If there is one thing you’d think people had learned by now from all the failed socialist and communist around the world, it is that fighting unemployment by simply creating more government jobs is not the way to go.

Everybody would also realize by now, you’d think, that the government has to encourage people to produce and buy, rather than to stay at home and do nothing.

Sadly, not so:

THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on job creation and job training, 11:30 a.m., EEOB 350 – Per the White House, “President Obama deliver remarks outlining proposals to help unemployed workers attend community college, allow more workers to receive unemployment while enrolled in education or training programs, and will build a clearinghouse to help workers take advantage of these opportunities. … While the Obama Administration’s efforts are beginning to turn the economy around, there are millions of Americans who are willing to work but cannot find a job. Our country is squandering an opportunity to help workers get more education and skills, get ahead in their careers and lay a foundation for stronger economic growth in the coming years. Returning to school would cost many workers their unemployment benefits. And unemployed workers can be ineligible for student aid based upon the incomes they no longer earn. Today, President Barack Obama announced that he is taking new steps to give people across America who are unemployed the chance to go to a community college or training program and learn new skills. He directed Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to work together to:

Well, it is a relatively long list but to summarize:

1. You will not lose your unemployment benefits

2. You do not have to find a job, just go to school / college

3. The government will help you pay for it

Now, I do not automatically oppose all plans meant to encourage ‘workers’ (is that Soviet talk or what? Who uses the word ‘workers’ nowadays to the entire ‘employee-class’?) to get an education, but you have to make sure that such programs do not discourage them from going back to work. They can go to work and be educated at the same time. The program has to focus on getting these people back to work now, and on giving them the opportunity to learn more skills, to soak in more knowledge, so they can find better / more interesting / etc. jobs.

I get the distinct impression that this is not what Obama’s plan is all about.

Of course you can correct me if I’m wrong.