GOP continues to stiff-arm America’s unemployed
Congressional Republicans continue to block an extension of unemployment benefits for the longterm jobless. Since the last extension expired on June 2, an estimated 1.2 million Americans have lost that economic lifeline, a number that grows every week.
In Georgia alone, an additional 7,000 jobless people are losing unemployment benefits every week because of the GOP’s stance. In fact, 47 percent of unemployed Georgians haven’t had a paycheck in at least six months, which means that by now, most of them have exhausted their savings and have no other resources to draw upon.
According to some, of course, that’s a good thing. They prefer to believe that there are jobs out there going unclaimed because people prefer to live on their unemployment check, which in Georgia maxes out at the princely sum of $330 a week. The fact that on average, there are five job applicants for every job opening doesn’t seem to penetrate the calloused and the smug.
The legislation also includes Medicaid money that state governments have been relying upon to balance their budgets. Georgia, for example, has built an expected $375 million in Medicaid assistance into its budget for fiscal 2011, which begins tomorrow. Without that money, Georgia will have to find that money somewhere else, which will mean drastic cuts in health care and perhaps another round of teacher layoffs as well.
The GOP argues that it wants the bill to be “paid for” with offsetting cuts elsewhere so that it won’t worsen the deficit by another $35 billion over 10 years. Interestingly, that concern about the deficit seems to disappear when the debate turns to extending Bush-era cuts on the capital gains and estate taxes, for example. Renewing those cuts would have a far bigger and more long-term impact on the deficit than will temporary aid to the unemployed and the sick.
But you gotta have prioirities, right?
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509 comments Add your comment
getalife
June 30th, 2010
9:38 am
They did come out with a idea to finally pay for the wars by raising the retirement age but other than that, all they got is the good ole no.
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
9:39 am
Scout – 9:36 –
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
9:39 am
“If I then gie you that good lets say a pair of shoes. You don’t pay any taxes on those shoes”
If you buy them from a distributor you pay taxes. If you then turn around and SELL them to me (not GIVE) in a retail transaction, yes I *do* pay taxes as well. Why should I have to pay those taxes? By Gale’s logic, taxes have already been paid on them, why should I also have to pay taxes on them?
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
9:40 am
Mike-
Republicans held the majority when Bush wanted to privatize SSI and I beleive it was bipartisan rejection.
Hootinanny Yum Yum-
You got layed off in 2008. How do you blame an admin that didn’t get into office until 2009
Outhouse GoKart
June 30th, 2010
9:40 am
“would bring a stripped down version of the bill to the floor.”
Exactly. Peloshyt was one of the first to start foaming at the mouth and trashing the republicans. Of course this and many many other wrongs are the fault of Reps and Bush.
Nothing is Free
June 30th, 2010
9:42 am
Outhouse GoKart
I have a neighbor that insists that we lower our standard of living to pay for the social programs he wants.
it is a common theme among Democrats.
WE HAVE TO DO IT THEIR WAY. AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES REQUIRED TO DO IT THEIR WAY.
i.e. insanity.
mike
June 30th, 2010
9:42 am
“sorry, but no. I don’t dignify comparisons with the Holocaust or Pol Pot or Stalin – why? because those idiotic comparisons actually belittle and diminish the millions of people that died in those atrocities when you compare them to (shock! horror!) increases in the capital gains or extensions of unemployment benefits.”
or fighting wars supported by the vast majority of Americans or implementing a phone surveillance program or any of the other large number of things that liberal called Bush Hitler for.
The Gerson article says it best:
“If you only take offense when the president of your party is compared to Hitler, then you’re part of the problem.”
Nothing is Free
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Some People are stupid
The Democrats started destroying our economy when they took over control of Congress in 2007.
Scout
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
USinUK:
There’s more but they can’t go here …………….
Gotta run ……..
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Before we get too deep into the “when should someone not have to pay taxes” – for those who weren’t around when taxes have been discussed before, or who didn’t pay attention to them…*I* am on record as advocating the repeal of ALL existing taxes in favor of a progressive sales taxe based on the total amount on the sales receipt at the time of the sale.
Just so you know where I *really* am coming from.
ME m
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Tomas: “f I buy a godd, I pay taxes on that good.
If I then gie you that good lets say a pair of shoes. You don’t pay any taxes on those shoes.”
That’s a great theory, except UI benefits are taxed just the same as all income. So they are in fact, taxed. And it is, in fact, money that is immediately spent (and taxed again). When it’s spent it ads cash flow to businesses that wouldn’t otherwise have it. They use it to pay employees so it’s taxed yet again.
