Benefits were extended in 2008 and are set to expire today. Unemployment benefits are provided to those who are looking for work and can be withdrawn if criteria are not met. It is expected that this will cause a drop in the unemployment rate, since those who lose benefits may become frustrated and stop looking for work-- thus removing them from the unemployment figures. President Obama has called for an extension, once Congress returns from its recess.
Opponents of an extension say that the unemployment rate has gone down, people should have planned for the expiration and gotten jobs by now, and that benefits make people too dependent on government. Supporters counter that the rate is still at a historically high level, jobs are still hard to find, and the basic support provided by benefits wouldn't discourage people from striving for a higher standard of living. Opponents also state that benefits only add to the deficits, since they are expected to cost $25 billion. Supporters say that government stimulus has helped the economy grow.
Either way, the fight over benefits will only add to the war that is sure to be waged over the debt ceiling when Congress returns from recess.
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Dumbest argument ever. [quote]Opponents of an extension say that the unemployment rate has gone down, people should have planned for the expiration and gotten jobs by now, and that benefits make people too dependent on government. [/quote] You are on unemployment because there aren't any jobs. I've been actively looking to switch jobs for 13 months. There isn't that much out there. When I go on the various job boards and look for MBA level jobs, all that comes up for San Diego are managers for those Cell Phone Kiosks. The market sucks, and the only people who are debating it are those who have never looked for work, or haven't looked lately.