In North Carolina, the general public sentiment toward President Barack Obama's American Jobs Act remains unclear. In an Elon University poll conducted last month, which surveyed 594 North Carolina residents, 36 percent said they would encourage their representative to vote against the bill. A total of 35 percent said they would encourage their member of Congress to vote for it, while 28 percent said they are unsure.
The response on Elon's campus has been mixed, as well.
"Given the current economic situation and levels of unemployment in the state, citizens are paying close attention to any proposal that may bring jobs and economic stability to the state," said Mileah Kromer, assistant director of the Elon Poll.
Embedded within the bill's proposals is Obama's motive of re-election, she said, and the proposal is about convincing voters that he deserves another four years in office.
Staci Saltz, lecturer in communications, referred to the Act as a "moral Band-Aid."
"Unemploymenthasadomino effect," Saltz said. "When people are out of work, it takes down the morale and hope of the entire economy."
Although the bill is intended to boost morale in the economy, some remain skeptical about the financial inflation that may come as a result of putting more money into the economy.
Eric Hairston, associate professor of English, law and humanities, said he is hesitant to put full confidence in the bill.
"Some are calling this the 'Second Stimulus,' but I am not seeing that, like most people I worry about added costs at the foot of this bill," Hairston said. "I see a lot of early promises, from Obama's presidential campaigning, coming out now, that is good stuff."
With the economy in the post-Great Recession era, people are still trying to find employment. The jobs bill will affect college students as well. The biggest impact will be deductions in the payroll tax, according to Steve DeLoach, professor of economics at Elon. This would put more money into the hands of employees.
Sophie Nielson-Kolding, a senior at Elon, said she is very confident in her ability to get a job in the few months after college, regardless of the bill's passing or not.
"The economy is better than it has been, I have worked very hard in college," Nielson-Kolding said. "I have been networking, doing internships and I am very career oriented."
Brent Edwards, a junior, does not believe it's a solid investment in the future of the country.
"I don't think it is a good idea. We have no money to spend," he said. "We are floundering as a nation, and maybe Congress will latch onto this as a way of getting us out. It sounds like a good idea, but it is not the best way to go about it."
Some respondents said they felt the issue needed to move beyond spending.
"I watch the news station ABC and they do a lot of sections on Made in America," said Teresa LePors, coordinator of library public services. "It is about purchasing here and manufacturing here, and I think it is going to help bring jobs back. Businesses are hampered by red tape, so we are going to have to correct these issues most likely through monetary means. It may involve spending more money."