Because expanded unemployment entitlements have done wonders for unemployment rates in places like France and Germany.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/—Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement regarding Labor Department figures released today showing that new U.S. jobless claims rose to their highest level in more than 16 years.

“With more Americans filing for jobless claims than at any time since the 1992 recession, Congress and the President must act to extend unemployment benefits for workers. I am pleased that President Bush has today joined the New Direction Congress in supporting this critical step.

“The depth of the nation’s economic problems demands additional action, which is why the House passed strong economic recovery and job creation legislation in September that creates jobs by investing in infrastructure, extends unemployment benefits, helps states avoid deep cuts to critical services, and provides nutrition assistance to struggling families. President Bush and Senate Republicans should work with us to help make this legislation law.”

The key to solving unemployment doesn’t lay with more government spending, and it especially doesn’t lay with spending on policies that make it easier to be unemployed.  Removing the impetus for getting a job is no way to get people back to work.

But keeping taxes high on the citizens and businesses who create the jobs in order to fund unemployment entitlements that make it easier to be unemployed is just madness.  If we want to create jobs we should cut taxes and ease what regulations can be eased.  Making it easier for business to hire people is the only cure for unemployment.