Last week, Democratic senators Patty Murray and Mary Landrieu penned a ridiculous piece for the Wall Street Journal, claiming that businesses can’t find qualified workers and therefore the federal government needs to ramp up its “job training” program. Today’s paper contains a barrage of letters blasting the two politicians for not understanding that more federal action won’t solve the real problem in the labor market. Here are two of the letters:
As someone who has worked for and with small businesses for years, I know the reason most of the jobs the senators mention remain open is because the employer can’t find someone who is trustworthy, dependable, personable and willing to learn and work for the wage offered. In other words, the problem isn’t education, it’s attitude. As sad as the public schools are, most employers will gladly train anyone who displays both the intelligence and character traits needed to be successful. But those traits are increasingly hard to find in the “entitlement” culture that has been nurtured by the likes of these two “progressive” senators.
Greg Woods
Rio Rancho, N.M.
If these two senators would get out and talk to small-business owners they would find that those owners do not want the government to teach job seekers how to weld or roof or plumb, but rather that they would prefer applicants who can read, write and perform math calculations. The employer would teach the job skills.
Jon Rush
Helena, Mont.
