http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/13/the-fight-over-unemployment-benefits-underscores-the-right-s-extremism.html
Before reading this article, let me warn you that it is extremely biased and exaggerated. However, I thought that it would be a good article to post and discuss with all of you due to the difference in nature compared to my other articles. Generally, I responded to articles discussing the unemployment rate, while this article discusses the unemployment benefits offered by our government.
Especially after the socratic seminar today, I thought it would be interesting to hear all of your opinions.
Behind all of the bias and cynical filler information, the meat of the article stems from the idea that Congress is attempting to extend unemployment benefits, and statistically speaking, 58% of the population supports it also. However, the Republicans continue to vote against this idea, even though through past trends when a Republican President was attempting to pass such extensions, they voted for it.
While I don't necessarily believe that that is the only reason they are voting against this, it is definitely something to consider. Personally, I think that extending unemployment benefits could be hazardous for our nation's economic prosperity. Extending the benefits will only create a larger deficit, something I don't think that we, as a country, can afford at the present time. Also, continuing part of the topics discussed in the socratic seminar today, if the benefits are extended, there will certainly be less incentive to look for employment, at least in terms of the time period in which it is done.
I don't really think that it's a party thing, I believe that it is just common sense to not INCREASE spending in any area of the budget. While I wouldn't vouch for cuts to these programs, an increase in spending seems unreasonable, unless there is a genuine need for the spending increase that I seem to be missing. The Republicans cited are just making choices based off of common sense in my opinion, and maybe it's the Democrats who are just following the leader...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gabe, now is not the time to be increasing spending in anything if we hope to ever cut the deficit. However, I do believe that some Republicans opposing the bill are doing so merely to get on the Democrats' case, because honestly there are plenty who probably don't care either way. President Bush extended entitlement benefits greatly with Medicare Part D and Republican congressman were right behind that decision.
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