Explained: Policy Analysis

Superior Essays
The Policy Explained
The policy being proposed is that an unemployed adult should receive a monthly stipend (“the dole”) from the government that is equal to 60% of the state or federal poverty level (whichever is higher). Indefinitely. To understand the finer points of the policy, certain parts have to be clearly defined. First, would be unemployment, how does the government define being unemployed? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015), says that “people who are jobless, looking for a job, and available for work are unemployed.” The phrase “looking for a job” can also cause some confusion. A person would have to be actively trying to contact resources that could connect them with job opportunities and be submitting applications or resumes
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Rick Newman (2012) reported that it is possible that unemployed people have renewed opportunities to find jobs but are choosing to live off of their government benefits. They are taking advantage of the system that is set in place. If the proposed policy was enacted unemployed individuals would be able to take advantage indefinitely. Also, factors that can be controlled by individuals while applying for jobs are seeming to be ignored by these applicants, they just don’t care to try. Newman gathered statistical evidence on this topic that, “business owners also report that 16 percent of the applicants they reject have poor social skills, 20 percent have unrealistic expectations about pay, and 14 percent have a poor appearance.” (Newman, 2012) It appears that Unemployed people are purposefully sabotaging their own chances of getting hired. They are putting in the effort only to make it seem like they are actively searching for a job, when in reality they don’t want to get hired so they can live off of their benefits. This problem is already a reality and if this policy is set in place it might get even worse since they would be provided with help …show more content…
With this policy people would be getting around $500 a month which is about $125 a week. That is much lower than what some states are giving the unemployed. Even though the policy says indefinitely people would be much more likely to seek work since they aren’t getting enough money to live off of each month. This policy would simply be helping people make it long enough to get a job. Additionally, Thompson (2010) writes, “But in an economy with five unemployed for every job opening, Americans don’t need unemployment benefits to discourage them from working. The job market is doing that all by itself.” The reason many people aren’t getting jobs or are scared to is because of the shortage of jobs available. This policy would encourage people to look for jobs because they would know they have a small sum of money for as long as they need

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