I blame the President and the Democratic Party Controlled Senate and House of Representatives for not passing legislation prior to the death of Sen. Kennedy. To wit, bills dealing with comprehensive immigration reform, infrastructure repair and alternative energy.
Where are the jobs?
Consider:A windmill has 8,000 parts manufactured in the US and its fabrication creates many jobs, which cannot be outsourced. Good paying jobs.
I live in New Jersey where the roads are filled with an estimated million potholes, a perennial problem which must be addressed across the nation. Potholes, like corrosion, inflict expensive damage to automotive vehicles. And they are easy to fill.
Construction of a tunnel between NJ and NY would create thousands of jobs. About 10% of the chemicals manufactured in US were produced in the Garden State. And the pharmaceutical capital of the world was located in here.
There are reliable estimates of the number of jobs that can be created with the expenditure of $1 billion in construction; the actual cost of repairing the Brooklyn Bridge is roughly $1 billion.
Instead of worrying about offsets, Congress could have passed a financial transactional tax on the high speed trading in derivatives and used these funds to invest in American jobs.
I blame POTUS for failing to see that the GOP was intent on sabotaging his agenda. His meeting with George Will, Charles Krauthammer et al spoke volumes, and it clearly demonstrated his naiveté, in my opinion.
Where are the jobs?
Consider:A windmill has 8,000 parts manufactured in the US and its fabrication creates many jobs, which cannot be outsourced. Good paying jobs.
I live in New Jersey where the roads are filled with an estimated million potholes, a perennial problem which must be addressed across the nation. Potholes, like corrosion, inflict expensive damage to automotive vehicles. And they are easy to fill.
Construction of a tunnel between NJ and NY would create thousands of jobs. About 10% of the chemicals manufactured in US were produced in the Garden State. And the pharmaceutical capital of the world was located in here.
There are reliable estimates of the number of jobs that can be created with the expenditure of $1 billion in construction; the actual cost of repairing the Brooklyn Bridge is roughly $1 billion.
Instead of worrying about offsets, Congress could have passed a financial transactional tax on the high speed trading in derivatives and used these funds to invest in American jobs.
I blame POTUS for failing to see that the GOP was intent on sabotaging his agenda. His meeting with George Will, Charles Krauthammer et al spoke volumes, and it clearly demonstrated his naiveté, in my opinion.
6
Why is there no discussion of the role of immigration on minority unemployment? Basic supply and demand suggests that flooding a market with a supply of low-skilled workers will suppress wages and increase competition for jobs.
I suspect that much of the silence is political -- Democrats would like to double deal on these issues, both supporting immigration and at the same time pandering to African Americans and their belief that racial bias is the significant determining factor in their unemployment.
But how does racism explain unemployment when employers are choosing to hire one minority (Hispanics) over another minority (African Americans)? Especially when you consider that recent immigrant Hispanics are less likely than African Americans to be fluent and literate in English. Racial bias in hiring doesn't make sense when one non-white group is chosen over another, and this group is more complicated to employ due to language and cultural barriers.
For whatever the long-term value that immigration may have on economic growth, ignoring in a discussion on unemployment seems to demonstrate an ignorance of economics generally and a desire to pursue other political agendas.
I suspect that much of the silence is political -- Democrats would like to double deal on these issues, both supporting immigration and at the same time pandering to African Americans and their belief that racial bias is the significant determining factor in their unemployment.
But how does racism explain unemployment when employers are choosing to hire one minority (Hispanics) over another minority (African Americans)? Especially when you consider that recent immigrant Hispanics are less likely than African Americans to be fluent and literate in English. Racial bias in hiring doesn't make sense when one non-white group is chosen over another, and this group is more complicated to employ due to language and cultural barriers.
For whatever the long-term value that immigration may have on economic growth, ignoring in a discussion on unemployment seems to demonstrate an ignorance of economics generally and a desire to pursue other political agendas.
35
The perpetual rhetoric of progressives is that Black Americans,as a group, are victims of racism and that they are disadvantaged with poor educational and work skills, high unemployment, and high number with criminal records.
Then those same progressives complain of the stereotyping which, they perpetuate with their own rhetoric.
A new progressive approach should demand that individuals
1. get the best education and work skills possible
2.don't abuse drugs and alcohol
3. obey the law
4. don't have children until you can support them
5. don't consider yourself a hopeless victim since that gets you nowhere
Individuals who violate these rules are unlikely to be successful in any country in the world.
Then those same progressives complain of the stereotyping which, they perpetuate with their own rhetoric.
A new progressive approach should demand that individuals
1. get the best education and work skills possible
2.don't abuse drugs and alcohol
3. obey the law
4. don't have children until you can support them
5. don't consider yourself a hopeless victim since that gets you nowhere
Individuals who violate these rules are unlikely to be successful in any country in the world.
35
THE CRISIS Of unemployment among minority males is inexcusably high, one of the primary reasons being privatization of prisons and obligatory federal sentencing guidelines. As a taxpayer, I am outraged that the profits of corporations that run prisons for the benefit of their stockholders are placed ahead of US citizens in need of subsidized retraining to reenter the work force. It is for more economical and effective for minority males in prison for nonviolent crime to begin retraining to enter the workforce while serving their sentences than to pay exorbitant rates for the profit of private prisons and neglect the proven opportunity to help nonviolent criminals succeed in post-prison employment by receiving subsidized job training. Also it is far more reliable to have nonviolent prisoners successfully trained and practicing their jobs in anticipation of transitioning to work after completing their sentences. There is benefit to introduce early release programs for model prisoners who would be eligible to having their sentences reduced, as it will motivate those with both work and social skills to succeed while on probation or parole. i understand that such programs may be privatized, but favor subsidized job training as a far more positive administration of justice. Originally, the purpose of prison was to give the sentenced person time to reflect upon the mistakes that brought them there and to reform. Subsidized job training can move us toward those goals.
5
Minorities often grow up with inadequate social and educational opportunities. They’re incarcerated in disproportionate numbers and carry those scars for life. This racism is endemic. Candidates may avoid direct allusion to the problem, but they fold it, by implication, into racist references to immigrants. Murderers, rapists, drug dealers, and calves like cantaloupes: dog whistles all. And this justifies withholding funds for programs, which after all, mean bigger government, the Reagan curse.
When I saw the heading, I was reminded of another place, a town I knew so well, where my cousins outnumbered a high-school football squad. Derry was a prime example of gerrymandering and of withholding of good jobs and good housing. Phil Coulter told that story in “The Town I loved so Well,” a town where women had low paying jobs and men were forced to be stay at home dads:
In the early morning the shirt factory horn
called women from Creggan, the Moor and the Bog
While the men on the dole played a mother's role,
fed the children and then trained the dogs…
But he tells us that they got through it “For deep inside was a burning pride
in the town I loved so well.” Depriving so many of our fellow Americans of that kind of pride is one of the great sins of our times.
When I saw the heading, I was reminded of another place, a town I knew so well, where my cousins outnumbered a high-school football squad. Derry was a prime example of gerrymandering and of withholding of good jobs and good housing. Phil Coulter told that story in “The Town I loved so Well,” a town where women had low paying jobs and men were forced to be stay at home dads:
In the early morning the shirt factory horn
called women from Creggan, the Moor and the Bog
While the men on the dole played a mother's role,
fed the children and then trained the dogs…
But he tells us that they got through it “For deep inside was a burning pride
in the town I loved so well.” Depriving so many of our fellow Americans of that kind of pride is one of the great sins of our times.
4
“It created more than 260,000 temporary jobs for young people and adults.”
There are 1.4 million people aged 20 to 24 unemployed. The minimum wage is already too high for them. There is a crisis now and it will be catastrophic if the minimum wage is raised to $15. It would add hundreds of thousands if not millions to youth unemployment. Jobs programs employing a few hundred thousand would hardly make a dent in the problem. Any jobs program would have to be rationed. How would that be done? Would they be only for men, only for black men, only for inner city black men? Would that be fair to rural white women who also suffer from high unemployment?
There are 1.4 million people aged 20 to 24 unemployed. The minimum wage is already too high for them. There is a crisis now and it will be catastrophic if the minimum wage is raised to $15. It would add hundreds of thousands if not millions to youth unemployment. Jobs programs employing a few hundred thousand would hardly make a dent in the problem. Any jobs program would have to be rationed. How would that be done? Would they be only for men, only for black men, only for inner city black men? Would that be fair to rural white women who also suffer from high unemployment?
25
Front page story in the NYT today is how investors are buying up “fixer-uppers” (foreclosed homes from banks) and selling them at four times the price to low income buyers.
I bought one of these places in Georgia when I stayed there for two years volunteering at a free clinic. I knew enough plumbing, electrical, carpentry etc to make it livable.
Now that these banks have returned to the “too big too fail” category (well actually 40% bigger than 2008) they should put that money back in the community in teaching minorities job skills: state certified plumbers, electricians, carpentry, dry wallers, masons, painters, and so on. Not only can they fix up their own homes but be employed in those homes in their communities because as usual it’s the minorities who are being swindled by investors.
They will also have the jobs skills to green up all homes. Solar, wind turbines, insulation, foundations and structures resisting earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Then on to repair and replace our infrastructure.
As these ridiculous presidential campaigns spend hundreds of millions of dollars paying ad companies and media outlets for lies and hyperbole, the money could be better used in these states at community colleges and apprenticeships for jobs. These aren’t temporary “make work” jobs.
Bernie may not be able to get free public college tuition soon, but he could further Obama’s idea of free community colleges which ALSO include learning coding and other computer skills.
I bought one of these places in Georgia when I stayed there for two years volunteering at a free clinic. I knew enough plumbing, electrical, carpentry etc to make it livable.
Now that these banks have returned to the “too big too fail” category (well actually 40% bigger than 2008) they should put that money back in the community in teaching minorities job skills: state certified plumbers, electricians, carpentry, dry wallers, masons, painters, and so on. Not only can they fix up their own homes but be employed in those homes in their communities because as usual it’s the minorities who are being swindled by investors.
They will also have the jobs skills to green up all homes. Solar, wind turbines, insulation, foundations and structures resisting earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Then on to repair and replace our infrastructure.
As these ridiculous presidential campaigns spend hundreds of millions of dollars paying ad companies and media outlets for lies and hyperbole, the money could be better used in these states at community colleges and apprenticeships for jobs. These aren’t temporary “make work” jobs.
Bernie may not be able to get free public college tuition soon, but he could further Obama’s idea of free community colleges which ALSO include learning coding and other computer skills.
13
The solutions to unemployment have existed for a very long time, but as Harry Markopolos titled his book about Bernie Madoff and the SEC, "No One Would Listen". This is always what happens, anywhere in the world, when you don't have REAL leaders in your most important leadership positions, starting at the top (in our case) with the presidency. I know from direct experience that until the LEADERSHIP problem is solved (and, for many decades, it has been getting worse), we are headed for social problems (which will increase the severity of all our OTHER problems, including internationally) that will be far worse than anything we have now. The magnitude of the greed, feeling of privilege, incompetence, naivete, selfishness, and insecurity of those in our highest positions of leadership, authority, and policy-making, is staggering. YOU, the public, have allowed this tragedy to happen by your lack of active involvement with each other, and allowing yourselves to be so easily manipulated, but you have the power to change this by getting actively involved with each other, and in the governance of your country (with more than words). Think for yourselves, instead of being so lazy and waiting to be spoon-fed what to "think", and "do", by people who keep proving they have no interest in you, unless they think you can be of some benefit to them - they see you as "throwaways". As the old saying goes, question authority, find out who benefits, and follow the money.
15
Yes, minority unemployment is a crisis.
Yes, the subsidized work programs appear to have created a temporary employment situation that aided thousands.
But that's treating the symptoms, not the illness.
The core issues are the value of the skills learned and their applicability to better jobs down the road. "Better" in terms of both individual sense of worth and the opportunity, not guarantee for a middle class quality of life. In other words, the sustainability of the changes both for the individual and for society.
That requires a somewhat different commitment and set of priorities for the country. It's more akin to JFK vowing to put a man on the moon in ten years. It's a set of government initiatives, funded through taxes and re-prioritized budgets that sets a direction for the country. Our defense budget might shrink to only 3x the rest of the world, but we'd have reliable roads, bridges, power grids.
Society needs at least 20 years and trillions of dollars to upgrade infrastructures necessary to the quality of life and health of the economy of this country. Transportation, energy, shorelines, water quality.
All initiatives would require a range of labor skills to accomplish. All can be executed in a partnership between government and industry. Create jobs and the economic stimulus to upgrade our education system to meet the challenge. That will do more to provide our minority and other disadvantaged young for better lives.
Yes, the subsidized work programs appear to have created a temporary employment situation that aided thousands.
But that's treating the symptoms, not the illness.
The core issues are the value of the skills learned and their applicability to better jobs down the road. "Better" in terms of both individual sense of worth and the opportunity, not guarantee for a middle class quality of life. In other words, the sustainability of the changes both for the individual and for society.
That requires a somewhat different commitment and set of priorities for the country. It's more akin to JFK vowing to put a man on the moon in ten years. It's a set of government initiatives, funded through taxes and re-prioritized budgets that sets a direction for the country. Our defense budget might shrink to only 3x the rest of the world, but we'd have reliable roads, bridges, power grids.
Society needs at least 20 years and trillions of dollars to upgrade infrastructures necessary to the quality of life and health of the economy of this country. Transportation, energy, shorelines, water quality.
All initiatives would require a range of labor skills to accomplish. All can be executed in a partnership between government and industry. Create jobs and the economic stimulus to upgrade our education system to meet the challenge. That will do more to provide our minority and other disadvantaged young for better lives.
12
This piece should have been titled "The Continuing Crisis..." because black unemployment across the board has been and remains twice that of white unemployment. This disparity goes back decades. One of the reasons is the persistence of neighborhood segregation. Blacks remain concentrated in ghetto communities, but jobs have long ago moved to suburban and outlying areas. Lack of public transportation and outright employment discrimination further reduces urban employment opportunity.
But the report on subsidized work is encouraging. It's just occurring on too small a scale to have a real impact. The GOP certainly does little or nothing to end discrimination, and never supports aggressive efforts for low income scatter site housing, especially in predominantly white areas. So they should be shamed into supporting subsidized employment opportunities as a kind of "segregation tax."
The GOP has no problem forcing the poor to work for a welfare check, so why not offer real jobs with a federal subsidy? Plain and simple, we need a new, urban WPA. We can call it something else since that seems too much like the New Deal, but if the GOP continues to block any and all efforts to address inner city unemployment, then it's time to use the 'R' word because that what it is. And people wonder why the GOP can't attract minority voters?
But the report on subsidized work is encouraging. It's just occurring on too small a scale to have a real impact. The GOP certainly does little or nothing to end discrimination, and never supports aggressive efforts for low income scatter site housing, especially in predominantly white areas. So they should be shamed into supporting subsidized employment opportunities as a kind of "segregation tax."
The GOP has no problem forcing the poor to work for a welfare check, so why not offer real jobs with a federal subsidy? Plain and simple, we need a new, urban WPA. We can call it something else since that seems too much like the New Deal, but if the GOP continues to block any and all efforts to address inner city unemployment, then it's time to use the 'R' word because that what it is. And people wonder why the GOP can't attract minority voters?
22
The sad part is that we all have peers who work in our fields who should be unemployed. They have no vision, work ethic, creativity nor the aptitude to make change for the better of the company. We see the evidence of this daily. However these people rarely are fired, in retrospect, some are even rewarded with promotions and bonuses that they do not deserve. I never could understand why these people are so immune to the unemployment line. But when I look deeper (God knows I don't want to believe my own eyes) I can't understand how unintelligent white men continue to prosper when there are so many more qualified women and minorities ready to complete the task that these men can not. Not certain if we need government input in the workplace but what we do need is fairness in hiring practices and evaluations of employees. Just imagine how much more successful companies would be if they instituted fairness in hiring and termination practices.
18
As long as there is a physically identifiable American colored caste carrying the historical "badges and incidences of slavery" and the lingering burden of "separate and equal" no one notices nor cares about their plight. There is no minority unemployment crisis for a people who are stereotyped as being innately uniquely lazy, ignorant, immoral and violent.
Blacks have a specific racial caste problem, that can not be resolved by a benign broad based economic class solution. No one worked harder for less return than enslaved Africans. Historically blacks have neither boots to pull themselves up by nor boats that will rise with any economic tide. Providing employment subsidies is one way of attempting to balance the socioeconomic scale. State, county and municipal communities should know best how to most effectively deploy those funds. Stigmatizing this as big government welfare is unfair and immoral.
The federal income tax code provides deductions, credits, subsidies and lower tax rates. But only for certain select industries, transactions, sources of income, business entity structures, contracts and securities. Corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare that sends our jobs and their money overseas. One Ford Class Aircraft Carrier cost $12 billion. Speaker Paul Ryan, Leader Mitchell McConnell and Senator Marco Rubio have all been on the government employment and benefits welfare dole all of their lives.
"We did not land on Plymouth Rock. It landed on us." Malcolm X
Blacks have a specific racial caste problem, that can not be resolved by a benign broad based economic class solution. No one worked harder for less return than enslaved Africans. Historically blacks have neither boots to pull themselves up by nor boats that will rise with any economic tide. Providing employment subsidies is one way of attempting to balance the socioeconomic scale. State, county and municipal communities should know best how to most effectively deploy those funds. Stigmatizing this as big government welfare is unfair and immoral.
The federal income tax code provides deductions, credits, subsidies and lower tax rates. But only for certain select industries, transactions, sources of income, business entity structures, contracts and securities. Corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare that sends our jobs and their money overseas. One Ford Class Aircraft Carrier cost $12 billion. Speaker Paul Ryan, Leader Mitchell McConnell and Senator Marco Rubio have all been on the government employment and benefits welfare dole all of their lives.
"We did not land on Plymouth Rock. It landed on us." Malcolm X
10
This week an editorial about "The Crisis of Minority Unemployment".
Last May an editorial against Governor's funding proposal for Charter Schools: "A Costly Tax Break for Nonpublic Schools"
In December an editorial bemoaning the worth of a high school diploma:
"The Counterfeit High School Diploma"
Maybe the next editorial will connect the dots a little clearer: you want better employment outcomes? Break the public school monopoly on education.
Of course, this being an election year, watch the Democratic politicians line up to curry favor with public teacher unions. And watch the NYT endorse the Democratic nominee despite (because of?) their opposition to school choice.
So much easier to feign concern about the 'crisis of minority unemployment' than to actually support efforts to change the institutions that contribute to the crisis.
Last May an editorial against Governor's funding proposal for Charter Schools: "A Costly Tax Break for Nonpublic Schools"
In December an editorial bemoaning the worth of a high school diploma:
"The Counterfeit High School Diploma"
Maybe the next editorial will connect the dots a little clearer: you want better employment outcomes? Break the public school monopoly on education.
Of course, this being an election year, watch the Democratic politicians line up to curry favor with public teacher unions. And watch the NYT endorse the Democratic nominee despite (because of?) their opposition to school choice.
So much easier to feign concern about the 'crisis of minority unemployment' than to actually support efforts to change the institutions that contribute to the crisis.
11
Do we really believe we can go on having social peace to any degree when there are generations of minorities who are effectively locked out of chances to improve their life circumstances? When will we learn that we have built and tolerate a poisonous combination of dysfunctional schools, permanent unemployment, ghastly levels of violence, inferior medical standards, and family collapse - all in communities that understand they have been betrayed by the normal social and political workings of American life?
Can we not see that children growing up in such circumstances are rushed headlong into lives of fear, hopelessness and deepening despair? Many show characteristics of PTSD particularly because of what they are forced to endure on the streets of their communities.
