By: Giovanni Gonzalez / Staff Writer
Unemployment has been a hot topic in politics throughout the recession. Many people in the media and politics have a lot to say about the unemployment system and those taking advantage of it, but many times those words come from people who have not experienced a day of unemployment in years. It is infuriating to hear some individuals in the popular media actually insult fellow Americans, simply because they have not found a job.
Popular media host and author, Glenn Beck, has been quoted saying that those who have been unemployed for more than two years “are un-American losers.” This is a blatant insult to those who have been down on their luck in a tough time. Simply being unemployed does not equate to being lazy, socialist, un-American or anything else some individuals in the popular media insist upon.
Beck also states that those taking advantage of unemployment benefits are promoting socialism and wasting tax payer money, but this propaganda cannot be further from the truth. It is unethical for someone who claims to defend traditional American values to insult millions ofAmericans because of their economic situation. Attacks on the middle and lower class from upper class Americans simply promote a division of classes in our society.
There is a plethora of reasons why one would choose to remain on unemployment benefits. Many times, those benefits can amount to more than a minimum wage or part-time job that a potential employee may be overqualified for.
There will always be those who say “Any job is better than no job,” but sacrificing unemployment benefits for a minimum wage or part-time job can result in even less money coming into a household.
In a society based completely on how much money one has, one cannot be blamed for taking the option that will provide them with more of it. One can suggest getting multiple jobs, but there are very few people who would choose to do that given an option, especially when finding just one is hard enough. Instead of looking at unemployment benefits as a waste of taxpayer money, it can be considered as a way to help parents provide a better standard of living for their children and help get more money into the hands of more people, stimulating the economy, if only slightly.
It is obvious why Beck says such things on a regular basis. Controversy is great for ratings on television and radio shows, both of which Beck hosts. However, instead of spouting rhetoric to promote his political talk shows, maybe Beck should focus on real political issues.
In reality, people on unemployment benefits are just as American as anyone else. They have the right to remain out of work if they so choose but most simply have no other feasible option if they cannot find a well paying job in their field.
Some, such as Beck, may disagree that they are wasting tax payer money but those tax payer dollars can go to much worse things than helping a fellow American out during a rough time.
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