Dean Attacks Bush on Jobless benefits

[Cheswick2.0]

"I think it's a pretty big issue," Dean said. "It underlines the mean-spiritedness of this administration."


Bush should call Congress into special session, Dean said, and keep lawmakers at work until the extension of benefits is approved. The looming holiday season and the potential that thousands could lose benefits at precisely the time they are most needed underscores the urgency, he said.


"It is incredible callousness" to refuse to consider the issue, Dean said. Extending benefits would cost about $1 billion per month, he said, and the Federal Unemployment Trust Funds already have roughly $20 billion in reserves.


Under the unemployment insurance system, workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own are generally eligible for 26 weeks of unemployment insurance provided by state benefit systems.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031226/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_polls_1

[beyurslf]

1. Go Dean. Don't let up on Bush. nt

[sweetheart]

2. important issue

Structural unemployment (where your entire profession disappears) shows a significant number of people never get back to their original wage levels, and as well many do not find new employment.

I think the consideration should also take in to account the midlife-people who's career's just moved offshore, that those folks have a social support to re-tool in to another productive career.

Bushco' recently suggested the ideal of lifelong individual-based retirement accounts (rather than corporate) and i think the idea has merit, as geez, i've had a new job every year of so, not because i quit, but that the job went away when i was done. (software)... and along with it any long term potential benefits for retirement.

[maddezmom]

3. kick

bush has no heart.

[JNelson6563]

4. Excellent point Doc!

Keep sounding the alarm!

Julie