by Lyle 'Chip' Chipperson

Created on: August 03, 2010   Last Updated: December 09, 2010

Yes, it should, if so we can pay the bill. Yes, our nations unemployment is at a number we don't like, a dismal 9.5% as of June 2010. In the state of Michigan, we are at 14%. Nevada has recently beat us to the punch, we are now at second. But in addition to extending benefits, I believe we need to allow something like; bear with me here, "Relocation Credit." With those under the unemployment cloud in a state with a ridiculously high unemployment rate, it can be very difficult to find work. With states like Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho and even Hawaii with a low unemployment rate, it is much easier than the first mentioned.

Now, of course, it would be nice for a unemployed resident of Michigan to escape the winter chill with his relocation credit to Hawaii where he or she can soak up the sun all year round and even in February while Michigan residents suffer the winter cold. Of course, if the U.S. Government or an individual state were to actually approve of my crazy idea of "Relocation Credit," I promise you, a resident in upper Maine will not be allowed the funds to take a one-way trip to Hawaii on the taxpayer's dime. If one were to find a suitable job in Honolulu while being a current and resident of Bangor, Maine, the taxpayers are not going to pay for three-plus first class plane trips for the man lucky to leave Bangor for his new $80,000 annual job in Honolulu.

If something of this matter were to happen, one would be located to the nearest state that is accepting new people. For instance, if someone looking for work as an experienced Process Tech for a plastics factory while living in southern Minnesota just can't find the job, if qualified for the relocation credit while finding a job in northern Iowa, the state of Minnesota or Iowa will pay the bill for his travels, he will probably be provided a debit card (in Michigan, you receive a card by choice if you receive unemployment) with the approved funds to get himself (and family) settled in his new town he calls home. Some differences would be made with that relocation credit if he has a wife and kids, it would be up to the state(s) whether to approve (with more funds) or deny him. So, if a relocation credit was made into the works, would unemployed California residents get free rides to Hawaii? Most likely not.

Of course, the 'Relocation Credit' is just a idea on the top of my head. Some people would agree, some people are going to disagree. And even if something like this were to pass, again, an unemployed worker in New England isn't going to get the first class treatment with a first class plane ticket to Hawaii with a complementary massage.

Our nation's unemployment rate will never be at 0%, but there are states existing with a low unemployment rate while our economy is considered in bad terms. So, they must be doing something right over there while states like Michigan, South Carolina, Nevada and California are doing poorly. And in addition to that, if a relocation credit does go into effect, there could be states that are in good shape that will not want any newcomers from poor shape states for their own reasons. That could be a problem.

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