Politicians will continue their putrid pontificating about the role of government in facing America's problems, while we continue to consign the lives of these children to bitter alienation. As they grow in urban, suburban or rural areas, they will manage their difficulties through self-numbing thanks to the easy availability of drugs, the escapism provided by violent entertainment, or aggression upon others due to the easy availability of guns. Are we really so stupid a culture to think these realities can continue without periodic explosions that, once put down, will yield anything more than a respite from "The Fire Next Time." Talk about Nero fiddling...
Can we not see that children growing up in such circumstances are rushed headlong into lives of fear, hopelessness and deepening despair? Many show characteristics of PTSD particularly because of what they are forced to endure on the streets of their communities.
Politicians will continue their putrid pontificating about the role of government in facing America's problems, while we continue to consign the lives of these children to bitter alienation. As they grow in urban, suburban or rural areas, they will manage their difficulties through self-numbing thanks to the easy availability of drugs, the escapism provided by violent entertainment, or aggression upon others due to the easy availability of guns. Are we really so stupid a culture to think these realities can continue without periodic explosions that, once put down, will yield anything more than a respite from "The Fire Next Time." Talk about Nero fiddling...
3
Teach a person to fish still applies. The subsidies, if you read carefully, lead towards skill/credentials in private sector jobs. This is not welfare. Employers and employees benefited, ergo, the economy.
29
Sigh. Yet again I read about a government program that was successful and designed to help the vulnerable in our society that was killed by Congressional Republicans. Honestly, I'm sick of them doing everything they can to hold the country back.
They would be voted out of office, but for two factors: first, their voters don't think - they are, instead, the "true believers" about whom Eric Hoffer so eloquently wrote in his book of the same name; and second, their districts are so gerrymandered that they are not vulnerable to losing office.
Here in California, the Republican Party has been marginalized to the point of near irrelevance. As a result, California is doing pretty well. It still has problems, such as disgraceful per-pupil public school funding, but overall I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Contrast it with Kansas, where Republicans rule, and the state is pretty much a total basket case.
When I was younger, I asked my parents - both of whom came of age in the Great Depression - why they disliked Republicans so much. They told me I'd understand when I got older. Boy, do I understand. Do I ever!
They would be voted out of office, but for two factors: first, their voters don't think - they are, instead, the "true believers" about whom Eric Hoffer so eloquently wrote in his book of the same name; and second, their districts are so gerrymandered that they are not vulnerable to losing office.
Here in California, the Republican Party has been marginalized to the point of near irrelevance. As a result, California is doing pretty well. It still has problems, such as disgraceful per-pupil public school funding, but overall I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Contrast it with Kansas, where Republicans rule, and the state is pretty much a total basket case.
When I was younger, I asked my parents - both of whom came of age in the Great Depression - why they disliked Republicans so much. They told me I'd understand when I got older. Boy, do I understand. Do I ever!
6
I believe what we are missing in all of this is preventing children from being born to mothers where there is no father in the home, as the fathers are out having sex with numerous women, where more fatherless children are growing up with women who are too indifferent to this, and what they are heaping on society. In reality, this crisis of minority unemployment is about the fact that there aren't going to be enough jobs in a country where most of the jobs are gone. You can't give someone a job when they can make hundreds a day pimping, selling drugs, guns, etc. They are not going to be happy with a $15 or $20 an hour job., and they would find those jobs are boring. Plus, many of them have a reading level at the 3rd. grade, if that. The liberals might as well give them a $100,000 a year government job with an ankle bracelet, as that is cheaper than being in and out of the court system with the cost of judges, lawyers, jail and killing each other. If you want to look at what is wrong with society in general, you need look no further than Kanye West, money, a little talent, and he wants to be the center of the universe. The narcissism that a liberal society has created is abominable, to say the least. That is the sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in currently.
20
All it takes is a ride around town to see the many Latinos building houses, cutting grass and doing other heavy labor to make me wonder where are all the unemployed young black males. And then I go into a slum and there they are, hanging around street corners and workin' the streets. Perhaps they have a transportation problem.
22
Let's see, minority set-aside programs for contracts with the U.S. government, intended to increase American minority participation in government contracting, are dominated by immigrants from India. They, in turn, are hiring immigrants from India, not American minorities.
Of course, at the low end of the pay scale -- which, incredibly, is much lower today than ever before -- illegal aliens are taking the jobs that manual laborers in America would have held.
It would be refreshing to see the next President, whomever he/she is, as well as our Congress, remove the undeserved minority set-asides in government contracting presently accorded recent legal immigrants, and crack down decisively on the employment of illegal aliens. Do that, and the American minority communities, as well as America, will benefit.
Of course, at the low end of the pay scale -- which, incredibly, is much lower today than ever before -- illegal aliens are taking the jobs that manual laborers in America would have held.
It would be refreshing to see the next President, whomever he/she is, as well as our Congress, remove the undeserved minority set-asides in government contracting presently accorded recent legal immigrants, and crack down decisively on the employment of illegal aliens. Do that, and the American minority communities, as well as America, will benefit.
17
Editorial: "In Chicago, as elsewhere, the crisis of permanent joblessness is concentrated in minority neighborhoods where it feeds street violence, despondency, health problems and a socially corrosive brand of hopelessness among the young."
The New York Times, as usual, gets it backward. It states that joblessness creates violence and hopelessness. The truth is that large numbers of children lack the benefits of a stable family structure because of the absence of large numbers of fathers. This lack of family structure and guidance leads to the many dysfunctions in the Black Community, including the high incidence of joblessness. In the early 50s when there were small welfare benefits and the Black Community generally had much stronger family structures, the incidence of unemployment, notwithstanding the heavy burden placed on Black Communities by Jim Crow laws, was much lower.
Notwithstanding the clear evidence of the importance of strong family structures to the economic welfare of Black Americans, the New York Times continues supporting misguided policies based upon imaginary factual predicates.
JD
The New York Times, as usual, gets it backward. It states that joblessness creates violence and hopelessness. The truth is that large numbers of children lack the benefits of a stable family structure because of the absence of large numbers of fathers. This lack of family structure and guidance leads to the many dysfunctions in the Black Community, including the high incidence of joblessness. In the early 50s when there were small welfare benefits and the Black Community generally had much stronger family structures, the incidence of unemployment, notwithstanding the heavy burden placed on Black Communities by Jim Crow laws, was much lower.
Notwithstanding the clear evidence of the importance of strong family structures to the economic welfare of Black Americans, the New York Times continues supporting misguided policies based upon imaginary factual predicates.
JD
21
In a country where most of the manufacturing jobs went overseas because of the fact that the companies were carrying 90% or more of the health care costs of the premiums for the workers and their families even though the workers had very high wages. Now, most of the jobs because of this, are either in tech, service jobs, or jobs that are really those that you must have innate ability to become a biologist, doctor, engineer, etc. Many of those jobs are being taken by those that have both the innate intelligence and family structure of Asian and Indian descent. You can't have children being born to drug addicted mothers, often young, and no father in the home and expect them to thrive physically, emotionally, or academically when the type of drug addiction in the womb often causes permanent damage. Welfare has made the male especially in the African community irrelevant to women only as a source of unprotected sex and the fathering of a dozen children or more who are not going to succeed. Doing away with the family structure will cause high black unemployment which will only become worse. Young mothers, single mothers, few fathers in the home, and drug addiction are a recipe for decades of disaster as we have seen in the last 40 years. Minneapolis has a high rate of poverty in the African American community, most who came up from Chicago, because children are being born with few fathers in the home, as a man can not be in a half dozen homes at once.
7
Blame Obama and his last 7 years of an anemic economic recovery.
12
Since the Sixties, at least, the same issues arise over and over. High unemployment among minorities, poor schools in urban areas, crime and incarceration rates. This has remain true despite tax cuts for the rich and affirmative action programs. Perhaps the diagnoses and the solutions need new and more honest starts.
4
So while millions of people are priced out of the job market by a liberal scorched earth campaign to raise the minimum wage to incomprehensible levels, the NY Times editorial board wants the government to hand jobs subsidies to a favored few hundred thousand people working for a favored companies.
And people wonder why our government is so corrupt.
And people wonder why our government is so corrupt.
11
In the past seven years, the US economy has added four million jobs.
In that same time period, we have allowed in seven million more *legal* immigrants, not including a few million refugees, illegal aliens, and H1B visa workers, while our own low skilled citizens, many of them African Americans, are unemployed and no longer have any hope of being part of the middle class.
The ancestors of our African American citizens not only broke no laws coming to this country, but did not come here willingly.
Should we not put their interests above that of immigrants, legal or otherwise?
Are they not the ones who should be at the front of the line for jobs that pay a living wage?
Or would it be 'racist' to put their needs first, because they are not the 'right' minority?
In that same time period, we have allowed in seven million more *legal* immigrants, not including a few million refugees, illegal aliens, and H1B visa workers, while our own low skilled citizens, many of them African Americans, are unemployed and no longer have any hope of being part of the middle class.
The ancestors of our African American citizens not only broke no laws coming to this country, but did not come here willingly.
Should we not put their interests above that of immigrants, legal or otherwise?
Are they not the ones who should be at the front of the line for jobs that pay a living wage?
Or would it be 'racist' to put their needs first, because they are not the 'right' minority?
21
I work in the inner city & see firsthand how working class jobs are disappearing. In our schools, custodial staff, maintenance, cafeteria workers, & security, all used to be salaried positions with health care benefits. In recent years, they have all been privatized & been made $10/hour jobs with no benefits or vacation or sick days.
The Times is strongly in favor of us accepting millions of low skilled workers each year who come into the country illegally, going to far as to insinuate that if you object, you are racist.
What the Times doesn't consider is exactly what happens to the illegal immigrants when they settle here. Perhaps because they imagine they're all nannies or nail stylists, since that is all the upper class see.
But the fact is that illegal immigrants settle in minority neighborhoods. There they are available to do jobs far more cheaply & without union representation. Privatization, jobs exported, & attacks on unions can happen precisely because our political establishment of both parties has decided that it is better for the elites to get cheap labor than for our working & middle classes to exist.
You can't have it both ways. You can't wring your hands about the "crisis of minority employment" while at the same time cheering on the influx of millions of low skilled laborers.
The crisis is not minority unemployment-that's a symptom The crisis is the establishment's abandonment of the middle & working classes in the name of $$$ for them & their pals.
The Times is strongly in favor of us accepting millions of low skilled workers each year who come into the country illegally, going to far as to insinuate that if you object, you are racist.
What the Times doesn't consider is exactly what happens to the illegal immigrants when they settle here. Perhaps because they imagine they're all nannies or nail stylists, since that is all the upper class see.
But the fact is that illegal immigrants settle in minority neighborhoods. There they are available to do jobs far more cheaply & without union representation. Privatization, jobs exported, & attacks on unions can happen precisely because our political establishment of both parties has decided that it is better for the elites to get cheap labor than for our working & middle classes to exist.
You can't have it both ways. You can't wring your hands about the "crisis of minority employment" while at the same time cheering on the influx of millions of low skilled laborers.
The crisis is not minority unemployment-that's a symptom The crisis is the establishment's abandonment of the middle & working classes in the name of $$$ for them & their pals.
28
It's hard to read this and not reflect on the idea that a proposed minimum wage increase will mightily exacerbate minority unemployment. If there is a segment of people that cannot get a job without a subsidy at the current pay scale imagine the problem if we go to $15/hour minimum wage.
We are paying the price for a number of sins including the migration of jobs out of the country and employers' lack of interest in training employees which kind of begs the question is this really an employer subsidy? Add on poor schools and students who are more interested in social media than learning. If our young people put as much effort into learning as they do social media they would be so much smarter.
Agree with NYT that the states should step in to underwrite this program. They pay out unemployment so they have a vested interest in driving unemployment down, they are constantly encouraging businesses to locate in their state and spending money to do it and they are closer to the problem.
We are paying the price for a number of sins including the migration of jobs out of the country and employers' lack of interest in training employees which kind of begs the question is this really an employer subsidy? Add on poor schools and students who are more interested in social media than learning. If our young people put as much effort into learning as they do social media they would be so much smarter.
Agree with NYT that the states should step in to underwrite this program. They pay out unemployment so they have a vested interest in driving unemployment down, they are constantly encouraging businesses to locate in their state and spending money to do it and they are closer to the problem.
6
Your article did not mention President Obama's input into all these programs that Congress rejected. And is it likely that a President Clinton would do anything about these huge problems?
3
This may just be the most hypocritical editorial in NYT history. You want to create a program that pays companies to hire people when we aren't even in a recession?
While at the same time you are supporting: A higher minimum wage (which I support but too), Not deporting people we know are illegal immigrants (even recent arrivals) and in fact you want to give them work permits and eventually citizenship, You haven't proposed decreasing the number of legal immigrants when we allow more than any other country by far (~1 million/year).
However in this piece you do acknowledge that more people that opportunity is a bad thing, which is a good start. I hope the realization may eventually change your stance on these issues and lead to the realization that the problems of the world are primarily driven by more people than opportunity and you will start advocating for at least trying to lower the rate of population growth in all countries.
While at the same time you are supporting: A higher minimum wage (which I support but too), Not deporting people we know are illegal immigrants (even recent arrivals) and in fact you want to give them work permits and eventually citizenship, You haven't proposed decreasing the number of legal immigrants when we allow more than any other country by far (~1 million/year).
However in this piece you do acknowledge that more people that opportunity is a bad thing, which is a good start. I hope the realization may eventually change your stance on these issues and lead to the realization that the problems of the world are primarily driven by more people than opportunity and you will start advocating for at least trying to lower the rate of population growth in all countries.
17
The reasons are as always multi-factorial. The Times is supportive of immigration, legal and illegal. Why don't the editorial board see there is a connection between allowing more than 1 million legal immigrants and hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to enter this country every year. It is way past time for a "time-out" on immigration to help our minority citizens.
We have "off-shored" millions of well paying blue collar jobs, yet we are told that this has no effect on employment. Just how stupid do you think we are?
H1-b visas have taken many high paying jobs away from Americans. Why are we allowing that?
Why does the Times not comprehend that study after study has shown that when more than 70% of black children are born into single parent families the results are almost always dire. These children are not encouraged to read or are read to. Their vocabulary is stunted. They do not have job skills or are encouraged to get an education, work hard, show up every day without fail. If they do study and do well they are called "Uncle Toms".
Black leadership tell them over and over they are victims and can not help themselves.
We have spent $ trillions on welfare and programs to help the poor, they have failed. Lets try to alter the above factors. What can we lose?
We have "off-shored" millions of well paying blue collar jobs, yet we are told that this has no effect on employment. Just how stupid do you think we are?
H1-b visas have taken many high paying jobs away from Americans. Why are we allowing that?
Why does the Times not comprehend that study after study has shown that when more than 70% of black children are born into single parent families the results are almost always dire. These children are not encouraged to read or are read to. Their vocabulary is stunted. They do not have job skills or are encouraged to get an education, work hard, show up every day without fail. If they do study and do well they are called "Uncle Toms".
Black leadership tell them over and over they are victims and can not help themselves.
We have spent $ trillions on welfare and programs to help the poor, they have failed. Lets try to alter the above factors. What can we lose?
29
"Crisis of Black Educational Failure" would have been a more accurate title.
The fact that the crisis is significantly worse for Blacks, and yet The Times uses the word "minority" speaks to a lack of courage in discussing these issues and hinders addressing the challenges. See also: The lack of such a crisis among the Asian minority.
The fact that the crisis is significantly worse for Blacks, and yet The Times uses the word "minority" speaks to a lack of courage in discussing these issues and hinders addressing the challenges. See also: The lack of such a crisis among the Asian minority.
16
What about the military? Good place to receive training in the basic skills, both social and economic.
7
People need to spend a day driving around Atlanta home construction sites. While we have the same problem of chronic employment among young black males as NYC or anyplace else, one cannot help but notice that our construction industry is dominated by Hispanic laborers. We have plenty of jobs for young American-born males who barely finish high school or don't finish at all, but they are not the ones taking those jobs. Go figure. I'm not sure how a government program is going to reverse that, unless perhaps the program involves the actual enforcement of immigration laws, which would force the construction industry to try harder to recruit our young males into the industry.
36
The costs to society of not hiring the unemployed far outweigh the costs of hiring them.
When society hires the unemployed, the investment pays off in gained productivity.
When society does not hire them, society pays a much greater cost in terms of broken homes, mental and physical illness, empty houses and ruined neighborhoods.
There is no reason not to do this, and every reason to do it. If administered properly (a big issue) it is a resounding success everywhere it is tried.
For how to do this, look into the Job Guarantee (JG) advocated by MMT.
When society hires the unemployed, the investment pays off in gained productivity.
When society does not hire them, society pays a much greater cost in terms of broken homes, mental and physical illness, empty houses and ruined neighborhoods.
There is no reason not to do this, and every reason to do it. If administered properly (a big issue) it is a resounding success everywhere it is tried.
For how to do this, look into the Job Guarantee (JG) advocated by MMT.
1
Jesus Christ! I hate seeing articles written like this that divide people by race. It serves no useful purpose and many of the comments prove it. You've given your article an attention grabbing headline that everyone is interpreting as a black male problem. But as a black male, I see it first as a YOUNG MALE problem because, based on your percentages, it affects 800,000 young white men, 400,000 young hispanic men, and 300,000 young black men. I suspect any dollars the government applies will likely be absorbed mostly by young white and hispanic men. But yet, your article and all the comments are hurling vitriol at the black community like black people are looking for handouts. I think you're coming from a good place with this article but there are other ways to report this "crisis".
10
We have crumbling infrastructure and people who want to work. Interest rates are at an all time low. What better way to take advantage of low interest rates solve both problems than a work program. I don't get how Congress can be blind, deaf and dumb.
7
The great pyramids were a "subsidized" project and for sure gave more than a generation work during that time for those people lucky enough to be a part of that program. I'm pretty sure that was built well before the 1930s and the famous period of time in this country the author refers where work programs were abound. I think America would look great with Pyramids in every state. It's on our currency so it fits with our values.
2
Another obstacle to minority employment is chronic resentment of authority. They brood over being asked to work, show up on time, treat customers with respect, etc. There is also little respect for those who work traditional jobs. This toxic to employment, even at its simplest level.
As noted by others, too many grow up without witnessing a daily work ethic and its requirements.
Like some many other problems afflicting these communities, political correctness keeps these communities from hearing the painful truths that would help them.
As noted by others, too many grow up without witnessing a daily work ethic and its requirements.
Like some many other problems afflicting these communities, political correctness keeps these communities from hearing the painful truths that would help them.
20
If the minimum wage is increased to $15.00 per hour you can expect this problem to get worse, not better. Already you can see the increased use of automation to displace entry level workers in many businesses, most notably fast food and retail checkout. WalMart can now use one employee to oversee 10+ automated checkout stands displacing nine workers with one. Do you not think this will continue and expand? Entry level jobs are the first ring on the ladder to financial self-sufficiency if they are reduced in number, where are these workers to find jobs? Someone should ask you esteemed columnist Dr. Krugman this question.
17
The chronic unemployment of minorities is a crisis issue for the US economy. This is an "iceberg" problem of gargantuan proportions. It is not just that these people use public services. More importantly, they are not building careers that stabilize communities meaning they will always be behind the economic curve. They are not consumers of the goods that companies want to produce and sell, meaning a direct loss to GDP. But it perpetuates the non-virtuous cycle of poverty and lack of education, creating a growing problem for the future. Every American should realize that it is in their self interest to do something about this - it's the right thing to do, for them and for us.
