You Think You Have A Problem?

Ezra Klein writes a column in the Washington Post and today he brought up something I had to agree with. It was about unemployment in America and exactly what the problem is. He pointed out that there are several thoughts on the subject. One such thought is that unemployment is high because workers don't have the skills to fill jobs that already exist or will become available. Another thought is that, basically, there is no demand for products, so no jobs, which means less buying which means fewer jobs. But Klein claims there's a third reason for high unemployment. Its the politicians. This makes a lot of sense. Here's the thing. Both groups of politicians believe whole heartedly in their favorite reason. And they're not about to give in to the other side, mainly because the other side is all wet on this issue. Each side knows that if only their side could go ahead and do their thing it would solve the problem. Each side also knows that if the other side gets to do their thing, it won't work. So neither side will compromise. But you see, the problem is that they're both wrong. And the reason they're both wrong is that they're both right. What we need is to create jobs in the short term and retrain for the long term. Frankly it makes a lot of sense. Which is probably why neither side can see it. The reason neither side can see it is that both sides are run by politicians. So until both sides stop thinking like politicians and start thinking like businessmen and unemployed workers, the problem ain't gonna get solved.