Can't believe I heard this today

So today was one of the most frustrating days for me. Not as an individual, but as an American. I am in a position of management and I needed to hire someone to fill an open position. Over the last two weeks I have interviewed no less than seven applicants and received the following "excuses": 1) Not happy with the amount of hours offered. For someone who isn't working aren't some hours better than none? 2) Want to make more money. If you are not making any money, wouldn't something be an improvement? 3) Don't want to work the shifts offered. Are we really that picky? I mean it is a job? 4) Not enough benefits. OK, this one I can somewhat understand, but isn't something better than nothing? 5) I would rather collect unemployment until it runs out. WHAT!!! Did I hear that right. Someone would rather pass up a job now and wait until their "free" money runs out and then take a job. This excuse was used by two of the applicants. Yes, two. I am absolutely flabbergasted that these words came out of the mouth of an American, or am I? It seems that we have become a country of people looking for a handout. People who would rather milk the government, a government that is MASSIVELY in debt, than earn an honest living. And the idea of free money. Let's just examine the concept of "free" money. Employers pay unemployment insurance through a payroll tax. It usually amounts to approx. .05% of payroll. Now let's delve a little further. If this is never applied for, the employer pays the same .05% and it goes into a state pool. The problem is this, if an employee files for unemployment and is granted the benefit, the employers taxes go up. That means the cost of doing business goes up. Now before we get to excited about sticking it to big business, it is important to note a few facts. Small business accounts for 50% of the jobs in America and 60% to 80% of all new jobs. So the small business, the mom and pop shops, are the ones being taxed to death for the benefit of those who do not want to work. That means less jobs, less money available for raises, and the potential that some small businesses can't afford to stay in business. Now let me be clear, I am not chastising those who are truly looking for work and can't find it. I am talking about those who are applying for jobs in their chosen field but are declining work for the time being until their "free" money runs out. I sincerely hope that there is enough "free" money for all the small business owners that are squeezed out of business by taxes that are drowning them in a pool of bureaucracy.

R.I.P. NASA

During the 1950's and 1960's there was a great race. It was between the two greatest superpowers on the planet. A race to see who which nation would make it to the Moon first. The U.S.S.R. took an early lead by putting the first man in orbit and things were looking bleak for the U.S.A., but somehow we came from behind and became the first nation to land a man on the Moon. Along the way several things happened. We established that the United States of America was the greatest nation and was a leader in industry. We also, sometimes by accident, came up with some of the most incredible inventions. Some of which have changed the world. Scratch resistant lenses, memory foam, long distance telecommunication (cell phones), cordless tools, water filters, velcro, and countless other everyday items that have helped to shape our lives. So why are we scrapping this innovative agency? Why are we turning our backs on our space program? Have we seen all there is to see in outer space? Have we been to every planet in the solar system or even our own little galaxy, which by the way has more than 10,000 stars and several thousands more planets? What is the motive behind this all? Let's face it, the inventions bring in enough to support the space programs. It seems to be more of a trend than a need. We have outsourced our call centers to other nations. We have imported more autos than we produce (driving our own companies bankrupt). We have increased our dependance on foreign oil to a point where we would be crippled without it. And now we are giving up one of the most imaginative agencies in the world that has lead to the exploration of space. Where do we stop? When we elect someone from another nation to guide ours. Or is it when we contract with other countries to provide defense for our borders. We are already the leading consumer in the world, let's not consume ourselves into oblivion.