House GOP blocks bill to extend jobless benefits

[ProSense]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House have blocked a bill that would have extended jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed beyond the holiday season.

The most recent extension of jobless benefits expires Dec. 1. Two million people will lose benefits averaging $310 a week nationwide by the end of the year.

The measure would have extended jobless benefits through the end of February at a cost of adding $12.5 billion to the nation's debt. Republicans opposing the measure said that the measure should be paid for by cutting unspent money from last year's economic stimulus bill.

Democrats brought the measure to the floor under fast-track rules that required a two-thirds vote to pass, so the measure fell despite winning a majority.




Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101118/ap_on_bi_ge/us_jobless_benefits_1

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Edite missing text

[onehandle]

1. I'd like to see a poll of what percentage of the unemployed voted Republican.

Followed by an I.Q. test for those who did.

[Andy823]

13. Or how many

Did not even bother to vote? I heard some before the elections on TV that said they were mad that they couldn't get extensions from congress so they weren't going to vote at all! I think a lot of republicans who are unemployed may be a bit ticked off right now, or course getting them to vote for the democrats is another story! This is a prime example of what we can look forward to in the next two years, the question will be how many voters will be mad as hell about this in 2012, and "vote the bums" out like happened this year?

[ezmerelda39]

18. Republicans need

to hold on to extending unemployment benefits so they can use it as a bargaining tool when they 'discuss' extending the bush tax cuts for the wealthy. When they campaign they never mention what they are not going to do for this country. This is one of them, just one. Everyone who is being shut off from benefits should legally demand a job from everyone who opposed this 'fast track' bill. It wouldn't have made any difference how the bill was introduced they wouldn't have been for it. In fact they can save a lot of time by not going through the voting process. Just hold the bill up, wave it around and then just put it in the big pile entitled "Just another Screw for the American People" compliments of your All American, Family Loving, GOOP.

[customerserviceguy]

70. You are completely correct

If the Democratic congresscritters still there want to do something to avoid letting the tea partiers have their way, they will shove everything to the back burner, and focus on extending the debt ceiling by a few trillion dollars.

Votes to extend the debt ceiling are the real weapon that the tea party freaks will use to get their way in the next two years. Their ability to do serious damage to this country cannot be underestimated.

[heliarc]

87. Not to mention the Census just took place.

If I'm not mistaken, the GOP in Congress get to redraw the lines again in 2011.

[customerserviceguy]

124. Congressional redistricting is done on the state level

But we're cooked there, too, when you see all the Repukes who won at that level of politics.

[PaDUer]

88. They already had a trial run..

on a certain tv show.

[LynneSin]

29. or better yet - didn't vote

:cry:

[Ahpook]

41. A buddy of mine did :(

He thought they were going to save his ass, this time. Isn't the first sign of insanity doing something numerous times hoping for a different outcome?

I told him he is fuckin nuts. What do I know though?

Unemployed with mortgage, car payments, blah blah blah...

[L0oniX]

45. I'm sure a ton of the stupid mutha f*ckas did.

[LuckyTheDog]

62. As usual, the Freepers are giddy over anything that causes pain to working people

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2629633/posts

Sample comments:

It's ABOUT TIME! How many "extensions" do people expect? Time to go BACK TO WORK! Watch, when the free money stops, suddenly we'll see the "unemployment" rate finally go down. Unemployment is like anything else. If you subsidize it, you get more of it.

-----------

Watch the Unemployment rate drop by 2% overnight.

-----------

Unemployment is like anything else. If you subsidize it, you get more of it.
Yep, and that is precisely what the scumbag Democrats count on.
They want to add as many government-dependent parasites to their "base" as they possibly can.

[saigon68]

110. Hateful right wing nut-jobs

[AnneD]

112. I might just be stating the obvious here.......

but for the unemployment to go down-don't you need jobs??????

[SOS]

115. "Watch the Unemployment rate drop by 2% overnight."

Let's take a look at Ireland.
Ireland enacted a severe austerity program in 2008 when their banks collapsed.
Ireland also spent billions of Euros to bail out the banks.

The result?

Unemployment went from 4.6% to 11.8%.

The capitalists, who demanded austerity, have thanked Ireland by dumping their bonds and driving yields up to 7%.

Austerity programs + bank bailouts = a nation in ruins.

[BrklynLiberal]

83. That was my first question as well....how many of those idiots who voted for the repukes are

unemployed..and blamed the Dems. They must be banging their heads against the bathtub tiles about now...

