State Senator Wants to Screw Missouri's Unemployed, Teach Their Lazy Ass a Lesson

• Well I am not lazy. I have copies of the 325 apps I have filled out, a list of over 500 (532 to be exact) of contacted employers, a list of another 2061 interest contacts I have made. I am a 46 yr old white woman, with years of experience under my belt in business, customer service, and production, and most of the time I can't even get a confirmation that they have received, reviewed, or even acknowledge I have contacted their company about a JOB! I really enjoy spending 20 to 45 minutes on a company website filling out apps and taking online tests for employment, and then only to receive an email back saying they have received hundreds of apps and they will be contacting prospect when, WHENEVER! It isn't like it was before where you go going and follow up with the company you have applied for, bug them everyday till they give you a chance or tell you to get lost. No you just keep filling those online apps out, going to local companies to do the same, and hope someone will call you back. You can't call them because you don't even get a name or contact info from those websites.And if you go in to a job, like entry level, fill out the app give to whoever is at the counter and they say they will pass it to right person, what a joke! I actually have witnessed those people just throw my app away. I thought of one more thing to write on my app went back in and the person had to pull it out of the trash, where he had wadded it up and threw it away. When I questioned this, he said corp makes us take the apps out of courtesy. But we only hire people someone who works here recommends! LOL! I just wasted my time, again. I hear you are "too qualified, not qualified, looking for someone just starting out to train with no apparent bad habits," I have heard and seen it all. So our Senators need to stop generalizing everyone and every reason for unemployment in to lazy groups. Because that is just an easy blind way to think, I have worked my whole life, thru pregnancies, illness, my mother's death etc. to keep a job. Put up with bullies and discrimination just to be employed, SO DON"T YOU EVEN CALL ME LAZY!

• For some reason,This article is sickening, I've always known, this is the last slave state because you can see how people relate in politics and just everyday relations. I don't think some young lady or gent said "how can I have a team of babies and get on welfare, or I want to pimp the system". Yes I know, we can't get around the fact, some people are not going to do the right thing,for them, what is the right thing, imagine someone or something telling you, you are not good enough most of your life and as a result of the society's great pecking order, telling your parents the same message, whare is the growth for humane treatment, and I'm not talking about just black folk, but my white brothas and sistahs that don't quite fit in either. The point is, from the time we go to school we are being judged and placed in a certain order, and if you don't have a cookie cutter mentality, then you are in big trouble, and put at the bottom of that thing we call "what high school did you go to". I can say my folks loved me and made me relavant.and..human, so the creator did bless me,...but what about the folks that receive junk and!!!$$ most of there lives. Society, "BIG WIGS " really should take a look at what model is in place for human life and stop hiding behind false morality.You are the problem......

• let me be up in that high rise paying job and put the State Senator being employed then it would not be consider that it wasnt being Lazy or having handouts!

• cut his wages and maybe see how he like being under paid and unemployed!

• So, guess you have to destroy some of the population to teach a few low end folks a lesson, at the exspense of the people, who really are trying to find employment. It's always the people that either have money of sorts or the rich that truely lack compassion when everyday life is on the line. I'm quite shure some of the big wigs are on church boards and even say they love jesus,but the only time they understand anything is when it's on a personal level."Yes" I know, there are people who use the system, but when rich people jack with the system they go away to federal vacation, but if you are poor, and part of the socio-economic shuffle you are less than nothin. This point has been around since humans discovered speech. So what we really have, is just a bunch of clowns in suits deciding the fate of human life, who's worthy etc....God Complex..Self entitlement issues..jerks..

• What's really amazing about all of this, it's easy to say,you "people" should pull yourself up from your boot-straps, and work 2.3 jobs and stay in your place. Corporations have recieved kick-backs forever, and played with the lives of hard working americans, "lost" 401k's pensions etc. The Sad thing, people lost there lives, homes, and some Big powdered wigs got raises for millions. We have well educated people with BA, MS, PHD's that are fryin chicken at popeyes just to stay alive.What's at the bottom of this, greed, we don't have a middle class or even upper middle,rich, or poor that's it.I'm not about the whole pecking order thing, but this is wrong,this even beyond color this is bout rich or poor with touches of racism.

• oh my god. What the hell does being a christian have anything to do with this. They r probably the people that have no job but the pitbull has food the jobless boyfriend has his "weed" and beer and of course the baby is the one without formula

• I just got one last thing to say. If you don't like the way shit is going down, RFOYFS. (run for office your fucking self)

• He is the new black waldo, you never know where he is gonna pop up next!

