unemployment. Thanks wounded_ solidier for your below post as it affirms the lame excuses as to why you should sit back and sponge off society.

Abdu Omar 4 years, 9 months ago

I have friends who are highly qualified, but cannot find a job because they think when they interview, the manager looks at their resume and thinks "He isn't going to stay here with this menial job". Then the manager hires someone who is less qualified, who cannot handle the job and the circle repeats its self. I think there are very few who are "playing the system". And we should weed them out, but to punish a whole set of people for one is simply not fair.

Richard Heckler 4 years, 9 months ago

Hear hear to the letter writer!!

I doubt Jenkins could substantiate her statement for that is not what this new misrepresentation of the GOP is all about. This Rt Wing Libertarian Neocon Fundamentalist Tea Party for Economic Terrorism is all about mastering the art of deception 24/7. This reflects the entire Kansas delegation including Governor Sam Brownback.

jaywalker 4 years, 9 months ago

“Right now we have people who are happy to collect unemployment and not work. We have a problem with people working the system.”

The statement is absolutely true. I know of people in KC, Atlanta, Florida, and NYC that have done such. The LTE writer's criticism is that since there's no legitimate percentage attached to the statement, therefore it's a "half-truth"? Give me a break. How would such data be compiled and/or deemed accurate? Do you actually believe a pollster is gonna get honest responses to such a question?

Waste of an LTE, no logic involved whatsoever.

msezdsit 4 years, 9 months ago

"do you actually believe a pollster is gonna get honest responses to such a question?"

Then you have successfully proven that Lynn Jenkins is talking our her behind

jaywalker 4 years, 9 months ago

"Jenkins said in Columbus Wednesday that some people are happy to collect unemployment...."

Some people. She is correct. And you don't have a clue.

msezdsit 4 years, 9 months ago

"And you don't have a clue"

Great contribution. Immaturity abounds.

jaywalker 4 years, 9 months ago

Ya mean like a state rep "talking our (sic) her behind"?

MarcoPogo 4 years, 9 months ago

Okay, you two - it's a tie.

jaywalker 4 years, 9 months ago

Love ya, Marco.

msezdsit 4 years, 9 months ago

She was.

appleaday 4 years, 9 months ago

Only if you assume that those people are representative of all unemployed people.

John Hamm 4 years, 9 months ago

No, only that these people are the ones to whom Ms Jenkins refers. "Why should I go to work? I've unemployment for the next XX weeks?"

paulveer 4 years, 9 months ago

ibroke, I don't know what it makes you. Do you really expect us to believe that someone trying to game the system is going to blow it for himself by confessing this to you? Right. I do think that "Rt Wing Libertarian Neocon Fundamentalists" make stuff like this up, as Jenkins did, and call it facts.

bad_dog 4 years, 9 months ago

It's a bit hard to believe that any person interviewing a qualified applicant, would not contact the Kansas Dept. of Labor to report such responses. Wouldn't you? Doing so would likely lead to an investigation and even termination of benefits.

If a prospective employer fail to report such activity, it's on them. It is in the best interests of all employers to police such activity. More folks on unemployment for longer periods = higher unemployent insurance assessments for all employers in the state.

If you know about it, you too should report it. Or you could just come on here and make questionable, unverifiable allegations...

Phil Minkin 4 years, 9 months ago

There are crooked lawyers, but not all lawyers are crooks, a dishonest politician like Tom DeLay doesn't mean that all politicians extort money, the fact that there are a few unemployed people who like the benefit rather than a job doesn't apply to the vast majority who aren't desperate for the income and dignity of a job. Jenkins tarnishes the character of many good people by not recognizing that.

jaywalker 4 years, 9 months ago

Is that what she did? Was she talking about all unemployed? I highly doubt it.

Paul R Getto 4 years, 9 months ago

Legislation should not be based on anecdote.

voevoda 4 years, 9 months ago

I'm less concerned with a few lazy people living at the poverty level off unemployment benefits than I am with the well-being of all those diligent people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, who are trying to find employment in an over-saturated market, and who would face homelessness and starvation along with their families, but for unemployment benefits. Let's make a reasonable effort to distinguish the two, but don't begrudge the many deserving for the sake of the few undeserving.

I'd have more sympathy if the people who concur with Lynn Jenkins were actually facing destitution themselves because of the taxes they are paying to support the undeserving. But that's not the case. The people who object the loudest are the well-to-do, who aren't facing any hardship themselves as a result of providing support to the unemployed.

paulveer 4 years, 9 months ago

Thanks, V, well said.

tbaker 4 years, 9 months ago

So if I'm reading all this correctly, the comment Ms. Jenkins made has yet to be proven false.

Whats got everyone stirred up is the fact it hasn't been quantified yet. Curious....

Would it be safe to say that there is in fact a percentage of the population who is "happy to collect unemployment and not work?" Asuming there is, is there a threshold percentage where this is somehow socially acceptable / OK?

Regardless of how "right" she may be, she was stupid to say it. Nothing good comes from the comment. Obvious mistake. She should have said "pay checks are way better than unemployment checks."

lucky_guy 4 years, 9 months ago

So the system is setup that people draw unemployment for x number of weeks. Then they apply for jobs that they don't want to get in order to "game" the system. Hmmmm. Ok so I find that quite the norm and you righties are more than happy to elect the gammer in chief. I see no difference, except in scale, to someone on unemployment staying unemployed to take what that can get out of the system and billionaires moving their money offshore or buying a congressman or even a president to get a taxcut. Same only different.

George Lippencott 4 years, 9 months ago

Baloney

see: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/loyal-opposition/2012/sep/12/half-truths-lies-and-misrepresentation/

Dan Eyler 4 years, 9 months ago

I think Lynn Jenkins is right on the money in her comments. This isn't a right or left issue. It's common sense. We know there are lots of people not working because they don't have too. Someone is paying the bills for them. We don't need poll numbers to tell us this. It's human nature. That type of human needs to swift kick in backside. They need a serious attitude adjustment. That typically starts by removing any incentive not to work. But just listening to some of you demonstrate how easy it is for a person to get by with as little effort as possible and expect others to increase taxes to pay the their way. You're there to support their cause. Thanks Lynn for voicing the facts that we all are clearly aware of.

roadrunner 4 years, 9 months ago

Yes!! Lots and lots!! You can hardly walk two feet without running into one of "those" people!!! And really? Just where are the numbers to substantiate the claim being made... If someone could prove to me that the majority of people are milking the system, then we would shut up already!