Question
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U.S. Government
Responding to the nation's worst unemployment rate since the Hoover Administration, President Bush addressed the nation's 8.2 million unemployed workers in a televised speech Monday.
"The economy has been on the rebound for months, but 5.6 percent of you are still out of work," Bush said. "Come on, people: Get a job! Don't just sit there hoping that you'll win the lottery. Turn off that boob tube, get off that couch, and start pounding the pavement."
When the number of people taking part-time jobs because they can't get full-time work is factored in, the unemployment figure approaches 15.1 million, a number Bush called "unacceptable."
"My fellow Americans, don't come crying to me," Bush said. "I've got a job. I go to work every day, whether I feel like it or not. I don't take handouts, and I don't give them. That's a belief my daddy taught me. Now, let's get this show on the road!"
The unemployment rate remains high, in spite of the many tax-cut initiatives the Bush Administration has introduced over the past several years.
"The government can only do so much," Bush said. "How hard can it possibly be to find a job? A friend of mine lost his job when his company went belly-up. Did he bitch and moan about it? Absolutely not. He picked up the phone and started making cold calls, he landed back on his feet, and now he's the chief financial officer of a major petrochemical concern."
According to the president, the nation's unemployed need to make looking for work a full-time job.
"How many applications have you filled out today?" Bush said. "You should spend eight hours a day looking through the want ads, mailing résumés, and pounding the pavement. You won't find a job moping around the house and feeling sorry for yourself. If you're down-and-out, you have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Life's hard, my friends. Get used to it."
Bush addressed a complaint often made by unemployed workers: They are unable to find jobs commensurate to their skill set due to lulls in the technical and manufacturing sectors and the outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
"If you wanted work as bad as you say you do, you'd take what you could find," Bush said. "You gotta work your way up, instead of waiting around for your dream job to fall into your lap. Walk before you run. Climb your way up the ladder." "I heard McDonald's is hiring. What's wrong with that? Does your fancy degree say you can't work at a Mickey D's? You may not be doing exactly what you want, but at least you'll have the pride of knowing that you're earning your living."
A reporter asked for comment on a statistic which shows that only 21,000 new jobs were created in February, in spite of the Bush administration's promise to create 320,000.
"I've got a statistic for you," Bush said. "You've got to look out for No. 1. Take charge. I've got a job plan for the nation. It's called 'Get off your duff.'"
Bush said the country is experiencing its longest average-unemployment duration in 20 years, and he wants to see it end immediately.
"If you get an interview, walk in there like you're the only person for the job," Bush said. "Show them you're willing to work. Show up early and bring a broom. Sweep up the place while you're waiting for the interview to start. That'll let them know you're a go-getter."
The president concluded his speech by encouraging the jobless to start their search immediately.
"What are you doing listening to this speech when you should be out there looking for work?" Bush asked. "Get a move on! Even my brother has a job. He's no one special, and he's the governor of Florida! If he can do that, you should be able to line up something at your local Wal-Mart."
With that statement, Bush left Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to present some of the finer points of his administration's new position.
"Get a haircut," Chao said. "Clean yourself up a little and put on a nice shirt, or even a suit. Maybe employers would take you more seriously if you didn't look like you just rolled out of bed. The way you look now, I wouldn't hire you to throw me a rope if I was falling off a cliff."
"The economy has been on the rebound for months, but 5.6 percent of you are still out of work," Bush said. "Come on, people: Get a job! Don't just sit there hoping that you'll win the lottery. Turn off that boob tube, get off that couch, and start pounding the pavement."
When the number of people taking part-time jobs because they can't get full-time work is factored in, the unemployment figure approaches 15.1 million, a number Bush called "unacceptable."
"My fellow Americans, don't come crying to me," Bush said. "I've got a job. I go to work every day, whether I feel like it or not. I don't take handouts, and I don't give them. That's a belief my daddy taught me. Now, let's get this show on the road!"