3
Thanks NY Times. 51 years ago today, Malcolm was assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom. Dawud Walid reminded me last night the way Malcolm loved black people. The heart of white racism is an apathy or a sadism at the thought of black children. Black boys are children. They are not evil. They are not inherently criminal. I have sons. They, like most young men, often do stupid things, but I tell you, I know their hearts. They give and they love to give and it not be broadcast to the world. That is when they give the most. They seek to suffer for the pleasure of their mother and even help the old man out now and then. My boys work and go to school. But my boys are special (to me). Black boys are human beings and it is our society that shows a deep lack of humanity when we turn our backs on children just because of the pigmentation of their skin.
4
What is sad is that the very voters who support Hillary Clinton and won Nevada for her are the black citizens who are voting against their best interests. Nothing will change under her reign and to think that political change could occur with Bernie Sanders in charge but not getting a chance because the black voters will not support him is painful beyond belief.
Even hanging on to the myth that President Obama has helped turn our country around in any way does not allow many voters to face the real reasons for how black people are treated in their country regarding jobs, education, incarceration, etc.
It is difficult to accept what we will have to live with under a Clinton in charge, for all of us. Our country is in real trouble.
Even hanging on to the myth that President Obama has helped turn our country around in any way does not allow many voters to face the real reasons for how black people are treated in their country regarding jobs, education, incarceration, etc.
It is difficult to accept what we will have to live with under a Clinton in charge, for all of us. Our country is in real trouble.
7
The vast majority of these people are unemployable, they know nothing that anyone is willing to pay for.
The makework programs the NYT recommends are just that. Until these people decide that they have to aquire some skill employers want they will stay where they are.
In the future with the advent of AI and Machine Learning many jobs will be going away permanently. There is even a robot that can do the job of an anesthesiologist unassisted by a human.
So if it's any consolation to minorities you are going to have lots of company in unemployment very soon and it will be the no longer needed people of all colors.
The makework programs the NYT recommends are just that. Until these people decide that they have to aquire some skill employers want they will stay where they are.
In the future with the advent of AI and Machine Learning many jobs will be going away permanently. There is even a robot that can do the job of an anesthesiologist unassisted by a human.
So if it's any consolation to minorities you are going to have lots of company in unemployment very soon and it will be the no longer needed people of all colors.
20
Minoriteies could solve this problem for the next generation by not having so many children out of any sort of familial relationship. Its the giant, pink, polka-dotted elephant in the room that none of the feel good liberals want to address.
19
The title of the article is misleading. It should really be, "Crisis of African-American Unemployment". For historical legacy reasons, African-American have been give tremendous amounts of assistance in the form of affirmative action for education, employment, government contracts, welfare benefits, etc. And yet, the difference between African-American employment rates compared to other racial/ethnic groups is higher than it has ever been. Cause = Effect?
Is it a cultural thing? Quick: name a famous black athlete, black actor, black singer. Now, Quick: name a famous black CEO, black tech entrepreneur, black scientist (besides DeGrasse-Tyson), black economist.
IT IS a cultural issue. There is something wrong with the current state of black culture. BUT, culture is a manufactured construct. The causes of which are far too complex for discussion here. But clearly, band-aid solutions to give folks jobs that could not otherwise exist is not the sustainable long-term solution.
When people of all political persuasions, and the leaders of the African-American community can acknowledge that it is a cultural issue, then we can all have an honest and constructive conversation on how best to change the culture of African-Americans to focus on educational achievement, wealth creation, social responsibility.
Is it a cultural thing? Quick: name a famous black athlete, black actor, black singer. Now, Quick: name a famous black CEO, black tech entrepreneur, black scientist (besides DeGrasse-Tyson), black economist.
IT IS a cultural issue. There is something wrong with the current state of black culture. BUT, culture is a manufactured construct. The causes of which are far too complex for discussion here. But clearly, band-aid solutions to give folks jobs that could not otherwise exist is not the sustainable long-term solution.
When people of all political persuasions, and the leaders of the African-American community can acknowledge that it is a cultural issue, then we can all have an honest and constructive conversation on how best to change the culture of African-Americans to focus on educational achievement, wealth creation, social responsibility.
16
I am confused about what program they are talking about. Programs exactly like what is described still exist under The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and through TANF programs in certain states. They provide short-term subsidized employment to out-of-school and out-of-work young people between the ages of 16 and 24. Most are placed at businesses already looking to hire who are able to train disadvantaged youth for free.
4
The staggering problem of chronic unemployment among minority men was starkly presented in a report from the Great Cities Institute that shows minority men do not want to work.
12
First, why are we surprised that the voters find Jeb Bush and the "establishment" politicians wanting? Second, under-educated and unemployed people are not "free" for the rest of us. The services government provide to all citizens (e.g., national defense, schools, and roads) cost money. The more unemployed and low-paid people, the higher the eventual cost to those who have good incomes. "It only cost a little more to go third class."
2
The United States boosted employment in China and other Far East countries by shifting millions of light manufacturing jobs out of the USA to that part of the world. Now, enact laws that bring those jobs back, and enact other laws that prohibits or strongly limits US corporations from transferring work from this country to another country.
As it is, the USA represents one of a few incidents of a nation surrendering its capacity to protect the lives and livelihood of its citizens without a shot ever being fired. At the same time, it will limit the disgraceful money that flows from the accounts of US corporations to the pockets of US politicians.
The USA started a downward slide in the early 1970s through the simple act of disregarding the wherewithal of a majority of its citizens. Its not hard to see that it's time to straighten up and fly right!
As it is, the USA represents one of a few incidents of a nation surrendering its capacity to protect the lives and livelihood of its citizens without a shot ever being fired. At the same time, it will limit the disgraceful money that flows from the accounts of US corporations to the pockets of US politicians.
The USA started a downward slide in the early 1970s through the simple act of disregarding the wherewithal of a majority of its citizens. Its not hard to see that it's time to straighten up and fly right!
6
Reality check until government stops rewarding companys to out source jobs that people retire from now problem will continue. Government spends billions on imports that use to be made in usa by corperations who out sourced jobs now. These products don't reduce the cost for government because companys continue to sell them at cost it cost to make them in usa only drives up profits to corperations. Mean while the manufacturing in world has double with the computer age ,most which gone to china plants. We have unemployment problem because of globilzation . We have no central government that controls cost by rewarding manufacturing in usa only rewarding wall street profits
3
Or we could get out of GATT/WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, and kill the TPP, TTIP and TISA currently being negotiated. The idea is not to end trade but to replace them with fair trade which would force the return of manufacturing to these shores.
The cure for unemployment is a growing economy and that means real jobs- not make work subsidies. Moving people into the workforce also means new revenue for Main Street and the government treasury.
When we made things in America a person could support a family on one income with a middle class lifestyle, own their own home, save for retirement and help their kids get launched into adulthood. Now over 60% of our households cannot handle an unexpected $1,000 expense.
One of the great myths of America is how big our Middle Class is. Politicians always talk about the Middle Class, but most are working class or working poor. The best thing we can do for any of our people struggling is to grow our economy and protect consumers from predatory capitalism.
The cure for unemployment is a growing economy and that means real jobs- not make work subsidies. Moving people into the workforce also means new revenue for Main Street and the government treasury.
When we made things in America a person could support a family on one income with a middle class lifestyle, own their own home, save for retirement and help their kids get launched into adulthood. Now over 60% of our households cannot handle an unexpected $1,000 expense.
One of the great myths of America is how big our Middle Class is. Politicians always talk about the Middle Class, but most are working class or working poor. The best thing we can do for any of our people struggling is to grow our economy and protect consumers from predatory capitalism.
7
I was on the Board of my co-op for two years. The managing agency, Prudential Douglas Elliman, informed us that half of all applicants for jobs in building services cannot pass a criminal background check or cannot pass a drug test. These are jobs that do not require a college degree nor special skills, in most cases. They are also union jobs that can pay $50,000 with full benefits including a pension plan.
There isn't a lack of jobs. There is a lack of non-drug addicted, non-criminals to fill the jobs that are available.
There isn't a lack of jobs. There is a lack of non-drug addicted, non-criminals to fill the jobs that are available.
15
Aren't most immigrants minorities these days? And aren't most undocumented workers also minorities? What happens when you keep pouring milk into a cup? That's right, there is to much in the cup and it overflows leaving the option of sucking the milk off the table but nobody wants to do that so the milk left on the table that spilled is now useless. Do you think it's possible we can get the President to go around congress and create a program to find all that milk that spilled and get it back into the milk container so it can have another chance of being poured into a cup. Good luck with that. Seems like it's a better idea to just not overfill the cup to begin with otherwise you end up with a lot of spilled milk that is now left to be sucked up, wiped away or left to evaporate back into the ether.
BUT on the other hand............
Who really cares about the spilled milk anyways? When you not only have millions of gallons of milk but also millions of cows to make more milk, what if you just keep overflowing your cup every single time you fill it? Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging (and willing to work) to have an economy and country that is vibrant, growing and able to provide financial security for those willing to work for it. So we need new milk pourers on the side who can replace current sideline pourers who have been waiting for a chance to become a full fledge active pourer to overfill the cups.
But who is going to drink the milk?
BUT on the other hand............
Who really cares about the spilled milk anyways? When you not only have millions of gallons of milk but also millions of cows to make more milk, what if you just keep overflowing your cup every single time you fill it? Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging (and willing to work) to have an economy and country that is vibrant, growing and able to provide financial security for those willing to work for it. So we need new milk pourers on the side who can replace current sideline pourers who have been waiting for a chance to become a full fledge active pourer to overfill the cups.
But who is going to drink the milk?
2
Aahh yes... 2010 and the influx of JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! Nope, sorry, not falling for that again. As long as congress is run by Republicans we will see nothing done on the employment front unless there is some Pork for the fat cats. Mitch the turtle, would rather watch the world burn. (literally in climate change)
A "War on infrastructure" would be a great thing to set America right for the next decade.
But nobody (serious peoples) wishes to make the BIG steps. Only little nibbles are allowed now. Don't dream big. Be practical. We know that nothing can get done so we shouldn't try.
Maybe we will get a bridge passed. YEA!! Be happy!
...or not!
#NotMeUs
Get! Out! and Vote!
A "War on infrastructure" would be a great thing to set America right for the next decade.
But nobody (serious peoples) wishes to make the BIG steps. Only little nibbles are allowed now. Don't dream big. Be practical. We know that nothing can get done so we shouldn't try.
Maybe we will get a bridge passed. YEA!! Be happy!
...or not!
#NotMeUs
Get! Out! and Vote!
1
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 25.7 million foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor force. Nearly half (48.3 percent) of the foreign-born labor force is Hispanic, and almost one-quarter (24.1 percent) is Asian, compared with 9.9 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively, of the native-born labor force. Most foreign-born workers are citizens or legal residents, but according to the Pew Research Center, “Unauthorized immigrants make up 5.1% of the U.S. labor force. In the U.S. labor force, there were 8.1 million unauthorized immigrants either working or looking for work in 2012.”
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/forbrn.nr0.htm
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/forbrn.nr0.htm
11
There are lots of jobs agencies, as another person pointed out in an earlier comment. But few intensive skill-development programs help people learn sale-able skills. There are few effective entrepreneurship programs that I can see, anywhere. The best one is actually Shark Tank!
Job Corps has proved in many places to be an excellent place for kids to develop credentials and career plans. It is a model that should be used for many more people--who are beyond the age criteria--in minority and other communities.
Help people learn how to add value. They can do it in a career. They can do it in meeting a demand or solving a problem that needs solving. Or creating beauty or other social goods. There are far too many agencies trying to get people to work immediately, rather than thinking about longer term investment in human beings, the planet and our societies. We need investments in social goods: beauty, environmental protections and caretaking, infrastructure upgrading, fun activities, learning opportunities, schools, many other things.
I once asked someone from an immigrant community which proliferated small restaurants and shops, how all those businesses could stay afloat. He told me that the ethnic community members patronize each business. They have lunch at one place on Monday, another on Tuesday, etc. So everyone can survive.
Communities do best in face to face encounters. It is not having the cheapest product, economics must be inclusive: revolutionary idea.
Job Corps has proved in many places to be an excellent place for kids to develop credentials and career plans. It is a model that should be used for many more people--who are beyond the age criteria--in minority and other communities.
Help people learn how to add value. They can do it in a career. They can do it in meeting a demand or solving a problem that needs solving. Or creating beauty or other social goods. There are far too many agencies trying to get people to work immediately, rather than thinking about longer term investment in human beings, the planet and our societies. We need investments in social goods: beauty, environmental protections and caretaking, infrastructure upgrading, fun activities, learning opportunities, schools, many other things.
I once asked someone from an immigrant community which proliferated small restaurants and shops, how all those businesses could stay afloat. He told me that the ethnic community members patronize each business. They have lunch at one place on Monday, another on Tuesday, etc. So everyone can survive.
Communities do best in face to face encounters. It is not having the cheapest product, economics must be inclusive: revolutionary idea.
2
We don't seem to have a problem employing immigrants. They've taken over construction in the South. Tile installation, landscaping, sheetrock,, probably farming, as well, are all majority Hispanic.
What does that say?
What does that say?
34
That those who are willing to work for less than you can live on will be hired before those who aren't?
5
That we're allowing too many "immigrants".
7
I assume you mean the answer to your question to be that the large numbers of unemployed young adults do not have adequate motivation and/or work ethic. That is, it's "their fault." Nonetheless, even were that true, if the employment subsidy works, we should use it to mitigate the problem.
Just wait and see how bad black unemployment will become when you raise the minimum wage to $15/hr (attracting better applicants to every job), and legalize 11,000,000 additional low-skilled workers and open the borders for millions more.
37
Fine, but where is the help for long term unemployed people over 55? NYT itself has admitted that women over 55 are the largest group of long term unemployed and unemployable in the US, yet this group deserves less help than younger people, who could join the military??
12
While clearly there is a separate issue with older long-term unemployed people, that should not take away from the topic at hand. You cannot compare the plight of middle-aged and seniors (especially if white or asian) to that of...young black males. Seriously?
Entire communities are not in 'danger' because of wide swathes of older women being unemployed. But communities ARE in danger when that group is young black males who have no constructive ways to fill their time. It is in our own selfish interest to ensure that we provide young black males with real options to grow intellectually, and to contribute to society.
And btw, 'joining the military' should not have to be anyone's only option. The military is nothing but a brainwashing institution that targets the poor and educated for recruits, knowing they'll be the ones put on the front lines, and dying for the U.S.' various wars (er...'defense' missions).
Entire communities are not in 'danger' because of wide swathes of older women being unemployed. But communities ARE in danger when that group is young black males who have no constructive ways to fill their time. It is in our own selfish interest to ensure that we provide young black males with real options to grow intellectually, and to contribute to society.
And btw, 'joining the military' should not have to be anyone's only option. The military is nothing but a brainwashing institution that targets the poor and educated for recruits, knowing they'll be the ones put on the front lines, and dying for the U.S.' various wars (er...'defense' missions).
2
Have these young black men no responsibility for their lot?
Perhaps if they had bothered to avail themselves of the free education offered to them (at taxpayer expense) they would have at least minimal qualifications for employment. Then they wouldn't need special, subsidized jobs - also at taxpayer expense.
Perhaps if they had bothered to avail themselves of the free education offered to them (at taxpayer expense) they would have at least minimal qualifications for employment. Then they wouldn't need special, subsidized jobs - also at taxpayer expense.
29
Thank you illegal immigrants. Perhaps one day our black population will wake up to the crimes committed against them by progressive ideology.
35
Progressive ideology? I thought it was Republicans who touted "right to work." Does that only apply against unionized workers?
When you correct for class, do poor white men do any better than poor black men, or middle-class white men do any better than middle-class black men? This entire article looks like it's spinning what everyone knows: poverty is racially disproportionate. But disproportionality is not the real problem: the real problem is that poverty exists in this rich nation.
18
Somewhere in Texas, there's an illegal immigrant getting out of the back of a semi-trailer. He's probably uneducated and can't speak English. He doesn't have the luxury of a job subsidy program. That person will probably have a job within the week...
34
And somewhere on a golf course, there's a president who issued an illegal executive order mandating that this illegal get not just a job, but free education, free housing, free food, free healthcare, free legal representation, and pile of free money- all out of your pocket
13
If you're completely subsidized by the government, why would you look for work?
19
First of all, M., this is a work program. No one is suggesting paying people not to work.
Secondly, it pays very little. I assume you still try to get a better job, despite having a job. Well, the same idea holds here.
Though they are working, they will have every incentive to try to get a better job, just like you.
The difference is, that now that they are employed, they have a chance of getting hired by the private sector. The private sector does not like hiring unemployed people.
People like being employed, as long as the work isn't too bad. Ever wonder why millionaires still go to work everyday? People like to feel useful and be part of society. No one likes sitting at home doing nothing.
Secondly, it pays very little. I assume you still try to get a better job, despite having a job. Well, the same idea holds here.
Though they are working, they will have every incentive to try to get a better job, just like you.
The difference is, that now that they are employed, they have a chance of getting hired by the private sector. The private sector does not like hiring unemployed people.
People like being employed, as long as the work isn't too bad. Ever wonder why millionaires still go to work everyday? People like to feel useful and be part of society. No one likes sitting at home doing nothing.
1
Your comment only makes sense when you also believe that individuals have no inherent self respect and can develop none. Psychology teaches us that this lack happens readily in most people when they are depressed, a condition that easily develops when you are trapped in a lifetime context of family and social learned helplessness. We are not just what we make of ourselves but what society allows us to be. The brain power and talents of women that we have wasted for millennia attests to that externally, socially engineered lack of development.
No one is completely subsidized by the government who is of working age.
1
The Corporation for National Service - AmeriCorps*VISTA (federal) *State. The "stateside Peace Corps" - A full/part-time volunteer position of 6/9/12-months wherein a modest living allowance is paid. At the successful completion of the agreed upon time, an educational grant is awarded.
When applying for government jobs, preference is given over other non-Veteran applicants with same skill set.
Expand this program and adjust as necessary to allow to accommodate. In doing so, the federal/state government would work hand-in-hand with the non-profits. The non-profits would get assistance needed, participants gain valuable work experience and it looks great on an application.
When applying for government jobs, preference is given over other non-Veteran applicants with same skill set.
Expand this program and adjust as necessary to allow to accommodate. In doing so, the federal/state government would work hand-in-hand with the non-profits. The non-profits would get assistance needed, participants gain valuable work experience and it looks great on an application.
4
And where has the first minority president been for seven years while his fellow minorities have foundered in the unemployment lines? Obama brags about 5% unemployment, yet blacks and Hispanics have not realized any of the benefits. Yet they would vote for Obama again in a heartbeat, simply because of his race. Just who has taken who for the proverbial ride?
15
You missed the point. The successful work program was discontinued by the Republican Congress.
2
One wonders if you bothered to read the article or if your knee-jerk, reflexive response to any story about any problem is to---wait for it!---blame Obama! Because, as you know, Obama!
The Recovery Act of 2009 included this relatively small, public/private partnership. Do you recall who occupied the Oval Office in 2009? It was Barack Obama, who was attempting to save the U.S. economy from falling off the economic cliff he inherited from his predecessor. Do you recall who let this successful little public/private partnership die? It was congressional Republicans.
The President's Infrastructure Bank Bill, which would have been a public/private partnership that would have created, in its minimal form, over two million jobs while providing a rocket boost to a dragging economy and actually working on our rotting infrastructure, never even got a hearing from Boehner and the U.S. House. Indeed, following the Tea Party infestation, nothing the president proposed got a hearing in the House. Nothing.
Study up and get back to us when you take a problem such as this seriously and want to seriously contribute to a conversation about it. If you stay in your "Obama is to blame for the sun coming up" mode, crawl over to Breitbart---I think you'll find your cousins over there.
