Republicans and Unemployment - Fact vs. Fiction
Click to viewI so love when the media misuses quotations to suit their means. In the introduction for the video package for this segment, Maddow began by talking about unemployment.
But unemployment insurance is also a way to stimulate the economy. In the kind of economic situation that we have been in since the deep recession that started in George W. Bush‘s second term, and which there isn‘t enough demand in the economy and which there just aren‘t enough people buying things, the government is constantly looking for ways to stimulate the economy, to stimulate demand, for ways to get more money into the economy, money to keep businesses open, to sustain and create jobs and to generate growth.
And one of the most efficient, most effective ways to do that-just talking in economic terms regardless of your politics-one of the most effective ways to do that to stimulate the economy is to put money in the hands of people who need money really badly and who will therefore spend it right away-which is what unemployment benefits do.
I especially think that last paragraph is hilarious, and I'll explain why in a minute. First, take a closer look at what was said in the clip by Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R - NV):
That‘s what‘s happened to us, is that we have put in so much entitlement into our government that we really have spoiled our citizenry and said, you don‘t want the jobs that are available.
Maddow's response?
That‘s Sharron Angle, the Republican running to place Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada. She thinks people on unemployment, as you just heard, are spoiled.
Wrong, Rachel, all wrong! Angle said NOTHING about unemployment in her statement. She said "entitlements". And one entitlement program that infuriates most Republicans is welfare, not because of the people who legitimately need it and use it but because of the people who abuse the system. I can tell you stories of people who use their EBT (welfare benefit) debit cards to buy junk food and soda instead of decent groceries, or people who buy groceries for others in exchange for cash that they use to buy alcohol or drugs. There are people who are collecting welfare who can and are able to work but don't. In New York State, unemployment benefits only cover your first years without a job. After that, then you move on to the welfare system if you haven't found new employment. Do I think the welfare system should be eliminated? Absolutely not, because there are people in this country who truly need it. However, I think some enhancements need to be made to prevent people from abusing the system.