The unemployment rate remains high, in spite of the many tax-cut initiatives the Bush Administration has introduced over the past several years.
"The government can only do so much," Bush said. "How hard can it possibly be to find a job? A friend of mine lost his job when his company went belly-up. Did he bitch and moan about it? Absolutely not. He picked up the phone and started making cold calls, he landed back on his feet, and now he's the chief financial officer of a major petrochemical concern."
According to the president, the nation's unemployed need to make looking for work a full-time job.
"How many applications have you filled out today?" Bush said. "You should spend eight hours a day looking through the want ads, mailing résumés, and pounding the pavement. You won't find a job moping around the house and feeling sorry for yourself. If you're down-and-out, you have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Life's hard, my friends. Get used to it."
Bush addressed a complaint often made by unemployed workers: They are unable to find jobs commensurate to their skill set due to lulls in the technical and manufacturing sectors and the outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
"If you wanted work as bad as you say you do, you'd take what you could find," Bush said. "You gotta work your way up, instead of waiting around for your dream job to fall into your lap. Walk before you run. Climb your way up the ladder." "I heard McDonald's is hiring. What's wrong with that? Does your fancy degree say you can't work at a Mickey D's? You may not be doing exactly what you want, but at least you'll have the pride of knowing that you're earning your living."
A reporter asked for comment on a statistic which shows that only 21,000 new jobs were created in February, in spite of the Bush administration's promise to create 320,000.
"I've got a statistic for you," Bush said. "You've got to look out for No. 1. Take charge. I've got a job plan for the nation. It's called 'Get off your duff.'"
Bush said the country is experiencing its longest average-unemployment duration in 20 years, and he wants to see it end immediately.
"If you get an interview, walk in there like you're the only person for the job," Bush said. "Show them you're willing to work. Show up early and bring a broom. Sweep up the place while you're waiting for the interview to start. That'll let them know you're a go-getter."
The president concluded his speech by encouraging the jobless to start their search immediately.
"What are you doing listening to this speech when you should be out there looking for work?" Bush asked. "Get a move on! Even my brother has a job. He's no one special, and he's the governor of Florida! If he can do that, you should be able to line up something at your local Wal-Mart."
With that statement, Bush left Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to present some of the finer points of his administration's new position.
"Get a haircut," Chao said. "Clean yourself up a little and put on a nice shirt, or even a suit. Maybe employers would take you more seriously if you didn't look like you just rolled out of bed. The way you look now, I wouldn't hire you to throw me a rope if I was falling off a cliff."
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Answered Yes. If I ever see Bush, I'd punch him on the face.
It hard to get jobs when there are no jobs. Thank god we are getting his self out of office. Not to worrry we are not getting another bush and you can take t hat too the bank. The republicans are going to be in for a rude awakening. -
Answered Undecided
Bush needs to go live in Michigan and Florida. Let him find those people work, sure some of it is their own faults, but it is not a reason for this type of bashing. BTW: This not the worst unemployment since Hoover, there are more people out of work by quantity, which is a bad measure since the population then was smaller, we had a worse percentage of unemployment under his dad, Reagan, Carter and Clinton. Another instance of "cherry picking" the numbers by the media to make a story. Here is some of the data:
http://www.miseryindex.us/URb... -
Answered Yes. If I ever see Bush, I'd punch him on the face.
You know what? This guy would not be where he is if not for his Daddy's money and connections. He was not a good student and he was an abysmal business man. If left to his own devices he would be on the streets.
You bet this kind of bully talk makes me mad,but what I'm really mad about is the fact that Bush&Cheney; will walk away from office and leave a wake of destruction behind. -
Answered No. I agree with Bush, stop depending on unemployment and get a job already.
We cant blame government for creating jobs unless we want the government to have more control and power. Then the economy/Tax payers will pay for it in loss of jobs in the private sector to create jobs in public sector. People may be too picky about where they will work because i see lots opportunity in fast food hiring. -
Answered Yes. If I ever see Bush, I'd punch him on the face.
