Cavallo - I hear you on the NC state. In Ohio and Michigan, where I primarily deal with unemployment, you can be on it up to a year with federal extensions. I handle the unemployment benefits as part of my job with my company. Drivers routinely work for six or eight months - enough to qualify again, and then they do, indeed, go back on the dole. It's just a modified form of welfare.

It's obvious with several of the posters here that its realized ethics are part of the problem. No president from either part can fix that.

When I was 13 (o weekends), I would walk the neighborhood with a lawn mower and a can of gas to make some change. Later in the day I would walk the neighborhood with a bucket, sponge, soap and towels and wash cars for change. Meanwhile I got up at 0400-0500 every morning and deliver newspapers. When I could get a work permit I could finally make a minimum wage job working for the City of Fremont mowing circles around the 300-500 trees in the park. that would be my summer job for a couple years.

I couldn't wait for an opportunity to make some spending money. I was into building model planes, tanks and rockets and that was the only way I could support my hobby.

Now as a grownup...I have yet to see one kid stop by my house looking for an odd job to do. I don't even see lemonade stands. Only the kids in my daughters' 4H group seem to have any sort of motivation and work ethic. My kids know quite well...if they want something special...then they need to work for it.]

I'm only 43...those days aren't far behind me. I wonder where my generation screwed up in transmitting our work ethic onto our kids.

I guess we all just wanted to make life better for them forgetting that they need to make life better for themselves.

Nealep,

While 6% is high when it is you that doesn't have a job, compared to most countries it is not high at all. 6 people out of 100. If those were betting odds I would take them. That said, both the Reps and the Dems should be doing more to address it. Reason I asked the question that started this thread is that the rate seems so unevenly distributed. For instance, Payroll Accountants are in very high demand in my neck of the woods. Perhaps people should consider "migrating" to the jobs rather than hoping the jobs will come to them. I don't know the answer. Hopefully, whoever becomes our duely elected President will.

Cheers