The Recovery Act of 2009 included this relatively small, public/private partnership. Do you recall who occupied the Oval Office in 2009? It was Barack Obama, who was attempting to save the U.S. economy from falling off the economic cliff he inherited from his predecessor. Do you recall who let this successful little public/private partnership die? It was congressional Republicans.
The President's Infrastructure Bank Bill, which would have been a public/private partnership that would have created, in its minimal form, over two million jobs while providing a rocket boost to a dragging economy and actually working on our rotting infrastructure, never even got a hearing from Boehner and the U.S. House. Indeed, following the Tea Party infestation, nothing the president proposed got a hearing in the House. Nothing.
Study up and get back to us when you take a problem such as this seriously and want to seriously contribute to a conversation about it. If you stay in your "Obama is to blame for the sun coming up" mode, crawl over to Breitbart---I think you'll find your cousins over there.
1
Success Academy in NYC works hard to educate minority kids to help them to have a better future. But forces supported by NYT are against its effort.
14
Can you elaborate on your last point?
There is so much work that needs doing. Paying people in subsidized jobs to do that work makes sense because it creates velocity in an economy. When people have money to spend, they will spend it. When they don't have money, they will find illicit means to make it, but with that illegality, come other degradations.
Congressionals need to take off their ideological blinders, and look at what actually works for people. If the current crop cannot, voters must oust them in favor of people who can roll up their sleeves and learn what actually works.
Congressionals need to take off their ideological blinders, and look at what actually works for people. If the current crop cannot, voters must oust them in favor of people who can roll up their sleeves and learn what actually works.
5
Didn't Pelosi assure us that unemployment benefits were the greatest economic stimulus ever? If that was true, wouldn't big cities be booming?
6
Just a couple weeks ago, there was an article making fun of a presidential candidate for claiming the official unemployment numbers dramatically understate reality. When it serves political purpose, the same newspaper is happy to report a crisis. Fascinating to observe.
22
White Americans moved to suburbs from cities.
American jobs moved from cities to China and Mexico.
Poor Americans moved into cities to subsidize white Americans move to suburbs
White Americans subsidize Poor Americans in cities with no industries
A devil's bargain made to enrich a few.
American jobs moved from cities to China and Mexico.
Poor Americans moved into cities to subsidize white Americans move to suburbs
White Americans subsidize Poor Americans in cities with no industries
A devil's bargain made to enrich a few.
4
Poor Americans aren't subsidizing anyone. How can they?
1
why not just pay them FOREVER? oh, we do that already, its called welfare
18
Not true since the 1990s.
2
Advocating for high, $15/hr, minimum wage. Check.
Advocating for illegal immigration. Check.
Advocating against charter schools and school choice. Check.
Result? Despair over "The crisis of minority unemployment".
Liberal policies don't occur in a vacuum, there are real world consequences.
Advocating for illegal immigration. Check.
Advocating against charter schools and school choice. Check.
Result? Despair over "The crisis of minority unemployment".
Liberal policies don't occur in a vacuum, there are real world consequences.
31
In the late 1970s, I ran an employment training program under CETA (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) that gave start-up jobs to high school drop-outs aged 16-21. They not only had "real jobs," but we also gave them access to GED education and a Class 2 truck driver license. Years later, I was stopped on the street by one of the early program participants. "I just want to shake your hand," he said, "because you gave me the start I needed to get my life going." The CETA program, of course, was one of the casualties of the Reagan administration. It worked back then, and it can and should work again now, when it is so needed.
97
The Workforce Investment Act, now the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, still does these exact things, and it still works! There is hope!
2
My husband and I are lucky enough to work in a field where we see and repair many WPA and CCC projects. The workmanship, such as the masonry, is impeccable. You can't find modern buildings with the beautiful and careful pointing between the stones, the imaginative decorative metal work, or the sturdy log construction. Who built these wonderful buildings which are so associated with our state and national parks? Poor, unemployed young men with no training, no training until they arrived on the sites and were taught these skills and crafts.
Today our national parks and state parks are in crisis because of budget cuts. At the same time young people are unemployed. Why not start the WPA and CCC again? Teach people skills and save our beautiful parks at the same time.
Today our national parks and state parks are in crisis because of budget cuts. At the same time young people are unemployed. Why not start the WPA and CCC again? Teach people skills and save our beautiful parks at the same time.
21
The causes of revolutionary high unemployment among minority men, especially for African-American men, have many siblings, but the father of them all is institutional racism.
This institutional racism includes a racism-inspired poor public education system, racially motivated policing (e.g., Ferguson, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; etc.) and a rigged/racist-based economic system to name a few of America's racism-inspired traditions. America's original sin continues in the form of its contemporary sin.
This institutional racism includes a racism-inspired poor public education system, racially motivated policing (e.g., Ferguson, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; etc.) and a rigged/racist-based economic system to name a few of America's racism-inspired traditions. America's original sin continues in the form of its contemporary sin.
5
Bravo.
1
We're a nation of victims.
6
New York spent $19,076 per student in the 2011 fiscal year, as compared to the national average of $10,560.
Next excuse?
Next excuse?
7
Black Unemployment has many causes to include the illegals that are not deported and the Democrats approval of the Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1965. Then the Clinton approval of the WTO & NAFTA.
The Democrats are largely responsible for substituting the availability of good jobs for welfare programs like this NYT advocacy for subsidies.
Now Obama wants to make it worse by the approval of the TTP which will take out more jobs.
for some odd reason blacks haven't figured it out yet.
The Democrats are largely responsible for substituting the availability of good jobs for welfare programs like this NYT advocacy for subsidies.
Now Obama wants to make it worse by the approval of the TTP which will take out more jobs.
for some odd reason blacks haven't figured it out yet.
20
"Work reduces alienation?" From a Marxian premise "work" as defined by modern capitalism, produces alienation. Anyhow, that for the textbooks; in the real world of todays urban America, minority small businesses flourish, where "minority" covers not just blacks (and Hispanic) males, but also poor Asian migrants, Bangladeshis and the labor-class from India and nations in Africa. These other minorities don't necessarily push for jobs or subsidies, but set up small businesses and tend to hire people from within their own ethnic circles. Shouldn't the overwhelmingly large segment of black males also be similarly encouraged to own small businesses, instead of historically depending on near-slave labor and near-slave wage jobs?
5
Many jobs today require education. They are technical and medical and not labor. Unfortunately many people are not prepared for today's jobs.
4
"Work reduces alienation"?Working for less than a living wage surely increases anger and alienation. Talk to fast-food workers on the picket lines and large national demonstrations, wilodcat strikes of recent days.
7
The tangible, economic benefits of helping people get into the workforce have been successful since FDR came into office, and that’s the problem. This is brought into sharp focus today with the rejection of the highly successful employment subsidy program from President Obama.
Republicans won’t let themselves be associated with anything that acknowledges the achievements of democrat’s successes, especially President Obama, because it makes them worry about losing votes.
In 1990 President Bush launched the Points of Light Foundation to promote private, non-governmental solutions to social issues. The foundation however, foundered under legitimate criticisms.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of getting people back to work is the immeasurable dignity it instills in them. Again, FDR knew this and when World War II broke out, Americans were willing to fight and die for their country and come home after the war to build the greatest country in the world. A far cry from the Cheney, Rumsfeld creation of a volunteer army armed with the most powerful weapons in the world, yet coming home and tragically committing suicide in numbers far greater than ever imagined. Yes, President Bush did try to help veterans find work, but regaining their dignity is a long process.
Helping anyone, especially in minority communities, get into the workforce, should be a bi-partisan effort that all the presidential candidates must weigh in on … with specifics.
Republicans won’t let themselves be associated with anything that acknowledges the achievements of democrat’s successes, especially President Obama, because it makes them worry about losing votes.
In 1990 President Bush launched the Points of Light Foundation to promote private, non-governmental solutions to social issues. The foundation however, foundered under legitimate criticisms.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of getting people back to work is the immeasurable dignity it instills in them. Again, FDR knew this and when World War II broke out, Americans were willing to fight and die for their country and come home after the war to build the greatest country in the world. A far cry from the Cheney, Rumsfeld creation of a volunteer army armed with the most powerful weapons in the world, yet coming home and tragically committing suicide in numbers far greater than ever imagined. Yes, President Bush did try to help veterans find work, but regaining their dignity is a long process.
Helping anyone, especially in minority communities, get into the workforce, should be a bi-partisan effort that all the presidential candidates must weigh in on … with specifics.
This is the result of failed leftist Obama policies. Can we finally all agree that Big Government kills?
13
Count on the NYT to unfairly blame Republicans for minority inner city unemployment. The rejected program only would have provided a quarter million subsidized jobs. Not nearly enough to put a dent in the problem. Yet the NYT makes no mention that after 7 years of President Obama, minority employment has gotten worse than when he took office. He has made zero effort and gotten less results. This is why the public does not trust the MSM for the truth.
15
How many more government programs need to fail before we realize this is not a problem that can be solved by the government. We've had fifty years of safety nets and all we see is backward movement. Time for a non-governmental approach
10
"Subsidized" programs may have some merit in the short-term, but they are not a long-term solution to the structural problem of unemployment. There are too many people and not enough jobs, for complex social reasons that can't even be rationally discussed as well as government policies that transfer wealth to the top and suppress spending and labor participation.
8
As I look around my community, I can see plenty of work that needs to be done: services for children, with elders, with the mentally ill and those suffering from disease; labor to renew and better our currently crumbling infrastructure in urban and rural areas; more research to genearate innovations that can be applied to our society's pressing environmental and health care challenges. The problem is that our Congress currently lacks the will to make these investments, which would not only remedy short term economic and social ills but also position us to do better in the future. Even The Economist, a noted non-liberal publication, as well as the bulk of the world's mainstream economists agree that the focus on austerity has hurt the world economy, rather than helped it -- and actually undercut the central bank efforts towards growth.
1
discipline, goal orientation, and working through adversity are not taught by schools. they are taught by parents. When you have none or just one, such education is barely offered. I propose a different path:
If you want a job subsidized by the government, you enter the US Armed forces for 1 year and learn, live, breathe discipline, overcoming obstacles, etc.
If you want a job subsidized by the government, you enter the US Armed forces for 1 year and learn, live, breathe discipline, overcoming obstacles, etc.
17
If young men are managing to survive without becoming wage-slaves, more power to them! Boycott the market economy!
That's working out so well in Oakland.
4
Yes, and the homeless love the outdoors!
2
Unsurprisingly not one word about Obama's failed role in this problem.
24
The biological desire for food drove the caveman out from his cave into a hostile environment in search of sustenance for his family......when government provides "free" food and housing it takes away from this very basic desire leading to broken families and a generations dependent on meager government handouts. They do have quite a large amount of free time to spend with family and friends on the plus side....
17
What makes you think that everyone who is unemployed is stuck in the inner city collecting welfare. That is a racist construct. There are plenty of educated minorities who are unemployed or underemployed. We are talking about racism and opportunities. Jobs go to those who have an in (read white males) to these jobs. Otherwise, regardless of educational background or sacrifice, Mamy minorities are confined to minimum wage. It's infuriating that the NYTines appears to encourage this discriminatory and inaccurate thinking. Open up to everyone and give everyone access to the marketplace.
Good to see this being highlighted here. I am troubled that all the data about education and at risk students has been pointing out this issue for years.
We have over 45% of all college student in community colleges, they are not ready for college, they represent a low income family population. No wonder that they are facing historic levels of unemployment.
We need to direct more state and local funding, endowment allocations and federal funds to at risk low income students, not the middle class.
There are basic education accountability and funding issues that need to be realigned. I suspect the programs mentioned here that Congress has rejected or missed probably would not really impact the issue. It is a much bigger issue that he public and politicians have chosen to ignore.
We have over 45% of all college student in community colleges, they are not ready for college, they represent a low income family population. No wonder that they are facing historic levels of unemployment.
We need to direct more state and local funding, endowment allocations and federal funds to at risk low income students, not the middle class.
There are basic education accountability and funding issues that need to be realigned. I suspect the programs mentioned here that Congress has rejected or missed probably would not really impact the issue. It is a much bigger issue that he public and politicians have chosen to ignore.
1
If this program was run efficiently, and didn't benefit the few in charge, let's continue it. Still, we need to somehow teach the values of education and parenting regardles of economic status, value of work, work ethic, things needed to be successful in the work force.
1
I have an idea, lets just increase the cost of hiring them by mandating higher hourly wage, paid leave, & health insurance.
7
"Them?..." Seriously
A "Crisis"? C'mon, NYT....this situation has been a crisis for a very long time, and you are just now becoming concerned? I do not know the answer, but I believe that our so-called Congress and employers across the nation must get together to find a solution. If it continues, I fear for our country's future and our government. To make it even worse, remember that there are over 11 MILLION "illegal immigrants" in hiding within our borders, and they too are searching for employment. And are willing to accept much lower wages than those now holding the jobs. Volatile. And frightening. And challenging. And I predict Congress will do nothing but hope the situation goes away.....
23
"this situation has been a crisis for a very long time, and you are just now becoming concerned?"
Might it just have something to do with the upcoming election?
Might it just have something to do with the upcoming election?
2
The unemployment crisis is at the core of the disparity that is growing across America.
Unemployment, especially minority unemployment, is the root of rampant, generational poverty, at the root of poor educational performance, at the root of poor and substandard housing, at the root of inadequate healthcare, at the root of growing drug and alcohol abuse, at the root of crime and violence, and is at the root of the continued racial bigotry that still exists here in America.
The federal government, both Democrats and Republicans, must use the World War II full employment model and put all of America back to work in meaningful employment with a purpose, good wages and with healthcare and retirement benefits.
And there certainly is no shortage of needs that a full employment model can fill and make a real difference in the lives of all Americans.
We have decades of work needed to rebuild, replace, improve and expand all of our critical infrastructure systems. Roads, bridges, water, sanitary and storm sewers, power and energy, schools, public housing, parks and so much more all need improvements.
America can have full employment but it requires a consensus and the will of all Republicans and Democrats and a strong President.
Unemployment, especially minority unemployment, is the root of rampant, generational poverty, at the root of poor educational performance, at the root of poor and substandard housing, at the root of inadequate healthcare, at the root of growing drug and alcohol abuse, at the root of crime and violence, and is at the root of the continued racial bigotry that still exists here in America.
The federal government, both Democrats and Republicans, must use the World War II full employment model and put all of America back to work in meaningful employment with a purpose, good wages and with healthcare and retirement benefits.
And there certainly is no shortage of needs that a full employment model can fill and make a real difference in the lives of all Americans.
We have decades of work needed to rebuild, replace, improve and expand all of our critical infrastructure systems. Roads, bridges, water, sanitary and storm sewers, power and energy, schools, public housing, parks and so much more all need improvements.
America can have full employment but it requires a consensus and the will of all Republicans and Democrats and a strong President.
6
Not enough jobs but illegal immigration is ok.
Can't have it boh ways NYT.
Can't have it boh ways NYT.
41
"The outrage is that there are strategies, which the Congress has rejected" Which Congress?
The Congress that vowed "unyielding opposition" to Obama administration economic policies. That any one of the Republicans, who hold fast their contempt for Barack Obama over the good of the country, is still in office is a further outrage.
Obstruction by the Congress of such a needed action as Jobs Recovery should be front page news.
The Congress that vowed "unyielding opposition" to Obama administration economic policies. That any one of the Republicans, who hold fast their contempt for Barack Obama over the good of the country, is still in office is a further outrage.
Obstruction by the Congress of such a needed action as Jobs Recovery should be front page news.
5
I was amused to see the headline "The Crisis of Minority Unemployment." As if the problem was just discovered. The headline needs the word "ongoing" because it has always existed. Or did moving from 25% unemployment to 30% employment make a crisis? Go figure.
13
Amazing to see the FOUR commentators so far attempt to disguise their inner conservative beliefs. As one commentator professes that although his opinion may sound like a republican talking point, it's not.
Give me a break!
As TRUMP proclaims , like many other republicans, we need to generate jobs in this country for "AMERICANS". A hand UP goes a lot farther than a hand OUT. Like the old adage, give a man a fish he eats for one day..... Teach him to Fish and he'll eat as long as he want to
Give me a break!
As TRUMP proclaims , like many other republicans, we need to generate jobs in this country for "AMERICANS". A hand UP goes a lot farther than a hand OUT. Like the old adage, give a man a fish he eats for one day..... Teach him to Fish and he'll eat as long as he want to
6
They wouldn't be unemployed if they had to work in order to eat.
13
You better believe it!
1
The headline was good. The copy was good. The point well well made. Not a lot of people care.
It has been emphasized by the low number of reader responses.
Shame on us all.
It has been emphasized by the low number of reader responses.
Shame on us all.
1
Just men? Minority women, too. And it's worse for them when they get pregnant and make it worse. And why is it important just to focus on 20 somethings? The worst is when individuals 45+ are unemployed with mortgages to pay and retirement savings exhausted. The 20+ individuals have choices and time to prevent further damage, get an education, not get pregnant. If they choose violence and crime, that is truly their ignorant and lazy choice because they are immersed in a culture lacking ambition even though information is available in the very cellphones they constantly use. The worse is for the individuals that work hard, study hard, and then end up unemployed, anyway.
5
Blame it on your rapacious elite and investors outsourcing your industries to foreign low-wage countries. Your only chance for survival is to put all these unemployed into a gigantic army like the Romans did and rob everything in the world you can lay your hands on. At least this will help for a while. Learn from history!
Prior to throwing money at a short term solutuion, an honest study into the cause of minority unemployment should be undertaken.
I am certain that among the causes (but certainely not the only ones) to be found will be illegal immigrants taking jobs on a 'cash' basis as they do not pay taxes, and the ease of manipulating social service programs where the bottom line payout and benefits equals or often exceeds that what could be earned in entry level positions.
Minorities have the ability to succed in America. Many have. Education and work ethic as opposed to blame and reliance on the government makes all the difference. America rewards effort and brains no matter the body housing them.
I am certain that among the causes (but certainely not the only ones) to be found will be illegal immigrants taking jobs on a 'cash' basis as they do not pay taxes, and the ease of manipulating social service programs where the bottom line payout and benefits equals or often exceeds that what could be earned in entry level positions.
Minorities have the ability to succed in America. Many have. Education and work ethic as opposed to blame and reliance on the government makes all the difference. America rewards effort and brains no matter the body housing them.
12
If the Times were serious about reducing minority unemployment, and unemployment in general, it would not be advocating a nationwide $15/hour --minimum wage. The sad fact is that many unskilled entry level employees are not worth that much when they start working, although they could be after gaining experience. A high minimum wage will stop them from getting that experience.
8
The world has changed. There are no jobs for these people and there will never be jobs for these people. These subsidies merely create a job where none existed before and where none will exist after the subsidy disappears. We have been throwing trillions at the poor, the minorities, the uneducated since LBJ's Great Society and nothing has changed. In fact I think the problems are worse today. The real problem is we have about 100 million too many people in this country. And that is a problem without a solution.
18
Throttling back on low skilled immigration until the demand for labor outpaces the supply would help, but since that would be 'xenophobic', it will never happen.
5
It's not just urban minority unemployment. The rural and small town areas are full of un and underemployed people that have been engineered out of the government statistics --if you don't live or travel there see Paul Theroux's book Deep South.
Further, much of this unemployment is due to policies the nytimes has pushed for at least 30 years: the "free trade" treaties and the flooding of the labor market with illegal and legal immigrants.
Getting rid of the trade treaties and tightening the labor market would be much more straightforward solutions to the problem than the convoluted and bureaucratic solutions discussed here.
Further, much of this unemployment is due to policies the nytimes has pushed for at least 30 years: the "free trade" treaties and the flooding of the labor market with illegal and legal immigrants.
Getting rid of the trade treaties and tightening the labor market would be much more straightforward solutions to the problem than the convoluted and bureaucratic solutions discussed here.
