By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The rate of unemployment in the United States continues to be a major arguing point among candidates in several elections across several levels of state, local and national races in recent years.

Of the variety of possible solutions being tossed around during debates and other political speeches, many in the River Parishes believe further training for the unemployed could be the best solution to combating the lack of jobs facing the country.

More than 60 percent of readers who logged a vote in last week’s L’Observateur online poll said they would like to see the unemployed attend some type of training or schooling before being granted benefits from the government.

Other popular solutions among readers included the implementation of a “buy American” policy for all government purchases, as well as a push for creation of new jobs in environmentally friendly industries like wind and solar power.

Few who responded to the poll said they wanted to see an extension of the period for receiving government benefits.

Full results follow:

• 4 percent of respondents chose “Extend the period of government benefits.”

• 65 percent of respondents chose “Require the unemployed to attend training or school to foster a craft.”

• 0 percent of respondents chose “Government should step in to assist employers to pay salaries.”

• 14 percent of respondents chose “Create new jobs in environmentally friendly industries like wind and solar power.”

• 18 percent of respondents chose “Adopt a ‘buy American’ mandate for all government purchases.”