• really too much evil? really? I like most of your stuff, but evil is just a word fear mongers use to scare the straights.

• well in his defense.... you know there is probably a young female (or male) repping the same viewpoint that he could marry... on the post-dispatch message board... zing!

• what if we borrow the money from japan? Is that ok? Also while we are at it, why not borrow money from china? If they start acting up, we can just invade their asses, Bush style.

• typical republican pol. you voted for him & you know who you are

• I am just sick of these freeloaders like the ones at ue friendless. Here is an example of what they are trying now -- "I also asked if there are any jobs at his office and I would be willing to re-locate if they could advance me gas money! " Now they want somebody to pay for their gas. They are attempting to cyber pandhandle all over the net -- these whiners need to be flushed away and I mean soon. Advance me gas money?? Jeez they have no shame!

• But I won't be unemployed...because I have made the right decisions. When you fail to plan you have a plan to fail. These ninety whiners should have thought about these things a long time ago. But one positive out of this is people and the next generation should be able to learn what not to do. You need to look at whats next for you, and start moving on, you are not owed a living and the govt will not be giving you anymore handouts.

• Lew-hew-ser-er!! Spewing your crap because you think anyone cares. Get over yourself. If you were unemployed, you'd be feeling the same way as 99er's. point blank and period.

• "Whiners always think they have to be heard." And we support your right to be heard, too.

• Whiners always think they have to be heard. You have probably whined and complained all of your life, but since we have the internet now you can do your whining and complaining to people you don't even know.,..because standing around in the real world spewing about not getting 2 years of free money and that its not fair would not go over well and you know that. We want you to know that its like that online also.

• Business are not hiring because of the uncertainty that this administration has caused of what higher costs they are going to be stuck with in the future. Because of the health insurance reform and other initiatives a business has no real idea what "the cost of doing business" is going to be in the future. With out a higher level of certainty businesses are going to be less likely to spend money that they don't have to much less expand their business and higher new employees.

• I have just experienced in my life that people who tend to not have empathy for those in a bad situation have a lot of deep seeded anger/resentment issues and tend to be rather dysfunctional themselves more often personally but it can spill over to their professional/business life. I have to get to my job but to those out there that are still looking and I know many. Don't let this bring you down it isn't a done deal yet and Mr. Lembke may not know the full impact of his statement. BTW his verbage is really bad for an elected official. Typical of someone who isn't all that smart.

• How does extending tax cuts for EVERVYONE adversely affect you? It doesn't. When you get a job, (maybe you have one) you will be able to particpate in those taxcuts...not too many people complain about paying lower taxes. TYour agument is more free money though, I know.

• Well Sabastian what about the agreement to extend the tax cuts to the wealthy in exchange for UE extended that was a bi-partisan agreement. Would you also say it is only fair that MO does not extend those tax cuts since they are not accepting the funding.

• There have been homeless and people living in their cars for as long as can be remembered. Just because its happening in 2011 does not make these a special class of people...when you realize that and get over yourselves then you may be able to start climbing out of your hole and participate in normal society again. Stop playing the victim!

• What don't you get...this is borrowed money there is no ue fund? States can't pay for what they have now, they don't want to add to the problem by borrowing more. The states can't keep going on like this...its about time somebody says no to these freeloaders.

• What just kills me about this is the agreement was Repubs would get there wealthy tax cut and the Dems got unemployment extended. So the tax cuts can't be stopped but the state can turn down the money for those who desperately need it. Lembke is unblievable but something tells me he is grandstanding either way the down and out will lose. Most think that they are safe for a year but that is not the case is it. 9 other state republicans are doing the same thing.

• I like how Republicans blame Obama's policies for the high unemployment but also want to cut the lifeline of those of us who depend on unemployment for subsistence. I guess it just shows the true nature of these people. They just have to have tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, claiming trickle-down economics creates jobs--if that were the case, where are the jobs? The wealthy have been getting the tax cuts for 10 years.

• DOUCHE!!! Oh and Sebastian, you're a DOUCHE too. I remember you my friend. I have seen you posting all over the place. Get back to work you slacker.

• A year ago, I would have said the same thing. Now? Too much evil in Jeff City.

• That's the same as saying people aren't losing their homes, and living out of their cars. How do you know? You're indifferent to the people around you. You're stuck in your little world, your little circle, where you pontificate about boot straps and "the gov'ment is evil" -- you lack empathy, sympathy, and compassion. You also lack insight and clarity, because 13,000 fewer people with money to spend is going to be a significant crash on Missouri's economy, and we're fragile as is. It was the rich that started this recent mess. So why do you want to punish the poor and the luckless?

