The Hiller Instinct: Unemployment Benefits Extension

We know there are unfortunate families who deserve everything we can give them, and i think we all want to help them.

But we don't need Wikileaks to tell us some people abuse unemployment, and are more greedy than needy.

So how can we help the helpless and force the fakers off unemployment?

Ironically, the answer is "work"--hard work-- which is not Washington's specialty.

Want to know some jobs we need to have done that no one is doing?  Changing the way unemployment works so that both workers and non-workers will respect it and think it's fair.

That means if you're out of a job, you're looking for one.  And you're willing to take the work you can get, even if it's not the job you dreamed about.

VIEWER VOICES: Should unemployment benefits be extended for a ninth time?

That will require more check-ups, more interviews, and even more evidence of effort.

Yes, it will be expensive, but not as expensive as extending unemployment benefits forever.

It also would be an opportunity for the government to prove its competence...and show it can run a huge program fairly.

If it can't, then imagine what's ahead with healthcare, which is much more complicated and personal than unemployment.

Here's the alternative:  keep extending benefits. Borrow the money to pay them. And increase both the budget deficit and the national debt.

That's what we're doing now.   I'm Andy Hiller, that's my instinct.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)