Unemployment Benefits Essay

Should Unemployment Benefits Be Extended Beyond Extension? CaTessy T. Truitt Capella University Should Unemployment Benefits Be Extended Beyond Extension? Unemployment over the years has been a controversial issue. It is controversial because over the years the United States has been going through drastic economical changes, leaving many of its people unemployed, collecting unemployment benefits, while the unemployment rate increases. Questions are left unanswered to whether or not unemployment benefits will continue to be extended beyond its extension.

The argument to whether or not unemployment benefits will continue beyond its extension continues. For many of the unemployed people, unemployment benefits should continue to be extended because the jobs are limited, there are not enough jobs out there for everyone. According to Katel (2009) claimed in an argument that “in 2007 nearly 3. 6 million jobs were forced to close, leaving about 11. 1 million workers jobless by the end of 2008, yet there were 2. 7 million job openings, only enough for more than four unemployed workers for every available job” (p. 25-248). If there were enough jobs out there, the unemployed would not have to depend on unemployment benefits. On the other hand, many people think the unemployment benefits should not be extended beyond its extension because the unemployed may get comfortable and take longer getting back in the work field, and cause the unemployment rate to increase. With all the controversies of the unemployment benefits extension, I believe that unemployment benefits should be extended beyond its extension because many people need it.

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People have financial obligations that have to be taken care of. Extending unemployment benefits can help with the economical changes the United States is facing, and help with the employment issue a lot of citizens are having. I strongly believe that unemployment benefits should be extended beyond its extension because many people need it to fulfill any financial obligations, which becomes an issue if not taken care of properly. Financial obligations have to be met, and if not met can result in repossessions, homelessness, and heavy depression.

For example, in the end of 2007, I lived in Birmingham, Alabama, and the United States reported by Katel was going through “the start of a current economic crises….. record of 651,000 people loss their jobs, pushing the unemployment rate to 8. 1 percent, the highest in 25 years, leaving 12. 5 million unemployed workers unemployed” (p. 225-248). Businesses were force to close, while workers were either laid off or permanently removed from employment. My neighbor at the time was a single parent with two kids under the age of ten, and was working two jobs to make ends meet.

My neighbor worked all her life for the past fifteen years, and with a days notice for each job she was let go, due to economic reasons. She filed for unemployment benefits, got accepted, and continued to look for work. With no luck finding a job my neighbor, exceeded her limit in the allotment granted for unemployment, and had no more money coming in for income. My neighbor was put out her home for failure to pay rent, leaving her and her two kids homeless, her vehicle she was almost through paying for was repossessed, and her kids were taken to foster care until she was able to provide shelter for them.

If unemployment benefits were extended beyond its extension, my neighbor would have not had to watch her belongings be set outside her home, being able to meet all financial obligations, or see the repossession man pull her vehicle away, nor would my neighbor had to see a representative from Child Protection Services drive away with her kids. I deeply believe unemployment benefits should continue to be extended beyond its extension because it can rebuild the economy. The United States, economy is malfunctioning, and in effort to fight the battle, is finding ways to create jobs. The United States needs the money, and more jobs.

Katel (2009) explained that “Unemployment benefits were a well targeted economic stimulus… 5. 1 million unemployed workers who receive unemployment benefits can maintain their spending which will boost local economies” (p. 225-248). The United States is fighting its economic battle trying to find financial security. The United States economy according to recent study is facing a stiff recession, and the markets are in financial trouble…consumption drives an economy…the government has to spend money…if everyone is confident, everyone will buy, and if everyone buys, we all will be happy (Clemmitt, 2008).

In the Post Tribune, I came across an article in The Post Tribune, where Lavalley reported, “the restoration and extension of unemployment benefits could have a least some impact on the economy at large, putting money in the pockets of the unemployed, since those who receive the money will spend it on food and other necessities” (Lavalley, 2010, Local News section, para. 7). If unemployment benefits were extended beyond its extension the money would go back into the economy, where more jobs are created, and as more and more jobs come available the unemployment rate will decrease.

I finally believe that unemployment benefits should be extended beyond its extension because of predictions that unemployment benefits can target the most affected parts of the economy, not backing people into distress and deep depression. Unemployed workers who receive benefits due to job loss, finds out after so long those benefits run out. No more income coming in, can not buy food, pay bills, or do the things we use to do, especially without a job, but with unemployment benefits as a type of income security can help.

To illustrate, I read an article where Marquz (2009) broadcasted a story about the X-Ray technician who lost his job and committed suicide after killing his family, and in the article the CEO of LifeCare announced that “The loss of a job can result in huge psychological and emotional swings as well as physical difficulties in some cases for workers and the worker’s family. Due to the dismissal in a sinking economy, as even one done for cause can be fraught with emotional issues and even potential for violence” (Workforce Management, n. . ). According to Fox News, “shocking killings underscored the psychological toll that the down economy may be taking on some unemployed workers, as police urged those facing tough times to seek help rather than resort to violence” (Lawinski, 2010). If employers provide information that there are other ways to survive the economic downfall of the companies, then the killings could have been prevented, the man who killed his family could have used the unemployment benefits, and its extensions to get by for the meantime.

Should the unemployment benefits have been extended beyond its extension, then the man would have seen it as an alternative to cope with his financial crisis, and he would not have taken his life or his family’s life. Even though, there are many debates as to whether or not unemployment benefits are extended beyond its extension, I believe that financial obligations, economic growth, and psychological and emotional swings are reasons to extend unemployment benefits beyond its extension.

Furthermore, if my neighbor’s unemployment benefits were extended beyond its extension she would not have been homeless, and she would have her kids. Also, the United States would have help with the economy, as the unemployment benefits are extended beyond its extension, the economy would have money brought in to create more jobs. Last, the man who killed his family and then himself would still be alive, if he was announced to the unemployment benefits and its extension. As you can see extending unemployment benefits beyond its extension can bring positive aspects to personal lives, business, and the country.

References Clemmitt, M. (2008, November 14). The national debt. CQ Researcher, 18, 973-960. Retrieved August 18, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library. cqpress. com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2008111402. Katel, P. (2009, March 13). Vanishing Jobs. CQ Researcher, 19, 225-248. Retrieved August 16, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library. cqpress. com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2009031306. Lavalley, A. (2010, August 3). Unemployment benefits extension can aid economy. The Post Tribune. para. 7. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from http://www. ost-trib. com/news/2559046,ey-unemploy0803. article. Lawinski, J. (2009, January 28). California dad in family killings left suicide note citing loss of his, wife’s jobs. [Electronic version]. Fox News. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from http://www. foxnews. com/story/0,2933,483645,00. html. Marquez, J. (2009, February). A murder-suicide points up the devastation of job loss. Workforce Management Online. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from http://www. workforce. com/section/03/feature/26/14/21/index. html.

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