Jackson Jambalaya

You think this is bad, wait until Lumumba starts pushing for UBI.

Work? Hell No. I want to be stimulated.

Maybe everyone thought they had Good Friday off?

When the government makes it more appealing and profitable to sit on your ass at home and play games than to work, yes this is what you get. Society is increasingly becoming hooked on big guv. It is going to be the downfall of this great country.

My friend manages a cafeteria and she stated that they cannot get anyone to work, because unemployment pays them more. People apparently are willing to ride this train until it runs out of steam. I personally cannot imagine not having a job when there are jobs available. I really think this speaks more to stagnant wages than an unwillingness to work.

Gee, I’m shocked. I guess people figured out a faster way to make $1400.

Why work when Biden pays you to stay home? The liberals have this figured out

Why would anyone have an incentive to work at a low paying job as long as the "guvment" is sending out checks, and fixing it so they don't have to pay rent. Work ethic has gone the way of the dinosaurs.

All this means is that Waffle House needs to pay more to get employees that show up. Broad Street/Bravo doesnt have this problem...

@3:45 - Agree with the stagnant wages part. Did you ask this friend what she is paying? It must be below minimum wage if she cannot match what unemployment is paying them.

@3:41 - how exactly can I sign up to get paid for sitting on my ass and how much money will I make? I need some facts, because that stinks of made up bs propaganda.

This is EVERY Restaurant! Its a huge issue everywhere.

The federal unemployment assistance of $600 a week on top of state unemployment means people are making $31,000+ not going to work. Add in additional benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or Obamacare, and housing assistance and you have to pay someone over $20 an hour just to beat the value of the benefits they are getting for being "unemployed due to Covid-19".

Bravo and broad street have employees who understand that you must work to be self reliant. These people think they’ll be in better shape with the government making decisions. Just wait. They’ll be the first people the government will let starve.

Why work when you can make more sitting on your butt at home? Pass the Cheetos and thanks, Joe!

And these programs are only the start.

Long time friends have bought into this crap.
Their attitude is the same. They all say they can make more money from unemployment than returning to work.

At the same time, I have friends that are business owners struggling to get back to their 2019 levels.

Their former employees have no desire to return to work ... after making more money staying at home.

@4:35pm - Federal unemployment supplement is $300 a week. Get your head out of your ass.

So with Mississippi’s unemployment maximum weekly payment of $235, that’s a whopping $535 a week. I reckon if you’re paying minimum wage or “restaurant minimum wage,” then you’re probably having a bad time right now.

Since when is Waffle House a barometer for the economy?

Think about the subsets of American society. Then, think about in which of those subsets the people generally work and in which of those subsets you're much more likely to find huge numbers who do not work - even if work is available. Then, think about to which of those subsets the most has been given by our government, by far. Any corellation between the two?

There is a good reason in the forest you'll find signs that read. "Don't feed the bears."

I found this article to be of interest.
https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/restaurants-sales-are-returning-not-necessarily-their-workers

“While restaurants were furloughing their whole workforces, employers in other industries kept hiring. Businesses like supermarkets, e-retailers and fulfillment warehouses scarfed up the former busboys, servers and kitchen workers, who welcomed the greater stability those fields afforded. The industry lost jobs to the industries that were hiring.”
The industry hoppers not only found more job security, but often lowered health risks. At every turn, they heard authorities warning against interacting with the public. Yet restaurant employees were usually characterized as essential workers, meaning they were still handing over bags of food or nearly bumping elbows with kitchen co-workers.

“One of the few places where people can take off their masks is in restaurants,” Fernandez points out.

“Essential workers are more exposed to the COVID-19 virus, and that has made hospitality occupations less and less attractive,” says John Cleveland, executive chef of Post & Beam in Los Angeles. “As a result, people start to figure out another way of life and they move on.”

In addition, “some worried parents are telling their kids, ‘No, I don’t want you to work anymore because of the danger,’’

go into the hood and inquire about crazy checks.... if you find someone who is on home health or even hospice thats just more stuff they can get...Down there every day, unbelievable......

So, Kingfish, I've noticed a lot of removed comments on this thread. Is there a new Twitter-like policy about which we should know?

"Since when is Waffle House a barometer for the economy?"

Anytime a hurricane slams into a Gulf Coast state.

