Unemployment Benefits Extension Delayed; Was Senator Jim Bunning Right?
Who Really "Played Politics" with the Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill?
As an unemployed single mother whose third tier benefits were set to end on March 7 if the extension was not passed, I, too, have been extremely anxious over the events in Congress. Having been unemployed for over a year and having exhausted all of my other resources, I simply have no means left to feed myself and my son if my unemployment benefits end. I stand to lose my car, my home of over 20 years and everything I own. Looking homelessness and abject poverty in the eye, you might think you know where I stand on Senator Bunning's actions. But you might need to think again ...
Why did Senator Bunning hold up the much needed unemployment benefits extension?
Senator Bunning made it clear from the start of the stand-off that he was in favor of passing the unemployment benefits extension and continuing to provide the much needed benefits to the millions of unemployed American's whose unemployment benefits were about to end. What he argued, however, is that Congress should pay for the 30 day, $10 billion dollar extension with unused funds from the stimulus bill rather than continue to add to the nation's deficit.
Wasn't Senator Bunning just playing politics with America's unemployed as the Democrats have accused?
I don't think so. Congress, our current President and our last have spent this great nation into a dark hole that threatens all Americans, both now and for generations to come. While one can go back and criticize the decisions that got us here, there can be no argument that the spending of billions of dollars we don't have needs to stop now if we are to prevent even greater catastrophe for all Americans.
That said, I find it hard to swallow the argument that Senator Bunning's move was "political" in that it couldn't have been less popular. If anything, what he did was try to stand up for all Americans' best interests in what was really a rather politically suicidal attempt to force some fiscal responsibility on our government to begin to right this sinking ship. If anyone "played politics" with this event, it has been the democrats and RINO Republicans who accused Bunning of hurting Americans by simply asking that Congress pay as they go.
While this was clearly an incredibly painful issue on which to draw the line in the sand and one that impacts me so personally, I, for one, do not believe I have the right to only consider my own personal needs, my own personal pain with regard to the decisions made in Washington on my behalf or that of those in my position. I am grateful that unemployment benefits are there and I fully support extending them until the job market has recovered. (Click here to read "Unemployment Benefits Extensions: Five Reasons Unemployment Benefits Should Be Extended") But I agree with Senator Bunning that Congress needs to pay for their spending, not just continue to spend this great nation into oblivion. That was all he asked. And with the Bunning Amendment that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid agreed to vote on to get Bunning to relent, Bunning even gave them a simple way to do it.
I have to ask myself, then, why the Democrats used a last minute procedural trick to thumb their noses at Bunning and make sure that this unemployment benefits extension would not be paid for when it so readily could have been. That, in my opinion, is playing politics.
Published by S Gardner
S. Gardner is a freelance writer and researcher. She has experience as a weight loss and health counselor, a real estate agent, a small business owner and a high school history and civics teacher. She is a... View profile
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26 Comments
Post a CommentBunning was a self-aggrandizing ass, playing deficit politics with people's lives. He doesn't give a damn about the deficit, no more than any of those other hypocritical Republicans. They broke the damned bank during the Bush years, continued to deregulate, passed laws that only helped major corporations, and gave so many tax breaks to businesses and the wealthy that spending outstripped revenue by billions to the million. But now they want to balance the budget and blame spending on the Democrats? Pot calling the the kettle black. They want to play the goose but resent the gander... Now we have an economic crises where drastic measures need to be taken and you cannot drive an economy by not spending money. Try it on a household level. Works on all levels. They're just trying to torpedo Obama as quick as they can. Hypocritical asses, all, most with the luxury of being millionaires...
I hear everyone talking about a there benifits extended to a Tier or a Tier 4.
I live in Virgina. Are unemployment doesn't go past a Tier 2. Tier 3 and 4 was pulled from our benifits along time ago.. So can you only emagin how that feels... Knowing after a Tier 2 you don't qulify for any other extentions.