There is not one bad thing about UI benefits in a job market that can’t provide enough opportunities for everyone. In fact, it probably the wisest spending the government has made in the past several decades. It benefits everyone.
For those that don’t understand how UI works, the final 20 weeks (EB) one must prove they are looking for a job and must take any job they are offered. This kinda defeats the whole “they won’t apply or take any job” logic that people who don’t understand how UI works always use.
pat
June 30th, 2010
9:44 am
Here is a record of all the cloture votes in the senate since 1919…
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/cloture_motions/clotureCounts.htm
Make note of 2007-2008. ‘09 through ‘10 is hardly breaking new ground.
mike
June 30th, 2010
9:44 am
“Mike-
Republicans held the majority when Bush wanted to privatize SSI and I beleive it was bipartisan rejection.”
There were some Republicans who opposed but the Democrats unanimously opposed.
Sound familiar?
Obama for Heisman
June 30th, 2010
9:45 am
Wasn’t it Obama himself who just said it was time to “make difficult decisions” regarding deficit spending AKA spending money we don’t have? It seems the repubs beat him to the punch. Come one Jay, your prophet said it himself!
The Thin Guy
June 30th, 2010
9:46 am
If went got rid of all of the illegal aliens taking jobs away from Americans no American would be unemployed. If we had an American in The White House the economy would be booming and everyone would have a choice of 10 high paying jobs. But then, what would JB rant about?
Nothing is Free
June 30th, 2010
9:47 am
mike
Those things didn’t happen over night. Manipulations of the governmental and economic system preceded the craziness.
By ignoring the lessons learned, aren’t you discounting those lives that were given to teach us those lessons?
No. I’ve heard your argument as well as others, but when we start making excuses why we shouldn’t continually look to history to show us what man is capable of doing, we are doomed to repeat those lessons.
thomas
June 30th, 2010
9:47 am
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
9:39 am
Thats not Gale’s logic as I see it. She was giving an example of an estate being passed down. Unless it happened in a way I was unaware of NO MONEY changed hands. So in other words I didn’t sell you the shoes… I gave them to you.
You chose to change things around to me selling them to you.
Should a person in your mind have to pay taxes on a gift given to them, a shirt, as a birthday present?
pat
June 30th, 2010
9:47 am
Sounds to me like the democrats would rather keep giving people money rather than create an environment in which jobs can be created.
They aren’t concerned for jobs or people, it’s all about the votes. Keep people dependent on you and they’ll keep voting for you.
Joe Biden
June 30th, 2010
9:48 am
All I see here, for the most part, is one big collective Smart-Ass.
A private sector employee
June 30th, 2010
9:48 am
JB writes: “The bills in question would continue to fund benefits for those between 26 and 99 weeks. In that sense it is not extending benefits any longer, it merely attempts to fund extensions already granted.”
That would still be an extension of benefits! Those benefits were not cast in stone forever the first time that they were passed. Sooner or later, someone is going to get cut back to 26 weeks. Personally, I would fund the extension to 52 weeks and no more. If you can’t find a job within your own field in a year, then it is time to move on and figure out some other way to make a living.
The long term unemployed people that I know… and I know several… were mostly in the construction industry. Due to the water situation in Metro Atlanta, those jobs are NEVER coming back. Those people need to get off the public dole and find a new line of work. At least TWO of the 99 week unemployed were collecting unemployment because they refused to take work in their own field for half of what they were making (from $100k to $50k), and refused to take a min wage job. So I have seen empirical evidence that 99 weeks of unemployment DOES deter some people from working. So… like I said… 52 weeks should be authorized and funded. More than that does not seem to help the long-term unemployed become employed.
As to the filibuster:
If Republicans had tried to CONSTANTLY pass laws at the far right of the agenda (i.e demand prayer in school, limit abortion, dismantle the Dept of Education, etc), then I would have expected a Democrat filibuster on every single issue.
The Democrats HAVE tried to CONSTANTLY pass laws at the far left of the agenda. They should expect filibusters on every single issue.
joe
June 30th, 2010
9:49 am
when I was unemployed, I worked two part time jobs that I would have preferred to decline, just to stay afloat and keep money coming in while awaiting my time that would eventually land me the job I had been searching for and working for, for 5-6 years. I never took one cent from the government.
I understand how some may need a month or two of unemployment to give them time to look for some kind of a job, but any more than that is not necessary. Anyone with a brain and some muscle can find a job in 60 days. It may hurt the pride a bit taking something “beneath” your ability, but it is one of those situations that build character.
