Economy-Unemployment

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Austin, Claire, Alex A.. =What is Unemployment?= Within the economy, unemployment is a big issue being discussed in this year's presidential election. Unemployment is when people don't have jobs either temporarily or long term. Many people have lost their jobs and are finding it quite difficult to find new ones. The unemployment rate is at its highest since 2003.[|(American Progress)] An impact of unemployment is poverty: Over 37.7 million people in the United states are in poverty. [|(census)]

With the decrease in the United States economy in the last year, unemployment rates have been going up. [|(Mortgage rates)] ==

=What is the Government's role?=

The Government tries to reduce poverty and unemployment as much as possible. They try to create jobs, give tax breaks, and create systems to help Americans in poverty to work their way up to better, well paying jobs.[|(Infoplease)] The government also temporarily supplies unemployed workers with money so that they are able to support themselves until they can find a new job. [|(policy almanac)] By doing this, the government is helping people get back on their feet, so they don't end up with only part time jobs to support themselves,in poverty, or without a home."The ranks of the long-term unemployed are growing at the same that the economy as a whole is losing jobs." [|(the middle class)]

=What are the hot topics?= Companies are cutting jobs because of the bad economic situation. “Companies that announced plans this week to cut jobs include Internet company Yahoo (1,500 positions), pharmaceutical company Merck (7,200), National City bank (4,000) and Comcast, the cable company (300).” This is just a small section of what is to come. Even though the nation is losing jobs at a steady pace it is slower than other recessions. In the last month 159,000 jobs were lost. That is more lost than in the time following September 11th. (Washington Post) The security of American jobs is an important matter as well; jobs now aren't as certain as they used to be. "...Globalization and corporate greed are putting more and more jobs at risk." [|(Heritage)]  =What are the candidates' positions?=

Obama's views:  McCain's views:  John McCain proposes "Every American should buy an Amway distributorship, sit back and watch the cash pour in," the Arizona senator. "I've studied almost every page of the Amway pamphlet. Everybody will get rich. My economic advisers tell me this would have a very fundamental effect on fundamental things -- like jobs." McCain thinks that his could prevent the economic downturn. (Huffington Post) to keep their jobs."So they don't lose them to foreign workers." [|(Time for kids)]
 *   Obama wants to put one billion dollars into helping Americans in poverty using a "proven technique;" this would help them work their way up to better, well paying jobs .  [|(Obama)]
 * Create new jobs in different areas, such as green jobs: working with new/different sources of energy.
 * Put money towards rebuilding and fixing "infratructures" to develop more jobs. [|(Obama)]
 * Work to keep local businesses in small towns in business. Keep jobs involved with those businesses. [|(Time for kids)]
 * Educate and train workers so they are able.
 * Clean coal technology requires coal miners. That would employ thousands of people. [|(McCain)]
 * Keep tax rates at 35% so that it is easier for small businesses to grow, opening up more job opportunities. [|(McCain)]
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