OMG - well im suprised, but not to suprised its funny how he ruins america the economy and wants us to take responsibiity for is mess during his run in office. How about he accept responsibility of his inabilty to do anything but paly on his ranch like the hick he is. He is an idiot in my book and anyone who thinks hes not is the same. stupid is as stupid does.
and by the way i have a degree, I am working at walmart but ive lost everything as 8 an hour is about to leave me homeless very soon.
thanks bush for screwing up my life and taking away the roof over my head.
but im sure iraqees and mexicans are more important than your own fellow americans right? it seems weve been outsourced and under tabled by are own president.
ya, whos screwing who? -
Answered No. I agree with Bush, stop depending on unemployment and get a job already.
Americans would have jobs everyone in American were legally here. Most Americans do not want to do the labor jobs. This is not a President's fault.
In the past many were hired and offered job training. Now more and more qualified people are applying for the same positions. Some have to start at the bottom even with a degree. Kids are groomed young with high expectation to fill...many do not want to come home and say "hey I just got hired @ walmart" but our job is to teach that this is okay..but keep pushing forward till you reach your dreams. -
But it is your presidents fault to engage in a very very expensive war going after the wrong damned guy. I would have no problem doing what ever it took to get the asshole that had our Trade Center towers knocked down and killed many many good Americans and foriegn visitors, but that is not what happened. We went after a guy that threatened Bush's " Daddy ". Maybe Sadaam was an ass to his people, but is the US going after the butt head from No.Korea that is as bad or worse that Sadaam ? or after China for their offenses against their own people....Absolutely NOT..WHY? Because there is no oil to be had to line the pockets of the very assholes that are slamming this country into a financial mess....or maybe Bush knows we would not be able to kick the crap out of a major nation like we have done to Iraq twice now. Wake up and smell the oil.....thats where the Bushs have made their fortune...in oil !!!!!!!
The money spent on the war we are now in could have been used to repair our crumbling infrastructure and put millions to work instead of spending it to kill our own soldiers in a foreign country that wants us out or dead.
I appreciate the service many soldiers have given to the US, but send them in the right direction, get BinLaden and not the oil fields. -
Answered No. I agree with Bush, stop depending on unemployment and get a job already.
No, clearly the 'first responder' in unemployment is the person that is unemployed. Take some initiative, hit the streets and get a job. I hire lots of people and find I have to search for them... when so many do not search for themselves! -
Answered Yes. If I ever see Bush, I'd punch him on the face.
People first response is always "get a job" but sometimes its not that simple. Thats why there are laws to ensure that when you collect unemployment you have to continue to search for employment. There are many reasons why the unemploymnet rate is so high, and its not due to lazy Americans who don't to work. That percentage is much smaller. Simple minded Bush has no clue sometimes on how the world works. -
That is pure lunacy. Waiting... waiting for your unemployment just shows the socialist bent that is such a social failure. If you care, you get out there and hit the pavement and get some work... if it is beneath you, then fine, take it and as soon as you get more stability, then seek the better job... that is how it works, we have too many, way too many like you that have this mindset that you need to have your hand held to drag your lazy ass to a good job. Guess what.. employers want people with drive and initiative... if you sit on your ample ass and wait for unemployment checks and government guidance on employment then you are just a parasite on the system and self-loading baggage in the big picture. Get off your ass and get to work. This is America, not a socialist handout state.
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YOU ARE A FOOL!!!!!!!!! A STUPID OLD FOOL!!!!!! MAYBE WE SHOULD MOVE AMERICA TO INDIA SO WE CAN GET OUR JOBS BACK<< YOU DUMBSHIT ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN>> WHY DO YOU THINk THE ECONOMY IS THE WAY IT IS>>>>> ITS CALLED CORPORATE OUTSOURCING!!!! HAve you called your credit card company recently... THEY ARE IN INDIA,,!!! JUST SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!
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Answered Yes. If I ever see Bush, I'd punch him on the face.
