How many times have you wanted to laugh when you've overheard Republicans talk amongst themselves?

Plenty? I have on numerous occasions. One such topic I hear them discuss is unemployment benefits. If only the truth would ever come out. Well, I will share a little - but no names.

When I was unemployed for almost two years I had to check in multiple times at the Workforce Center here in Georgetown. We'd gather in a group and have our sheets checked - and checked again - to see whether we were actively searching for a job. The people in those groups were not all liberals. Matter of fact, a few that were with me one time were what I consider pronounced Republicans. They wore it proudly, so to say.

I laughed back to my vehicle that day. I couldn't help it. Silly conservatives. They bark and spit at and on people for this but file right into line for the same benefits.

So, I find it odd none of those pronounced Republicans are barking against this ridiculous mess...

New policies at South Carolina’s Department of Employment and Workforce require people to accept job offers that pay incrementally less than their previous wages – eventually leading to minimum wage – and reducing the number of weeks someone let go for misconduct can receive benefits.

Department director and Maj. Gen. Abraham Turner told a state Senate committee Thursday that the policies begin immediately, but technology upgrades needed for the job-offer-acceptance plan are expected to take six months.

That's right. Republicans in this state think we are all at fault and just sit on our asses as we collect checks to go buy a Playstation 3 or Xbox. Yeah, not to forget we roll on 23"s either. Nice and shiny.

The "technology upgrades" aren't free, my friends. Trust me.

“We’re trying to prohibit that person drawing unemployment from sitting back and not aggressively going after the jobs,” said Turner, who took the agency’s helm in September. “The jobs are there.”

Really? Even when the unemployment rate has decreased a little? And what is your definition of "aggressively going after jobs" here in S.C.? Should people beat down the doors to the local Burger King? Demand that line cook job?

The jobs were not there. Not when I was unemployed. I can pretty much assure you that the jobs needed to support people in this day and age are not there now. Wait, to be American means we have to work two or three jobs - according to George W. Bush.

Under the policy, the longer someone is unemployed, the lower the salary they must accept in a job offer. After four weeks, they must take a job offering 90 percent of what they were making. The percentage drops every four weeks, to 70 percent after 16. After federally paid extensions kick in at 20 weeks, it would eventually drop to minimum wage.

Minimum wage. First, the state has no minimum wage law. Second, the federal minimum wage is $7.25. That rate would apply at 20 weeks. The South Carolina minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage for tipped employees. Basically, you are being forced into the service sector.

Democratic state Sen. Leventis called it social engineering.

“What you’re about to do with folks is disestablish all the credentials they’ve ever had. Now they’re in food service when they used to be making $80,000 a year and will never be viable to compete in that area again because South Carolina decided to do a social experiment.”

However, elite Republicans like Kevin Bryant think otherwise.

“I was raised that there’s honor in hard work, no matter what it is,” said Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson. “It’s honorable to take a minimum-wage job if that’s all there is.”

Then you take one and give up your lawmaker salary. Give up your health care, too. A person making minimum wage can't afford that. Live on one income at the minimum wage rate. Then tell the bill collectors it's "honorable" and see whether they let you keep your power on, your house or your car.

Ah, but Bryant doesn't have to worry about all that nonsense. He's more worried about paying for unemployment insurance as a business owner. That's pretty much what it comes down to.

Republicans do not want to pay for anything that doesn't involve/benefit them personally.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a federal-state program jointly financed through Federal and state employer payroll taxes (federal/state UI tax). Generally, employers must pay both state and Federal unemployment taxes if: (1) they pay wages to employees totaling $1,500, or more, in any quarter of a calendar year; or, (2) they had at least one employee during any day of a week during 20 weeks in a calendar year, regardless of whether or not the weeks were consecutive. However, some state laws differ from the Federal law and employers should contact their state workforce agencies to learn the exact requirements.

So, the next time you notice a pronounced Republican in the unemployment line, ask them how it feels knowing they voted for people who consider them lazy and worthless.