The recession is far from over in many ways, and even if things start picking up, Michigan will not be able simply to heal itself overnight. An extension of benefits will give Michigan workers and their families more time to find jobs, pay their rent and put food on their plates. Congress has extended jobless benefits three times since June 2008, and it’s unlikely that another extension would do more harm than good in this instance.

Currently, the average timespan for the unemployed is 25 weeks, so it’s understandable for Congress to go above and beyond what has been done in the past to extend benefits to those who need them.

Not all states would receive an extension of benefits; rather, only those with an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent or higher. Michigan leads the nation in unemployment with 15 percent. Seeing as Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is empty, it’s a relief that the federal government would largely foot the bill for the extension.

While it’s never ideal for the government to spend money it doesn’t have, keeping the unemployed afloat would help much more in the long run. If their benefits run out, it will just sink the economy and deepen the recession. Obviously, when the economic situation in our state and country improves, these extensions no longer should be necessary. The normal 26 week benefit plan would be fine if we were living in a normal economic time. But unfortunately, desperate times call for desperate measures.

An argument against the extension is that many of those who would receive unemployment benefits simply continue to coast until their funding runs out and they are forced to seek employment. Although this is an understandable concern, one must realize that, like the American welfare system, unemployment benefits are both used and abused. However, this does not mean both welfare and unemployment are not both extremely valuable and integral to the well-being and stability of millions of Americans.

To use an extreme example, Sudafed, the over-the-counter decongestant, has helped countless Americans feel better when they’re sick. However, it’s also a key ingredient to the illegal drug methamphetamine. Just because Sudafed is abused by a few doesn’t mean it should be revoked from everyone. The same goes for extending unemployment benefits.

We hope that Congress realizes the need to extend the benefits of the unemployed, especially in Michigan, and that this plan passes quickly. We urge them to act swiftly to ensure that those in need of help get it.