MORE JOBS THAN WORKERS

As far as jobs go, the Cape Girardeau area is continuing to deal with an interesting situation: There are more jobs than job-seekers, which means some employers are having to resort to interesting ploys to attract workers.

Some businesses are finding ways to lure employees from other businesses, because the pool of available unemployed workers is so low.

This is, for the most part, good news. Low unemployment is generally regarded as a strong indicator of a healthy economy.

But an argument also can be made that able-bodied welfare recipients and others living in poverty have plenty of opportunities to work rather than take handouts.

For some employers, this situation means devising ploys to attract workers who have the potential to be long-term employees. Not everyone who is hired turns out to be a good employee. Thus, a cycle of employment turnover contributes to the already tight workforce.

As long as there are plenty of jobs, however, bureaucrats who deal with welfare and poverty issues should be placing the highest emphasis on working for a living rather then finding creative ways to expand the welfare system.