Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Heller can’t have it both ways

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., is a big disappointment to many voters here. He, along with Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., sponsored a bill to extend jobless benefits, yet again.

Heller went to Washington telling us that he wanted to reduce our country’s federal debt. But now he wants the federal government to spend another $6.5 billion dollars for a three-month extension to pay many people who would rather live within the limits of their unemployment check. It appears Heller, like many politicians, talks out of both sides of his mouth.

After this extension, what then, another three-month extension, costing another $6.5 billion? A year’s extension? This was supposed to be a temporary program concocted in 2008 but has been renewed for five years. This political enabler Heller is allowing a perpetual free check to be delivered to people who gave up trying to find work or don’t want to work.

Heller and other lawmakers say “people want to work,” that they won’t abuse the program. Really? Many job applicants have told employers that they chose to turn down job offers because they would rather live off of their unemployment check.

This program is a gravy train that seems to never end. The unemployed should be paid benefits for 13 weeks with only one 13-week extension, nothing more. Lawmakers say they should give this extension so people will have notice, but the people receiving the checks knew going in how many weeks they could collect. The unemployed had plenty of notice and time to get a job. As it stands now, every three months, taxpayers are blowing at least $6.5 billion dollars to subsidize those who do not work.

You can bet Heller just lost my vote.

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