Just a personal anecdote but the ones that stayed open and made an effort to take care of their employees seem to have had an easier time than the ones that just suddenly shut it all down when the government banned inside dining. Sent the employees home and said tough luck. Then they didn't reopen when they could have. When they did reopen, they suddenly found their employees had moved on to other jobs or gave them the same treatment they had received.

I know one owner who took it as an opportunity to stay home with her kids during the summer while she kept on a couple of employees to take her place. Never quit, adapted, and no one left.

What percentage of Republican kids have after school or summer jobs? Not even 1%.

How is it a liberal thing when Trump started passing out money first. I know of a lot of people who started getting unemployment when the ice storm hit. Many restaurants were closed. Many in Jackson because of the water issues. People started getting the unemployment and saw how much they were getting.

@535, get YOUR head out of YOUR arse. The federal supplement to unemployment has been $600/week since the stimulus bill this time last year. And it remained at $600 through the middle of March of this year when those benefits ran out. But, the $1.9 trillion so-called 'stimulus' bill just passed extended those federal benefits through September, and you are correct, the extension is $300. But that doesn't mean that the $600 number was wrong - it was exactly what people have been receiving (not earning) for not working for a year.

It’s our fault. We are being overtaken by people Who don’t know where their next meal will come from. We got lax and babied our kids and grandkids, allowed the government to interfere, told our kids and grandkids to get a college education no matter what. I am in construction and started a 19 year old off at $19.00 per hour. Fair pay for hard work...off the ground ! He couldn’t take it, so he laid off a day until the hard work (which with us is every day) he thought, was over. 10 feet off the ground and he was a scared. Companies I work alongside of pay people From south of the border less and they work. Long story short is we got lazy and it’s our fault and deserve what we have coming to us. We can change it but it won’t be easy. As an employer I implore To all of you as parents. Teach your kids to be self sufficient. Don’t depend on the government to take up your slack. We have lost as a nation our vision and I’m embarrassed. And by the way, it’s not racist to work and work hard. It’s a privilege to be able to do well, learn and pass your skills on to someone else. That’s where you become a person that is respected by your peers. Learn your trade/skill/profession and pass it on. You have no idea how you will impact a person. My dad passed experience and skill sets on to me and it’s a wonderful thing.

.

You’re wrong @6:00. All of my friend’s have children who work. Mine works two jobs and finally understands how working pays off. Not sure what utopia you live in.

@6:00p- That’s likely due to fact their “Republican” parents understood you don’t quit working because some extra money rolled in. Their reward for a good work ethic and smart choices is kids who don’t HAVE to work.

These folks are temporarily “rich” off stimulus and tax refunds. (The more kids, the better right?!) If these “non-Republicans” (since you decided to go there) had ANY sense at all (and vision beyond next week), they’d keep working and save a little... or a lot. They won’t though... it will get blown on shoes and clothes and phones and other “wants.” And in a few months, it will be EVERYONE ELSE’S fault they are poor/broke.

MDES is a joke. There’s NO WAY they believe all these folks cannot find a job. Businesses are BEGGING for employees.

Folks are getting a bridge to a better Job, the C Store by house proudly advertised that you can make as much as $11an hour after 6 months. Amazon is going to start at $15. You can cut grass and make more than $11. Better pay is being offered all around. If you want a person to make a commitment to your business, pay them like you want it. If all you are looking for is an employee, deal with it, your job is only worth the last pay check you paid.

Sorry @6:41pm - You’re still wrong. I bet you’re fun at parties, sticking to your guns and looking like an idiot. The federal $600 unemployment supplement ended on July 31, 2020. It’s been $300 a week ever since. But I get it, it doesn’t support your “liberals are lazy” argument almost a year later so I see why you’ve dug in. Bless your heart.

Better opportunities are available. Amazon, UPS, FedEx...it is what it is.

It’s Kim Wade’s time to shine. Maybe he can finally get a job.

It's vote buying by the government. Both sides do it until the USA gets over the stick and ball mentally (there can only be two sides and it's fight to the end) and can develop a vote able 3rd party that can defuse the wild swings from let to right and right to left we are done as a country. Sorry upcoming generations, this is what your elders have left for you.

The bickering about 600 vs 300 is silly. Moving on...Have I not read that unemployment benefits (by court order) must be approved for those who claim they are so afraid of covid that they are uncomfortable taking a job or return to the one from which they were laid off?

On a side note: Why are Wendy's and every other fast food joint in Madison still drive-through only? The answer might be that they're making the same amount of money but not having to bus tables, floors and bathrooms.

