References
4. Discuss benefits and costs of unemployment benefits to the individuals and to the
economy.
Unemployment occurs when an individual is out of work and actively seeking
employment. This excludes individuals who leave their jobs to continue their education or to
stay at home and raise their children. These individuals are excluded as they are not seeking
employment (Pettinger, 2010).
There are benefits to those who receive unemployment. Unemployment will provide
monetary benefits for 26 weeks in most states while an individual actively seeks employment.
This service allows an individual to continue to provide for their family during times of
unemployment. The average recipient receives $231 a week, which tends to replace about 30%
of their wages (NASI, 2015).
While unemployment is beneficial to the individual out of work, it is very taxing on our
country. In 2010 unemployment benefits such as food assistance, Medicaid and so on cost our
government $320 billion. Unemployment also costs our businesses. Unemployment in part is
financed by businesses who are taxed. This can become a hardship especially on smaller
businesses (Simpson, 2011).
5. Comment on the following statement: “A company should produce and sell any product
as long as there is a market for it.
The statement “A company should produce and sell any product as long as there is a
market for it” is a tricky one and largely depends on the owner’s values and beliefs. There are
many products and services offered that make money but do not align with religious morals and
beliefs. One example is pornography. The pornography business is huge bringing in sales $10-
14 billion annually (Ackman, 2010). While pornography is a big business it goes against
Christian values and morals. It is very clear how God feels about pornography in Matthew 5:28-
30. “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery
with her in his heart. So if your eye-even your good eye causes you lust, gouge it out and throw
it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than your whole body be thrown into
hell. And if your hand-even your stronger hand-causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It
is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
As this example suggests, pornography is a multibillion dollar business. However, God
despises it. As a person of faith I do not necessarily agree with the statement in question. It is
important to evaluate the business and what God’s word has to say about it.
Ackman, D. (2001, May 25). How Big is Porn. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://www.forbes.com/2001/05/25/0524porn.html
Benefits of Unemployment. (2015). Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://www.nasi.org/learn/unemployment/benefits
Penninger, T. (2010, June 3). Definition Unemployment. Retrieved May 27, 2015, from
http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/2247/unemployment/definition-of-unemployment/
Simpson, S. (2011, August 4). The Cost of Unemployment to the Economy. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from
http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0811/the-cost-of-unemployment-to-the-economy.aspx