[roguevalley]

101. There will be violence. Count on it. No one is going to sit and

watch their life disappear and their kids go hungry.

[Crazy Dave]

2. I thought we still had a majority until next year?

Why isn't the current majority (dems w/Pelosi) fighting as hard for the unemployed as they were trying to get re-elected and keep their own jobs in the mid-terms?

[democrat_patriot]

6. Bill was fast tracked, needed 2/3rds to pass.

Passed under regular rules. Didn't pass here.

[Love Bug]

3. Can someone please explain to me why it can't be paid for

from unspent money from the stimulus bill? Or is that just an excuse?

[Crazy Dave]

4. Or make GM pay for it. They just got a $45 billion tax break

I smell lots of seven digit Christmas bonuses for GM execs this year while the unemployed lose their food and utility money.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/gm-tax-break-could-be-wor_n_778300.html

[OlympicBrian]

40. So what is the breakdown, US GM plant workers versus offshored?

Anyone know?

[PaDUer]

92. Check this out..

G.M. Shares Surge on Market Debut


http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/g-m-prices-its-shares-at-33-in-return-to-stock-market/?nl=afternoonupdate&emc=aua2

[democrat_patriot]

5. Because the stimulus bill is for stimulus projects.

The unemployment extension is for extending unemployment benefits.

So you cut the stimulus bill (which is working to create jobs)to pay people who may have gotten a job from the stimulus bill.

[Love Bug]

9. Yabbut UI money stimulates the economy, too

This all seems like hair-splitting to those about to lose benefits. I'm sure beneficiaries don't care where the money comes from as long as they are able to continue to feed/house their families.

[LiberalArkie]

7. This is the time to buy a hell of a lot of TV time..

[elleng]

15. DAMN RIGHT! Start NOW revealing their duplicity/true intentions/interests.

[Wednesdays]

90. Be my guest.

See how that works?
:banghead:

[impik]

8. Go Americans!!! Vote again for these assholes. Stupid public.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Too bad we don't have billboards across the nation that can ticker-tape

this information.

[Guilded Lilly]

11. Once again, they prove they are souless bastards

[KamaAina]

12. Merry Christmas! Signed, The Repuke Party.

:sarcasm:

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Cheeto Boner = 2010 Ebenezer Scrooge. n/t

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

16. Question: is there any way this can be brought up again for a vote?

This is such bullshit!

[BumRushDaShow]

37. Maybe they can make it a rider

on an Omnibus appropriations bill. But that is only if they have the brute strength to pass an Omnibus bill and not be forced to punt it into the new year with a new Congress.

[DimplesinMI]

17. It will be brought up again, but AFTER November 30th.....

Here is another story on the article....

MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall reported at approximately 2:04PM, that the initial vote on the unemployment insurance extension, has failed by a House of Representatives vote of 258 to 154.

The legislation which the House was considering his afternoon was the "Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act"- HR-6419, introduced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) on November 17, 2010.

The bill would have extended unemployment benefits for those between 73-99 weeks, until February 2011, providing a three month extension.

http://www.reachoutjobsearch.com/2010/11/first-unemployment-extension-vote-fails.html

This is so sad for many people but, not surprising of the Republicans. The Unemployed better get ready for the GOP House in 2011 because I say the changes for renewed underemployment extensions are unlikely with them, in power, sadly, again....

[sweetapogee]

19. did any

dems vote no?

[pinto]

20. Here's the tally (needed Yeas from 2/3 of those present to pass)

Democratic: Yeas - 237, Nays - 11, No vote - 7
Republican: Yeas - 21, Nays - 143, No vote - 15

Totals: Yeas - 258, Nays - 154, No vote - 22

[humblebum]

23. I have a strong feeling 2012 will be a very good year for Dems. nt

[SocialistLez]

66. Not if they don't expose the Republicans and remind the American people who Repubs are working for.

[sweetapogee]

113. it all

depends on the economy.

[humbled_opinion]

42. What possible excuse could those 11 DINO's have

in voting no? I don't get it their is no election for another 2 years are our own reps that gun shy now to stand up for the helpless people? If so we are truly fucked.

[Amonester]

76. A clear majority of representatives (more than 100) won this vote, still

not enough (%#!???).

And that f**ck*d up system is supposed to be regarded as the best democratic system in the world?!?

A "model" for democracy?!? One that should "inspire" other countries?

Must be a joke, right?

Once more, Washington wins "The Laughing Stock Of The World Award" (TM)!

What an abject embarrassment this system is (again, and again, and again).