23
Infrastructure projects would also help in these cities. Bridge and road projects, ripping out the lead pipes, demolition of condemned buildings, building mass transit in and out of these communities.
Stimulus projects with strings attached mandating the use of local labor.
Stimulus projects with strings attached mandating the use of local labor.
6
The staggering problem of minority unemployment and underemployment is not being helped and will not be helped in the future by having these US citizens compete for low skilled and unskilled jobs with millions of illegal immigrants. So says the Congressional Black Caucus and Obama's Commisioner on Civil Rights. The NYT editorial board does the minority community no favors in arguing for job subsidies on one hand while zealously advocating for open borders that widen the job pool by tens of millions of people.
49
Your comments are based upon faulty premises. The borders are not 'open' and illegal immigration is at its lowest level since the 1970's. There are not 'tens of millions' of illegal immigrants. The total number, most of whom have been here for years, is about 12,000,000 or less. In a nation of 300,000,000+ it is a relative drop in the bucket.
@ Peter L Ruden
In a nation of 300,000,000+, where only 50%, 160,000, are in the work force, means that almost 10% are illegal aliens.
Add to that the one million legal immigrants for the past eight years, even during the recession, for another 8 million workers, many of them low skilled, and the law of supply and demand wins, as always.
In a nation of 300,000,000+, where only 50%, 160,000, are in the work force, means that almost 10% are illegal aliens.
Add to that the one million legal immigrants for the past eight years, even during the recession, for another 8 million workers, many of them low skilled, and the law of supply and demand wins, as always.
6
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is that there are about 25.7 million foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor force. According to the Pew Research Center, “Unauthorized immigrants make up 5.1% of the U.S. labor force. In the U.S. labor force, there were 8.1 million unauthorized immigrants either working or looking for work in 2012.”
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/forbrn.nr0.htm
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/19/5-facts-about-illegal-im...
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/forbrn.nr0.htm
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/19/5-facts-about-illegal-im...
2
It's been very difficult to have an honest conversation about the other factors that continually undermine upward mobility in places that used to be firmly middle class: the exportation of industry and labor to other countries, and the import of more and more immigrants, legal and especially ILLEGAL to compete for everything else. Including gov't support, housing and other social infrastructure.
Our leaders have thrown up their hands, and literally allowed the problem to grow so immense, they refuse to address it directly and as a major problem.
This is morally and ethically dishonest to pretend it's not.
The issue of immigration, however ham fisted Trump addresses it, at least made it an uncomfortable part of the national Presidential campaign dialogue. Even then, that's losing steam.
Minority neighborhoods are the first to suffer when manufacturing jobs are gone, never to return. And the unrelenting flood of more and more of the world's poorest, are also ripe for poverty and criminal enterprise.
But who cares?
As long as the media is as complicit in telling the heart rending plight of illegal immigrants, but not those citizens traditionally effected by high unemployment and dashed hopes for THEIR better life.
Our leaders have thrown up their hands, and literally allowed the problem to grow so immense, they refuse to address it directly and as a major problem.
This is morally and ethically dishonest to pretend it's not.
The issue of immigration, however ham fisted Trump addresses it, at least made it an uncomfortable part of the national Presidential campaign dialogue. Even then, that's losing steam.
Minority neighborhoods are the first to suffer when manufacturing jobs are gone, never to return. And the unrelenting flood of more and more of the world's poorest, are also ripe for poverty and criminal enterprise.
But who cares?
As long as the media is as complicit in telling the heart rending plight of illegal immigrants, but not those citizens traditionally effected by high unemployment and dashed hopes for THEIR better life.
50
Illegal immigration is at its lowest levels since the 1970's. The total number of illegal immigrants living here is less than 12,000,000. In a nation of over 300,000,000, how can anyone seriously claim that illegal immigrants are the cause these young men are unemployed?
@ Peter L Ruden
How can anyone seriously claim that if 12 million illegal immigrants were somehow magically gone, it would not free up 12 million jobs for our own low skilled workers?
How can anyone seriously claim that if 12 million illegal immigrants were somehow magically gone, it would not free up 12 million jobs for our own low skilled workers?
6
The other unmentionable is that the minority graduation rate from high schools
is abysmal. These kids are basically unemployable. If you can't read, write, do basic math who in his right mind is going to hire you. This goes for white, black, brown, etc. There are no simple answers. It's a mess created by the greedy blind politicians and the greedy bankers of Wall Street and their phony "globalization" shtick. When Nixon "opened" China, it was all over!
is abysmal. These kids are basically unemployable. If you can't read, write, do basic math who in his right mind is going to hire you. This goes for white, black, brown, etc. There are no simple answers. It's a mess created by the greedy blind politicians and the greedy bankers of Wall Street and their phony "globalization" shtick. When Nixon "opened" China, it was all over!
23
@Juris
Public high school degrees don’t mean much of anything these days.
But it’s up to us to put dignity back into teaching. Scott Walker left the presidential campaign to return to WI to further attack workers. He “busted” the unions--remember how he said that if he could face 100,000 union workers he could face off against ISIS? And people cheered. Folks hate teachers’ unions as much as they do ISIS! NOW he is going after civil service jobs!
We must support our teachers and local schools. It’s time to elect school board officials who want to strengthen schools not slash budgets. But I will bet that every commenter here has NEVER known who they were voting for for in local and state government.
Do you parents support your teachers? Or do you just bash them if your darlings don’t get an A+ on every test, paper, or class? How much do you get involved in your local schools? If you don’t support teacher unions..why not?
I know an awful lot that is bad about teacher unions. Unions are VERY strong in my home state of Hawai’i. It takes three years to fire a really bad teacher. But as they say about our form of government, democracy is bad until you compare it with every other form of government.
It’s time to forgive students’ loans who go into teaching...not just a two year contract...but a six year contract. And tuition should be free for future educators.
65% of all job titles in 2050 aren’t even around today! The future is tech, systems, and coding.
Public high school degrees don’t mean much of anything these days.
But it’s up to us to put dignity back into teaching. Scott Walker left the presidential campaign to return to WI to further attack workers. He “busted” the unions--remember how he said that if he could face 100,000 union workers he could face off against ISIS? And people cheered. Folks hate teachers’ unions as much as they do ISIS! NOW he is going after civil service jobs!
We must support our teachers and local schools. It’s time to elect school board officials who want to strengthen schools not slash budgets. But I will bet that every commenter here has NEVER known who they were voting for for in local and state government.
Do you parents support your teachers? Or do you just bash them if your darlings don’t get an A+ on every test, paper, or class? How much do you get involved in your local schools? If you don’t support teacher unions..why not?
I know an awful lot that is bad about teacher unions. Unions are VERY strong in my home state of Hawai’i. It takes three years to fire a really bad teacher. But as they say about our form of government, democracy is bad until you compare it with every other form of government.
It’s time to forgive students’ loans who go into teaching...not just a two year contract...but a six year contract. And tuition should be free for future educators.
65% of all job titles in 2050 aren’t even around today! The future is tech, systems, and coding.
2
This was created by teachers unions who protect bad teachers, underperforming schools, refuse performance standards, jack up taxes, and take money from the children and keep it for their 1% selves.
5
More than ten million jobs would become available if the United States stopped looking the other way on illegal immigration. When one counts all the tax and other societal costs, such as medical care, an American could be paid almost $50,000 a year if the job was previously performed by a person here illegally earning a wage below the minimum wage. When people say illegal immigrants take jobs "no American will do," what are they saying about unemployed minorities? What is wrong with the Black Caucus when they refuse to support a crack down on illegal immigration? Why doesn't the Black Caucus stand up for jobs for their own constituents? Why does the New York Times have editorial after editorial defending workers here illegally knowing that Americans desperately need those jobs?
62
The dirty secret of the left is that you have to band together to belong. Thus the Black Caucus and NAACP do not dare speak out against illegal immigrants or in favor of charter schools because doing so goes against the grain of leftist groupthink. NOW had to hold their tongues during the OJ Simpson trial and the Bill Clinton scandals or they'd lose their place at the leftists government grant trough. The left is so focused on coalition building and melding a progressive, goose-stepping, marching-to-the-future zeitgiest that independent thought and rational self-interest are ground down to dust. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.
8
All are excellent questions, and I've been asking them of black leaders for YEARS, and all they do is look at me, shrug, and are either silent - or say the black groups like the NAACP do not want to upset their allies (like the illegal alien advocates and apologists, and the democrats) on the Left.
What is not clear to me is why would blacks think these groups and the national democratic party are their "allies"? The policies of the dems has been wholly negative for blacks for decades, why can't they kick hucksters who are worsening the problem like Al Sharpton to the gutter, and begin to ally with rational groups who actually support their goals?
What is not clear to me is why would blacks think these groups and the national democratic party are their "allies"? The policies of the dems has been wholly negative for blacks for decades, why can't they kick hucksters who are worsening the problem like Al Sharpton to the gutter, and begin to ally with rational groups who actually support their goals?
7
The said program appears to be effective, at least in some places. But if it is effective why people sit on their hands and wait for the federal government to do something? In my view the failure to resolve many social ills stems from the fact that a great many people regard these problems as someone else' problem and expect other people, i.e., the government, to do something or to pay for it. Until the citizenry and their leaders own up the problem and are willing to bear the burden I foresee no lasting solution forthcoming. Blaming this party or that is not going to get you anywhere. Heed the words of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “My advice is fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” if you want to keep a successful program away from political volatility.
3
The ultimate reason for black underemployment is black underachievement. Asians are a minority too, yet are very well employed. The fundamental difference is the will to achieve, nurtured by an environment that encourages achievement. It has become toxic to say the truth: there is high black unemployment because many blacks are unemployable. A child growing up in an environment where academic success is not valued, and is not encouraged by a stable two-parent household, is doomed to fail. Sure, blame racism, blame white folk, blame lack of privilege. But we can't address the root causes - unstable single-mom households, endemic gang behavior and criminality, lack of academic rigor - because apparently that's racist to point out.
Why are other minorities thriving? Stable homes, involved parents, a respect for education and law and order.
Why are other minorities thriving? Stable homes, involved parents, a respect for education and law and order.
111
And such an opinion would be deemed racist (a word that is increasingly devoid of meaning) by some.
And the Social Justice types would censor even these remarks.
And the Social Justice types would censor even these remarks.
7
DT, you think that a century and more of the overt and covert anti-black bias might have something to do with the development of a less than ideal attitude towards work? The groups that you point to as achievers never experienced hundreds of years of slavery, of family destruction, of under investment in education, of social and economic isolation . . . I could go on.
The black family and the black worker and the black individual doesn't exist in isolation. It was also the case that Jews didn't do that well in Eastern Europe for centuries. But they never had the experience of modern slavery and they could blend into the larger white society with little trouble once they came to the US with its lower level of anti-semitism. No one lives in isolation from history or their social context.
The black family and the black worker and the black individual doesn't exist in isolation. It was also the case that Jews didn't do that well in Eastern Europe for centuries. But they never had the experience of modern slavery and they could blend into the larger white society with little trouble once they came to the US with its lower level of anti-semitism. No one lives in isolation from history or their social context.
2
I am a mixed race gentleman of 75 years so age. I
recently sold my computer company that employed
40 persons. 40 data mining programers. A talented code operator was essential to my business and was highly paid by me.. Not once in 31 years have I been able to hire a black/hispanic person. Did I try. Yes!
Did I ever find such people; No. I found Indian nationals , Chinese nationals, Russian Jews, Russians, Canadians and some scattered Americans.
I have given speeches to endless schools urging minority students to concentrate on Math, Science,
Computers. In the 1990's I was paying 90 thousand for young people to start work at my company. I would have hired any color, any ethnic group that could produce code that made me a profit.
What do you expect people like me to have done if no minorities had the skills I needed.
recently sold my computer company that employed
40 persons. 40 data mining programers. A talented code operator was essential to my business and was highly paid by me.. Not once in 31 years have I been able to hire a black/hispanic person. Did I try. Yes!
Did I ever find such people; No. I found Indian nationals , Chinese nationals, Russian Jews, Russians, Canadians and some scattered Americans.
I have given speeches to endless schools urging minority students to concentrate on Math, Science,
Computers. In the 1990's I was paying 90 thousand for young people to start work at my company. I would have hired any color, any ethnic group that could produce code that made me a profit.
What do you expect people like me to have done if no minorities had the skills I needed.
108
Same sorta story for me. I went out of my way looking for people of color and can tell you that over 20 years did not find one. Similar industry BTW.
7
What the Times expects you to do is hire unqualified minorities, regardless of the damage they do to your business.
8
That good policy for connecting a public-private partnership since the private sector is the most discriminatory. African Americans chose the government over private employment because of that discrimination, and the most prolific employer was the US Post Office, which Republicans have decimated and wants to make it a private enterprise. So it appears that the government has to pay the private sector not to discriminate now. The private sector is not the savior of African Americans, the polices of the government on non discrimination is the answer.
4
The Post Office is dying of its own inefficiency and technological advances, namely the Internet. Big Government has hired minorities when it didn't need employees simply to buy votes
6
Why did Democrats let the Republicans "decimate" the Post Office? Do you believe the Post Office to be an efficiently run organization? During the Bush 43 Presidency the Post Office lost just under $1 billion dollars; During the Obama Presidency (only the first 7 years) the Post Office lost just under $50 billion dollars.
5
Next time you're waiting in line at the US Post Office, observe the sense of urgency in its employees as the line grows. Compare this with ANY private enterprise, while you look in vain for a white male postal employee who's less than 50 years old.
6
This is an issue that Hillary Clinton is addressing unlike the other candidates.
Hahaha.
No. She is pandering to latinos since she figures that the black vote is in the bag. Who knows what she'll actually do. Goldman-Sachs hasn't let her know yet.
No. She is pandering to latinos since she figures that the black vote is in the bag. Who knows what she'll actually do. Goldman-Sachs hasn't let her know yet.
7
Let me see: the NYT enthusiastically supports Katy-bar-the-door immigration, legal and illegal and has nothing unhappy to say about "globalization" that sends thousands and thousands of jobs overseas.
Now this editorial grieves that minorities are suffering from unemployment.
Do the editors of the Times talk to each other much?
Now this editorial grieves that minorities are suffering from unemployment.
Do the editors of the Times talk to each other much?
67
This publication routinely prints editorials and articles which imply that every person who steps across our borders, legally or illegally, should be entitled to remain in the US for as long as they want, if they so desire. They are 'refugees,' not economic migrants, according to your designation. When will you make an honest correlation between high unemployment, especially among native born young men, and high levels of illegal immigration?
71
This program should satisfy the conservative demand for minimal government intervention in the market. The state, in contrast to the New Deal initiatives of the 1930s, hires no workers and produces no goods or services. Private companies respond to market incentives, but the government enhances those incentives through a reduction in labor costs. No employer faces coercion and firms do not manufacture products for which there is no demand.
Congressional hostility to this program reflects the harmful effect of ideology on the current GOP. True conservatives would evaluate the law on the pragmatic grounds of its effects on unemployment, along with its compatibility with American principles of limited government. Radicalized Republicans, however, see a "welfare" program and dismiss it out of hand as an unjustified expansion of government's role in the economy.
Our tool kit contains no panacea for minority unemployment, but any program that reduces the problem at reasonable cost should command widespread support. The stubborn refusal of the GOP to countenance such initiatives furnishes additional evidence of the party's intellectual bankruptcy, of its unwillingness to search for creative solutions to the economic inequality that threatens the future of this country.
Congressional hostility to this program reflects the harmful effect of ideology on the current GOP. True conservatives would evaluate the law on the pragmatic grounds of its effects on unemployment, along with its compatibility with American principles of limited government. Radicalized Republicans, however, see a "welfare" program and dismiss it out of hand as an unjustified expansion of government's role in the economy.
Our tool kit contains no panacea for minority unemployment, but any program that reduces the problem at reasonable cost should command widespread support. The stubborn refusal of the GOP to countenance such initiatives furnishes additional evidence of the party's intellectual bankruptcy, of its unwillingness to search for creative solutions to the economic inequality that threatens the future of this country.
31
The government and taxpayer money can't be the answer to every problem in America. In a democracy there are winners and losers and the outcomes are determined mainly by birth and ability.
My husband and I knew that hard work and good educations were the answer to making our own dreams come true. Doesn't anyone take care of themselves anymore?
My husband and I knew that hard work and good educations were the answer to making our own dreams come true. Doesn't anyone take care of themselves anymore?
25
Fifty years of failed "free trade" agreements have destroyed millions of jobs. We have gone pass the tipping point and for the unemployed they had best start their own small business.
14
LBJ's Great Society isn't working. My guess would be we simply have more welfare than ever. Chciago public housing built of the Great Society is a drug infested slum. We folks from Chicago manage everything by address as in where you cannot go for fear of crime.
28
More welfare then every? Are you kidding? Safety nets are nearly completely dismantled.
1
The more the government has tried to buy votes in the minority communities, the worse their economic situation. Is anybody surprised that politicians love this situation? If they didn't have people dependent on handouts, how could they control their vote? If blacks were economically thriving, Al Sharpton and Jesse would be out of business and we couldn't have that. It is time for people to wake up and see what is obvious instead of believing politicians and con artists.
41
You're describing the Big Government-Poverty-Industrial Complex in action!
3
Only one third of those in the program were hired when the Federal money ran out. This Editorial would be more useful if it interviewed the employers of the other two thirds who were not kept on. Money was part of it. Tell us why they chose the third they did and why they did not the other two thirds. The answers to those questions will identify the problem.
22
The title of this article should have been "The Crisis of Black Male Unemployment in Certain Large US Cities." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, current (2/16) overall unemployment rates by race in this country are the following: for Asians slightly less than 4%, for Whites slightly above 4%, for Latinos slightly below 6%, for Blacks slightly below 9%. The Institute for Women's Policy Research has current (1/16) unemployment at 4.8% for women and at 5.2% for men; about double that for Black women and men.
11
Many argue that US minimum wages should be hiked by law to $15/hour in order to provide for a “living wage” and reduce poverty. But census data on US poverty in 2014, which affected about 15 percent of the population, makes one wonder.
While a whopping 62 percent of all working-age people (age 18–64) in poverty did not work at all, and of the balance 27 percent worked less than full-time, with a mere 11 percent working full-time, only 10 percent of those in poverty who didn’t work at all in 2014 couldn’t find work; the 90 percent remainder didn’t try because they were ill or disabled, taking care of child or family, going to school, or had retired early.
Given these facts, it's understandable that Congress saw the program as a waste of money. The best use of those monies is to put it towards affordable day-care, medical therapy programs to aid those who cannot work because of medical issues, and job training programs. This, however, does require the unemployed to put forth some effort. It's not to much to ask.
While a whopping 62 percent of all working-age people (age 18–64) in poverty did not work at all, and of the balance 27 percent worked less than full-time, with a mere 11 percent working full-time, only 10 percent of those in poverty who didn’t work at all in 2014 couldn’t find work; the 90 percent remainder didn’t try because they were ill or disabled, taking care of child or family, going to school, or had retired early.
Given these facts, it's understandable that Congress saw the program as a waste of money. The best use of those monies is to put it towards affordable day-care, medical therapy programs to aid those who cannot work because of medical issues, and job training programs. This, however, does require the unemployed to put forth some effort. It's not to much to ask.
10
African-Americans just voted overwhelmingly for Clinton in Nevada. So she must have a solution, right?
Seeing as people look at Hillary as an extension of Bill, let's revisit what was done by Bill to help African-Americans achieve their success since then.
Support for the laws that led to mass incarcerations of blacks.
Support for Welfare "reform".
Labelling inner-city youths as super-predators (oops, that was Hillary, not Bill).
NAFTA, which sent many of their jobs to Mexico.
