WORK: It's good for you

It seems to me half the businesses in town have “HIRING” signs posted so business should not be that bad. However, it seems to me that this situation exposes a deeper economic and social problem. That is the difference between being unemployed and or unemployable.

I have spoken to a couple of employers who said finding good people willing to work is very difficult, either because they cannot pass a drug test or are on welfare and are not willing to put forth the effort to sustain themselves as long as the taxpayer is willing to support them.

I see a full page ad in The Press looking for paper delivery people. I delivered papers all during my high school years. In those years it meant riding a bicycle eight miles every morning before school at a low wage (there was no minimum wage requirement in those days nor was a car affordable).

It seems to me that people fail to accept the fact that low skill jobs paying a minimum wage are entry level jobs that should be used to gain work experience that will lead to higher skill positions and better wages and should not necessarily be relied on as the source of financial security for the long haul. I am also convinced that we need to tighten up the requirements for granting the financial handouts such as food stamps so that those people physically and mentally able to work do so or make a verified effort to get a job before receiving the handout. I do not mind contributing to the support of those truly in need but I object to helping support those too lazy to get out of bed to go to work or use their welfare dollars for drugs, booze and smokes.

RALPH HALLOCK

Hayden