What will it take?

[ProudDad]

80. Who are the 18 traitorous "dems"???

[AlbertCat]

52. has failed by a House of Representatives vote of 258 to 154.

So....

did 258 vote yeah and 154 vote no?

they said it woulda passed if it hadn't needed 2/3ds, right?


They might have mentioned that instead of just putting up numbers that makes it look like 258 voted nay.

An important part of the story is a majority voted for it

[Liberalynn]

21. They Shall Reap What They Have Sown

I pity no one who voted for the teapukers.

I only pity those who didn't and have to suffer for other's stupidity.

[DemoTex]

48. Hosea 8:7 (KJV) spells it out, but I doubt that any of them know the passage:

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

The GOP has just shit it's own nest.

[wordpix]

75. I doubt any of them can read the passage

:puke:

[MrsCorleone]

22. Link to roll call:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2010-579

[FloriTexan]

24. We are officially boycotting...

everything and everyone now. No money to any campaigns for any reason - can't afford it. No money to retailers except for necessities. No donations to charities because we just became our own charity. My husband is a month away from being a 99'er so I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. That's okay, he's tired of looking for even the minimum of 5 jobs a week to apply for anyway. Very depressing. Looks like I'll also have to go into read only mode at DU as well. Sorry DU. I gave what I could while I could. :cry:

[juajen]

106. What's this "read only mode"? I post all the time and can't afford to donate.

Of course, there are some forums that never shut down, whether you donate or not. I believe they consist of LBN, GD, and GDP. I hope things look up for you, and keep posting.

[Major Hogwash]

25. Let the National Nightmare that is the Republican Party Begin!!

They aren't afraid of getting voted out of office anymore, so they have no reason to hide their corporate agenda any longer.

Hear that, Mister Middle Class Unemployed Person?
The GOP thinks you suck!!

[Major Hogwash]

26. Someone should tell Keith Olbermann about this vote.

Just to piss off Jon Stewart!

LoL

[juajen]

105. I'm sure he knows. Keith and his staff certainly keep up with what's going on in congress. NT

[TheCowsCameHome]

27. Season's Greetings from the party of the wealthy.

Bastards.

[perdita9]

28. Actions have consequences

America voted Republican in the last election. Now she's going take the consequences for that right on the chin.

[tomhayes]

30. I called my Republican congressman

Left a message with Duncan D. Hunter telling him that one of his constituents will lose their house if he doesn't change his ideology and his vote.

He WILL NOT ever change his mind.

I wish my dad's name would get me a job.

[AsahinaKimi]

31. Republicans

Have only one goal. They are out to make Obama a one term President. They are the party of NO. There will be NO compromises. No bipartisanship, Its time to go Alan Grayson on them, pure and simple.

[okieinpain]

111. right, and when the people start crying because they lose the

benefits. the repugs will say it's president obama's fault because he could have signed the bill into law or some crazy excuse. but it will be president obama's fault.

[DesertFlower]

32. republicans only care about themselves

and their rich friends.

[timo]

33. dont forget these turncoats!!

Berry, Boyd, Bright, Cooper, Lincoln Davis, Hill, Minnick, Nye, Peterson, Shuler, Taylor

Only three of them will be in Congress next year, including Minority Leader candidate Heath Shuler. Who voted against a three-month extension of unemployment benefits. After he voted yesterday for the robo-signers bailout.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

34. nice.

[obama14]

35. How we still have the majority for now!

The headlines should be spineless democrats!!

[sam sarrha]

36. add 2,000,000 homeless... more foreclosures

[humbled_opinion]

38. What the ....

The Pukes act like it is money out of their own pockets that they will have to pay to approve this. We need our reps on the air about this. What kind of scrooge thuggary is this, tiny tim gets no Christmas goose thanks to Boner and friends.

[OlympicBrian]

39. Listen to the "real" issues Glenn Beck talks about instead!

Happy holidays to everyone...as long as you have a job. For others, who are unemployed or under-employed (like myself) I am sorry.

"Each dollar the federal government spends today on extending unemployment benefits will raise gross domestic product by $1.60 a year from now, according to an analysis by Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. That “bang-for-the-buck” compares with, for example, just 35 cents per dollar for making the Bush-era tax cuts permanent."

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-benefits-bill-fails-in-house-2010-11-18-1459320

Now let's see, in addition to the above, Republicans blocked or voted down (often with blessing of the US Chamber of Commerce):

1) A campaign funding disclosure bill (even though roughly 80 percent of the public are in support of this).
2) A jobs insourcing bill to bring back jobs to the US.
3) An equal pay for women bill.
4) Today...an unemployment benefits extension bill.