WELL,if all our jobs didnt go overseas because him and clinton and the rest of the gov.gave our trades away because they said it was fair !!1what was fair about it? i worked in production for 30 yrs.suddenly gone over seas ,iam in my late 50s and you can say to us americans how dare you
my husband also in production different company 31 yrs.bang ,gone over seas.yeah we are gonna get great pensions .how changing the retirement age did they ask us hell no.they told us .iam now have cancer,sorry bush
medical is eating up a lot of money,like i wanna work till 67,you wont be working till 67, you go to work everyday who pays your outragious salary ?you seem to forget americans do and all of you are over payed ...you sit at a desk meals prepared kids meals prepared wifes clothes top notch ,your no different than the the theif before you,bottom line none of you can live the life of a working class american ..SUICIDE FOR YOU,and your daughters did they get cold last winter ,were they hungry ,anybody in the bush family fighting in iraq ...didnt think so oh well poor us right..... -
Answered No. I agree with Bush, stop depending on unemployment and get a job already.
I agree with him 100% get a job! and you need to check your facts. When Clinton was in office the unemployment rate averaged higher than it has in any year Bush has been in office, but oh ya Clinton gets the pass, his a lib, right? not only should you get a job, get the facts!! -
blah blah blah... lol... ;0) Pitiful! This is why our country has someone like "W" running it in the ground for 8 yrs... Because most people don't talk issues it's all the wash & spin cycle.... As bad as democrats are how come soooo much bad happens under the watch of republicans? & sooo much good under Democrats? Do any of you study history at all? lets see here.... Hmmmmm? The budget has only been balanced 5 times all under the DNC! Medicare the DNC! Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation the DNC! Social Security system the DNC! Panama Canal the DNC! Stopped WWI & WWII the DNC!The Federal Reserve Act the DNC! When did we have the worst economies of all times all under the RNC! Who got us into Vietnam? the RNC! Who Got us out Vietnam? the DNC! Iran-Contra the RNC! When did crack hit our streets & flood them under the RNC! Katrina the RNC! Who gave tax breaks to corporations to ship the jobs of hard working American jobs out of our country the RNC! Who tapped our Phones illegally the RNC! Embarrassed our soldiers by giving them no armor for war (my family members fighting for my country had to borrow money to by there own weapons from me & we're paying billions a month!) the RNC! Said we went to secure loose nukes in IRAQ but left the ammo dumps open with tons of weapons so our enemies could use them against our own soldiers to this very day? the RNC! Highest Gas ever? the RNC! Most foreclosures ever? the RNC! When did 911 happen anyway? oh yeah! Duh! under the RNC! W...blah blah blah... lol... ;0) Pitiful! This is why our country has someone like "W" running it in the ground for 8 yrs... Because most people don't talk issues it's all the wash & spin cycle.... As bad as democrats are how come soooo much bad happens under the watch of republicans? & sooo much good under Democrats? Do any of you study history at all? lets see here.... Hmmmmm? The budget has only been balanced 5 times all under the DNC! Medicare the DNC! Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation the DNC! Social Security system the DNC! Panama Canal the DNC! Stopped WWI & WWII the DNC!The Federal Reserve Act the DNC! When did we have the worst economies of all times all under the RNC! Who got us into Vietnam? the RNC! Who Got us out Vietnam? the DNC! Iran-Contra the RNC! When did crack hit our streets & flood them under the RNC! Katrina the RNC! Who gave tax breaks to corporations to ship the jobs of hard working American jobs out of our country the RNC! Who tapped our Phones illegally the RNC! Embarrassed our soldiers by giving them no armor for war (my family members fighting for my country had to borrow money to by there own weapons from me & we're paying billions a month!) the RNC! Said we went to secure loose nukes in IRAQ but left the ammo dumps open with tons of weapons so our enemies could use them against our own soldiers to this very day? the RNC! Highest Gas ever? the RNC! Most foreclosures ever? the RNC! When did 911 happen anyway? oh yeah! Duh! under the RNC! Where O' Where is this greatness Republicans claim? I could go on & on but I don't think you guys really