"You think this is bad, wait until Lumumba starts pushing for UBI."

What's that?

Lol at the people blaming Joe Biden for a Waffle House in Brandon, MS being short staffed one day. Most likely explanation is bad management. But you guys are just too busy grasping at straws because you don’t like Democrats. Shows how pathetically desperate you are.

And to those of you who appear to think the employees were democrats, Brandon is heavily Republican. The workers there who didn’t show could very well belong to your party.

hmm. free market at work. costco pays more than waffle house? i can make more at walmart than a locally owned restaurant?

it’s not a labor shortage. it’s a wage issue. it’s what conservatives love-the market is solving the problem.

it’s not unemployment. 300 a week isn’t much money at all. stop blaming workers and begin to understand that people who work retail/ restaurants now have choice. we should celebrate that!

Democrats know how to buy votes with taxpayers money!

To my so-called conservative friends – there’s no longer any room - any room whatsoever for criticism of anybody getting stimulated after the PPP scam that paid 100’s of thousands of dollars, even millions of dollars to rich business owners with booming businesses that needed no help – no help at all making their payroll.

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2020/07/who-got-money.html

Rich businesses owners, with deafening silence - are buying luxury items with their lotto winnings, compliments of printed Fed dollars – and they didn’t even have to buy a ticket.

So keep all of your criticism against some restaurant employee wanting to take a day off due to getting a Fed dollar printing stimulus bone - while rich business owners decide whether to buy a F’ing airplane or beach house with theirs.

For those of you who think that pay is the issue at restaurants don’t seem to understand that you will pay more for you eggs at Waffle House as benefits and pay increase. Once you are paying $12 for that $8 meal you will understand what us employers have to deal with. By the way inflation is here, enjoy monthly increases in food and gas costs.

Pay $15 an hour and guess what?

You will find lots of workers.

Same with a house....does anyone want to buy my house....no one is buying it....reduce the price and bam! House will sell.

All you “fiscally” conservative people seem to forget economics when it’s convenient.

And yes...I’ll pay more for a burger dipshit

A lot of problems with the "free money" program could have been avoided by some form of payroll compensation/reimbursement or temporary emergency Federal payroll management system. In other words, no "loans" for forward payroll, only reimbursement for past payroll paid, or, a Federal payroll system in which payroll checks were temporarily issued via a Federal payroll account. With such a program, employers can keep paying those willing to work, those able but unwilling cannot get paid, the employers can't game the system too much, and anyone - employer or employee - who does cheat it is committing a Federal crime. It would be easy to verify and cross-check. Whether Amazon or Mom's Diner, if the company had X workers making Y dollars before COVID, there was a known "baseline" payroll of a specific amount. Add a need-based qualifier that required the company to take some of the loss, with the Amazons, Walmarts, Uniteds, Butler Snows, etc. having to endure more loss than Mom's Diner. Allow self-employed and "gig workers" some mid-range percentage of their last one or two year's income.

The Fed tossing bags of money out like Carnival throws was a recipe for the disaster it is. Anyone who didn't see it coming shouldn't be allowed access to the checkbook. Anyone who saw it coming and went along with it should have access taken away. In other words, any congressperson who voted for any of this shit ought to be turned out of office in their next election. It won't happen of course, but it should.

FWIW I recently went out for lunch for the first time in months and found that Cracker Barrel was struggling to deal with all the problems the pandemic had brought and I was so impressed with the service from a young and inexperienced waitress that I tipped her $10 cash on a $19.98 ticket and the waitress teared up as I put it in her hand. It would appear that few of her customers appreciate her efforts. She may regret getting off the "dole" to work at $2/hour.

If you enter a greasy joint thinking you're at Waffle House and three people don't shout 'Hello! Mornin'! Welcome!'...are you really there?

And think about the last twelve guys who sat on that stool you're on.

Cheryl, come on. Take out Waffle House? You are better than that!!

@9:35. You might find more employees at $15, but you won’t find more workers. And if you don’t understand the difference then you’ve clearly never run a business. Too many just don’t want to work these days. I’ve fired several in the last 2 years (drinking on the job, won’t show up to work, etc.). Then they go file for, and receive, unemployment benefits. And I offer good pay, full FAMILY coverage insurance paid by the company (that’s right - I furnish BCBS fo employee, spouse, and kids), and a 401K with a full match up to 5%.