• No, the miserly, small minded,selfish, egotistical libertarians have a new demi-god.

• The only growing up that needs to happen around here, is with you.

• To say that no one is starving in America is to exaggerate reality. Perhaps Senator Lempke and his colleagues in Jefferson will not have to scrounge around for a meal as long as they have a chance for a freebie which may emanate from the pockets of favor-seeking jerks, be they business owners, or just plain lobbyists on their payroll

• Lembke, can you give us a line on exactly where these wonderful p/t jobs are? Your ignorance is unbelievable.

• Nobody starves in this great country. May not get a enough sometimes, but that should be the motivation to get your arce in gear and not be so hungry. There are all kind of resources that can feed you so thats not going to happen. Stop with the drama...its not working.

• does he admit he's black, or is he trying to "pass"? honest question

• no, criminals on wall street and scumbag republicans selling the country down the river for three decades got us into this bad economic spot

• I agree with Mikeheins but Shelley and I are cut from the same cloth. I don't think they will actually NOT fund the EB Unemployment Benefit especially since the money is approved by the feds. However, it could happen politicians are a crafty bunch. I am a bleeding heart liberal so anytime someone on the right does this I too think it political posturing for the most part. Let's hope Mikeheins is right and he actually is doing this for press. There are 9 other states that are doing the same thing.

• True, but hopefully this one will bite him in the butt. Anyone that would take money that can help Missourians and just give it away, and it doesn't even _make a point_, because the money goes to another state, doesn't deserve to every hold public office in this state again. And then, on top of the harm he's cause, to insult the unemployed, at a time when unemployment is the highest it's been since the Great Depression...unbelievable. I guess he'll be happy when he sees people living in Lembkevilles, homeless, and starving.

• I really doubt Senator Lembke feels this way or will go through with not obtaining the money. He's a salesman. That's what he did before he was elected and that's what he does now. He'll get the free press on this just like he does on the red light issue. A few months back it was illegal immigrants. Lembke will work these issues for the spotlights!

• Let's see, trolling the RFT message board all day, repping a hard right-wing viewpoint, no job...it's really hard to understand why Josh doesn't have a wife and kids.

• You know that you pay into unemployment benefits when you're employed, right? So if you become unemployed, you're essentially getting that "insurance" you paid back. And you pay federal taxes, right? So when a Missouri lawmaker turns down federal money ($81 million in this case) he's essentially sending your tax dollars to another state. Flag Like ReplyReply

• You know that you pay into unemployment benefits when you're employed, right? So if you become unemployed, you're essentially getting that "insurance" you paid back. And you pay federal taxes, right? So when a Missouri lawmaker turns down federal money ($81 million in this case) he's essentially sending your tax dollars to another state.

• a little regulation is not a bad thing, it may have kept the Wall street boys from needing a bailout and having my tax money go to the unemployed is better than paying farm subsidies to wealthy land owners, some of whom are tea partiers.

• One of the TV channels featured an unemployed person at least once a week. I couldn't continue watching them after a time, because I couldn't handle seeing the look of desperation in these people's faces. I wanted so badly for them to get a job, but I had none to give. I can't even tell you how absolutely disgusted I am at the selfish, petty, small-minded and cold people like Lembke and those who support him. If our state has problems it's because of people like you: people who think only of the past, think only of themselves, haven't either the heart or the soul to look for a better future for all of us.

• What about caring for your neighbor, because some day they may end up caring for you? What about being part of a society rather than closed up in your little dark hole, mumbling over your hoard of coin, "Mine..mine...mine"

• When unemployment is at 9.5% do you know what that means? That means there aren't enough jobs. Or did you fail math in school? How dare you blame the unemployed for the lack of jobs. When did this state become filled with the miserly and the mean?

• Bunk and twaddle again The unemployment rose during Bush's and Blunt's admin, or did you forget?

• Absolute twaddle and bunk., Corporate profits are high, and businesses that aren't dependent on local economy, such as stores and restaurants, are doing well. They're just not hiring. Why should they? When you have high unemployment, it's easy to force people to work twice as much for the same amount of money. Lembke is sucking up to the Tea Party people, and he just tossed 13,000 Missourians under his little patriotic bus. Tired of small minded, petty, selfish, self-centered, miserly backward thinking people...otherwise known as Lembke and the Tea Party.

• He may be partially right, but he could have worded it a little better. He may have just committed career suicide, I don't think I will be voting for him and I have a job and have never been on unemployment.