Do people actually look at the voting records of those they vote into office? I doubt it. Do they actually understand or follow the issues being voted on? I doubt it. Instead, they probably listen to nonsense on TV, like that accusatory garbage through Glenn Beck on Fox "News"--unrelated to the real issues we face. A great deception.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

109. !

nope, they don't. Some might if they knew where to look, but I'm surprised at how many people don't even know how to use google, or know that voting records are a good source of information.

:(

in a complex world, glen becKKK offers easy "answers" (illlusions to direct and vent the confusion and fear)

[katty]

43. What a sickening bunch of greedy hypocrites

[RainDog]

44. Ebeneezer screw yourself, America

that's the Christian spirit we see in the Republican party...

god bless us, everyone.

unless you're unemployed.

or lack health care.

or need affordable medication.

or work for a living.

[chelsea0011]

46. Again, the repukes have got theirs..nice fed job and benefits

[Hawaii Hiker]

47. I wonder if republicans ever thought for a second that

extending unemployment benefits, BENEFITS THOSE IN RED STATES TO, :banghead:

I bet alot more people in Mississippi, West Virginia, etc. need unemployment more than those in LA and NY...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

49. Merry fucking christmas.

:grr:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

50. I AM SO SICK OF THE REPUBLICANS' HYPOCRISY!

[Jed28]

51. Crafty Republicans....

What's next? We'll agree to extend the jobless benefits if you agree to permanently extend the tax cuts for everybody?

[NeoConsSuck]

120. Bingo!

That was the plan all along. And I'm sure a lot of corporate Dems wanted this extension to fail for the reason you gave.

[nolabear]

53. Keep 'em coming, O Party of the Common Man.

With luck, they are sewing their shroud.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

54. Lockheed F-35’s Projected Cost Now $382 Billion, Up 65 Percent

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-01/lockheed-f-35-s-projected-cost-now-382-billion-up-65-percent.html

[craigmatic]

55. Why didn't they do this before the election so they could've tarred the repubs with it?

[Auggie]

56. Great question

[Politicalboi]

91. This is the same party that took

Impeachment off the table. It would have been "unfair" I guess. They didn't want any Repukes mad at them now did they. They would never get Repukes to vote for them if they pointed out the other guy in such a bad light. See how it worked. Oh wait!

[PaDUer]

94. They were too busy..

playing tit for tat and got it up the a$$..
Just think, the repukes will be having wonderful holidays while the rest of the people will be standing in the food lines everywhere..this has been planned for a long time.

[tavalon]

57. Why did they use fast track rules? Come to think of it, what are fast track rules?

I thought those were the tickets you got at six flags to help with long lines. I'm being serious here - I don't understand the rules being used here and I know there are many DUers who could explain it to me and I promise to be appreciative despite my frustration with Congress.

[tomp]

58. what made them think they could get two thirds?

or is this more hyper-n-dimensional chess?

[MrMickeysMom]

85. No chess game, just Democratic deer in headlight factor

I heard news opinion tonight that such fear is the result of "what happened a few weeks ago"... Honest to God, I wanted to puke.

Weh-h-h-hell.... behavior like THIS IS PRECISELY THE REASON that mysterious thing "HAPPENED a few weeks ago".

Do they get it?
Do they?

Nope... They're just SCARED AND FROZEN. What would anyone do after taking bold moves. What would happen to their career in Congress?

That game, unlike Chess, IMO, is being played out, and it's as disgusting as watching a train wreck in slow motion.

[tomp]

103. well, not really.

your post seems to imply that the dems really want to do the right thing but somehow, for whatever reason, just can't.

I don't give them that much credit. i think it is absolutely clear that historically the democratic party does not have the best interests
of poor, working, and middle class people at heart, and that, just like the repubs, they work for the rich. anything we get from the dems is
bones and crumbs to keep us from taking to the streets and tearing down the system as we know it. this is THE PLAN.

when you look at ti that way, things start to make a lot more sense.

[MrMickeysMom]

107. I have looked at it that way...

... and the only problem I have with that is that this does not typify the candidates trying to get into office as a Democrat. It does typify what the majority has done for the years I've been involved (mid 70's...) I actually have represented (briefly) by them. Had I stayed in Orlando, FL, I would have been represented by one who has now lost an election for having HAD Democratic ideas. Shit...