Amusing that on a Mississippi blog, nobody has brought up all of that sweet government money that’s been going to farmers for generations. Guess government subsidies are only bad if “other” folks start getting them, too.

@11:59a- Need food much?? The USA DEFINITELY needs farmers to produce crops to self-sustain our people. (We do not need to keep depending on other countries for sustainability.) The USA DEFINITELY does NOT need an abundance of lazy citizens willing to mooch off the system. And don’t give me that non-sense about it being “smarter to stay home right now.” No self-respecting person would EVER choose unemployment over honest, paying work, PERIOD!

And to all the clowns who think $15/hour is sustainable, you are in for a crude reality. The people making $15/hour will be NO BETTER OFF when consumer prices rise to sustain the higher minimum wage. What then? Seriously, what then??

12:38, tell us again how many Americans eat that ethanol corn (double subsidies), subsidized cotton, chicken sent to China and Russia, or soy sent to China?

TEN BILLION DOLLARS just in crop insurance, crop subsidies, etc. Not counting flood control, utility subsidies to rural areas, etc.

Wonder how, with all them starvin' 'Muricans out there, do wealthy Mississippi farmers get to send all that subsidized food to other countries (for THEIR profit)?

NOBODY gets more GubMint money than the Tea Tards screeching about "mah taxes."

UBI = Universal Basic Income Call it $2000 a month for everyone.

@12:38 - do you think ceo pay that reaches in the tens of millions of dollars is inflating the price of consumer goods too or just the minimum wage workers? Why should tax payers subsidize Fortune 500 company workers who still need assistance because their wage is pathetic despite working for extremely profitable companies?

" Cheryl, come on. Take out Waffle House? You are better than that!! "

Cheryl is like all local journalists. She is told what/and how to report everything.
Give her and the rest of em'a break. At least they are trying to earn an honest wage.

"MDES is a joke. There’s NO WAY they believe all these folks cannot find a job. Businesses are BEGGING for employees."

Now that comment is very true !

Until about 20 years ago, MDES ... (back then MESC AKA Mississippi Employment Security Commission) ... was one of the best State Agencies within Mississippi.

They denied more bogus unemployment applications than they paid. Plus they had a very great record of placing qualified job applicants with employers.

Things changed during the 1990's and 2000's when new national and state administrations were elected.

But those facts are for another day.

I know ... as I worked for that agency under both incarnations.

Who knew that an average day at Waffle House could be subject to so much commentary (by idiots).

^^^^5:50 truth

Went through McDonalds to get a biscuit this morning and it took forever. When I got to the window the young man jokingly asked, "Do you want to come help this morning? I pay very good!" and when I politely declined he apologized for the wait and said when he showed up for his 0800 management shift this morning, none of his openers had showed up to work. He had to call another one of his off duty managers to come in so it was just him and one other lady. She was cooking and he was running the drive-thru. Said 4 employees were no show no calls this morning. Welcome to Joe Biden America... where you will receive a check to not work.

1:39 - As you know, we are conditioned to repeat behaviors that bring us rewards. If these kids are allowed to stay on the payroll after being a no-show, they should be terminated. Period. Not kept on the payroll....which teaches them that their behavior is acceptable and will be overlooked.

@1:39pm - Get your head out of your ass. All the free money started under Trump in March 2020, more free money in Dec 2020 (still under Trump), and Biden takes office and adds a third round. Yep, all Biden’s fault. Republican logic.

Does anyone have a detailed comparison of how much the lazy unemployed have cheated from tax payers in recent years compared to the investment bankers and political insiders? The governor of Florida seems to have pulled in some big bills and Mnuchin was handed $billions worth of delinquent mortgages to foreclose. And of course there's the S&L crisis, TARP, quantitative easing, etc and altogether those rip-off totaled in the $trillion and are still on the books to be paid sometime in the future and likely at an astronomical interest rate. But of course when the winners are people like US we consider it smart dealing.

To the business owner who posted on April 3rd at 11:48 a.m.- do you mind sharing what kind of a business you run, and if you are hiring? 5% is a pretty good match if it's a 100% match.

Even at much more than $15 per hour there are many employees, and few who actually work hard, but you know that.

Any of these folks who don't understand that giving out helicopter money doesn't make people lay up and scam the system don't understand people. I remember a co-worker of the majority ethnicity in Jackson telling one year about how he was getting. $6,000 "back" in income tax "refund" and was going to take a couple of weeks off. A certain class of people don't think past Friday. Those of us who have worked and lived with these people understand that.