I have an idea that would resolve every ideological gripe conservatives have with modern society. My idea would also find people jobs. In the right hands, this idea has the potential to improve the lives every American.

But in the wrong hands - Republican hands - the idea will only make people miserable.

The idea is to have a government program that finds people jobs by working with employers (1). The reason we need this idea is that, despite what many people think, the Unemployment Office won't find a person a job, and programs inspired by Welfare-to-Work appear to embrace forced labor, making people miserable.

In addition to offering benefits, why can't such agencies also offer jobs? No forced labor and no burning your own gas to go on a bunch of job interviews where you get treated like shit.

I'm talking about a handful of job opportunities you can choose from and start tomorrow! A real job. Not an interview that goes nowhere, and not forced labor. You can even try several jobs and keep the one you like.

The job service will also be open to everyone. If the government lets you fall through the cracks and you're not eligible for benefits for some stupid reason (2), you can still use the job service. No one will deny you a job!

Of course, existing benefits will need to be extended to provide recipients with adequate support, education, etc., or to help people who would not otherwise qualify. And under no circumstances will existing benefits be cut or restricted because of this program, nor will the job service be used as a condition for receipt of other benefits. In other words, they can't deny you unemployment benefits just because you can't find a job you like; in fact, you don't even have to use the job service to collect unemployment. And they can't make you use the job service and take you off welfare. They also can't take you off welfare for trying the job service if things still aren't working out - no punishing people who want to work a job they like. Who knows what else they'll try... for the sake of argument I'll add that you won't have to change churches or join the military.

If you've tried job services before and have reservations about this idea, be assured that this job service will not just be a class about how to paste your photo on your resume. It also won't be a job posting service for employers that you don't want to work for, or a list of 20 places to call that can't possibly provide jobs for everyone. This new job service will be way better! And it won't be underfunded...

The job market should favor employees. If you don't like the idea of an easy-to-get job, then get rid of ideas inspired by Welfare-to-Work and restore the Welfare System, because Welfare-to-Work programs force welfare recipients into jobs unfairly.

This idea asks Republicans to confront what their party is about. Are they conservatives, or are they more interested in bitching at people and making America miserable? More and more it seems their party is about making people miserable. So maybe this isn't such a good idea. There's no misery in it. It solves a problem without treating people like shit, and that's sure to bother some Republicans. Republicans are more about lording over hard-working Americans; taking people's money, spreading misery, blaming the unemployed, and starting wars. That seems to be all the Republicans are really good at.

Actually, the Republicans probably won't do shit... They'll say things like, "No reform in a time of war, or during a recession, or when people need jobs." Lately, Republicans seem like a national disease.

But maybe there's hope... Maybe there's a cure...

Dick Cheney and his cohorts are trying to precipitate a terrorist attack. They've laid down all their rhetoric, and seem to have captured the public's attention by manipulating a ratings-hungry media. With their open channel to the terrorists in place, all that's left is for some terrorists to take them up on their offer. Then they'll permanently overthrow our democracy. Cheney said it himself: "terrorists see... our legal system... [as a] weakness" (1). It is the same thing that Hitler did with the burning of the Reichstag in 1933.

[UPDATE - May 21, 2009: The text below has been edited for accuracy.]

Optional Public Health Insurance is at the core of President Obama's healthcare plan. The basic idea is that you can either use a private insurance company, or sign up for a new government-run insurance plan which will be based on the plan members of Congress use.

Naturally, some insurance companies don't like Obama's plan - but they'll still go along with it. Since you can keep your doctor under Obama's plan, the insurance companies have a weak argument.

Of course, some insurers who seem to be embracing reform are actually promoting healthcare plans that destabilize the American dream. They're planning to make huge profits from people who need healthcare, but will do little to provide America with health coverage.

In fact, the arguments against Obama's plan aren't really arguments at all. All they say is "socialism," and they don't seem to understand that "socialism" is not an economic theory. There is nothing "socialist" going on.

Most of this crap is coming from a handful of Republicans who are in the insurance companies' pockets. All they do is say everything is "socialism." The truth is that under Obama's plan you can keep your current insurance company if you want to - your insurance company just won't be able to act like AIG!

It's time to reform healthcare in America. Optional Public Health Insurance is the only way to ensure that all Americans receive the best healthcare available.

So, would legalizing marijuana be enough to bring the U.S. out of the current economic recession? It is unlikely that any one industry can single-handedly pull that off. But legalizing marijuana could contribute to economic growth, along with other programs currently being considered by the Obama administration.

See Also:
- Exploring Legalized Marijuana