Misnomer only begins to describe it

By On November 30, 2011 · 4 Comments · In GAGOP, Legislature

A handful of Republican Senators have prefiled the inappropriately-named Dignity for the Unemployed Act.  What’s so dignified about it?

(7) The individual has performed at least 24 hours of volunteer service per week for a nonprofit charitable organization which is qualified as exempt from taxation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such organization and service shall be in accordance with any regulations prescribed by the Commissioner. This paragraph shall not apply to the first two weeks of eligibility. The Commissioner may, by regulation, waive or alter the requirements of this paragraph for cases or situations in which the Commissioner finds that compliance with the requirements would be oppressive or inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter.

So, in other words, in order to get unemployment benefits, a person must complete over a part-time job’s worth of volunteer work every week.  That means that an unemployed individual has a near 0% chance of actually having time to find a job, you know, to get off unemployment.  Further, can anyone explain to me how we aren’t asking unemployed people to become governmental indentured servants?

This bill is a vile joke.  I’m just surprised they didn’t go all the way and require daily drug testing.

 
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4 Responses to Misnomer only begins to describe it

  1. be says:
    November 30, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    it is indentured servitude. and it will trap folks into long term unemployment as they spend the majority of their time and energy with an organization that they may not bond with, and that has no obligation to them. and it’s just a way to avoid paying people for the same work they’d do under the GA Works program.

  2. Jason Dozier says:
    November 30, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    The Atlanta Business Chronicle is saying that the work could include paid work as well: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/11/30/bill-requires-volunteer-work-for.html?ed=2011-11-30&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pap

    Doesn’t change the fact that its a highly disruptive, especially for those who have dependents and can no longer afford day care due lack of employment.

    • Jen B. says:
      December 1, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      I would be surprised if there wasn’t a “primary caregiver” exemption written into the law, for those who are now caring for children instead of paying for childcare.

  3. JMPrince says:
    November 30, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Forgive me but this is funny on Newtie (a Ron Paul special):
    http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/2291

    And yes, on the general question this type of game has been going on since Reagan. We can demand & prescribe what the unemployed need to do when & how, but daring to try and limit anything a Corporate ‘Person’ might do? That’s Communism! Why getting them to even pay Any taxes is tantamount to Class Warfare! Taking away any of the Billions they may get directly from the Treasury by way of handsome subsidies nothing less than Socialism!

    But although you’ve not been convicted of any crime, your overlords can demand your labor ‘for the benefit of the community’, well just because. And of course the Drug testing will be an amendment to the bill too. Wait for it. JMP

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