Does The Jobs Plan Make Sense?

Extending unemployment benefits logically could make sense for people who are out of work due to no responsibility of their own.  That appears to be true for a great many people.

The suggestion that nobody should be paid for not being employed makes sense.  Benefits should only be paid to those who follow strict rules, with special requirements to attend education classes that improve their skills, run by private enterprise - which would, of course, create jobs but also create a more capable and employable workforce.

Pulling money into the present to pay for building a better infrastructure absolutely makes sense, as it will facilitate commerce and growth and also get rid of waste caused by delays in transportation.  There is no definite answer to the question of whether the funds should be taken from other places.

Although it could make sense as a  source of funds, raising taxes on the rich has, at the present time, a zero chance of being passed.  The Republicans appear to be taking a stand on spending and do not want to encourage more spending or facilitate it.  There are pros and cons on that, but there is no valid point in evilizing the Republicans for their sincere stand.

Whether we add a bit more to the deficit to pay for pulling in more moneys for infrastructure or we pay for it by other cuts in the future, we should do the infrastructure spending - we can't afford not to.  And we should do the extension of unemployment benefits, carefully screening out laggards but also requiring that they do something to improve their skills and to learn with vigor. 

That isn't the entire plan, but those are pieces that are definitely justified.

The President should give up demonizing the Republicans for their refusing to allow more taxes.  It diminishes him as a leader, because the only purpose logically can be politics - which are divisive and damaging. 

That part is sad.

The Republicans, in my opinion, based on simple economics, should approve the two items above - and if the financing has to come from reductions in the future (added to the Super Committees required total), so be it. 

What do you think? 

The Rational Non-Politician