And what was Bernie Sanders position that was found so lacking? Oh yeah, supporting and marching for their civil rights in the 60's when it was more than frowned upon to do so.
Seeing as people look at Hillary as an extension of Bill, let's revisit what was done by Bill to help African-Americans achieve their success since then.
Support for the laws that led to mass incarcerations of blacks.
Support for Welfare "reform".
Labelling inner-city youths as super-predators (oops, that was Hillary, not Bill).
NAFTA, which sent many of their jobs to Mexico.
And what was Bernie Sanders position that was found so lacking? Oh yeah, supporting and marching for their civil rights in the 60's when it was more than frowned upon to do so.
24
But what positive life experience did Bernie miss while he was "supporting and marching"? Oh yeah...a job! As I understand Bernie's history, "supporting and marching" is a pseudonym for lying about and not doing much of anything.
What a compelling candidate!
What a compelling candidate!
3
The "employment " economy needs fewer people, year on year. Perhaps half of the world population is effectively useless to a "wage" employer.
What next? Engage the reality, and start thinking of a radical solution.
What next? Engage the reality, and start thinking of a radical solution.
14
Please be clear: those things that are currently profitable for the private sector to provide at the moment seem to have limited employment opportunities. This is in large part due to government aka 'our' choices about what we as a society wish to provide.
I wonder what is the comparable rate of another minority - Asians. Perhaps 1%?
We should ask ourselves why the rate of unemployment amount young male blacks is so high. Is it racism? Perhaps criminal background and effective illiteracy, due to being raised without a father, in bad neighborhood and bad school?
We should ask ourselves why the rate of unemployment amount young male blacks is so high. Is it racism? Perhaps criminal background and effective illiteracy, due to being raised without a father, in bad neighborhood and bad school?
28
The Editorial Board neglected to mention the cost of the program.
19
They didn't mention the cost, or where the money would come from.
5
I enjoyed this article but I was immediately struck by the drawing accompanying it by Keith Negley. The flag or representation of it is shown being displayed incorrectly. I wondered if that was a subtle or not so subtle signal of a nation in distress or just a mistake.
3
Has anyone polled the unemployed 20-24 year olds to find out what jobs they are willing to do? Are they willing to give up their current life on the streets to participate in a federal work program? For some reason, I seem to think the answer is "no."
22
OK. Why are the minorities always supporting Democrats? The Black voters go 95% for the Democrats in Presidential elections regardless of who the Democrats put up. Why? It doesn't make any sense. Have the Democrats really helped the Blacks? I think not. It is time for the Blacks to support the GOP and see if their situation will improve with different political leadership. The GOP is not against the Blacks as the Democrats say. The Democrats are against the Blacks. They are holding them back from opportunities to get out of their situation. It is so obvious to non-Blacks what is going on. Why can't Blacks see this?
18
Unemployment among young people is highest in families where children are being raised without both parents present. So long as black families are far and away the most likely to have children raised by single parents, young blacks will continue to have the highest unemployment rates. I have no policy solution. However, it is a certainty that confiscating more money from taxpayers to pay for made up jobs which the private sector isn't creating through normal market mechanisms is not a solution.
15
This is strange. You acknowledge that high labor costs are a barrier to minority employment, hence the subsidy. You state, with approval, that "Getting jobless young people into the world of work is valuable in itself," and is necessary for building employment credentials for career development. And yet you also advocated a $15 minimum wage, risking loss of important starter jobs in lower-cost areas (most of the US) compared to the effect of a more prudent $12 federal floor championed by many (including Clinton). You can't subsidize all jobs, and you can't have it both ways.
18
The more the minimum wage is increased, the greater incentive to automate no-skill / low-skill jobs with increasingly cheaper computer controlled equipment.
5
Decay and mass unemployment are the exact results that were predicted when Big Government announced its plans to turn urban areas into liberal paradises where leftist policies would reign supreme: high taxes, mass unionization, limitless welfare, and draconian limits on capitalism
14
I don't recall that government announcement. Can you provide a citation?
1
Why don't you look at the tax rates, union influence (especially public sector unions), welfare payments, and regulatory burden and just try to deny that dysfunctional big cities like Detroit and Chicago are liberal Meccas.
2
I teach in one of the CUNY colleges. Ten years ago most of my students had part-time jobs. Now, fewer of my students have jobs, although most would like to work at least part time. It's not easy getting even a low wage job nowadays.
15
You can thank the increased minimum wage and Obamacare for the lack of jobs, exactly as predicted
8
" It's not easy getting even a low wage job nowadays"
And it will become increasingly more difficult if the minimum wage is increased to $15/hour as that will make automation even more attractive to employers.
And it will become increasingly more difficult if the minimum wage is increased to $15/hour as that will make automation even more attractive to employers.
3
But most of those jobs still exist -- fast food, retail, cashiers, sales clerks, child care. So someone is doing those jobs, just NOT your students.
Who is it doing those jobs? Do you even just casually look around to see who it is? IT IS ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!! Many barely even speak English.
But employers would rather pay them $5 cash under the table, then hire YOUR students for minimum wage.
Now you want those students to demand $15 an hour, when they couldn't even get hired to flip burgers for $7.25 an hour. Do you really expect employers to suddenly start hiring Americans and pay them $15 an hour, for a job an illegal will do for $5 cash under the table?
Who is it doing those jobs? Do you even just casually look around to see who it is? IT IS ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!! Many barely even speak English.
But employers would rather pay them $5 cash under the table, then hire YOUR students for minimum wage.
Now you want those students to demand $15 an hour, when they couldn't even get hired to flip burgers for $7.25 an hour. Do you really expect employers to suddenly start hiring Americans and pay them $15 an hour, for a job an illegal will do for $5 cash under the table?
2
The final nail in the coffin: a Federal minimum wage.
14
We have had nearly 8 years of trickle down government that has not solved the employment problem and the editorial board just wants more? One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.
The fact is our "progressive" controlled federal government has destroyed an industry along with the jobs it provided. Obama and company killed the Keystone pipeline and the potential jobs it would have provided. All in the name of a radical interpretation of "climate" change. That radical interpretation of "climate" change trumps people, and that will not change either under Bernie or Clinton.
The fact is our "progressive" controlled federal government has destroyed an industry along with the jobs it provided. Obama and company killed the Keystone pipeline and the potential jobs it would have provided. All in the name of a radical interpretation of "climate" change. That radical interpretation of "climate" change trumps people, and that will not change either under Bernie or Clinton.
8
There is another problem that these black men have very little history of "seeing" an adult working, Therefore, they require mentoring as well as subsidized work program. Maybe, retired adults could aid these young adults learn the necessary work skills and the pride of a job well done.
14
Little history of seeing an adult working? Have they never seen a television or internet?
How can this be? Big Government is bigger than ever, collecting record high revenues, record high taxes, and issuing record numbers of regulations. The 50 year failed endless War on Poverty in which $18 trillion was put on the nation's credit card is in full swing. The Big Government-Industrial-Poverty complex is chugging along at full speed. The only thing missing is free market capitalism. Big Government has never succeeded in improving a nation, capitalism has never failed
15
Unabated illegal immigration, high business taxes and a $15 minimum wage will help this problem how? Until the liberal mindset in our cities changes the problem will never get better, especially for the 20-24 year old minority demographic.
Then again the democrats need to maintain and expand the dependency class as this is their strongest voter base.
Then again the democrats need to maintain and expand the dependency class as this is their strongest voter base.
35
I personally appreciate the editorial board shining a light on a federal program that not only was succeeding in its stated goals but was surpassing initial expectations. This was the kind of enlightened program that represented a public/private partnership which benefited both and, in the process, would have eventually almost paid for itself---and not just in monetary terms.
Republican unwillingness to continue this program had nothing to do with a careful consideration of it by conservatives in Congress. Nor did it have anything to do with a conviction, after careful consideration, that it was "useless"---any careful consideration could not have reached that conclusion.
They were unwilling to continue the program because they consistently look for ways to cut programs that primarily serve people of color in order to create room for more tax breaks for the wealthy and wealthy corporations. Their white base applauds them for "not funding the lives of the lazy" and their wealthy owners/donors applaud them for cutting their taxes.
As far as they're concerned, it's a win/win. They don't care about those who lose because they figure they won't get their votes anyway.
That's how sick the political process has become.
Republican unwillingness to continue this program had nothing to do with a careful consideration of it by conservatives in Congress. Nor did it have anything to do with a conviction, after careful consideration, that it was "useless"---any careful consideration could not have reached that conclusion.
They were unwilling to continue the program because they consistently look for ways to cut programs that primarily serve people of color in order to create room for more tax breaks for the wealthy and wealthy corporations. Their white base applauds them for "not funding the lives of the lazy" and their wealthy owners/donors applaud them for cutting their taxes.
As far as they're concerned, it's a win/win. They don't care about those who lose because they figure they won't get their votes anyway.
That's how sick the political process has become.
5
No matter who is the victor for the White House the rallying cry should be Jobs Jobs Jobs! The infrastructure of our country is really something you would find in the third world. Our deplorable roads only put money in repair shops coffers. Construction workers really don't require advanced degrees or letters after their names. Rebuilding our country would raise all boats. It would give the low skilled worker away to get an apprenticeship in the thing called Work. People with a job have a greater sense of self-worth than people without one. When one learns how to value oneself they also learn how to value others. It is no wonder why Trump and The Bern are appealing to voters. They are appealing because they are talking about Jobs. Everybody wins when you put people to work.
94
What you say is totally unrealistic. In the 30s, roads were built by gangs of men with shovels. Today, they are built by highly skilled unionized workers using elaborate machines. These people are all white, live in nice suburbs, and fiercely protect their prerogatives. You want to become a licensed crane operator and you're not connected? Good luck with that.
21
Those highly skilled unionized workers also need jobs, don't they? Or should we continue to eviscerate the middle class in exchange for low wage labor?
5
Building anything puts people to work. You are so right! Has anybody been to any of the New York area airports recently?
1
How can unemployment among US citizens be a surprise when there are at least 11 million illegal immigrants filling low-skilled jobs at very low wages? Black voters see the Democrats pandering to them about alleged racism while simultaneously pandering even more frantically to the Hispanic lobby for amnesty and open borders. All but the most ardent social justice warriors see through this contradiction and we will have Hillary and Bernie to thank when Trump is elected in November.
77
Do you mean to say that blacks will vote for Trump because it is in their economic interests?
That would be a stunning blow for the Democrats.
That would be a stunning blow for the Democrats.
10
And look at the recent results at Walmart. Historic losses and closed stores, directly tied to increase in starting wages.
8
Yes, the illegals are a problem. Also the LEGAL immigration is up to a million a year or so. Plus the guest worker visas. But minorities keep voting for the people that bring all these strangers here to do ALL our jobs for less.
16
An obvious way to lessen the plight of black unemployment is to restrict immigration. Why not at least mention that remedy?
94
Exactly. Funny how the NYTimes conveniently left that part out. Seems like the obvious logical thought that comes to mind. Makes you think, what exactly is the NYTimes editorial board trying to say?
9
Hey, cool name you got there.
Of COURSE. We keep luring tens of millions of strangers from around the world to do our jobs for less. And it hits minorities the worst.
We have legal immigration and illegal immigration. We have all kinds of "guest worker" visas. All of which bring strangers here to do OUR jobs for less.
Only TRUMP actually brings this up. Only Trump says he'll put his foot down on immigration and guest worker visas.
Of COURSE. We keep luring tens of millions of strangers from around the world to do our jobs for less. And it hits minorities the worst.
We have legal immigration and illegal immigration. We have all kinds of "guest worker" visas. All of which bring strangers here to do OUR jobs for less.
Only TRUMP actually brings this up. Only Trump says he'll put his foot down on immigration and guest worker visas.
6
Please cite the statistics that show the direct causal connection between immigration and minority unemployment. If there is such a causal connection, which there is not. The truth is, it really doesn't matter what the cause is. It only matters what we do about it, because in solving this problem, we solve for its causes as well. Walter Mitty is dead. It's time to wake up to the realities of the 21st century.
Sadly, trickle-up economics is not in the Republican playbook that only has two policies--tax cuts for those wealthy "job creators" coupled with equivalent cuts in social programs such as Food Stamps, Medicaid, and others like the "employment subsidy program" mentioned here in order to pay for them. This is the cruel reality of the Congressional Republican austerity, balanced-budget, small government ideology that punishes the poor while increasing income inequality by shifting it to the rich. Yes, it's heartless; totally lacking in compassion; and perhaps, to interject Pope Francis, even "not Christian." It seems that certain lives really don't matter. What is left is social unrest that has been playing out across the country in the "Black Lives Matter" movement and in the strident anti-establishment rhetoric in both Democratic and Republican Presidential campaigns. A great nation that fears sharing its wealth will ultimately be much poorer for it.
49
Minority unemployment is a function of failing schools, nothing else. The idea that the solution is more government handouts tells you the problem will not go away, or be solved any time soon. With education, and mobility to move to economic areas that are growing, opportunities will increase. Also, is the issue of these minorities starting families when they have no ability to support them, trapping them, and their children, in a hopeless cycle of poverty. Job programs are just that, handouts. Those programs are not grounded in any economic reality. Companies that use them are generally make work for the government benefit. Most of the people that enter these job programs lack the basic skills they should have received in the k-12 education system. The idea you can train for the lost twelve years of education they should have already received is delusional. Think about it, what government program the subsidized anything, every worked?.
55
During the Great Depression many things that we cherish today were built, such as the Mt. Hood lodge and the SF Bay bridge. While schools certainly play a part, refusing to acknowledge any other solution is shortsighted and dare I say uneducated.
7
Blacks overwhelmingly support school vouchers so they can send their children to the same private schools that Chicago public school teachers do. But the greedy special interest unions won't allow it! Imagine the horror if Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis had to survive on less than her $200,000/year salary or had to give up 2 of her 3 houses!
1
In general I agree with your comment. And while you mention family I believe that the family structure, or lack thereof, has contributed as much or more than a lack of education. Black families are nearly twice as often headed by a single parent than the number of hispanic families.
7
The issue of black unemployment will not be solved by a single editorial in
the N.Y. Times. Congress can be faulted for not passing this bill but the
buck has to stop with President Obama. His lack of leadership is the root
cause of why this bill failed. He has appointed black judges to the Federal
court system 18% of the time. Black leadership obviously failed here., also.
The riots of Ferguson, Baltimore, and the " Black Lives Matter Movement"
indicate a failure of black leadership. The silence is deafening.
the N.Y. Times. Congress can be faulted for not passing this bill but the
buck has to stop with President Obama. His lack of leadership is the root
cause of why this bill failed. He has appointed black judges to the Federal
court system 18% of the time. Black leadership obviously failed here., also.
The riots of Ferguson, Baltimore, and the " Black Lives Matter Movement"
indicate a failure of black leadership. The silence is deafening.
12
OK. So what would you have President Obama do?
Should he start a "jobs program" for blacks only? Doing what?
Maybe we should ALL stop voting for politicians that keep luring tens of millions of strangers here to do OUR jobs for less. That's immigration (legal and illegal) and the guest worker visa programs.
Should he start a "jobs program" for blacks only? Doing what?
Maybe we should ALL stop voting for politicians that keep luring tens of millions of strangers here to do OUR jobs for less. That's immigration (legal and illegal) and the guest worker visa programs.
8
What has Obama done to reform, change or improve poverty? Nothing.
What has he done to reform, change or improve our disastrous welfare system? Nothing.
What has he done to improve conditions in the worst inner city slums or poor rural regions of the US? Nothing.
What has he done to reform education or reign in the unholy power of teacher unions? Nothing. (Hint: their vast wealth paid for his 2 campaigns, duh.)
Are the lives of poor black people (let alone poor rural whites) better today than 8 years ago, under GW Bush? No.
What has he done to reform, change or improve our disastrous welfare system? Nothing.
What has he done to improve conditions in the worst inner city slums or poor rural regions of the US? Nothing.
What has he done to reform education or reign in the unholy power of teacher unions? Nothing. (Hint: their vast wealth paid for his 2 campaigns, duh.)
Are the lives of poor black people (let alone poor rural whites) better today than 8 years ago, under GW Bush? No.
2
To what degree has the intractable problem of "minority" for which I read African American unemployment have its origin in the massive influx of illegal immigrants? Here in Chicago there are almost a million people who were born in Mexico. Surely there's some causality here. For the author not to say so is downright cowardly.
86
Cowardly? You look for a scapegoat for a problem that has lasted for centuries, and you blame immigrants? Typical!
4
Could it be that Mexican workers are preferred?
1
Let's check your numbers. The current population of Chicago is 2.7 million. You're suggesting that around a third of the city's residents were born in Mexico, and that's simply not true.
Just doing a quick search, I found a WBEZ story about where Chicagoans were born. Among the statistics they cite is that there are 753,375 residents who identify as Hispanic. Of those, 42% were born in another country. Even if every single Hispanic resident from another country was born in Mexico, that gives us a maximum of 316,418 Chicago residents who were born in Mexico. That's not the same as "almost a million".
You can find the article I'm citing here: http://www.wbez.org/series/curious-city/native-numbers-how-many-chicagoa...
Just doing a quick search, I found a WBEZ story about where Chicagoans were born. Among the statistics they cite is that there are 753,375 residents who identify as Hispanic. Of those, 42% were born in another country. Even if every single Hispanic resident from another country was born in Mexico, that gives us a maximum of 316,418 Chicago residents who were born in Mexico. That's not the same as "almost a million".
You can find the article I'm citing here: http://www.wbez.org/series/curious-city/native-numbers-how-many-chicagoa...
1
This problem is going to be a very tough nut to crack. We already have the federal Job Corps program which, in lots of places, has encountered serious problems. If the subsidized jobs to be offered are serious jobs that really need to be done and can lead to permanent unsubsidized employment and not just hand outs to the private sector. I'd say let's go for it. But that is a big "if."
6
So New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, cities under complete liberal/Democrat control, have a problem with black male unemployment, and the solution lies with the Federal Government?
Why? Why not a local solution? Aren't these cities totally free to pass the Democrat's dream agenda? $15 minimum wage, high taxes, etc? Surely they can create a jobs program as well.
What is stopping them?
Why? Why not a local solution? Aren't these cities totally free to pass the Democrat's dream agenda? $15 minimum wage, high taxes, etc? Surely they can create a jobs program as well.
What is stopping them?
53
I live in New York. In my neighborhood, there used to be factories and factory jobs. When my husband was out of work, he would walk a few blocks and get a job unloading trucks at a factory. All those factories and all those jobs are gone. They went to China or Indonesia -- thanks to NAFTA. And yes,I realize NAFTA was signed by Democratic President Clinton.
11
If they do it locally then they will have to use their own money; if the federal government does it then we all will get to pay regardless of where we reside.
1
Not to mention Detroit -- the poster perfect example of a city under 100% Democratic domination.
3
Yes, and no one is really talking about this on the campaign trail, except maybe Bernie Sanders.
12
Well, for goodness sake, make up your minds.
Are you for mjnority unemployment or are you against it? And if you are against minority unemployment, why did you recently call on Hillary Clinton to support a $15 minimum wage?
Don't you know that the minimum wage was conceived in sin? It was championed by white labor unions who wanted to slow the move of textile and apparel manufacture to the south where black labor was cheaper?
First the Times causes a social problem, then it demands that Congress adopt a raft of new programs to fix the impacts of its folly. It sounds like the story of terminal 21st century liberalism.
Are you for mjnority unemployment or are you against it? And if you are against minority unemployment, why did you recently call on Hillary Clinton to support a $15 minimum wage?
Don't you know that the minimum wage was conceived in sin? It was championed by white labor unions who wanted to slow the move of textile and apparel manufacture to the south where black labor was cheaper?
