Let's Stop Blaming the Victims

OurExperienceCounts.com has chosen to speak out on topics relating to the rights and welfare of experienced workers. We have no political agenda and no specific political ideology. We simply intend to be a voice that champions causes that can help improve the quality of life for our members. I must, however, say that a recent statement made by Tom Delay, the former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives cannot be overlooked by this blogger. In a recent interview, Delay said, "there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don't look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.” I find this statement outrageous and totally out of touch with the devastating effect the recession has imposed on the lives of millions of unemployed Americans. I have been a career coach at Nova/ProMatch for the past 2½ years and have listened to the heartbreaking stories from dozens of white-collar workers desperate to get back to work. Most of them are struggling to hold on to a quality of life that includes a home and the possibility of paying for their children’s higher education. None of them were responsible for the economic policies of deregulation and corporate greed that brought this recession on. Let’s get real and stop blaming our present financial crisis on the victims of our failures.

Categories: Layoff, OEC Speaks Out