What do you think about Congress extending the unemployment benefits that provide an additional $600 per week to recipients?

As a self employed business owner, who has been out of work since mid March, I disagree  that people prefer being home, out of work just to collect unemployment. I would give my eye teeth to be back doing what I do, earning my income through my labors. Too many folks absolutely need this unemployment  income just to survive, keep the roof over and feed their families. Hard to believe the senate members whose incomes earn ten times that, who are sitting home, taking recesses, refusing to  negotiation.. are balking at giving workers what they need to survive. I don't believe anyone wants to be out of work

I think they real question is again what is a livable  wage. 1) it depends on the median price for housing. 2) cost and available child care. 3) Cost of transportation to workplace.

The sad part is that wages paid at actual jobs do not take any of those into consideration. It’s only about profit and keeping payroll cost down is one of the simplest ways to lower overhead cost.

The reason most people don’t want to return to work. 1) safety 2) child care 3) had to work 2-3 jobs to earn a livable wage.

So maybe the 2% should pay a livable wage to begin with.

Just a thought.

I believe most people would rather work than stay at home and collect unemployment. People don't work just for money, they work to better their lives. The problem is wages and the cost of living. I know of many people that work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. If employers are complaining, perhaps they should revisit what they are paying their employees. Also, in this time of Covid, employees are weighing going back to work, finding childcare, and risking becoming ill to their wages. Until there is a solution to the problem workers are caught in a catch 22 problem. 

I think the number of people purposely not returning is probably quite small. My son works in a kitchen for a boarding school that has chosen not to reopen . He's ready and willing to return. The added unemployment has been essential.

Clearly people were not making enough at their jobs before if that is all it takes to encourage them to stay home.  Besides, staying at home was the point of the shutdown to stop the spread of the virus which we failed at.  When I am in the position of rehiring any workers, they will be paid more and work less hours so the net effect will be a wash for me.  

Presently, I believe the workforce is dwindling because folk who want to work and have the experience and know how are being overlooked because of indiscretions made in their youth. At some point those issues need to be revisited to recognize the fact that some folk make effort and restitution for their past infractions to become viable, responsible and productive members of society.  

Thanks for this platform allowing me to share my viewpoint.

I agree with the majority of the replies here.  I don't care if 20% of the recipients are actually taking advantage of the situation, (I don't think anyone is) but with so many people trying to wait this out for the health of themselves and their families - these type of statements show a disconnect with the reality of the situation and possibly with other people.  People who make these statements may simply be upset, or, may not be good employers, good citizens, good people, good investors, good leaders or policy makers because they cannot consider the lives and well being of people who they count on for their own pockets.  If anything this situation has done, it has created a reality where survival requires self-love and self-dignity over the US dollar.

First of all, not everyone has a job to go back to as many jobs were eliminated. Secondly, people may not want to go back to work and end up dead. Thirdly, maybe people should be paid a living wage. 

If you were making 250 a 40 hrs a week job and now got 600 a week ,how excited would you be to go back to work and make that 250.00 a week. Put yourself in their shoes. How fast would you run back to that job? I'd have to be pushed out the door!!

pay people for working. you're making a profit let them eat too

It’s not considering the actual emergency needs of the public amidst the pandemic. Instead, it is a political move to push workers back to work to create the false impression that we are recovering. This done despite the ability of families to put food on the table. We need a new administration that cares more about the needs of Americans than itself.