First the Times causes a social problem, then it demands that Congress adopt a raft of new programs to fix the impacts of its folly. It sounds like the story of terminal 21st century liberalism.
37
As usual, during a liberal Democratic presidency, the squalor, poverty and suffering is whitewashed with excuses and would have, should have, could have psyxhobabble.
The fact that the NYT didn't even mention the poverty wrecking the Black community has happened on Obama's watch begs the question of whether this editorial is credible.
The fact that the NYT didn't even mention the poverty wrecking the Black community has happened on Obama's watch begs the question of whether this editorial is credible.
49
Obama's executive branch employs hundreds of thousands of blacks, the Defense Department, in particular.
Is it necessary to point out that the presidency carries limited capacity to control private sector behavior.
Is it necessary to point out that the presidency carries limited capacity to control private sector behavior.
1
theThe article made it clear the problem is not with the unemployed themselves nor their culture. The problem is not with the Democrats never is for they care and pretending to care especially with other peoples money is all that matters. The problem is not the over 1 million new immigrants a year that are willing to work harder, more diligently without complaint for the pay offered. The problem is the Republicans.
1
This problem is a direct result of the overt racism of the Republican party. Undermining people's lives through preventing them from working, hence from paying their rent, thus destroying their neighborhoods, is part of the quite successful program to ensure that minorities--especially African Americans--don't vote, all made more devastating by maintaining policies that shunt them off to incarceration.
Unfortunately, the Democrats, President Obama in particular, have been partners in the destruction. Not only did the president refuse to prosecute a single banker, the billions of dollars in fines that his non-prosecution policy collected was not used to make the victims of the bankers' crimes whole.
And, it was minority families whose wealth was most affected by the Great Recession: The wealth of white households went from eight times the wealth of African American households in 2010 to 13 times in 2013; in the same time period, the wealth of white households went from nine times as much as Hispanic households to 10 times as much.
Think how different minority families' economic conditions would have been if the actual people who destroyed the lives of millions had faced the consequence of their crimes.
None of this will change as long as candidates for office are almost literally on the payroll of these same people. Hillary Clinton made almost $3 million giving speeches to the bankers and all the Republicans are either billionaires or funded by them.
Unfortunately, the Democrats, President Obama in particular, have been partners in the destruction. Not only did the president refuse to prosecute a single banker, the billions of dollars in fines that his non-prosecution policy collected was not used to make the victims of the bankers' crimes whole.
And, it was minority families whose wealth was most affected by the Great Recession: The wealth of white households went from eight times the wealth of African American households in 2010 to 13 times in 2013; in the same time period, the wealth of white households went from nine times as much as Hispanic households to 10 times as much.
Think how different minority families' economic conditions would have been if the actual people who destroyed the lives of millions had faced the consequence of their crimes.
None of this will change as long as candidates for office are almost literally on the payroll of these same people. Hillary Clinton made almost $3 million giving speeches to the bankers and all the Republicans are either billionaires or funded by them.
1
Nyts. Please square this editorial with your oft stated position on ever more immigration. The more dense among us have trouble seeing how the whole sale importation of unskilled, uneducated people to this country helps us fix any of the serious problems we face. Minority unemployment is a huge problem, as is unemployment (and under employment). It may not be Pc to admit it, but we owe our own citizens a decent shot at the American Dream before we take on ever more people in need of the same resources. Shouldn't we get our own house in order before we continue taking in the majority of the worlds immigrants?
77
The reason for high unemployment among unskilled Americans is that illegal aliens are taking those jobs at the expense of unskilled Americans. When Obama offered work permits to the "dreamers", fewer than half of them took him up on the offer. The ones who didn't are perfectly content to continue working off the books for semi skilled above minimum wages, not paying taxes and receiving welfare benefits for their children.
No amount of taxpayer subsidy is going bring underground employers into the open.
No amount of taxpayer subsidy is going bring underground employers into the open.
53
You're right that illegals are taking their jobs. Also LEGAL immigrants are taking their jobs. Also "guest workers" here on H2-B visas.
8
No easy answers. New Jersey has cities like Camden, Newark,
Trenton, Jersey City, and Passaic where crime and unemployment are high,
and academic achievement is low. Corporate leaders like Roche and Mercedes
have left the state, reducing jobs. Levels for entry level jobs have risen and then disappeared.
Trenton, Jersey City, and Passaic where crime and unemployment are high,
and academic achievement is low. Corporate leaders like Roche and Mercedes
have left the state, reducing jobs. Levels for entry level jobs have risen and then disappeared.
11
Am I the only one who sees any irony in the fact that the same editorial which supports a program which makes it cheaper for employers to hire minority, unskilled workers also just this week supported a 15 dollar an hour minimum wage? Minimum wage workers are disproportionately minorities and by definition unskilled. So you acknowledge that employers need subsidizes to afford these workers but can't seeing that doubling the minimum wage might, no make the will make it harder for these people at the bottom to find work. Just asking.
20
Do you, Mr. Stuart, believe the society would benefit from no minimum wage?
That is the logical extension of your post.
That is the logical extension of your post.
1
Too many young people, particularly young men, brought up by single mothers who dropped out of school to have babies by unreliable boyfriends in the hope that they'd stay with them. And then kept having babies; a pattern repeated now for three generations.
Employment requires the ability to focus, to control impulses, and to defer gratification -- qualities required, too, for finishing school.
When teachers at our public schools spend their free time lining up training and even job interviews for their students, and the young men don't show up for their appointments, you have to wonder.
There's a problem all right.
Employment requires the ability to focus, to control impulses, and to defer gratification -- qualities required, too, for finishing school.
When teachers at our public schools spend their free time lining up training and even job interviews for their students, and the young men don't show up for their appointments, you have to wonder.
There's a problem all right.
81
In reply to B. from Brooklyn - I have said for years that the single individual who has done the most damage to the America way of life was LBJ - you can thank the Great Society for rewarding people for not working. We took away the incentive to work and improve your life. We took away any semblance of personal responsibility. When you can undo this damage, you can put America back on track again
8
I have read there are 47 different federal jobs agencies. There are also state agencies. I hardly believe that jobs for young, black, males is a big deal. It would help with other problems, crime and family disintegration. How do we get the dollars focused on the recipients instead of the myriad of overlapping agencies?
10
We have to focus on job creation. And that requires helping people learn about entrepreneurship, management, product development, opportunity spotting, et al.
And while people are learning these things, there is a tremendous amount of public work to do--road repair, upgrading bridges and infrastructure, tending the physical environment, reinstating arts opportunities, school upgrades, tearing down decrepit housing and building new, community-focused "villages" within cities where people have places to meet, play, celebrate, create, produce, gain friends, be safe.
That is how you do it. All these jobs agencies? Tripping all over each other. Funding job development programs and forcing these agencies who win contracts to compete with each other to place people into jobs. Silly.
And while people are learning these things, there is a tremendous amount of public work to do--road repair, upgrading bridges and infrastructure, tending the physical environment, reinstating arts opportunities, school upgrades, tearing down decrepit housing and building new, community-focused "villages" within cities where people have places to meet, play, celebrate, create, produce, gain friends, be safe.
That is how you do it. All these jobs agencies? Tripping all over each other. Funding job development programs and forcing these agencies who win contracts to compete with each other to place people into jobs. Silly.
1
As usual, no mention of the contributing factors. Why? Because it would point toward massive self-defeating behavior in black communities. God forbid that that of us forced to pay the bills should ever mention it.
86
What this article sidesteps is the utter lack of a work ethic in some of these communities. (No, it is NOT everyone & no it is not unique to the members of any race.)
Many such folks would PREFER to live off welfare than work. Work is not fun. (If work was fun, they would have renamed it "fun".) Work means going bed at a decent hour, getting up at dawn -- wearing dull boring clothing -- it means you go in even if you have a headache or don't feel like it. It means you do it, even when you'd rather have fun with your friends.
Many of these poor urban men dropped out of school...why, it's totally free! BECAUSE IT WASN'T FUN. Dropping out meant they can sleep late. It meant they can hang with their friends, or play basketball, or smoke pot all day.
This article ignores the real livelihood of such men (beyond crime or drug dealing) -- living off a welfare mom. It is the prime source of income in such communities. The lonely welfare mom is glad to spend her kids TANF and SNAP benefit on such a man, to keep a boyfriend around. A sharp "player" can keep 2-3 welfare moms this way, & live a pretty comfortable lifestyle. (The children are the big losers in this.)
BTW: for those who are just about to scream "racist bigot" -- I am talking here about the community I know best -- RURAL SOUTHERN OHIO, which is nearly 100% white (but very poor and welfare dependent). It is not skin color. It is a mindset of dependence on "benefits", no work ethic and adults who are terrible role models.
Many such folks would PREFER to live off welfare than work. Work is not fun. (If work was fun, they would have renamed it "fun".) Work means going bed at a decent hour, getting up at dawn -- wearing dull boring clothing -- it means you go in even if you have a headache or don't feel like it. It means you do it, even when you'd rather have fun with your friends.
Many of these poor urban men dropped out of school...why, it's totally free! BECAUSE IT WASN'T FUN. Dropping out meant they can sleep late. It meant they can hang with their friends, or play basketball, or smoke pot all day.
This article ignores the real livelihood of such men (beyond crime or drug dealing) -- living off a welfare mom. It is the prime source of income in such communities. The lonely welfare mom is glad to spend her kids TANF and SNAP benefit on such a man, to keep a boyfriend around. A sharp "player" can keep 2-3 welfare moms this way, & live a pretty comfortable lifestyle. (The children are the big losers in this.)
BTW: for those who are just about to scream "racist bigot" -- I am talking here about the community I know best -- RURAL SOUTHERN OHIO, which is nearly 100% white (but very poor and welfare dependent). It is not skin color. It is a mindset of dependence on "benefits", no work ethic and adults who are terrible role models.
3
We need to take a hard look at our educational system, particularly in our urban districts where many of these kids just are not engaged in conventional coursework, and would greatly benefit from vocational training which is currently either not available or very limited. This approach could help these chronically underperforming kids to achieve success and maybe even break the cycle of dependence and the prison pipeline. The current approach where everyone is expected to be on a college path is unrealistic at best. There is good honest decent paying work out there for people who know how to work with the tools we really just need to steer some of these kids in this direction.
13
"The current approach where everyone is expected to be on a college path is unrealistic at best"
Very true, it is generally assumed that an IQ of at least 110 is necessary to do college level work. That means that less than 50% of all American high school students are capable of doing college level work.
Very true, it is generally assumed that an IQ of at least 110 is necessary to do college level work. That means that less than 50% of all American high school students are capable of doing college level work.
1
About 15 years ago, I worked for an company that made welding equipment. They were located in a Rustbelt city, with massive poverty and black unemployment. The schools there were 95% black (and failing miserably, despite many tax increases.)
The company had a superb program -- indeed, part of my job was working on the training manuals, classroom materials and Powerpoint presentations for these courses -- that trained people to become licensed welders. Welding is an excellent job, which even in this relatively poor area paid $17-$20 an hour TO START and could easily end up with $65-$70K a year income.
They offered this training to high schools in the city for free. Individuals could sign up, but the cost was several hundred dollars a session (still a very good value). But to high schools, including charters and parochial schools, it was FREE -- including the equipment required to train. Every student who graduated this program was guaranteed an apprenticeship with some welding company.
They could not get more than a few dozen kids to sign up -- ever. The kids were just not interested. The teachers did not promote the program, because ew! -- it was "blue collar". They wanted ALL the kids to take college prep and go onto college and white collar employment (just as they, the teachers, had done). In various subtle ways, the teachers implied that this was not really a desirable path.
But mostly it was students not having any interest in learning a skill.
The company had a superb program -- indeed, part of my job was working on the training manuals, classroom materials and Powerpoint presentations for these courses -- that trained people to become licensed welders. Welding is an excellent job, which even in this relatively poor area paid $17-$20 an hour TO START and could easily end up with $65-$70K a year income.
They offered this training to high schools in the city for free. Individuals could sign up, but the cost was several hundred dollars a session (still a very good value). But to high schools, including charters and parochial schools, it was FREE -- including the equipment required to train. Every student who graduated this program was guaranteed an apprenticeship with some welding company.
They could not get more than a few dozen kids to sign up -- ever. The kids were just not interested. The teachers did not promote the program, because ew! -- it was "blue collar". They wanted ALL the kids to take college prep and go onto college and white collar employment (just as they, the teachers, had done). In various subtle ways, the teachers implied that this was not really a desirable path.
But mostly it was students not having any interest in learning a skill.
5
Perhaps if some or even all of the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in the US were deported there would be more jobs available for minorities.
28
The hardest hit group has been poor urban black men. They have been devastated by job loss DIRECTLY to illegal aliens -- who can underbid them for almost any work. The illegal can work for sub-minimum wages, in part because of lower expectations -- from a poor village in rural Mexico, you don't mind sharing a one bedroom apartment with 10 other men -- but also because many can live off the welfare benefits from an anchor baby. Americans cannot. Our system is designed to provide virtually no welfare or assistance to able-bodied single men.
Look at where illegals work -- precisely the jobs that unskilled, uneducated black men might have worked a generation ago -- construction, trucking, meat packing, restaurant service, house cleaning, landscaping. Illegal absolutely dominate those areas today.
Most urban, affluent lefty liberals do not realize this, because they rarely leave Manhattan or Park Slope. They have literally NO CLUE who is doing the hard physical work of making our nation "run". They think all jobs are like THEIR jobs -- in an air conditioned office, wearing a suit, doing interesting or creative work on a computer. And unskilled illegals are not much of a threat to that.
Look at where illegals work -- precisely the jobs that unskilled, uneducated black men might have worked a generation ago -- construction, trucking, meat packing, restaurant service, house cleaning, landscaping. Illegal absolutely dominate those areas today.
Most urban, affluent lefty liberals do not realize this, because they rarely leave Manhattan or Park Slope. They have literally NO CLUE who is doing the hard physical work of making our nation "run". They think all jobs are like THEIR jobs -- in an air conditioned office, wearing a suit, doing interesting or creative work on a computer. And unskilled illegals are not much of a threat to that.
5
Sanders is the only real hope for change here, elect a Republican or a Clinton and it will be business as usual, the American ghettos and undocumented immigrant will be exploited and jailed increasing the size of the American gulag, American conservatives will continue to stockpile weapons and ammo, and the corporate kleptocracy will continue to outsource jobs to non-Americans. Nothing will change unless Sanders is elected. Washington and Wall street and their elected and unelected autocrats will all smile, the status quo will reign, minorities and the larger overall working class will suffer.
3
President Obama has done a wonderful job at guiding the economic recovery. Because of his efforts, we are essentially at full employment. I'd expect that anyone that doesn't have a job, doesn't want one.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
4
That's just not so. Remember, those laid off who are older find it impossible to re-enter the workforce. Too young to retire and too old to be hired. These people have worked their entire lives; they want to work, yet they are being discriminated against because of their age.
4
That is not true. There are people who are begging for jobs and employers are turning up their noses at them because they are "too old" or long term unemployed. Most of these people are college educated with skills.
5
I can't tell if this is a serious comment but assuming it is then just look at the labor participation rate. It is at lows not seen since the 1970's. We are nowhere near full employment. And there is the addition issue of underemployment. If people with 4 year degrees can only find work at Starbucks the economy isn't working.
6
The are many problems that require radical changes of a dying system if it is to be saved for a time, including automation-driven over-production, excess production capacity, over accumulation of capital which necessarily and deliberately creates a surplus population and a long-term reserve army of unemployed labor.
To solve the long-term unemployment problem, the state has to take over the private enterprises either by transformation of capitalist industry and commerce through the policy of redemption or expropriation, or both. Any other policies are merely futile fidgets.
To solve the long-term unemployment problem, the state has to take over the private enterprises either by transformation of capitalist industry and commerce through the policy of redemption or expropriation, or both. Any other policies are merely futile fidgets.
Thanks, Doc, but I think "futile fidgets" are a thousand times more likely than transformation through "redemption and expropriation."
1
Awesome! There will be zero unemployment, when we're all slaves of the State.
Oh and by the way, lets just point out, free enterprise has failed. Markets are supposed to clear, meaning the supply of labor is supposed to end up unemployed. Nope, not happening.
Time to bring back Keynes, who said fiscal policy, government demand, has to take up the slack.
I wait with bated breath. Let me say it again: Free Enterprise...Bah, Humbug.
If our elites really want democratic socialism, they're certainly giving us ample encouragement to demand it.
Time to bring back Keynes, who said fiscal policy, government demand, has to take up the slack.
I wait with bated breath. Let me say it again: Free Enterprise...Bah, Humbug.
If our elites really want democratic socialism, they're certainly giving us ample encouragement to demand it.
4
$15 minimum wage mandated on employers along with huge servings of mandates for everything else, and you blame free enterprise?
7
Raise the minimum wage to $15 in urban areas. That should put just about all of them out of work.
17
If you have a small business -- mom and pop type, not Walmart -- and minimum wage DOUBLES OVERNIGHT, do you simply give half your salary up to pay your workers $31,500 a year (plus mandatory Obamacare) -- or do you hire an illegal alien to do the job for $5 an hour, no benefits?
BTW: this is why affluent white professionals in urban areas -- almost every one of them -- pays for illegal aliens to clean their homes and care for their children. Because IT IS CHEAPER. I don't see such folks lining up to pay $15 an hour to housekeeper, nanny, pool cleaner or landscaper -- because then many of them could not AFFORD such nice extras. They are only affordable because of cheap illegal labor. Think: Kimba Woods.
BTW: this is why affluent white professionals in urban areas -- almost every one of them -- pays for illegal aliens to clean their homes and care for their children. Because IT IS CHEAPER. I don't see such folks lining up to pay $15 an hour to housekeeper, nanny, pool cleaner or landscaper -- because then many of them could not AFFORD such nice extras. They are only affordable because of cheap illegal labor. Think: Kimba Woods.
7
Isn't this what the government already does with Walmart and other low wage employers? Walmart pays a low wage and the government subsidizes the employee with health care (Medicaid) and SNAP (food stamps.)
But this program does show the hypocrisy of those who claim Walmart et al are being subsidized by the taxpayer. As this editorial demonstrates, the alternative to providing assistance to low wage employees is not that employers will pay more, it's that more will be unemployed.
But this program does show the hypocrisy of those who claim Walmart et al are being subsidized by the taxpayer. As this editorial demonstrates, the alternative to providing assistance to low wage employees is not that employers will pay more, it's that more will be unemployed.
5
Sorry, Walmart raised its starting salary and is now posting a dramatic loss and closing stores, eliminating jobs for those at the lowest income level.
1
Looking at the States to make up this deficit when the right-wing-controlled Congress continues to do nothing is not realistic - no economic entities, not New York State, not California, are big enough to operate on this level anymore.
Meanwhile the GOP agenda is to continue gutting the power of centralized government so that "federal interference" will never be a factor again.
If you expect to do something you are going to have to hold the White House, take back the Judiciary and the Senate, and execute a very combative end-run around the House. Convincing people with money that this country's quality of life is on the verge of collapse -- for everybody -- is the only way to proceed.
Meanwhile the GOP agenda is to continue gutting the power of centralized government so that "federal interference" will never be a factor again.
If you expect to do something you are going to have to hold the White House, take back the Judiciary and the Senate, and execute a very combative end-run around the House. Convincing people with money that this country's quality of life is on the verge of collapse -- for everybody -- is the only way to proceed.
1
As Obama keeps telling you--unemployment is low. There is no longer a need for the government to give employers $$$ to hire those they would not ordinarily hire.
I firmly believe that education is the key. Until families and schools do all they can to force children to go to school and learn, those who see no way out will find no way out. Perhaps those who refuse to attend school and disrupt classrooms should be sent to special schools staffed by those who are better able to handle troublemakers.