If more people had the same drive, our country would be better for it. Yes, that was me patting myself on the back.
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
9:49 am
mike – “or fighting wars supported by the vast majority of Americans or implementing a phone surveillance program or any of the other large number of things that liberal called Bush Hitler for”
and I criticized those that called Bush Hitler for the exact same reason.
when everyone is a Nazi, then no one is.
Call it like it is.
June 30th, 2010
9:49 am
What I think is so funny, is that Jay uses the CNN fact check as some kind of left wing sword, but what you fail to understand is all you have done is brighten my day with this infomation. If the Rebublicans are trying to stop Obama at every turn, they are doing as I wish. 2 more years and the one trick pony is gone.
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
9:49 am
Outhouse GOKart-
Name one piece of legislation passed between 2007 and 2009. The democrats had a majority, but not a supermajority
Mike-
There were some Republicans who opposed but the Democrats unanimously opposed.
Not really. Bush had bipartisan support as well, just not enough to overcome a bipartisan filibuster, as opposed to Obama who needs almost 60 votes for everything.
Libertarian
June 30th, 2010
9:50 am
1. Why should estates be taxed? People work their entire lives for that money and should be able to pass it to their heirs without the government touching it.
2. I know people who are on unemployment, collect their $330 a week and then do work for cash “under the table.” What is their incentive to ever get off unemployment?
3. The Arby’s beside my office has had a sign up for about a month that they are hiring a shift manager.
4. I have people apply for jobs at my company everyday who are on unemployment. I can tell that about half of them are only applying so they can keep their unemployment. They are SHOCKED when I hire them. The last two quit within 2 months. They were only applying to keep their unemployment…they didn’t actually want to work.
I’m not saying all people on unemployment are like this…I can only speak from personal experience. I do, however, think there is A LOT of fraud in unemployment and there needs to be more oversight. The unemployment officers I have come into contact with are usually typical incompetant government workers.
Nothing is Free
June 30th, 2010
9:50 am
Pat
**Sounds to me like the democrats would rather keep giving people money rather than create an environment in which jobs can be created.**
Keep in mind the dismal record that most liberals have of making personal donations to help anyone.
So your post should read: Sounds to me like the democrats would rather keep giving people other people’s money rather than create an environment in which jobs can be created.
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
9:50 am
pat – “create an environment in which jobs can be created”
okay. I’ll bite.
what does Congress / the administration need to do, in your view, to create said environment?
Government Worker
June 30th, 2010
9:51 am
For all you overpaid federalies. Your austerity is coming. Suffer some hard austerity cuts now, or suffer some keynesian socialist poverty later.
Just hold off for 17 months and 29 days, when my retirement date arrives. Then you can whack all you want, loser. Good thing we got Obama to veto anything you crustaceans might want to do if you capture Congress.
JMoore
June 30th, 2010
9:51 am
Once again Reagan was right! Every person who receives welfare, food stamps, medicaid, or unemployment should be required to show up at a work center at least 5 days a week. They can clean parks, mow, weed, or some other Man-Well-Labor.
Nothing is Free
June 30th, 2010
9:52 am
Some People are Stupid
** Name one piece of legislation passed between 2007 and 2009. The democrats had a majority, but not a supermajority**
The largest increase in minimum wage in our history is a good place to start.
Jay
June 30th, 2010
9:53 am
That’s right, Pat. In 07-08, the number of cloture motions doubled, and they have roughly maintained that pace in ‘09-’10.
That’s because in ‘07, Republicans were suddenly in the minority and started using the filibuster much more aggressively.
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
9:54 am
“Should a person in your mind have to pay taxes on a gift given to them, a shirt, as a birthday present?”
In herited money is not a gift
Jay
June 30th, 2010
9:55 am
I can respect that position, Call it. At least you’re upfront about it.
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
9:56 am
NIF-
So let me get this…an increase in wages paid to employees…by 2 bucks…caused a financial collapse…
1. That was bipartisan as well
2. Wouldn’t giving more money to employees actually increase money flowing into the economy
3. Wouldn’t that only affect those making below the new standard minimum wage..McDonalds starts you off at 7.50, they weren’t affected at all.
Liberterian-
Those who quit are no longer eligible for UI, so they screwed themselves.
mike
June 30th, 2010
9:56 am
Jay –
Well that is quite a dishonest statement you make, but that is what you get paid for right?
Your pathetic cherry picking of my comments demonstrates the depths of your intellectual cowardice. You take comments out of context (often two at a time) to avoid having to discuss anything of substance.
