Saturday, December 28, 2013

Happy New Year!...You're Cut Off...

1.3 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits today.
Congress couldn’t find the money to extend these benefits for the long term unemployed.  The money is needed elsewhere.  There are armies to fund and roads and bridges to build in countries far away.
Democrats hope to revisit the subject when they return from their holiday recess.  Republicans have no interest.
Republicans say that these benefits create a culture of dependency.  They consider the recipients druggies and slackers who prefer to scam the system rather than earn a days’ wage.  They feel that they are doing the unemployed a favor by cutting these benefits; encouraging them to become less dependent and more productive.
Let’s examine the logic behind that train of thought. 
If by cutting “government handouts” we encourage the poor and the unemployed to be more independent and productive; then why do we give tax breaks and subsidies to major corporations and the very rich?  Are these tax breaks and subsidies not “government handouts” as well?            
The vast majority of the long term poor are those who want to work but have been unable to find a job.  They are not druggies or slackers but people who through no fault of their own have lost their job.  They want to support their family and pay their bills.  But there are 3 applicants for every 1 job; and the longer they remain unemployed the harder it is to find that one job.  So they turn to unemployment.  And for that they are labeled as losers.
The average recipient of unemployment benefits receives $1,166/mo.  It’s hard to support a family and pay your bills on $1,166/mo…$13,992/year. 
Republicans believe that these “slackers” snort this money up their noses or blow it on booze.  Several Republican governors set up laws that require applicants to pass a drug and alcohol test before receiving benefits.  99.98% passed…sober as a judge.
The truth is these “slackers” will put that $13,992 right back into the economy…buying food, diapers and medicine.  Cutting off these benefits hurts not only the unemployed but the economy as well.
We can build schools, bridges, roads and hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan…but we can’t take care of our own.  The money is needed elsewhere.
1.3 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits today.
Apparently, we are doing them a favor.
Happy New Year!  You’re cut off!
  
  

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