Jobs Crisis Caused by Republicans Not Obamacare

[babylonsister]

http://wonkwire.rollcall.com/2014/02/07/jobs-crisis-caused-republicans-obamacare/

Jobs Crisis Caused by Republicans Not Obamacare
Posted at 8:10 a.m. on Feb. 7


Ezra Klein argues that in recent years, a consistent set of policy roadblocks erected by Republicans is why there is a “jobs crisis.”

“That’s the proper context in which to view this week’s hysteria about Obamacare.”

“Workers are choosing to cut back hours — not being pushed to do so.”

“Whether this is good or bad depends on your views about human flourishing. Lower labor-force participation is bad for economic growth. On the other hand, the point of life is not for everyone to work every possible hour until they die.”

“In context, the freakout over the CBO estimate is perverse. Is it really the Republican position that we should do nothing – - in fact, cut aid — for the millions of long-term unemployed, but express shock and terror that employed people will, in a few years, cut back their hours or leave the labor force by choice? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about people desperate to join the workforce, who can’t, than about people voluntarily leaving the workforce, who can?”

[Gothmog]

1. Good cartoon on this issue