The unemployment extension that passed earlier today was one that basically everyone in the entire country agreed was necessary. Any time a full 1% of the American population needs something AND has the public sympathy of the other 99%, the government trips over itself making sure they get it…except this. This was fought tooth and nail by almost the entire Republican party and several independents, all of whom focused their objections on the fact that the unemployment extension wasn’t paid for in the budget — it would be paid for by future taxpayers, instead.
Not to belabor what should be an obvious point, but we’re in a recession. The entire purpose of deficit spending is to allow the country to function when it doesn’t have the money to function normally. There is no better time to delay the payments to a more economically powerful date than when the economy isn’t doing well.
Ever since the inception of the Tea Party, there’s been a growing public sentiment against governmental financial irresponsibility. (Really, the sentiment has been around for a century or so, but the Tea Party gave it a recognizable face — FOX News.) The thing is, they’ve got a good point: it’s plain dumb that our government is allowed to spend money it doesn’t have. We’re becoming a country so in debt that we wouldn’t give ourselves a credit card, even one of the bad ones with a massive APR.
But fighting the unemployment extension bill on the grounds of fiscal responsibility is flat-out the wrong place to take a stand. It’s a relatively tiny amount of money compared to, say, the defense budget (but then, what isn’t?) It’s even a pretty slim quantity of cash next to the amount of raw pork some Senators consume in a sitting. So what gives?
The obvious answer is obvious: unemployed people can’t fight back. Politics is about spin control, which is about spending money making sure your message is the one left rinigng in people’s ears — and jobless Americans have no money to play ball with. Defense contractors won’t hesitate to purchase air time to run commercials that slam you (and your chances for re-election) if you cut them out. SIGs will donate the maximum allowed to anyone running against you if you threaten to slash their funding. Unemployed folks…just suffer. Sure, they might vote against you, but a few thousand votes versus a few million dollars is an easy trade.
This time, however, it was the wrong move. See, Americans stand together when we’re threatened. We came together after 9/11, and we’re coming together to stare down this financial terror as well. Americans have proven, both in the Senate and by public news poll, to support deficit spending if it means that fellow Americans can get ahead of the eight-ball. The unemployed might be powerless, but the American people are still, as a unit, the most powerful group of people on the planet, and it’s high time the politicians saw that truth for what it is.
You can stand for financial responsibility (against the unemployment extension) all you want — but if it means that my friends and neighbors are going to lose their cars and homes, I got two words for you.
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This was an excellent post and does a wonderful job illustrating why a strong social safety net is necessary. In a society where money equals power, it is essential that someone speaks for the voiceless.
We are talking about individuals stranded at the margins of society. Many of the unemployed have been gainfully employed for decades. If they cannot engender sympathy from the pols, what hope do any of us have.
Best read on the situation I have heard to date. I am an unemployed PhD in Arkansas (2 yrs and running) that is being held hostage by this political cluster-F**k. Excellent article!!
TMF3
The Republicans are once again hurting the American people by “slow walking” this bill. The Republicans are a national disgrace. This same “born again fiscal responsible” Republicans want to give the richest 2% a “tax break” which will cost us $678 Billion and it won’t be paid for. Just what planet does the Republicans live on ?
I think its easy for Congress and the White House to sit on their assess and screw with our life, especially when they make 6 digit incomes and its not affecting their friends and families. I am a thirty six year old black woman with 4 kids. I have worked hard all my life! Contrary to what Congress says about us unemployed little people. We do NOT deserve the treatment we are getting. Especially when they sit back and allow these companies to OUTSOURCE our US jobs (which is why alot of us don’t have jobs now), to oversees corporations. Why haven’t they addressed that issue properly. Tell them to hire in the US or shut them down. PERIOD!!! We have money to blow up buildings in IRAQ, only to rebuild them, but not for our own people. Does this makes sense? And lastly, GOD willing all the idiots that have fought and are fighting against extending help to their people in need, will most certainly reap what they sow.
Thanks for writing the truth and not trying to spin it. One small detail there was one or two democrats who also were against it, and a couple of Republicans who voted for it. It is time we stand up to the current politics in Washington and send them home this November. I won’t be voting for one incumbent this election.
God Bless America and our Troops!!
What kind of a monsters are these Democrats and Republicans who choose not to help the unemployed families in need.? These politicians make several thousand dollars a week and they want to deny American families in dire need of a few hundred dollars a week? There is NO reason on earth to deny help to these families. They did not create this problem. The rich elite fat cats on wall street did. They still get million dollar bonuses but the unemployed get nothing? What has this country become? I served six years in the military, worked and paid taxes all my life until six months ago when my employer closed his doors due to the recession. Now that I ask for some help from the country I served, these politicians dig there heels in and say NO with a “my way or the highway” stance pointing to the deficit. Instead of working to find a compromise they just turn there heads and leave us to be fed to the wolves at our doors. They must pay the price for their actions. Come November every one of them who voted against the extension should be kicked out in shame.