care for issues just slander & gossip... I'm 35 & I've never seen that greatness only promises & excuses.... Soooooo, can you guys pleeeease talk issues? Cause I'm starting to think all you can do is clammier like 3rd graders & called people names.... I'm a business owner as well as a CFO to multi-million dollar company... I'm not bragging just letting you know I'm not slow or looking for any hand outs & I'm not a soft liberal I'm a strong Christian with my eyes open to world events that gives back & hits the streets to help others because I just don't talk!... I love my life... But as a Finance major I want an economy that works again... & as a citizen of the world not just the U.S.A. I want a person running foreign policy that can do more than drop bombs as a solution... & yes thats a challenge to anyone that wants to go issue for issue with no wash & spin cycle included... Why don't you guys say anything about McCain? who I liked before he flipped on taxes, oil drilling, foreign policy, was part the Keating 5, etc... Hence called by Tom Delay & other top Republicans the worst enemy ever to the RNC! But I'm sure you just take him for his word that he's changed right? Respect that you could never give Obama? Why? Because he's not a great Republican? Issues anyone? Lets go! Any takers? Stop the blah blah blah... You sound ignorant! lol... ;0) You dumb asses make this toooo easy... ;0) Sorry I love everybody, really... just trying to pick a fight to wake you UP! 1!(less)
Answered No. I agree with Bush, stop depending on unemployment and get a job already.
Saying this if he did and it`s true than , why bitch about someone telling you should stop being lazy and mooching off of us tax payers dollars.
Welfare and SSI is pissing me off lately, how you can live by doing jack and shit and getting what some people work hours a week on to get. Its fucking bull shit.
If you guys had a parent who was half decent as what bush just said then you would be in the right mind state of not being in that 8 million crowd of unemployed people.
Yes their are people who are disabled, but for christ`s sakes, not all of them.
I see people everyday working with a broken foot, or a bad back, or OVERWEIGHTSYNDROME, and they still do it. Why? Because they like to EARN their keep. Enough of this lazy shit, he`s right get the hell out side and do something right for your country, stop lounging and sitting like a god damn king cause you sure as hell did not deserve it. Why the hell should I not get this? I`m working 60 hours a week getting decent money, it takes hard work and motivation, and you can get what you want. I`m tired of people throwing negligance at this guy for something that he has the right to say. IT`s not his damn fault people are doing jack shit. Like he said "Dont come crying to me" Cause he`s right , he never said, go ahead and sit around. No , we didnt build up this country for slackers, yeah its legal to be one, but you sure as hell are not going to get respect for it, and sure as hel...
Saying this if he did and it`s true than , why bitch about someone telling you should stop being lazy and mooching off of us tax payers dollars.
Welfare and SSI is pissing me off lately, how you can live by doing jack and shit and getting what some people work hours a week on to get. Its fucking bull shit.
If you guys had a parent who was half decent as what bush just said then you would be in the right mind state of not being in that 8 million crowd of unemployed people.
Yes their are people who are disabled, but for christ`s sakes, not all of them.
I see people everyday working with a broken foot, or a bad back, or OVERWEIGHTSYNDROME, and they still do it. Why? Because they like to EARN their keep. Enough of this lazy shit, he`s right get the hell out side and do something right for your country, stop lounging and sitting like a god damn king cause you sure as hell did not deserve it. Why the hell should I not get this? I`m working 60 hours a week getting decent money, it takes hard work and motivation, and you can get what you want. I`m tired of people throwing negligance at this guy for something that he has the right to say. IT`s not his damn fault people are doing jack shit. Like he said "Dont come crying to me" Cause he`s right , he never said, go ahead and sit around. No , we didnt build up this country for slackers, yeah its legal to be one, but you sure as hell are not going to get respect for it, and sure as hell a waste of time I think for those who dont deserve free money. Stop taking the easy road and man up.