So, if we had campaign finance reform, what would Congress look like? Would there then be a difference between the winner candidate, who could carry through on behalf of the Democratic platform?

Is it time for a break-away party of the late 1850's?

[tomp]

122. don't know my history that well, but it is certainly time for a break away of some sort. nt

[MrMickeysMom]

123. I'm reading a book on Lincoln, and that's why it reminded me...

We actually had some radical parties during the 1850's when tensions were so polar between the southern states and north, slavery, etc, which finally broke away and became the Republican Party. Some fringe parties which caused the ultimate break included... the Know Nothing Party!

Reminds me of the tea party!

[NICO9000]

59. But I'm sure there will be plenty of money for more wars

But hey - our complaining about any of this will just elicit those "class war" cries from the ruling class!

[Caretha]

60. They really really

want a revolution, don't they?

[Botany]

61. ATTN: President Obama and Democratic Leaders .... do you want to win?

A politician will bend whichever way the wind blows. A leader will
stand up and do what is best for his state and its citizens.

[grahamhgreen]

63. Thanks for the post!

[NorthCarolina]

64. Just in time for the Holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone...and a Happy New Year too. Hopefully the Republicans, and the DLC New Dems (because they need it too), will be visited by three spirits this holiday season, and I don't mean spirits in a bottle.

[alp227]

65. If anyone argues "just get a job!" then phooey.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/economy/prospects-remain-grim-for-the-unemployed-99ers/1869/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/economy/generation-jobless-millennials-struggle-with-unemployment/4127/

Oh, shouldn't the "unspent stimulus money" go to creating jobs too? Freaking Republicans.

And regarding the tax cuts: they've had 9 years to create jobs...and look what happened. Those who benefit off them would rather sit on 'em than invest 'em.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

67. I worked my ass off, have gotten great reviews (have the commendation letters

to prove it) and was promptly laid off in January of this year from my last job. I want to work. I am trying to get back to work. Unemployment benefits are helping me to pay bills. I hope whoever voted against extending benefits rots in hell.

[ProgressiveLiberal]

82. You Too ! ???

Same story as you my friend... I even got a raise 5 weeks before they let me go - laid off last July

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

125. It sucks, ProgressiveLiberal. Good luck in your job search as well. (((Hugs)))

[chervilant]

97. Well, now...

Me, too--with regards to the fact that unemployment benefits are helping me pay my bills, WHILE I'm trying to find work. I am completely mystified by the ridiculous assertion that those of us who are unemployed WANT to draw unemployment benefits rather than work!!!! I'd like to see one of the vile lunatics who make such unsupportable statements spend several months making ends meet with meager unemployment benefits. Teh basterds!

[benld74]

68. GOP=Ebinezer Scrooge Pre-Christmas Eve

[defendandprotect]

69. Think the message is we have a Congress TOO WEALTHY to care ....???

[wordpix]

74. that's IT - when only the wealthy run for Congress, they will help only the wealthy

[txlibdem]

71. It's simple economic math: we cannot afford both the middle class and the rich

One has to die.

The President, Congress, the courts and the media have already chosen to side with the wealthy and against you and me.

Which one do you believe we need to starve?

[beyurslf]

72. You would have thought they might have done this BEFORE the election....

[wordpix]

73. as KO says, "Mr Boner, where are the jobs??!!"

[unkachuck]

77. elections have consequences....

....millions of unemployed, social-issue, working-class, tea-bag-pukes will be suffering a cold dark Christmas....my heart bleeds for all those who won't vote their self-interest; not really....

....my heart does bleed for all those non-pukes who will be suffering a cold dark Christmas, through no fault of their own....

[glinda]

78. They want their tax cuts to the rich. "WAhhhhhhhhhh"

[Historic NY]

79. Wonderful, no food or rent for you its just starting people.

[julian09]

81. About 11 Dems voted with Gop

Rember them.

[BrklynLiberal]

84. Let me guess...Blue Dogs??

[Mosaic]

86. Grand?

These neanderthals are anything but grand.

[deacon]

89. If you need a job why would you vote for a republican? n/t

[Politicalboi]

93. Because they

Give tax cuts to the wealthy so the wealthy can share with the rest of us and give us low paying wages so we are grateful we have jobs. It all works out in the end doesn't it? Trickle! Trickle! Trickle! Can't ya feel it. And one day when your wealthy, as most Repukes they will be, you don't want some low life scum taking your money, to feed his family do ya. :sarcasm:

[LaPera]

95. The wealthiest 2% need their huge deficit raising tax cuts from expiring-Unemployment should expire

for the desperate poor, the richest corporate republicans tell us.