This bill could have been passed weeks ago if the Democrats would just once find a way to pay for something before they spend it.
We all have to do that in our lives and the Democrats shouldn’t be any different. It’s not that hard Democrats… Give it a try.
I have a way! do not renew the Bush tax cuts for the rich and add 800 billion to the treasury. Then subtract 30 billion of that for the unemployed extension. There you go…paid for.
You mean the tax cuts for the rich that WEREN’T PAID FOR?!
these born-again deficit hawks had NO PROBLEM with deficit spending went to MULTI-MILLIONAIRES even richer- they only
seem to have a problem with it when it helps keep people from losing their homes or going hungry.
Unemployment extensions have ALWAYS been off-budget.
The democrats aren’t doing anything that hasn’t been done
by everyone else before them. George W Bush, for instance,
signed off-budget (not paid for) unemployment extensions.
Did you condemn HIM? Do your homework before spreading
divisive partisan propaganda. This is standard procedure
for unemployment extensions. If you want to see ABUSE of
off-budget funding, look to the last administration.
No unemployment? Thank the republicans! No tier 5? Thank the republicans !For the rest of you -When the economy stalls again – you can thank the republicans too. The republican’s weren’t worried about the deficit when that big insurance company and their friends the Wall Street execs were giving themselves bonuses with taxpayer money!!! Next election – let Congress feel the sting of the unemployment lines!!! No more raping and pillaging the middle class!!! – How many years have you paid taxes? 30? 40? Your government bails out bankers and Wall Street execs using your tax dollars – but unemployment is allowed to expire? What happened to “by the people” or “for the people”? Or are the big campaign contributors the only “people” who count to congress? They are playing games AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME while you are wondering how to feed your kids? Figure it out! Malfeasance – Failure of a public official to perform their duties!!! Next Election MAKE YOURSELF MATTER BY VOTING!!! 10% unemployment carries 10% of the vote! Use it!! Fire them all next election or recall every Congress member NOW for Malfeasance – Failure of a public official to perform their duties!!! Next Election – Lets get people elected who actually represent all the People- this current congress represents only special interest groups!
Yes, agreed. To all the DEMOCRATS who REFUSED to even entertain a single fiscally responsible Republican proposal to get us our unemployment benefits weeks and weeks ago, THEY SUCK. To the DEMOCRATS, who REDUCED THE AMOUNT WE GOT by $25 a week when every Republican bill and amendment gave it to us, THEY SUCK. And to the DEMOCRATS who made this go on and on and on, by refusing common sense ways to pay for it and by using it to demonize the Republicans so the Democrats could lie to the people to get votes (since they’re going to get womped for destroying jobs and the economy in November) – YOU DEMOCRATS SUCK. For millions of Americans that needed these extensions weeks ago, it is already too late. What nastier thing could there be to do to us than for the Democrats to use our suffering for their political gain. Think about it … who has used this to get themselves votes in November? If they had taken any of the Republicans’ multiple offers to either pass a responsible bill OR if they had taken any of the Republicans’ multiple offers to get us our benefits at least temporarily so we wouldn’t have had to suffer while the Senate worked all this out … Then the Democrats wouldn’t have had the issue to milk in front of the cameras to get them votes. DON’T BE FOOLED. DIG DEEPER. VOTE THE DEMOCRATS OUT and let the economy heal so we can get back to work.
Gail, anybody telling you that the unemployment insurance is not paid for is lying to you. If you look at the bottom of your check stub, you’ll see a deduction marked “FUTA”. That is what pays for unemployment. Anybody telling you otherwise is playing on your ignorance.
Anybody telling you that the republicans are trying to be fiscally responsible is lying to you. They are pushing for even more tax cuts for the ultra-rich, and guess what? they don’t want to pay for them. So much for the “fiscal responsibility” line.
I don’t think you’re stupid, Gail. I just think that you’re being LIED TO by propagandists that are LAUGHING AT YOU for buying their crap and voting against your own interests in order to put money in THEIR POCKETS, at your expense. You’re being played for a chump.
P.S.- you’re right about the political thing- every $1.00 spent on unemployment equates to $1.62 in the overall economy. When that unemployment dries up, it makes the economy falter even more. As you have already parroted, the republicans are doing everything they can to create economic hardship so they can claim that the democrats have destroyed the economy and win votes in November. Wake up, Gail. You’re being played for a fool.
The republicans are playing Russian roulette with this one.
First there is the high rate of unemployment, then there are those that do have jobs that feel sorry for them. Then there are those that have a job that are nervous about loosing it. None of these people want an imbecilic born again fiscal responsible republican screwing up their life lines during a depression.