The post of mine that you copied and pasted (you are great at that by the way) was in response to your own silly and fact-free comment to me.
I started off my post with a direct rebuttal to your argument. As usual, you ignore any substantive argument because you are hoping in vain that your distractions to the inter-personal mask your inability to respond. You know it. I know it. And everyone who can read knows it.
Feel free to respond to any of the substantive criticisms I have made of the argument you made today or of your laughably hypocritical paean to Robert Byrd.
Better yet, keep it on this level and keep demonstrating that you add nothing to this blog that AmVet to RW could not.
Obama for Heisman
June 30th, 2010
9:57 am
JMoore – I like it!
Boortz had a great idea too. All of the militray bases that are shutting down should be turned into “Economic Empoweremnet Zones” for those out of work, on welfare, and looking for a meal. They can continue their education or get certificates so they can find work, have a warm place to sleep, eat three squares a day, and have access to healthcare, all for free! If they don’t like it, they can find a job and leave the Economic Empowerment Zone.
getalife
June 30th, 2010
9:58 am
I think when you occupy countries, check papers and properties and exterminate the population, the hitler reference is fair .
Just sayin.
Marko
June 30th, 2010
9:59 am
If the DEMOCARTS weren’t playing politics, they would fully fund this with offsetting cuts then put that up for a vote. But they won’t. So which party is playing games?
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
10:00 am
Obama for Heisman-
I can’t beleive I’m bout to say this but that actually sounds like a decent idea. Did Boortz really say that??
Jay
June 30th, 2010
10:01 am
Is that what you call “specific factual responses,” Mike?
And yes, I am quite willing to let readers be the judge of who deals in facts and data and who deals in hyperbole and mindless hatred.
Quite willing indeed.
mike
June 30th, 2010
10:01 am
“I think when you occupy countries, check papers and properties and exterminate the population, the hitler reference is fair .”
I am confused. Are you comparing Obama to Hitler?
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
10:02 am
“they would fully fund this with offsetting cuts then put that up for a vote”
Ok, so what cuts would YOU suggest they offer?
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
10:02 am
“The largest increase in minimum wage in our history is a good place to start.”
House vote – 315-116 – just under 2/3
Senate vote – 94-3
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
10:05 am
oh, and here’s the link to the senate vote
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00042
Outhoust GoKart
June 30th, 2010
10:05 am
What some fail to realize is the minimum wage is a starting point to begin ones career…move up the ladder so to speak, and not to be confused with a living wage.
SPQR(laissez Faire)
June 30th, 2010
10:06 am
The fact that on average, there are five job applicants for every job opening doesn’t seem to penetrate ….THE STUPID LEFTISTS who say we NEED illegal alien labor.
larry
June 30th, 2010
10:06 am
Obama for Heisman @9:57, The Republicans would filabuster that.
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
10:06 am
NIF-
Don’t let facts get in the way of your rant though.
mike
June 30th, 2010
10:06 am
Jay –
LOL. I don’t hate you. I am sure that you are a fine guy who is good to his family, friends and neighbors.
If you notice my criticisms are of your debating style, lack of professionalism, and your rhetoric’s negative impact on our community. I think that you should be fired and replaced by a real journalist who can provide more than undifferentiated partisan dreck. The fact that you are a walking, talking embodiment of everything that is wrong with mindless partisan punditry doesn’t mean I hate you.
Let me know if you ever want to explain why didn’t mention that Byrd opposed the Afghan War that you and Obama support as much as he opposed the Iraq War. Your Michael Moore style of selective reporting is too easy to pick apart.
AmVet
June 30th, 2010
10:08 am
1. Why should estates be taxed? People work their entire lives for that money and should be able to pass it to their heirs without the government touching it.
I always love this primarily- Republican foisted canard. One of my favorites.
The logic is unassailable why there should be a modest tax on this wealth.
But the plutocracy loving sheep have listened to the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and other corporate-flunkies that spin fanciful stories of the huge and horrible burdens imposed by the inheritance tax on family-owned businesses and farmers.
No sale.
mike, quit stinking up the blog. I doubt that anyone here is interested in your perpetual hard on for the host.
Chris D.
June 30th, 2010
10:08 am
Let’s see, I personally know 4 people that are unemployed and have been for the past 9 months or more. 3 out of the 4 are lazy S.O.B.’s that don’t want to work, and enjoy having their days to themselves..lounging at a pool, going out drinking. And the 4th ONLY wants to work 3 hours a day, and can’t find any employer willing to agree to her demands. Cut them ALL off. Only way they’ll get off their butts, is if they have absolutely no $$$ coming in to them.
