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AP Photo
According to the AP, some 60 protestors carrying signs and chanting, stood in the blistering heat outside the federal courthouse in Louisville today. McConnel is leading a Republican filibuster blocking the extension of unemployment benefits at a time when unemployment is high.
McConnell was not in his office during the protest but he may be starting to feel the heat from his constituents. One woman said that the filibuster was "downright cruel."
The local NBC affiliate carried this story but the comment section was probably the most enlightening portion of the story.
Someone calling themselves, "Angry" wrote:
First off, my wife lost her job late last year after working for 10+yrs because they can hire someone else in at half the pay. Kentucky has a at-will employment which means that a employer can terminate you for any reason- legit or not.
We have kids and a small home, when this happened it devasted us and emptied our savings and what little 401K I had to keep us afloat. This is not a welfare program that we are just trying to help ourselves too, there are no jobs period. She has looked and so have I but the jobs dont exist. Wait till you are told that that you are over qualified and they cant hire you, thats the bottom line... Employers are cutting jobs to get through this "recession/depression" because they can make people do more with less.
We have been struggling and may not make it another month unless they pass this extension. "Yes", there are lazy people out there that are abusing the system and unless unemployment office starts finding jobs for people then it will continue. But to cutoff benefits to those that need it and deserve it is another thing.
So, those arrogant enough to say its not needed, then lets see you get fired or laid off and see how fast you will be changing your tune. Hypocrites.
Someone named "Skoochnski" wrote:
Do people not understand that in order to receive unemployment benefits you have to have worked? And in order to KEEP those benefits you have to apply for at LEAST 3 jobs PER WEEK! I apply for more than that and NO ONE HAS CALLED!! It's the same thing over and over. "You're over qualified." "You're resume is of interest, we may contact you in the next few weeks for an interview- if we don't, we've decided to go with another applicant."
Unemployment pays you about 1/3 of what you were making when you were working. I'm sure ANYONE on unemployment would rather work an get a full paycheck. An unemployment check only keeps your head just above water. And then only if you scrape by without things other people would call necessities. I assure you, none of us are "getting rich" or "living it up". If you think we are, why don't you come stay with me for a week or two and see how I'm "living it up"?
It seems that McConnell is playing politics because it has been proven repeatedly that unemployment checks benefit the economy. The people who receive unemployment benefits spend the money on necessities. People who are wealthy and or middle class aren't spending money because they recognize the economy is bad so they are holding on to their money.
Beyond playing politics, one wonders what has happened to our Judeo-Christian society when so many are so cavalier about other people's woes. Not only are unemployment benefits beneficial to the overall economy, it may make the difference between a family eating a meal and going to bed hungry. When did our culture begin to forget to care about other people?
For More Info: Lousiville Courier-Journal
Comments
Excuse me, but the only party playing politics here is the Obama administration who is still holding some 40% of the bail out money that could easily be disbursed for unemployment extensions, but won't be as Obama doesn't give a damn about Americans. The remaining fund they have instead will be used to fight the re-election onslaught that will happening in November. Obama would rather give 400 million to the Palestinians for supposed construction on the west Bank, money that will probably be misdirected to terrorist uses. Please get off the liberal band wagon!
Karen,
I support your efforts to bring some more attention to this issue. Congress has never failed to extend unemployment benefits when the national unemployment rate is above 7.5%, which it is currently. I am going through my second layoff in a one year period and luckily, I had some savings to get me through temporarily. Unemployment pays the mortgage and car and maybe the electric bill, but that's all. I am a professional with over 19 years experience in accounting and can't find a job, or even get an interview because I'm not entry-level. I also have a child to support as well, so I'm one of those people angered by the lack of cooperation in Congress for helping those who do want to find work, but can't.
Doc Vega, take your tin foil hat off and get a grip. The President can't take bail out money from the Bush administration and give it as unemployment compensation. It would take an act of Congress and as you know, Republicans will filibuster anything that President Obama and the Democrats try to do to help the American people. If you think Republicans like Mitch McConnell care about Americans, you need to see a psychiatrist.
Weren't the protestors the ACLU?
Unemployment is exceptionally high in AL. How can he possibly think he is helping his state? Shame! I hope he is soon unemployed from his office.
Karen: Great job continuing your unbroken devotion to Socialist talking points in favor of truth. (Since truth defeats your ideology, its understandable).
The truth of this situation is that a Democratically controlled congress can pass any damn thing they please with or without Republican support. This has been true since 2006.
The truth is that with much fanfare and self-congratulation, the Democrat controlled congress passed a law called PAY-GO which required them to obtain non-deficit funding for any law considered after its passage.
The truth is that since PAY-GO passed, NOT A SINGLE BILL has met its requirements.
And its not becasue the money isn't there, its because of two things:
1. What money is there is committed to Democrat pork laid out to bribe votes for Obamacare and unspent Stimulus money.
2. The Dems know that blaming the GOP for "blocking" unemployment extentions is a good scam on simple-minded voters; especially with liars like Karen on board.
Jasper Johns lies: "It would take an act of Congress and as you know, Republicans will filibuster anything that President Obama and the Democrats try to do to help the American people."
According to the Washington Examiner: "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., offered a compromise that would extend benefits for two months and pay for it fully WITH UNUSED STIMULUS FUNDING. But Reid turned it down."
(empahasis added for liars)
McConnell said: "The only reason the unemployment extension hasn't passed is because Democrats simply refuse to pass a bill that doesn't add to the debt," McConnell said. "That's it. That's the only difference between what they've offered and what we've offered."
I guess it will take MORE than an act of Congress Jasper. Maybe an act of honesty and courage (quantities utterly lacking among Dem-scum).
Source: Washington Examiner: washingtonexaminer.com/politics/congress/Dems-refuse-compromise-to-extend-unemployment-benefits-97625324.html
"McConnel is leading a Republican filibuster blocking the extension of unemployment benefits at a time when unemployment is high."
Back to the Lying Examiner I see! How sad.
With a demonrat majority in both houses there is no reason the dems cannot pass it.
Stop loading it up with social paybacks and it would pass. PAY FOR IT and it will pass.
But NO!!!! The demonrats do not call a vote and GO HOME and you blame the repubs? What a habitual liar!
Jasper Johns says: The President can't take bail out money from the Bush administration and give it as unemployment compensation.
He can't force GM Bond Holders to give up their legal rights either but he did!
He can't install people into office without the Senate advice and consent but he did!
Someone calling themselves, "Angry" wrote:
Someone named "Skoochnski" wrote:
Wonderful "sources".
Stan, you hit the nail on the head. Repubs offer compromise, Dems say no and then they voted to go on vacation.
I see the freepers are out in full force.
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