# Republicans are taking away my unemployment for my own good. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823 "2013-12-08T15:44:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/461 "2014-01-19T02:26:49Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I understand you support Paul’s assertions about the moral contagion of unemployment benefits I’ve never said anything about supporting Paul’s assertions about the moral contagion of unemployment benefits. Please provide a link where I did. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/462 "2014-01-19T02:27:48Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Ah the old denial of timelines, it is a syndrome with conservatives.\*\* I cited Krugman form 2013 BTW: > \*\* > [@burunduk34](#): > > **And I cited Krugman from 2009 and 2010 BTW**. > > No, you’re wrong again. He agrees with me. > [@burunduk34](#): > > No, it comes before. Why do you ask? Because of that brilliant reply where you state that a cite from 2009 and 2010 trumps one from 2013. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/463 "2014-01-19T02:31:21Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Because of that brilliant reply where you state that a cite from 2009 and 2010 trumps one from 2013. Yep, timelines are a bitch for conservatives. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/464 "2014-01-19T02:31:42Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > I’ve never said anything about supporting Paul’s assertions about the moral contagion of unemployment benefits. > Please provide a link where I did. > Thank you. Sure, Spanky, no problem: > [@burunduk34](#): > > Rand Paul is absolutely correct. Taking your unemployment benefits away from you is good not only for you, but for society in general. Are you drinking? ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/465 "2014-01-19T02:32:10Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I’m glad you see that Paul Krugman and Rand Paul do not agree except in the very broadest of terms, and certainly do not actually see eye to eye in this case. Well, no, they seem to agree very precisely. Both assert that “generous” (whatever the definition of that is) unemployment benefits can lead to people actually not looking for work. The data appears to show that in 35 states the welfare benefits actually exceed the minimum wage (getting more money for not working, than working? I’d call that generous, wouldn’t you?). ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/466 "2014-01-19T02:33:30Z")
You _are_ drinking, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/467 "2014-01-19T02:33:49Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Sure, Spanky, no problem: > Are you drinking? In my quote that you provide **“Rand Paul is absolutely correct. Taking your unemployment benefits away from you is good not only for you, but for society in general.”** there’s absolutely no mention of **“the moral contagion of unemployment benefits”.** There’s not a single word about morality whatsoever. Please stop lying. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/468 "2014-01-19T02:35:47Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Because of that brilliant reply where you state that a cite from 2009 and 2010 trumps one from 2013. Why wouldn’t one quote from Paul Krugman trump another quote from Paul Krugman? Do you have a magic ball that proves that Paul Krugman was telling the truth in 2013, but was lying in 2009 and 2010, and not the other way around? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/469 "2014-01-19T02:37:58Z")
Because your “brilliant” reply is is even worse when one realizes that in the past he was specific, none of his previous quotes contradict the one is making now: that the background was different for the issues he mentioned early. The main point stands, if you want to claim Krugman is correct **you can not pick and choose**. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/470 "2014-01-19T02:39:57Z")
I’m ready and willing to compromise here. How about we adopt any of the below formulaes. Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 agrees with burunduk34 Paul Krugman of 2013 agrees with GIGOBuster Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 disagrees with GIGOBuster Paul Krugman of 2013 disagrees with burunduk34 Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 disagrees with Paul Krugman of 2013 ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/471 "2014-01-19T02:41:53Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > In my quote that you provide > **“Rand Paul is absolutely correct. Taking your unemployment benefits away from you is good not only for you, but for society in general.”** > there’s absolutely no mention of > **“the moral contagion of unemployment benefits”.** > > There’s not a single word about morality whatsoever. Please stop lying. There ain’t enough :rolleyes: in the world. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/472 "2014-01-19T02:42:11Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > I’m ready and willing to compromise here. > How about we adopt any of the below formulaes. > > Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 agrees with burunduk34 > Paul Krugman of 2013 agrees with GIGOBuster > Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 disagrees with GIGOBuster > Paul Krugman of 2013 disagrees with burunduk34 > Paul Krugman of 2009 and 2010 disagrees with Paul Krugman of 2013 How about the most reasonable one: Krugman from 2013 is clarifying Krugman from 2009/2010 But feel free of finding even more ways to sound more silly. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/473 "2014-01-19T02:42:47Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > The main point stands, if you want to claim Krugman is correct **you can not pick and choose**. Exactly. That’s why I’m somewhat puzzled by you choosing to believe that Krugman was correct about not curtailing unemployment benefits in 2013, when economy was in much better shape that in 2009 and 2010, when Krugman was advocating curtailing the same benefits. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/474 "2014-01-19T02:43:47Z")
> [@andros](#): > > There ain’t enough :rolleyes: in the world. There might not be. All you have to do is to find a single word of mine where I even made a mention about morality or immorality of unemployment benefits. If you can’t find one, I’ll have to assume you’re under influence of crack. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/475 "2014-01-19T02:45:12Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > Exactly. That’s why I’m somewhat puzzled by you choosing to believe that Krugman was correct about not curtailing unemployment benefits in 2013, when economy was in much better shape that in 2009 and 2010, when Krugman was advocating curtailing the same benefits. You know, sometimes for answering too fast you can sound even more silly by missing posts. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/476 "2014-01-19T02:46:41Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > How about the most reasonable one: Krugman from 2013 is clarifying Krugman from 2009/2010 It’s not the most reasonable one. The more reasonable one is that Krugman of 2013 contradicts Krugman of 2009 and 2010. ---
**Author:** ![burunduk34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burunduk34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burunduk34)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/477 "2014-01-19T02:47:54Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > You know, sometimes for answering too fast you can sound even more silly by missing posts. You know, I trust your opinion on this one, since you seem to be quite an export when it comes to sounding silly. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/478 "2014-01-19T02:52:10Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > There might not be. All you have to do is to find a single word of mine where I even made a mention about morality or immorality of unemployment benefits. > If you can’t find one, I’ll have to assume you’re under influence of crack. Or that I was, yanno, hyperbolizing for effect? But sure, fine. It obviously struck a nerve, so you have my apologies. My use of the term “moral contagion” was hyperbole. While it seems quite clear based on his record that Senator Paul believes unemployment benefits to involve morality and moral decay, you did not explicitly discuss the matter. I apologize unreservedly. However, your ginned-up faux outrage over my choice of words does not change the fact that in your eagerness to support Paul you misrepresented Krugman. Again, please do your best to avoid doing that in the future. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/479 "2014-01-19T03:08:49Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > It’s not the most reasonable one. The more reasonable one is that Krugman of 2013 contradicts Krugman of 2009 and 2010. Or supersedes, but I do not think so on both cases, the context shows that the great recession modifies what he said in the past, in any case the point stands, he agrees with other economists: > [@](#): > > The [view of most labor economists](http://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=e1cc2c23-dc6f-4871-a26a-fda9bd32fb7e.%2520) now is that unemployment benefits have only a modest negative effect on job search — and in today’s economy have no negative effect at all on overall employment. On the contrary, unemployment benefits help create jobs, and cutting those benefits would depress the economy as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823/480 "2014-01-19T03:10:57Z")
> [@burunduk34](#): > > You know, I trust your opinion on this one, since you seem to be quite an export when it comes to sounding silly. Nah, others that I respected for a long time also did notice here how you fell on your face. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-taking-away-my-unemployment-for-my-own-good/675823.md?page=25)