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
10:08 am
Outhoust GoKart-
Minimum wage is suppose to be a starting point, no argument there, but do you actually think someone can have a good start at 5.15. 7.25 isn’t much better but at least decent when you compare to a 40 hr week. Thats almost comparable to full UI.
lovelyliz
June 30th, 2010
10:09 am
The GOP has a history. If you are a well-connected, rich contractor/friends of the right person, they will give you tax-payer funded contracts had over fist with little or no bidding and then when you don’t perform the service, commit fraud or let’s say allow employees in you care to be raped without any redress or soldiers to get sick or electrocuted by your shoddy work, they do nothing other than fire the person in the IG’s office who investigates such occurrences.
That too many of the Democrats are letting them get away with this is just pathetic.
pat
June 30th, 2010
10:10 am
What people fail to realize is that minimum wage either creates inflation or decreases the amount of available jobs.
Jay
June 30th, 2010
10:11 am
Byrd had a Senate career of more than 50 years, Mike. So there were many things he did or said over that time frame that unfortunately I did not mention.
And your explanation of how you do not hate me was … interesting, shall we say? Again, I am more than willing to let the readers come to their own conclusions, based on the evidence available.
SPQR(laissez Faire)
June 30th, 2010
10:13 am
If you don’t want your employees to get raped, pay them in cash so IRS can’t rape them. Also, keep them away from bill clinton and al gore.
Shawny
June 30th, 2010
10:14 am
The true blame belongs to the democrats. If they really wanted benefits extended, then they could craft legislation that is palatable. There are GOP that are willing to negotiate, and finding some budget cuts to help offset costs is a reasonable thing to do. All they need is a couple of senators on board and it is a done deal.
I suspect that is not happening though.
In addition, the libs keep calling the GOP obstructionists in an effort to win elections in November.
Give them “an offer they can’t refuse”, and if they still refuse, then they are subject to defeat in November.
The problem is that there is no offer.
Some People are stupid
June 30th, 2010
10:14 am
pat-
So all the previous years we had minimum wages decreased the amount of available jobs….ok…
Counter, not having a minimum wage causes deflation.
SPQR(laissez Faire)
June 30th, 2010
10:16 am
WELLLLLLLLLLL DOGGIES…that 790 billion dollar (1.6 trillion after financing costs) sure is proving to be a god send and well worth the money.. 13,000 whole damn jobs created in June. WoW, Big eared b*stard and bite me, how did we ever doubt you.
Citizen of the World
June 30th, 2010
10:16 am
Maybe I’m missing something, but why don’t the Democrats force a filibuster? Make the Republicans fight to win in their position against the struggling among us. Let the American people see them filibuster over and over and over again against legislation that would actually help the sick, the low-income or no-income people and the environment or reform our financial system and protect the consumer. Instead they just weaken everything in hopes of getting it passed and, sometimes, like with health care, still don’t get any votes.
Normal
June 30th, 2010
10:17 am
Call it like it is.
June 30th, 2010
9:49 am
I can agree with your position too, but what I don’t get is how the GOP is willing to run roughshod over the people who need their help while using every weapon they have to stop President Obama? I don’t understand how they think those kinds of tactics will gain them votes in November. If I were unemployed and read that the GOP was trying to stop my Unemployment benefits while two wars and numerous tax cuts were still being financed, do you really think I’d be so dumb as to vote Republican? Nope, don’t think so. Wouldn’t be prudent.
obama sin laden
June 30th, 2010
10:18 am
You can spot a liberal a mile away.
Mr Right
June 30th, 2010
10:18 am
It appears like Mike was getting on Jay’s nerves last evening!
thomas
June 30th, 2010
10:19 am
ME m
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
you may wanna go back and look at other post of mine and others this morning…… don’t think we were talking about the same thing….
But if you ever feel like butting in with worthless to the situation advice agian feel free.
TaxPayer
June 30th, 2010
10:20 am
I’m personally grateful to finally start seeing some of the Republican’s true colors shining through. It is so much better than the totally deceptive days of Bush and his merry band. Of course, they still have a long way to go before they have fully revealed their innermost selves but it is best to that slowly in order to avoid mass shock and awe.
And, Normal, if you’re here, not to worry about those timbers that I massacred. They were pre-killed and even previously used. They were old railroad ties.
stands for decibels
June 30th, 2010
10:21 am
If you don’t want your employees to get raped, pay them in cash so IRS can’t rape them. Also, keep them away from bill clinton and al gore.