I firmly believe that education is the key. Until families and schools do all they can to force children to go to school and learn, those who see no way out will find no way out. Perhaps those who refuse to attend school and disrupt classrooms should be sent to special schools staffed by those who are better able to handle troublemakers.
2
The program paid money to private companies so they could hire low income workers. It was designed to address a recession situation where both businesses and employees needed a boost. Profitability of businesses is much higher now, so subsidizing them is nonsensical. Why subsidize IBM's labor costs when the federal government can use all the money to directly hire workers for projects related to infrastructure, the environment, child welfare, and other underfunded government programs?
5
Here are 2 other approaches for reducing unemployment:
1. Revise or revoke our Free Trade pacts so that tariffs are again placed on goods that are made abroad before they can be sold here. Manufacturers will build their production plants here and employ Americans.
2. Require all employers to use e-verify to make sure all of their current and future employees are here legally. Dismissing undocumented workers will open a huge number of jobs for citizens and legal immigrants.
1. Revise or revoke our Free Trade pacts so that tariffs are again placed on goods that are made abroad before they can be sold here. Manufacturers will build their production plants here and employ Americans.
2. Require all employers to use e-verify to make sure all of their current and future employees are here legally. Dismissing undocumented workers will open a huge number of jobs for citizens and legal immigrants.
30
Sure, but be ready for significant consumer price increases in the short term, and declining quality and value in the long term. Anyone remember what American-made cars were like before imports took over a big market share?
3
Perhaps if the Clintons hadn't start the trend of gutting American union jobs the crisis of minority male employment might not be what it is today.
7
Millions of illegal immigrants find work in low skill or trade jobs often not speaking a word of English let alone having much formal education.
What is the difference in why they find and keep work, how can we impart the same opportunities to our own chronically unemployed citizens and why do we need to keep importing more of these workers when unemployment is a crisis for poor minorities?
What is the difference in why they find and keep work, how can we impart the same opportunities to our own chronically unemployed citizens and why do we need to keep importing more of these workers when unemployment is a crisis for poor minorities?
34
The answer is simple - they're willing to work hard for low wages. That is why employers prefer them.
If the government has to bribe businesses to take somebody on, they're obviously the ones employers don't want. There is a reason for this.
If the government has to bribe businesses to take somebody on, they're obviously the ones employers don't want. There is a reason for this.
28
Immigrants are generally among the sharpest and most motivated people in the societies whence they come. Underclass people in USA cannot possibly compete with them.
2
You know what would solve this? More immigration, obviously!
12
In theory, the most effective government programs to alleviate chronic unemployment are in place, and they are k-12 and subsidized college loans or outright grants. Why these programs are not producing a higher level of expected success for some minority groups has been debated for years.
Rather than adding more government programs in attempts to rehabilitate those who, for whatever reason, failed to extract the maximum benefits from k-12 and subsidized college, perhaps a wiser course would be to take a new and serious look at the configuration and delivery of k-12 and subsidized college.
Rather than adding more government programs in attempts to rehabilitate those who, for whatever reason, failed to extract the maximum benefits from k-12 and subsidized college, perhaps a wiser course would be to take a new and serious look at the configuration and delivery of k-12 and subsidized college.
6
Perhaps but lets not forget to take a real close look at the dysfunctional society in which these children grow up. Society at large cannot change that; it has to come from the minority to do so. But the will does not seem to be there.
11
Ann Gansley:
I did not to ascribe the failures of k-12 or subsidized college to any cause, because doing so, may help o perpetuate the very failures we are trying to prevent.
If one begins, with for example, your notion that the minorities are responsible for curing the dysfunction in their communities, then one will sit around and wait for that to happen. But waiting will not necessarily lead to new and innovating thinking on one's part, which may be necessary to begin addressing the problem.
Let us say you are a teacher, and your students are not doing well. If you believe the fault is exclusively with the students (not paying attention, not studying), then you will refuse to examine yourself as a teacher, and as result, you will not grow, and your students will not improve.
I did not to ascribe the failures of k-12 or subsidized college to any cause, because doing so, may help o perpetuate the very failures we are trying to prevent.
If one begins, with for example, your notion that the minorities are responsible for curing the dysfunction in their communities, then one will sit around and wait for that to happen. But waiting will not necessarily lead to new and innovating thinking on one's part, which may be necessary to begin addressing the problem.
Let us say you are a teacher, and your students are not doing well. If you believe the fault is exclusively with the students (not paying attention, not studying), then you will refuse to examine yourself as a teacher, and as result, you will not grow, and your students will not improve.
Not everyone likes or needs school past an obvious minimum of a K-12 education. In the past, if you even graduated high school AT ALL, you had options to do blue collar jobs in manufacturing, factories, construction.
Bernie Sanders wants to give middle and upper middle class kids "free college". Aside from debating what this would cost (trillions!), Bernie is clueless that our real problem isn't college -- we ALREADY, with high costs, have far more college graduates than we can ever dream of employing -- but how to give training and jobs to kids and adults who don't have any interest in college.
In Germany, they have an excellent system which tests and then TRACKS kids from age 11, according to intelligence and ability. The smart, studious kids get college prep and go on to subsidized universities. The average or dumb kids are tracked into vocational training programs by (what we call) middle school -- are not given or forced to take academic subjects -- and then go on to post high school training and paid apprenticeships. Most of these lead directly to the skilled trades, and good jobs with benefits -- not McCrap McJobs flipping burgers.
We could do this certainly, but here is the problem: if we test and track children by sixth grade, we will almost certainly send every Asian kid and a heck of a lot of white, upper-class kids into the the college track. And a heck of a lot of black and hispanic kids into the vocational track. Imagine the outcry and lawsuits!
Bernie Sanders wants to give middle and upper middle class kids "free college". Aside from debating what this would cost (trillions!), Bernie is clueless that our real problem isn't college -- we ALREADY, with high costs, have far more college graduates than we can ever dream of employing -- but how to give training and jobs to kids and adults who don't have any interest in college.
In Germany, they have an excellent system which tests and then TRACKS kids from age 11, according to intelligence and ability. The smart, studious kids get college prep and go on to subsidized universities. The average or dumb kids are tracked into vocational training programs by (what we call) middle school -- are not given or forced to take academic subjects -- and then go on to post high school training and paid apprenticeships. Most of these lead directly to the skilled trades, and good jobs with benefits -- not McCrap McJobs flipping burgers.
We could do this certainly, but here is the problem: if we test and track children by sixth grade, we will almost certainly send every Asian kid and a heck of a lot of white, upper-class kids into the the college track. And a heck of a lot of black and hispanic kids into the vocational track. Imagine the outcry and lawsuits!
4
Please PLEASE report the exact names of any programs in effect that are still doing this.
And let me just say, there are plenty of us in the majority who need help badly.
And let me just say, there are plenty of us in the majority who need help badly.
4
The problem of chronic unemployment in poor neighborhoods devastates generation after generation. When adults aren't working, children do not learn how to be a worker. Being willing to work hard is one thing. Understanding that one must show up every day, even when tired, when the weather has turned to spring, or there is a near blizzard outside, is another. Children, as future workers, need adults who help them understand that work means doing what the boss says whether they like it or not; not sassing supervisors; dressing appropriately for the job, and asking permission before they make an outside appointment during working hours (or doing such things on their days off). It is vital that we not only provide jobs for adults, but that we teach them how to have and keep a job. Only then will the next generations begin to reach adulthood job ready.
115
As an employer I have entry level positions and would gladly train minorities whose work experience is slim, but cannot do so with a high minimum wage accompanied by various employment mandates. It's government policy that created this mess, and more of it wont fix it.
4
I was hoping for a line here about things like how to keep a job when the boss seems intent on showing a worker the door, for example, through degrading assignments not within the job description and not assigned to others. I take the point about job readiness, but holding the job sometimes means knowing how to handle discouraging unfairness, too, it seems to me, and in this age in which recourse to union support is less available than it used to be, I think we need to address that, too.
1
Your comment is true. But where does a poor child learn those values? His parents never married. His father isn't in life at all -- likely a drug dealer or in jail -- his mother got pregnant in high school, then dropped out. Then she had four more children by 4 different (loser) men who are not parenting.
That child is raised in a chaotic environment, with constant disruption -- no regular meals, no regular bedtimes -- TV blaring 24/7. All adults absorbed entirely with their cellphones, their "friends", drugs, partying, their social lives & gossip. The adults who are supposed to rear such children and provide role models, are instead selling the child's food stamps for spending cash, and then insisting that society FIRST give them food stamps, THEN spend tax dollars to feed that child 2 meals a day in school.
They see ADULTS who have never worked, not one person in 3-4 generations and who all live on "their benefits". If you ask children in such environments "what are your plans, hopes and dreams for the future", 90% say "to get my benefits" (welfare) or maybe, something trashy like be a sports star or Kardashian-like figure.
The schools, which could be stepping in to educate and provide healthy role models, instead has abdicated every moral and ethical responsibility in their fealty to their unions and their OWN cushy benefits, short hours and early retirement over the needs of the children in their care. They care more about that, plus lefty liberalism, than about kids.
That child is raised in a chaotic environment, with constant disruption -- no regular meals, no regular bedtimes -- TV blaring 24/7. All adults absorbed entirely with their cellphones, their "friends", drugs, partying, their social lives & gossip. The adults who are supposed to rear such children and provide role models, are instead selling the child's food stamps for spending cash, and then insisting that society FIRST give them food stamps, THEN spend tax dollars to feed that child 2 meals a day in school.
They see ADULTS who have never worked, not one person in 3-4 generations and who all live on "their benefits". If you ask children in such environments "what are your plans, hopes and dreams for the future", 90% say "to get my benefits" (welfare) or maybe, something trashy like be a sports star or Kardashian-like figure.
The schools, which could be stepping in to educate and provide healthy role models, instead has abdicated every moral and ethical responsibility in their fealty to their unions and their OWN cushy benefits, short hours and early retirement over the needs of the children in their care. They care more about that, plus lefty liberalism, than about kids.
6
The single best way to address the crisis of minority unemployment is to re-engineer the corporate tax code so that we retain every existing manufacturing and service job we can, while insuring that new industries also flourish in America.
While this may sound like a Republican talking point, it is anything but that. The reality is that globalization has impacted the American economy in ways that do not adequately show up in the traditional metrics that economists obsess over - and our current catastrophic level of minority unemployment is merely the canary in the coal mine in this regard.
When jobs that pay a living wage are plentiful, everyone benefits - but especially minority communities. Americans want to work, to experience that sense of dignity and purpose that one can only get by earning their daily bread. We we need to reject with extreme prejudice this absurd notion that Americans should accept high levels of unemployment and underemployment because it allows us to import cheaply-made, disposable goods - inasmuch as the reality is that these cheap goods are inadequate compensation for unemployed and under-employed Americans loss of wages and dignity, particularly when the ever-escalating cost of housing and health care are the greatest expenses working and non-working Americans face every month.
Both the Trump and Sanders campaigns are unmistakable reflections of ordinary Americans profound discontent with the status quo.
Attention must be paid.
While this may sound like a Republican talking point, it is anything but that. The reality is that globalization has impacted the American economy in ways that do not adequately show up in the traditional metrics that economists obsess over - and our current catastrophic level of minority unemployment is merely the canary in the coal mine in this regard.
When jobs that pay a living wage are plentiful, everyone benefits - but especially minority communities. Americans want to work, to experience that sense of dignity and purpose that one can only get by earning their daily bread. We we need to reject with extreme prejudice this absurd notion that Americans should accept high levels of unemployment and underemployment because it allows us to import cheaply-made, disposable goods - inasmuch as the reality is that these cheap goods are inadequate compensation for unemployed and under-employed Americans loss of wages and dignity, particularly when the ever-escalating cost of housing and health care are the greatest expenses working and non-working Americans face every month.
Both the Trump and Sanders campaigns are unmistakable reflections of ordinary Americans profound discontent with the status quo.
Attention must be paid.
154
Since many corporations have already worked their way into zero tax liability, I don't think that is enough of an answer. Just giving tax breaks or lower taxes without a requirement to employ new workers at living wage scale has done nothing for real job creation. In fact, in many cases the tax savings is pocketed and the jobs created are overseas. Tax incentives, credits, or even subsidies that are attached to the jobs created in the USA only, have a much better record of job creation than lower tax rates alone.
7
Well said. But it's not all about the inner city or ghetto dwellers. Have you for example looked at the New York Tines feature writing and editorial staff lately? Academia? The media? And on and on? How do educated minority men and women apply for positions that are parceled out among well connected insiders?
5
To be specific, what I'm describing is a total re-engineering of the corporate and personal tax codes that would make job creation and retention in America the path of least resistance - and then make up for the lost revenue by going after the profits that corporations inevitably pay out to individuals (by way of dividends, capital gains, management compensation, etc.). This re-engineering would necessarily first flush the code of any currently ineffective tax preferences.
From what I understand, It's much harder for an individual to hide income than it is for a multi-national corporation - especially when the Federal Government is making the necessary effort to go after individual tax evaders.
Moreover, It strikes me that a primary role of the Congress in the modern era must be to periodically re-frame the tax code so that it insures economic conditions that will allow Americans to take care of themselves.
The realities of globalism are such that it is pushing us towards a welfare state - a state where government must support more and more unemployed or underemployed people, lest an increasingly desperate populous descend into chaos. But as the Italian and Greek economics should demonstrate, a welfare state can easily implode upon itself - hence, there needs to a balance between individual and collective efforts.
Either a people, as a united collective, or corporations must control Congress; and as of this moment, it is corporations, not the people, who control it.
From what I understand, It's much harder for an individual to hide income than it is for a multi-national corporation - especially when the Federal Government is making the necessary effort to go after individual tax evaders.
Moreover, It strikes me that a primary role of the Congress in the modern era must be to periodically re-frame the tax code so that it insures economic conditions that will allow Americans to take care of themselves.
The realities of globalism are such that it is pushing us towards a welfare state - a state where government must support more and more unemployed or underemployed people, lest an increasingly desperate populous descend into chaos. But as the Italian and Greek economics should demonstrate, a welfare state can easily implode upon itself - hence, there needs to a balance between individual and collective efforts.
Either a people, as a united collective, or corporations must control Congress; and as of this moment, it is corporations, not the people, who control it.
4
When kids pick out teams, there are some kids always picked first, others always picked last. It is not always because of ability, some are just not liked by the majority.
When there are jobs to hire, some are picked first, some last.
When there is a shortage of jobs, those who would be picked last go without. That is what is happening.
Everyone is suffering, so minorities suffer more.
When there are not enough jobs, the social problem can't be fixed by attempts to hire some minorities instead of other people. It just shifts around the suffering like deck chairs on the Titanic. There will be new people outraged.
That isn't to excuse leaving minorities without jobs. It is to say that shifting around the chairs doesn't fix it, not permanently, not really.
A rising tide lifts all boats. That is the first essential. Only then can we make progress in fair hiring that will last, that will settle problems, that won't just open new cans of worms.
If somehow we could get for minorities more of the inadequate number of jobs, they'd just get screwed out of them soon in some other way. That is not a good thing, it is the reality minorities know better than most.
So help them. Special programs alone won't do it. It will fail them.
When there are jobs to hire, some are picked first, some last.
When there is a shortage of jobs, those who would be picked last go without. That is what is happening.
Everyone is suffering, so minorities suffer more.
When there are not enough jobs, the social problem can't be fixed by attempts to hire some minorities instead of other people. It just shifts around the suffering like deck chairs on the Titanic. There will be new people outraged.
That isn't to excuse leaving minorities without jobs. It is to say that shifting around the chairs doesn't fix it, not permanently, not really.
A rising tide lifts all boats. That is the first essential. Only then can we make progress in fair hiring that will last, that will settle problems, that won't just open new cans of worms.
If somehow we could get for minorities more of the inadequate number of jobs, they'd just get screwed out of them soon in some other way. That is not a good thing, it is the reality minorities know better than most.
So help them. Special programs alone won't do it. It will fail them.
35
Except the unemployment rate is 4.9 percent. That's quite low based on historic averages. This suggests there is no shortage of jobs.
4
As Keynes said, "In the long run we are all dead." I say shift the deck chairs around while those of us who are being excluded or underemployed by job discrimination have opportunities to work, up to our best abilities, while we're still alive and kicking. It's time for the people who've always been picked first - in many cases for no good reason - to have to sit right on the deck of the Titanic for a while. I daresay that a musical chairs type of job rotation, along with several other tactics I propose in my petition (elsewhere), would actually lift the tide a bit, by restoring the safety net for people who are unemployed - with a patch made of gainful employment, not extended unemployment compensation.
Mark Thomason,
Have to disagree here Mark.
The fact that these unemployed will now have a history, a background, a chance, to show and learn a work ethic, is huge. If they come away with a new skill set or a trade, they are in such a better place that benefits them for the rest of their lives. (hopefully) Just being given a chance, opens a new world to some that have never had gainful employment ever. If someone cant acquire new skills or history of work then they will never know a work ethic. Even 1-2 yr. of stable employment can change everything.
Have to disagree here Mark.
The fact that these unemployed will now have a history, a background, a chance, to show and learn a work ethic, is huge. If they come away with a new skill set or a trade, they are in such a better place that benefits them for the rest of their lives. (hopefully) Just being given a chance, opens a new world to some that have never had gainful employment ever. If someone cant acquire new skills or history of work then they will never know a work ethic. Even 1-2 yr. of stable employment can change everything.
1
Congressional Republicans should support this program.
The basic fear is that programs such as these will increase the size and reach of government and thereby both its intrusiveness and its demands on GDP in the form of taxes. But that’s a very myopic view of the matter. Anything that facilitates increased private sector employment will tend in the long run to LESS government by reducing demand for services. Anything that interdicts a steady corrosion in the desire to work productively and in the rewards of doing so will make our society healthier, not to mention the human misery it will avoid.
Congress should take up this program again and provide it effective levels of funding.
The basic fear is that programs such as these will increase the size and reach of government and thereby both its intrusiveness and its demands on GDP in the form of taxes. But that’s a very myopic view of the matter. Anything that facilitates increased private sector employment will tend in the long run to LESS government by reducing demand for services. Anything that interdicts a steady corrosion in the desire to work productively and in the rewards of doing so will make our society healthier, not to mention the human misery it will avoid.
Congress should take up this program again and provide it effective levels of funding.
98
@Richard
Just when I was losing faith in you you present a cogent and encouraging case for a program that helps all with out the usual political side dish. Thank you.
Just when I was losing faith in you you present a cogent and encouraging case for a program that helps all with out the usual political side dish. Thank you.
4
Thank you, Richard, for an excellent critique.
3
There is no real money savings in cutting back on these programs anyway since in America, sadly, the money is just handed over to the private sector to build more jails.
I will also say that the board did not mention the $432 million dollar shortfall they addressed by raising the sales tax to a record 10.25% They also have $9 billion in unfunded pension liabiliites and are looking for help from the State
But what really irks me is that despite the dire economic conditions the teacher's union managed to get a huge new contract when all other departments did not. Its clear who has the clout
Having said that I would
1) give interest free loans to new minority business owners
2) I would create tax freeze zones for specific areas to attract businesses in these areas
3) I would offer tax breaks to businesses who relocated and hired primarily from the community
4) I would gurantee a job once an internship is completed on the condition they commit to 5 years with the company Stability means everything
5) Pay to relocate anyone who will agree to it and assist in finding housing
6) I would target those who show potential for leadership postions and pay for any college related courses.
7) I would create pilot programs in the schools so they are prepared to work, interview, and achieve personal and professional success, to get a feel for what it will be like. I would also pay them with the money going into an account once they graduate
My ideas may not be the best but at least I am willing to take a shot at it.