Give credit (sort of) to President Barack Obama for lowering the unemployment rate in Clark County to a still unacceptable level. Blame Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, and Republicans for any and all social and economic ills. Conclude by saying people aren’t getting a benefit they paid for. Get the letter published Feb. 25 under the headline “Jobless Americans betrayed.” Huh?
If letter writer Celia Louderback has paid for unemployment insurance from her wages, can she produce a pay stub on which that is itemized? I doubt it. Employers pay the taxes for unemployment benefits. Shortened explanation — there’s a rate for the feds, and for Washington state the tax rate is a calculation of experience, based on the number of former employees of an employer who have collected benefits, as well as a shared distribution of social-cost base. Maybe she believes those taxes her employers have paid would otherwise have ended up in her pocket. Some economists actually believe that.
By the way, the last bill for extended benefits (not those paid for out of payroll taxes) died in the Senate when Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wouldn’t allow any amendments. The House just wanted to figure out how to pay for an extension without borrowing any more to do it.
Jim Borden
Vancouver