Well put. They think that they are Gods sitting atop Mount Olympus and we are just little clay figurines that they move about for sport, unconcerned for the consequences on us ‘mortals’. Their political games are far more important…
For my part, I’m voting against republicans this year, whatever that entails and talking to everyone I know about what is going on.
Thanks for this article.
Reminds me of the “Red Army.”
I consider Obama as a “Peoples President,” and I’m proud to lend my support to him. The question: Would his wife, Michelle, be out there, for the public in need?
I am the “debtorsfriend”
I have two much stronger words for those who are holding up unemployment benefits. Let me remind you that this money is from an INSURANCE FUND that EMPLOYERS have paid into. It is unethical and unjust for RICH Republicans to hold the middle class hostage in order to pass legislation that ensures that the RICH can TRANSFER their wealth tax-free. The RICH get RICHER and the POOR will be eliminated. I worked at a Wall Street Firm that collapsed during what I call the largest wealth power play in American history. I am now RELYING on unemployment to pay my debts! The banks should side with the unemployed because those weekly benefits are handed over to the banks (mortgages, credit card, etc.) anyway! I hope all those RICH bastards who have caused extreme suffering to others…BURN IN HELL….oops…I’m sorry…they don’t believe in GOD because THEY THINK THEY ARE GOD!
Here, here! Only thing I’d say is that it’s probably more like 98% of the population that is aligned with the unemployed, that stray 1% being either misguided, dumb, or cold-hearted. If I see one more self-righteous comment that says “get a job…” when the numbers clearly show there aren’t many to be had? Sigh. Anyway, it’s truly ridiculous what’s going on right now. I can’t wait to see what happens in November…
NO REPUBLICANS will have my VOTE in NOVEMBER….
They are MINDLESS and CRUEL GREEDY BASTARDS!
“No republican will get my vote….”
First of all these guys are not stupid. They chose their own people then those are
Presented to us the Stupid Americans who got no choice but to vote whatever they already chose.
Dig?
I’m so tired of this fighting and all the Government bullshit. I am just flat out tired. They did what they wanted and this is to just let all Americans die. I am ready to die. Good bye world.
Take it easy Willma the Government will not kill us Americans.It will be the other way around.
You will see.Hang in thyere
Man, you hit it right on the head however I also look at it this way:
1 have worked almost non stop since I was eight years old and I am now 41. I have skills out the a** and I am lucky to have received a handful of interviews all year long. I apply for everything – things I am overqualified for, things I am qualified for and things I know nothing about. Still hardly any responses whatsoever.
In that time I’m sure I’ve paid my fair share of taxes. I’ve paid for tax cuts for the wealthy imposed under Bush that was supposed to create jobs. Those cuts are due to expire this year yet the Republicans see no need to find a way to fund the nearly one trillion dollars it will take yearly to keep it in place – yet cried about the 30 bil to take care of the temporarily unemployed.
Nor did they worry about the hundreds of billions we are still spending in Iraq and Afghanistan thanks to Bush.
I’ve also paid for welfare, health care for illegals, corporate bailouts – so yes, I do kinda expect a little help when my job disappeared due to no harm of my own. It’s nice to see at least a few people in Washington aren’t complete tools.
I’m a long term, and still will be. But damn this was stupid of them to fight.
no this is all bullshit. do you all realize how much money these people earn? I read on average it’s $174k/yr, that’s over $3,000 a week!!!!!!!!! Are you KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?! To do what, exactly? Sit around and make people’s lives hell?
NO MORE! We are their employers and we need to do something about this IMMEDIATELY. They all need a salary reduction AND to be reminded whom they are there to serve, which is OUR interests. It needs to be illegal beyond a shadow of any doubt to have any “special” interest group or corporation “lobbying” our law makers. Honestly, who ever thought that was a good idea needs a swift kick in the ass.
These “people”, if you can call them that even, are doling out judgements about how things should be here with no regard for us or even thinking there could possibly be repercussions against them of any sort. It’s time the PEOPLE took back their country and their Government and set things right. MONEY is never EVER more important than ANY human being’s life, EVER! And since most up on Capitol Hill seem to feel that money matters more, then they do not belong in our government. Let them all take what they have stolen and wrested from god knows where and get the hell out of the country for that matter. This entire thing is utter shit.
Amen on that. You got the picture….
This is not our US.It’s not.
“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)
“The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first. ”
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)
Unemployment extension is a bad thing for Americans. What is good for US Americans is Wild Capitalism
with less Government. I am unemployed,
Experience: 20 years
Schooling: Master degree
Wage in the past: $ 40 /hour
Wage accepted now: $25
I wander why the Congress people don’t go as low as I do.
Also I wander why the congress people don’t try outsourcing their jobs.
The Indians will do a better job for Americans