…and here I thought NIF’s playing of the Holocaust card was going to be difficult to top.
mike
June 30th, 2010
10:21 am
Jay –
And while you are “quite willing to let readers be the judge”, you might note that after years of running this blog, your audience continues to be the same twenty or so names.
Looks like the readers have already made their judgement. LOL
thomas
June 30th, 2010
10:22 am
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
9:54 am
If I leave something to another in my will how is it not a gift? It is there will or desire that their property be given to whomever the deceased states in their will.. If they do not have a will it is assumed by the court that their wishes were for the property to be given to the next of kin.
It is a gift… you don’t agree it seems and are looking for wiggle room, cause you see I may have a point.
Tall
June 30th, 2010
10:22 am
I’ve been underemployed/unemployed for nearly five years. My wish list of private and public sector entities that have rejected me stands at 108. If I could qualify for unemployment I would take it. However, at some point a line has to be drawn. I hold neither the Democrats or Republicans responsible for this, although the Obama adminstrations policies aren’t helping and may be making things worse. What Mr. Bookman wishes for is called Welfare. Is it not?
Granny Godzilla @ 8:36 am: Do you really believe that?
Kamchak
June 30th, 2010
10:23 am
The long term unemployed people that I know… and I know several… were mostly in the construction industry. Due to the water situation in Metro Atlanta, those jobs are NEVER coming back. Those people need to get off the public dole and find a new line of work.
Well sport, I am one of those in the construction industry and most of us are sub-contractors deemed to be self employed and ineligible for UE benefits. “The public dole” don’t enter into it.
Curious Observer
June 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Why should estates be taxed? People work their entire lives for that money and should be able to pass it to their heirs without the government touching it.
The logic behind the passing of the estate tax is unassailable: the tax is to prevent the establishment of almost-royal generations who attained their privileged positions merely through a predecessor’s labors, not through their own. Republicans and libertarians love to talk about the importance of hard work and saving. Yet, they’re willing to give the DuPonts and others a free pass when fortunes are passed down tax-free to unworthy heirs (last I heard, one of the wealthy DuPonts is still in prison for a heinous murder.) The exemption level before the estate tax takes effect is very generous. If an individual can’t thrive on $1 million + 45% of the remainder of a bequest and even add to the windfall, he/she has no business sitting on such a fortune and holding it out of circulation.
Joseph
June 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Far superior than the liberals who favor ever increasing unemployment and printing money to support them. This strategy has a little bit of false bump with nasty long term consequences. No reason to debate as we all have seats at the table and can watch it unfold.
pat
June 30th, 2010
10:24 am
“That’s right, Pat. In 07-08, the number of cloture motions doubled, and they have roughly maintained that pace in ‘09-’10.
That’s because in ‘07, Republicans were suddenly in the minority and started using the filibuster much more aggressively
”
Careful drawning conclusions with out facts. A number of those bills, like military spending and impletmenting the findings of the 9/11 commision are things the Republicans really liked. So it does not stand to reason that it’s all the work of republicans. Just looking at the list it would be a fair conclusion of about 50/50 if one were to guess, based on what is in there…And quite frankly there are some really stupid needless bills that did not deserve any consideration.
There was little need for a republican filibuster when you had a republican president, very likely to veto anything that was staunchly liberal.
TaxPayer
June 30th, 2010
10:24 am
SPQR and NIF must be competing for a door prize at a Palin show.
Charles
June 30th, 2010
10:26 am
I have been unemployed for over a year and have been looking for work ever since. My ui benifits I was collecting where helping me keep bills paid and my family fed Its sad to see people here blaming obama for a mess that was in the works all ready before he came to office and to see people leave comments that the unemployed are lazy and dont want to work Just be thankfull that you are employed and are not in our position I am not lazy have 2 degrees and cant find work If you really want to know I got layedoff feb/2009 I did not collect UI benifits till July/2009 after going thru my saving and loosing my car and I am with 1 foot out of my house I am sad to be an american with this senate condeming the unemployed to the unknown abyss
Mr Right
June 30th, 2010
10:26 am
I’m thankful for the filibusters, just think how bad this country would be if the Dems were left unchecked.
blackprix
June 30th, 2010
10:29 am
Thank you Jay for keeping this matter in the forefront!! There should be NO debate with regard to unemployment benefits for Americans.
The recession is here because Bush chose to focus his 8 years in office on an occupation of Iraq. He had no domestic agenda and NO OVERSIGHT of the financial wellbeing of this country.