• I could not maintain my lifestyle on a ue check. I may have been eligible once, doesn't matter though, I didn't need it. Living off of the govt is like a drug addiction, it keeps you dependent...check out all of the addicts that keep whining about how they need to extend ue handouts...just one more while they look?? for work.

• You do realize that you are required to look for jobs while on unemployment, right? And if you get an extension you have to look for at least double the original quota? I think the problem is that anyone who's never been on unemployment just feels that anyone using unemployment are "just lazy bums." No, the lazy bums are actually the people who are not on unemployment, mooching off friends and family. Because getting unemployment and keeping it requires a lot of work, and a lot of questioning your self worth because you feel shamed to have to do it. And those "lazy bums" who aren't on unemployment are likely so depressed and guilty and shamed for being depressed and guilty and shamed that it keeps them from getting a job or filing even more so. And of course, being one of those people who've never known anyone in that situation, you can simply say "well just suck it up and do it." Of course, you also aren't the people that get to see how many applications are being turned in everywhere right now. You aren't seeing that even only interviewing the top 10% they're still doing 20 interviews for one job. But, you know, I'm just a full time student who's seen this full gamut that can't get above the poverty line, so what do I know.

• where did "I get mine"? do you not understand the part about how I was screwed over by unemployment when I did take it or the part about how I don't have a job and I'm not taking unemployment now?

• no, I don't have a family to support. you're right, it's much easier for me to sustain myself than it is for people that have families. unfortunately--realistically--that doesn't mean the government has the money to give you. this money Lembke wants to send back is borrowed money that never should have been borrowed to begin with. we are taxed and regulated in a recession and then spent untold billions padding bank executive's salaries and now all you can get mad about is when they stop giving out the free money? doesn't it occur to anyone that if they stopped taxing us and giving most of it to corporations we'd be alot better off than if we just keep begging for our small slice of what was stolen from us? seriously, people, get a grip. the hand that feeds is the hand holding you down.

• like I said, I got robbed every winter by unemployment. I would have done better without it, what part of that don't you understand?

• Excellent point, Billy. Again, it looks suspiciously like the 'I got mine, now screw you' mentality at play.

• Do you have a family to support, Josh? I'm just curious...you don't sound like someone who has a family relying on him to put food on the table. From experience I know it's a lot easier to be cavalier about such things when one is single.

• Wow - you are just awesome. You took unemployment EVERY WINTER rather than work and now you support cutting everyone else off now that he doesn't need it. And without irony you say you never saw a dime from the system. No wonder you think people on unemployment are lazy - it's called "projecting."

• I suppose I should mention: I *still* don't have a job and I *still* don't want any unemployment money from the State or the federal government or any government. they can keep it, or give it back to China or sit on it and spin, I don't care.

• as a matter of fact, I had a dispute with my boss of 5 years over the fact that he was treating his workers terribly and I got fired for it. I was denied any employment at all. I could have appealed, but instead I put my energy into actually making it work. I called in favors, I did odd jobs, I had to sell my car. but I made it work since I got fired without so much as a dime from the system I've paid into for over a decade. [as a side note, it was a seasonal job, so I took unemployment each winter, which was an insult, in my view, because had my employer been able to put the same amount of money he paid into unemployment insurance into an escrow account for me, I would have been alot better off] there needs to be an option where one can completely opt-out of such inefficient programs like unemployment, social security, etc.--no paying in, but never any benefit from. let people who want to pool their money do so, but I see no reason to believe that taking money by force and redistributing it could be a long-term answer to any problem.

• Until you need it, right Josh? Sebastian? Then you'll be first in line? In my experience, that's usually how these things work. "Bunch of lazy freeloading assholes! Oh shit, I hurt my back! Where do I sign for my unemployment?"

• You are not owed a living. Many people got 2 years of free money...its now work time. You are out of excuses and out of time.

• Fools like Lembke and this desperate "Josh" character love to believe things like people are unemployed because they are lazy and other such nonsense. It is a reassurance to them to believe this because then they can justify slashing social safety nets meant to protect hard working Americans who fall on hard times or are victims of economic turmoil. The concept of shared sacrifice is completely lost on the new right who will use tired quotes like "Government is the problem not the solution" to further an agenda that does nothing but make the rich richer, the poor poorer, and the increasingly shrinking middle class shrink further. Another favorite of mine is "Job killing taxes" as if we've never experienced job growth in this country in a time when taxes were high. Oh and those Bush era tax cuts that most benefited the ultra wealthy - when are they going to trickle down to me? Seems to me that one only needs a cursory history lesson in economic growth in this country - say 1945 to present - to see how the radical tea party agenda is nothing but a ruse to weaken the middle class and concentrate wealth in even fewer hands.