The TEN YEAR deficit raising tax cuts for the wealthiest have produced NO jobs for Americans - (But those same 10 year tax cuts that have made the rich so much richer, just as those same tax cuts for the rich have made our country poorer and deeper in debt).

Yet these same greedy republicans want unemployment insurance to expire for the poorest of poor and give hundreds of billions of our tax dollars to the greediest 2% who always want more and more and more......

These same greedy who don't want their billions of no job-producing tax cuts to expire on Dec 31st 2010.

But the rich do want the poorest unemployment insurance to expire ASAP!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

96. they should just move to India and get a job

lazy sobs.

</sarcasm>

[jtuck004]

98. How many years should this be extended? 5? 10? 15?

It's $50 billion a year paid to 2 million people, that could augment school lunch programs, medicare, food stamps, a jobs program, etc. We have 40 million people at the poverty line, 50 million with no health care, lots of other people who are much worse off than those with benefits - people with no benefits who have lost their job at 50, and will see no income until SSI starts at 65 or thereabouts. We could stop the wars, which would help a lot, but turning our back on our committment to Afghanistan is what brought us the Taliban, so that is not as easy as it sounds.

With our near 30 million unemployed and underemployed, it is very likely to be at least 15 years before we see these folks employed
again, if ever. And if they are not getting jobs, as other people lose their jobs because of our shrinking economy, and more people enter the workforce but with no job because we are not even creating enough jobs to employ the people entering the workforce today, there will be more and more with no income.

Should we just keep paying for the next decade or two, since there is no plan to re-employ them? And what do we tell the people who are homeless or starving in the meantime?

Will the country really let this go on that long?

[Ninten12]

99. I'll Keep Saying It... No Sympathy in This Corner!

For those unemployed folks who voted for the wing nuts or did not vote at all, you get EXACTLY what you deserve! The ordinary working bloke gets nothing but the wing nuts want to give more to the "have mosts". Whatever, I'm busy.

[happygoluckytoyou]

100. FINALLY bring up-down votes and show the GOP for what it is

[mimi85]

102. So there goes our holidays

I'm disabled, my husband got laid off over a year ago (not the economy - just a shitty boss - long story) and his unemployment is over in a week. AND we soon will have to pay full price for Cobra which is more than our house payment! I am SO furious at these a-holes! A fun holiday here - not! I fully think all these no votes are really racism over having an almost black President. Hell, if the White House asked me to go to a meeting, I'd be booking tickets this minute. What happened to the relatively reasonable Grumpy Old Party folks like my Dad? We had very intelligent convos about politics when he was alive. Shit, I am past furious thinking about these idiots - I am totally irate! And sad.

[mark_h]

104. Congress doesn't even know how its own program works ans then votes on it????

How can congress say it adds to the National Debt and get everyone in an uproar. The leaders of this country don't even know how the program works and spread lies.

Loans with interest paid back is going to burden the country?

"The federal government lends money to the states for unemployment insurance when the states run short of funds. In general, this can happen when the unemployment rate is high. The need for loans can be exacerbated when a state cuts taxes and increases benefits. All loans must be repaid with interest."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_benefits#United_States

[gibby2433]

108. Merry Christmas, deadbeats!

Hope you're ok we're cutting off your unemployment. And you won't mind if we extend tax cuts for the top 2%, right? You know, those people who aren't going to hire you regardless.

[herbm]

114. With the help of more than twenty Democrats. Or was that bipartisanship?

[Evasporque]

116. Grid meet lock.....nt

[Honeycombe8]

117. All the Dems have to do is find a way to pay for the bill, and the bill is done.

What's wrong with that? Isn't that what both sides have been saying...pay as you go?

[HereSince1628]

118. Why was it necessary to bring the bill to the floor under fast-track?

Was there some sort of block in committee that this circumvented?

I don't understand why the dems would choose a method that they knew would be likely to fail.
That is unless they wanted the R's to kill the bill.

[Norrin Radd]

119. Talk about your War on Christmas...

[OlympicBrian]

121. Check this out: Unemployment Rate Set to Magically Drop

Unemployment Rate Set to Magically Drop
By Dan, Seattle
11/19/2010

Recently, a bill to extend unemployment benefits failed in the House, shot down by Republicans. While this bill may be devastating to the millions who lose their benefits around the holidays--in a strange twist, there may be a "silver lining" in place for politicians as a result of the failure.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9593706