Americans are suffering TODAY because Bush FAILED HIS PRESIDENCY! The deficit was out of whach 8 years ago when he started pouring billions a day into Iraq with NO FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND DID NOT PUT THIS MONEY IN ANY BUDGET!
Americans want to work, they need to work and those millions who all of a sudden lost their jobs because we had a moron for President are not to blame for any of this! But, THEY ARE the ones suffering now! GOP has done more harm to this country with how they govern and lack of connection to the American people.
Enough of this! Voting against extending benefits was anti-American, pure and simple. Those who did vote against extending benfits should all lose their jobs. Course they’ll never have to worrying about surviving, now will they!
Joseph
June 30th, 2010
10:29 am
Tall- what is your skill set if you don’t mind me asking
jj
June 30th, 2010
10:29 am
Good quote on the filibusters through 1970, how many between 70-92 when the Dems were in charge most of the time?
Jay
June 30th, 2010
10:30 am
Actually, Mike, my numbers are quite good and growing, thanks to people such as yourself.
For example, I note that at 8:42 you wrote:
“Well, off to my life. I’ll come back in a few hours and check in. I can guarantee you whatever time of the day I come back, Normal will be here. What else would he be doing? Hanging out with friends? LOL
That post drips with the condescension and personal smugness that have come to be your hallmarks, attacking others for doing what you do. In fact, after running off to live your life, you returned a mere seven minutes later to post again, and have posted roughly a dozen times since then.
That’s the kind of loyalty and validation I appreciate, Mike.
Lawrence
June 30th, 2010
10:30 am
My wish is for Jay to join the unemployment line. I would try to help pay his benefits for him, or he could get his liberal-democratic friends to help.
tscali
June 30th, 2010
10:30 am
jt posted: **Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has already made a partisan tinged suggestion to do just that by cutting pay for federal workers. We should counter with our own partisan tinged suggestions of cuts in oil and gas subsidies, agribusiness subsidies, and perhaps scrap or delay a weapons system or two. Then we can get a deal done by working out the details.”**
sounds more than generous to me. the crickets did chirp though.
**Ongoing efforts to freeze or cut federal pay to help control U.S. spending are demoralizing and bad for recruitment, according to Democratic lawmakers and unions.**
who gives a flying “F” about leeches and their bloated unions?
more demoralizing than that the average american? cry me a effin river!
AmVet
June 30th, 2010
10:30 am
What people fail to realize is that minimum wage either creates inflation or decreases the amount of available jobs.
pat, you are not going to like my position on this matter at all. As Gomer Pyle used to say, “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”
Minimum wage? How about a frickkin’ living wage?
It is an irrefutable fact that for the vast majority of Americans their rights as workers and their adjusted inflation incomes have been on the DECLINE for decades. It is way past time to reverse that and give workers – the backbone of the US economy – the rights and recompense they deserve.
So call me crazy but I just won’t shuck and grin for the union-busters and the Walmarts, and their Wall Street fleecers, who constatnly stiff American employees…
MTM
June 30th, 2010
10:31 am
I called John Boehner’s office today to tell them that I am not happy with his plan to raise the retirement age to 70. I asked what sort of benefits Congress was willing to cut for themselves and I was told by the young man on the phone that Congressmen and women receive NO benefits. They pay for their own insurance, gym membership, travel and so on. I was blown away. Not only do they screw us, they lie to our faces.
4T9
June 30th, 2010
10:31 am
Though my own college graduate son is out of work, I have to agree that the benefits have to stop somewhere.
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
10:32 am
“your rhetoric’s negative impact on our community”
that’s right, Jay … you need to be a CHEERLEADER, dammit!!! clap if you believe!!!
jt
June 30th, 2010
10:33 am
Government Worker
June 30th, 2010
9:51 am
jt said———-For all you overpaid federalies. Your austerity is coming. Suffer some hard austerity cuts now, or suffer some keynesian socialist poverty later.
Government Moocher said———–Just hold off for 17 months and 29 days, when my retirement date arrives. Then you can whack all you want, loser. Good thing we got Obama to veto anything you crustaceans might want to do if you capture Congress.”
jt————–We are coming for that pension too. And your SS.
Normal
June 30th, 2010
10:34 am
Taxpayer, Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. I will sacrifice a chain saw to the Tree God for that!
USinUK
June 30th, 2010
10:34 am
“minimum wage either creates inflation or decreases the amount of available jobs”
minimum wage creates inflation???
yeah. nothing like $14K a year in your pocket to stimulate demand.
oy.
