The Federal Government Can't Continually Dole out Jobless Benefits

(USA Today) The U.S. Senate cleared the way for 2.5 million out-of-work Americans to start receiving unemployment checks again, breaking a Republican roadblock minutes after swearing in a new senator.  Senators voted 60-40 Tuesday to overcome a Republican filibuster, setting the stage for a final vote today to restore benefits that began running out at the end of May.  Two Republican Senators--Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, broke with the GOP to support the jobless benefits extension.  One Democratic Senator, Ben Nelson, broke ranks with the Democrats to support the GOP.  After a Republican minority blocked this critical aid to America's families three separate times, the Senate moved forward on restoring benefits to the 2.5 million Americans.  Democrats were able to secure the 60th vote when Carte Goodwin was sworn in to replace Robert Byrd (D-WV), who died June 28.  The legislation would extend benefits through November and retroactively cover those whose benefits had expired.  The House could pass the bill as early as today and send it to President Obama for his signature.  Republicans claimed they wanted to help the jobless, but only if the bill's $33.9 billion price tag could be offset with budget cuts elsewhere.  The extension would add $826 billion to the country's debt over the next 10 years, according to the Treasury Department figures analyzed by the liberal center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Since the economy tipped into a recession supposedly around December 2007, Congress has extended unemployment benefits for up to as long as 99 weeks.  There have been arguments that continuing unemployment benefits will discourage jobless workers from finding employment.  Unemployment benefits is becoming the new entitlement in America.  I recognize there are Americans that live in states that are economically depressed.  I understand there are those that need help due to the fact it would be difficult to secure a job in some portions of this country.  However, unemployment benefits is becoming a trend.  It's an unhealthy trend.  America can't continually dole out jobless benefits.  It's going to continually swell the national debt.  The problem is the federal government is hindering the private sector by passing such bills as the healthcare bill passed in March which would increase the costs of small businesses.  The policies of the federal government are stifling the private sector.  The long-term answer isn't to extend jobless benefits.  The federal government needs to leave the private sector alone for the most part and allow them to make their own business decisions.  There are numerous government regulations which have made it difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to hire new employees.  Job growth comes through the private sector alone, not the federal nor state government.  Government has no business micromanaging the private sector. 

I do happen to agree that extending jobless benefits will discourage some Americans for seeking employment, especially those that lack a work ethic.  Many of the problems that America's economy faces is due to intrusion of the federal government into the private sector.  Another problem as well is the federal government signed two trade agreements--NAFTA in 1994--CAFTA in 2005, which have resulted in numerous manufacturing jobs leaving America for Mexico, China, India, and other countries.  Our elected elite need to renege on these treaties that have placed American at a competitive disadvantage.  America can't flourish economically without a manufacturing base.  Instead of the both political parties fighting over whether to extend jobless benefits to the unemployed Americans, it's time the government stop making it impossible for the private sector to grow.  New job growth is the long-term solution--not unemployment benefits.