Ending Unemployment Instantly and Permanently

Here is the text of an email I sent to President Obama, my Senators, and my congressman.  If you think that it is tongue-in-cheek… well…

Dear President Obama,

I was listening to National Public Radio yesterday, and heard an article which said that you were “open to every demonstrably good idea” to help resolve America’s high unemployment rate.

Providentially, I believe that I have hit upon such an idea, and one which will have a profound, long-term impact.  It is based on sound principles which are already accepted in government circles.

The idea is four-pronged, and works like this:

1. Pass legislation requiring every eligible American to have a job.
2. Pass legislation requiring American businesses to hire those who are seeking jobs.
3. Provide tax credits to businesses who hire the jobless – say, about 25% of the value of the average employment package.
4. For those Americans who are unable (or unwilling) to find employment with a private employer, afford a public employment option.

Of course, for humanitarian reasons, you must allow a hardship exemption to point 1 of the above-described program for those who are unable to work.  But every able American who is not exempted must be required either to find a job or pay a tax penalty – or suffer criminal penalties.  And as far as point 2 is concerned, it would certainly be wise to afford exceptions for small businesses.  It would probably be best if the number of mandatory new employees varied proportionately with the size of the hiring business.

An intelligent man like yourself will already have recognized the relationship between this plan and the current House and Senate plans for Health Care Reform.  Because of these similarities, I know that you already accept and agree with the principles which underlie my suggestion.

Think of it, Mr. President:  By signing such a bill, you would instantly and permanently end unemployment in America.  Never again would a citizen want a job and be unable to find one.  And consider the certain economic benefits of legislation of this sort:  For the first time in history, all Americans would be employed, and the combined contributions to public revenues from this condition would overflow the public coffers, and afford the opportunity for many and greater civil goods than we currently afford.  The era of burgeoning prosperity which must certainly follow such an initiative would be unrivaled in history and among the nations of the world.  The program would pay for the cost of the public employment option out of hand, and would likely eradicate the deficit, pay down the national debt, and fund the troubling future mandates of the large entitlement programs.  And there would be no delay in the benefits:  Tax revenues would begin to roll in practically the moment the program was signed into law!

If unemployment were outlawed, Mr. President, only outlaws would choose to be unemployed – and the cost of their incarceration would be small compared to the social benefits of mandatory universal employment!

Please consider this proposal, Mr. President.  It is based on principles which I know that you and the leadership of Congress already embrace – principles every bit as sound as the proposed Health Care Reform legislation currently before Congress.

I ask no recompense from you for proposing this idea.  I wish only to do good for my country.  And the idea is really yours, if you think about it, for it was you (and the leadership of Congress, of course) who proposed such a notion in the first place.  All that I require, Mr. President, is that you consider this humble suggestion on my part, and then take such action as the President of the United States ought.

Sincerely,

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