Obama Slams Senate Republicans on Unemployment

Today, July 19, 2010, President Obama, flanked by three unemployed Americans, stood in the Rose Garden and slammed Senate Republicans for blocking an extension of unemployment benefits to nearly 2.5 million Americans. Obama quickly pointed out that the Republicans extended unemployment benefits under President Bush. The President also noted one reason some Republicans refuse to move the Bill forward - They believe that by continually extending benefits some people will grow dependent and refuse to look for jobs. There is one key thing that the President failed to emphasize.

Republicans have voted to extend unemployment benefits since Obama became President - yes, Mr. President - and they are willing to do so now in light of the many Americans who are still struggling to make ends meet. However, what Senate Republicans are asking is that we take care of the unemployed without adding to the national debt and increasing the budget deficit. Senate Republicans have even suggested how to accomplish that - use $30 Billion from the unused stimulus fund. At the last count, there were about $300 Billion of such money.

Now that we understand what is really happening, who is really playing politics? President Obama scolded Senate Republicans for being partisan, but is he bipartisan? The fact is, the Democrats, who hold every ounce of power in Washington, are bent on doing everything possible without Republican input and with seeming little concern for our skyrocketing deficit. Didn't they ram a massive healthcare bill through Congress without one Republican vote? Now that Republicans get a tiny bit of opportunity to demand accountability and common sense, they are the bad guys.

Someone has to stand up for the country. Someone has to think of our children's and grandchildren's future.

Interestingly, President used the bully pulpit today knowing that tomorrow Robert Byrd's replacement will be sworn in, giving the Democrats enough votes to block a filibuster. They then plan to vote on the unemployment Bill shortly after the swearing in ceremony.

This begs the question: was President Obama's address today a waste of time, or was he just being disingenuous?

Mr. President, have the Republicans voted to extend unemployment benefits since you became president? Mr. President, what is wrong with using some of the already allotted stimulus funds to cover this Bill and avoid adding to the debt?