Chris D.
June 30th, 2010
10:34 am
To Charles…Wendy’s, Burger King & Arby’s ALL withing 600 feet of my apartment are ALL hiring. Surely you live close to one of these restaurants? Or McDonalds, Checkers, etc, etc…OR is it withy our “2 degrees” you are too good for these work positions?
A CONSERVATIVE
June 30th, 2010
10:34 am
JAY…….would think even a moron like you would know if unemployment $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ kept flowing…people would not even try to find work…THERE IS NO $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ tree…karl marx
Jay
June 30th, 2010
10:35 am
But I’ll tell you what, Mike. Just to help you break your Bookman addiction so that you can get on with your clearly superior, friend-filled life, I’ll cease responding to your posts from here on out. As I’ve said, I’m confident that most readers are capable of judging for themselves what motivates them.
Doggone/GA
June 30th, 2010
10:35 am
“It is a gift… you don’t agree it seems and are looking for wiggle room, cause you see I may have a point”
I have heard the argument made that ANY “gift” constitutes income and should be taxed. But it doesn’t matter to ME if you actually have a point or not, since I am opposed to ALL taxes – as I said above – except a progressive sales tax based on the total on the sales receipt at the time of purchase.
But I’m not likely to live to see that ever enacted, and I see no reason, under current tax law, that large estates should not be taxed. It isn’t (it didn’t) affect me in any way. When my parents died they did not leave an estate large enough to be taxed under current law.
I make no judgement on whether that is “right” or “wrong” – just stating the fact. But, as I also said yesterday, I am a big believer in the Biblical injunction: of him to whom much is given, much will be asked.
People who inherit estates large enough to BE taxed aren’t going to miss that money near as much as they would like “the masses” to believe.
cgatlanta
June 30th, 2010
10:35 am
Why should some be allowed to receive perpetual unemployment benefits? I would think the original 26 week deadline was created because that is what was “fair”. 26 weeks of subsides for adding NOTHING to our society. Some people will not act until they are compelled. I say compel them.
stands for decibels
June 30th, 2010
10:35 am
what I don’t get is how the GOP is willing to run roughshod over the people who need their help while using every weapon they have to stop President Obama? I don’t understand how they think those kinds of tactics will gain them votes in November.
I think it’s a “dance with the one you brung” political calculus. The GOP decided very early in the Obama term to dump any semblance of working with Dems to govern, deciding instead to play to fears that this centrist Democrat was somehow “radical.”
If you can frame your ginned up outrage over deficit spending, even when that spending is to extend UE benefits just so, you can get the people in your base to think it’s mostly about how the Democrats want to give their hard-earned tax dollars to undeserving bums.
In mid-terms, it is mostly about convincing people to be afraid of something so they’ll get off their butts and vote. If Dems don’t play these cards themselves, show the most egregious TeaTard rally signs and remind people of what they can expect to see more of should the Dem base decide to sit this one out, I suspect they’ll regret it.
Libertarian
June 30th, 2010
10:36 am
@Some People are stupid 9:56
They aren’t always denied unemployment after they quit. They get appeal after appeal and, depending on the unemployment officer, sometimes they win, sometimes they don’t. I also have people who simply stop coming to work, don’t call, etc. When I get rid of them, they claim they were “fired.” Even though, in my mind, when you don’t show up 3+ days in a row and don’t call, you quit.
mike
June 30th, 2010
10:36 am
“that’s right, Jay … you need to be a CHEERLEADER, dammit!!! clap if you believe!!!”
Bah. Nobody is asking for cheerleading. Just asking for the slightest bit of intellectual honesty. There are plenty of liberal pundits who represent their view without the need to demonize their opponents. Jay just isn’t one of them.
You and Jay love your straw man arguments don’t you? So much easier than actually contesting what people actually say.
pat
June 30th, 2010
10:37 am
AMVet, can you live off of $7.50 an hour? I can’t. I could barely do it if it were double. It’s simply an “dog and pony” show with negative reprocussions for both employees and employers.
A CONSERVATIVE
June 30th, 2010
10:37 am
JAY…….LIKE ALL LIBERALS….YOU LACK ANY COMMON SENSE….You & Tucker are the reason the AJC has declined bigtime..
Mr Right
June 30th, 2010
10:37 am
blackprix
June 30th, 2010 we had a moron for President
10:29 am
I’m sure you wanted to say ” we have a moron for President” . I hate when I make a mistake like that and I’m sure you do to!!