This is just plan mean. I hope everyone really take a hard look at what the Republican are doing. THEY HAVE NO FEELINGS FOR US AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUSTED OUR CHOPS DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE A LIVING FOR OUR FAMILY ONLY TO BE SHUT DOWN BY RICH ASSHOLES LIKE THE REPUBLICAN'S. I WILL NOT VOTE NO REPUBLICAN IN OFFICE AND SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL NOT ETHIER. I HOPE THEY DEMOCRACTES PUT A NEW BILL FOR THE 99ERS AND THEY GET THERE MONEY AS WELL. IM PRAYING FOR ALL OF US AMERICAN PEOPLE. GOD HAS MORE POWER THAN ANY MAN ON THIS EARTH. HE WILL SMITT THE RICH MEN AND BRING YOU TO YOUR KNEES. I CANT WAIT TILL THAT DAY.
It's sad that you work your *%^&* off for years, you get downsized because of lack of work, you're over 50 like me but the senators who want our vote are not willing to help when help is needed but I haven't heard not one of the senators or any one else in government cut their salaries. We're struggling while they are sitting on the high horse. Those that don't care about the people should be kicked out of office! Man cannot direct his step (Jeremiah 10:23) and it's quite obvious.
Jim Bunning has no idea what it is like to be unemployed after 18 years; we didn't ask our employers to lay us off. They chose to for various reasons. Bunning is a butthead.
This is a solution to the unemployment crisis that will make everybody happy. This will not only make the unemployed happy but also the congress and senate because it SAVES MONEY and SOLVES THE PROBLEM and they won't have to deal with it ever again. Give all unemployed 99 weeks max to draw benefits then or at anytime they choose before the end of their 99 weeks give them 15,000.00 dollars each non taxable money so that they won't lose their homes, they can pay off debt, and start their lives over and make plans. Then cut them off when they receive the funds. This saves money because 15,000.00 is less money than they would draw by extending their benefits figure it up. This saves the US money and also the congress and senate will not have to deal with it again. This is set in stone and can stay this way until the economy improves then it can be changed. This solution just MAKES SENSE for a CHANGE...I am only putting this in comments on pages I am depending on YOU to send it to yo
Give the unemployed 15,000.00 each if are CURRENTLY ON one of the first 4 Tiers. Not the ones who have been receiving it for OVER TWO YEARS those are just lazy pepole. This would allow them to pay off some bills, save their homes, and have a new start on life. It also saves the US big money figure it up...
Sen. Bunning's position on the unemployment extension benefits, is righfully proper in that the Congress should and must spend the monies from the stimulus package that was alleged for the economy. Americans worked and taxes had been paid by these Americans, it's about time Congress redeem itself. SHow some backbones, Democrats. Sen. Reid is only looking for someone to bash over the head, as long as it's not his head, that's ok with him. What a "troll".
I've been a registered Republican all my life, but I emailed our Senator Lugar (Dick) from Indiana after I saw his "No" vote on unemployment because I'm going to return the favor in about 4 months, or NO-vember. I'll be 60 in a few days and I worked as a kid mowing 20 yards, two paper routes, shoveling snow, bought my first car at 13 plus I worked during high school and I worked during college to cover what my scholarship didn't. Now for the first time, I need unemployment and there's not ONE member of my party that will vote for it? Congress didn't hesitate to wire millions to the Greeks immediately because they thought they might not be able to retire at 55. 55? Are you serious? It's time we voters clean house this NO-vember because the only bipartisan or unanimous "yes" vote is when they vote themselves a raise-that has to end. When we miss work, our check will be diminished, so when Congressmen miss voting, they should pay a financial fine, too. I still can't believe the healthcare
This is sad just provide us some jobs and we want have to be waiting for UI. I dont like nor wnat to sit at home with nothing to do everyday. Its going to be a lot of crime if something is not fixed, people are starting to get really dispret and are doing any and everything to keep a roof over there head and food in there mouth!