How’s the Economy at Your House?
by Matthew Streit, Heritage Foundation, October 2, 2013
The news media, the President, and Congress should be cautious in trotting out “victims” of the government shutdown. As national media continue the hype, the furor over Washington furloughs will only take you so far in the rest of America.
IN WASHINGTON: While the country’s national parks are closed and some federal employees are worried about paying their mortgages, most workers will see little to no effect from the shutdown. After each of the 17 government shutdowns in the past 35 years, most federal workers have received back pay. And most shutdowns have lasted less than a week. (In fact, all federal employees were paid on September 30 and would not get paid again for two weeks even without a shutdown.)
MEANWHILE, IN AMERICA: The real moral indignation belongs to the American people outside the Beltway, who have seen the impact of Obamacare on their paychecks, their health care, and their insurance premiums. So while President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) continue their reckless and irresponsible defense of Obamacare, they should recognize a majority of Americans simply don’t agree.
Millions of Americans have struggled to make ends meet since 2008. The government shutdown, even with its consequences, is a distraction. The real issue is the negative impact Obamacare is having across the country.
Americans have been without work or have been forced to take multiple part-time jobs for the better part of five years. The unemployment rate hit 10 percent in 2009, and our economy has experienced the slowest recovery in 70 years. Hiring fell sharply since the recession beganand has barely recovered. Adding to that, President Obama and Democrats in Congress rammed Obamacare through in March 2010. Since its passage, the law has had devastating effects on individuals and our economy.
Single moms like Johnna Davis, already struggling to make ends meet, have seen their hours cut and subsequently, their take-home pay reduced.
Businesses have restructured and, in some cases, are planning to eliminate their health care plans altogether to avoid Obamacare’s penalties.
Workers are suffering. A recent Gallup poll of small business owners found that a fifth had laid off workers because of the law, while Obamacare caused two in five to hold off on hiring new employees.
Health insurance providers have increased premiums to cover Obamacare’s mandated services.
All around America, your friends and neighbors are being hit on every side by Obamacare.
Meanwhile, Congress has insulated its staff from the negative impacts of Obamacare. Congress gave itself special relief, which lawmakers are now refusing to give up.
People need real relief from Obamacare. The economy needs relief from Obamacare. The victims are everywhere.
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