Congress, let's switch places
- Name: Brad Bowman, 35
- Place: Royal Oak, Michigan
It's a humbling experience to be without work.
In July 2013, my position at a non-profit organization that provides mentoring programs for youth at Detroit-area schools was eliminated due to budgetary shortfalls.
My grandparents are in their 80s, and my folks are in their 60s. The burden shouldn't fall upon them. I'm fortunate to have a family that loves and is willing to help. That being said, they worked their whole lives and they're not getting any younger.
To be 35 and still be taking handouts from your family, it's kind of humiliating. That being said, I'm blessed they're willing to help.
I think socially, we have a responsibility to look out not only for ourselves, but also people in our community. In states like Michigan, which were pretty hard hit in the recession, I think it's irresponsible of our elected leaders to not take care of their constituents.
It's very frustrating, and it makes you wonder, why do I bother to go out and vote?
Frankly, I think that Congress members who opposed extending the EUC benefits should each swap places with myself and other unemployed Americans for a month or so, subsist on our roughly $350 weekly unemployment payment, and see how they manage to get by. Meanwhile, we unemployed could report to their plush offices and gladly get to work helping the American people by crafting, debating, reviewing and passing legislation that benefits our fellow Americans.
