Unemployed in Orlando? Here, have a shiny red cape!

[Hugabear]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-orlando-unemployment-cape-20110415,0,6523849.story



<snip>
It may be hard getting a job in today's labor market, but Workforce Central Florida is prepared to give you a cape — a shiny, red cape.
...
As part of a superhero theme, it has created a cartoon character named "Dr. Evil Unemployment" and spent more than $14,000 on 6,000 satiny superhero capes.
...
It plans to distribute the capes to jobless residents who participate in the agency's "Cape-A-Bility Challenge."
...
The goal of the campaign is to "generate awareness of WFC and our programs," agency Vice President Kimberly Sullivan wrote in an email. The agency spent about $2,300 on 12 foam board cutouts of Dr. Evil Unemployment, each about 5 feet tall.
<snip>


Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out why there's even a need to raise awareness. Pretty sure most people who get laid off can figure out where to go to apply for benefits. Maybe this money could have been better spent on job training programs, or perhaps even hiring a few extra workers to answer phones? Anyone who's ever tried calling the unemployment assistance line knows how difficult it can be to reach someone.

[peace frog]

1. Orlando always has been a bit weird

When I lost my job in the 1990s recession, it was easy to apply for unemployment benefits at the local state office in Winter Park. Who remembers the state of Florida offices on Morse? Yep, those were the days. After that it was privatized out and the whole process of applying for benefits fell straight to shit.

[Enrique]

2. find out who makes the capes and how much they cost

and whether Rick Scott is profiting from this.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Yeah, that's just what the "jobless" need - capes!

[Skidmore]

4. What a waste of money.

and creativity. Use the money and creativity to actually put people to work.

[EC]

5. This is what the people who complain about government

waste see...government waste...this is just more fodder for the teabaggers...doesn't anyone oversee these agencies that has to approve or disapprove of these types of events using government funds? This should have stood out as stupid and unhelping to the unemployed with the monies used to REALLY help the unemployed.