Unemployment Concern

The current unemployment situation in America is definitely the single most important political issue for the upcoming presidential election. Essentially, due to lack of employment many families are experiencing extreme hardships and the local, state & national government resources are being depleted.
 

Unemployment and under employment has caused some people to resort to drastic and negative behaviors. A 1997 study by a University of Michigan economist found that one-third of all U.S. residents will experience government-defined poverty within a 13-year period. The poorest age group is children, with more than one in six living in official poverty at any given time. The high homelessness and foreclosure of homes throughout America can be attributed to the loss of jobs. The number of individuals that have had to rely on Unemployment insurance, welfare, and church assistance has increased over the past few years. Manufacturing jobs, technical positions, and high paying managerial positions have been outsourced to other countries or are out of reach for the average American worker. The educational institutions are suffering and the school dropout rate has increased. There is a definite domino effect that is occurring due to the unemployment crisis. Also, it would stand to reason that the current jobless rate in America is a large contributing factor as to why the middle class status is rapidly diminishing.

The American population has sat by too long watching big businesses and our governments "pinch pennies" and "waste dollars" and it appears that one percent (1%) of the general population of America owns the greatest percentage of the wealth in our country. If this is truly the case, then it would be in America's best interest to equally distribute the wealth to enable more of humanity an opportunity to experience the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Unfortunately, the unemployment issue is causing many people to become discouraged, despondent, and desperate. As noted throughout history, America was viewed as a place of opportunity and a freedom of enterprise country; however, there has definitely been a shift in the way America is viewed and the treatment of the American people is unconstitutional.
Personally, it has been a challenge for me to remain in the middle-class bracket and in order for me to stay afloat I have to work two jobs, continue my education to remain on the cutting edge, scale back on many of my needs and the majority of my wants. Is this what our forefathers had in mind?

Furthermore, I believe in the American people and the strong faith that this country was built upon. The Biblical reference from Matthew 26:11 and Mark 14:7 (NRSV) states that, "For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me", hence the state of our economy will depend on everyone becoming more conscientious and resourceful.  Also, bringing manufacturing jobs back to America will help to employ Americans and the workers can learn a trade.  Collectively, the American people will have to be more creative in their job searches too; however, as the old adage states: now, more than ever, we need to "teach people to fish, not for a day but for a lifetime." Alas, if one is in a economic position to help someone that may be unemployed one should not hesitate to extend a helping hand because there go I but, for the grace of God.

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This is an official blog entry for the YourLocalSecurity.com <a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com/scholarship">Blogging Scholarship</a>. If selected, I'll receive $1000 towards my college expenses in 2012. This scholarship is sponsored by <a href="http://yourlocalsecurity.com">YourLocalSecurity.com</a>