• This billy dude is just too good to be true...he almost Gandhi.

• The "responsible and don't take a govt handout" crowd has a new hero. This is really what people think of freeloaders.

• @Billy - Charity is the key word here. You CHOOSE to give and say that you would CHOOSE to give more if it could help people. What give your the right to FORCE others to give to charity, which is what employment, foodstamps, etc. are. Big government is not the solution. Self sustaining citizens are the answer.

• bring on the ad-hominems and the faulty logic, without so much as an attempt at a lucid argument... go!

• No, it did not specify who he was addressing. He put every unemployed person in the same category.

• DJ27, is that supposed to be an valid point or just an indication of the fact that you don't have a valid point to make?

• it would also be spent back into the economy if people kept it and didn't have to pay government bureaucrats along the way. how did the government "facilitate" employment by charging you $550/yr? that doesn't make any sense at all, in fact, it adds the the points I made above about government being in the way.

• You're really misinformed and undeservedly smug. Take some of your money and buy a clue.

• I work my ass off and make plenty of money - enough that I'm happy to give my neighbors a hand up rather than subject them to an endless supply. I give to charity and pay my taxes - and would gladly pay more if it meant a general increase in the quality of life for everyone. You are just a selfish prick, too shortsighted to see that with taxes we buy civilization.

• Most of the benefit money is spent and comes back into the economy. I did start my own business and have to pay the gov 550/yr for a license and I'm not on unemployment. So, in my case the gov facilitated employment.

• You are really uninformed and self rightious

• *to clarify, from the second sentence, the poor financial state *Illinois* is in

• yes, don't worry, the people's republic of Illinois will take care of you... until everyone else's money runs out... then what? it's because of people like Lembke that Misssouri is not in the poor financial state it is in, and look at the thanks he gets. what people don't seem to realize is that these government programs don't come from thin air, they are a burden on the economy itself. people act like he wants to take unemployment away entirely, all he is saying is that we shouldn't borrow money from China to pay people to not work, and he's right.

• "wah you won't pay me to do nothing, you're mean". grow up...

• what about the people who are actually working and want to keep that money they earn? why does someone deserve to get money for free? that's the mentality that got us into such a bad economic spot to begin with.

• he's not in denial, it is the liberals that are in denial that they have lost the country all these jobs with their nonsense big-government ideals.

• what this article leaves out is that Lembke understands that government programs are largely the reason for such a high unemployment rate. when was the last time you tried to start a business or God forbid a charity? government is the problem, not the answer

• There seems to be a contest with republicans to see who's the toughest and can be the biggest prick while blaming the federal deficit. Most of the affected people probably voted for him

• REALLY???? I have a job now, but will be losing it right before summer. I have friends who have been laid off and have applied for TONS of jobs. NOTHING-what about them? Because you turn away the funding for the "lazy" you also turn away the funding for those who need it. I will worry about his ignorance...he is the moron who represents us-he is speaking on behalf of those who live in the state...or hopefully-REPRESENTED us.

• "don't worry about his ignorance" Fuck that. We (indirectly) pay this guy to represent us. Worry.

• What a dick

• I am unemployed, but I live in IL... so we are more likely to get our funding I suppose. I have applied for over 700 jobs since being laid off in June. Very, very bold for a guy in his position to say that people without jobs are lazy. So much for representing the people.

• ..I wouldn't say he is wrong for saying this. He is kind of telling the lazy people to get their act together and TRY and look for a job. If they are in fact being lazy. So to the ones who don't try and/or are lazy this is to them. And if this statement that he has made offends you then you might want to question yourself if you are being lazy about it. If not don't worry about his ignorance.

• i guess it's okay if your mommy and daddy have given you every thing you've ever needed. just don't bother your neighbor. and if you get sick or injured or any other misfortune that means you must not be a true christian. missouri has some mean vicious sob's that amaze an ole' boy from mo. but long time cali. bearcat.

• Damn...and I gave big ups to Lembke on the red-light camera scams and now he turns around and shows that he is in denial about the lack of job opportunities available to the unemployed. Dude did a face turn back to a heel turn in one week. Amazing.

• Absolutely astonishing attitude, considering the high unemployment percentage rate. When you have job fairs and thousands show up for a few hundred jobs...doesn't he get it!?

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