While attending this years Elko County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner, US House of Representative Dean Heller (R-NV) took a cheap shot at those currently unemployed and who count on their unemployment benefits to help them get by as they look for a new job.
The sticking point for Heller is the extension of those benefits to 24 months. Heller said, “I believe there should be a federal safety net,” but asked, “Is the government now creating hobos?”
Rep. Heller said that Nevada lost 61,500 jobs since the economic meltdown started in late 2007. He referenced a study that he says shows that 50 percent of those who are unemployed for more than two years stay unemployed. Then they become hobos.
That’s a lot of hobos and if you consider the millions who have recently lost their jobs, then that’s really a lot of hobos.
And how does Heller suggested we help the unemployed, simple, cut off their benefits, then by instilling fear and desperation, along with hunger you will create a sense of urgency in the unemployed to look even harder to find employment.
Rep. Heller assumes that people would rather collect unemployment than work, which I am sure is true for small number of those unemployed, but the majority of those unemployed not only want to work but need to work, to support families, to pay their bills, for health insurance, for college for their kids, and to have a sense of self worth and self esteem.
These are trying times for Nevadans as well as the entire Nation, we are trying to recover from possibly the worst financial crisis ever to face our Nation, and extraordinary times sometimes call for extraordinary measures such as extending unemployment benefits to 24 months.
This is not the time to make it harder on American workers who are out of work, because they already have enough problems that they face everyday when sitting around the kitchen table worrying how to survive for tomorrow.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is currently trying to get the unemployment extension past, but as usual Republicans are playing games with procedural obstruction tactics and as well as trying to include a Tax cut for the richest families in the country, in exchange for helping to extend benefits to the unemployed.
I have a suggestion for Rep. Dean Heller, the next time a jobs Bill requires your vote, how about you break away from the obstructionism long enough to help out some working and non working Americans by voting yes, yes for Nevada, yes for new jobs, and yes for less hobos.
Comments
What an A**. I worked for a company that closed up. Moved down south and now is hiring for $9.00 an hour. That will pay for my Gas to get there.
Rep. Dean Heller does not have any idea who the unemployed really are!! I am a teacher and I hold a master's degree in special education. In addition, I hold over 30 more college hours ABOVE that degree. I am NOT a hobo or a gypsy, nor do I ever plan to be. I am a hard working American who has fallen through the cracks and crevices created by the bickering between Democrats and Republicans. What is totally unacceptable is being stereotyped like that. I work with children -- the people who will eventually lead our country. I shape the future in a way that Congress NEVER will. However, what will our country be like when there are 30 to 35 students per class and only one teacher AND 10% of those students have special needs??? How will we be able to educate them properly?? Do you want our country to be led by people who aren't getting the education they need and deserve??? We are not being fair to the students or ourselves. THINK about this when you make those drastic cuts to education and
unemployment!! Where do you want to be in the future?? I, for one, want to be working with students; shaping them for our future -- readying them to become great leaders. LET ME DO MY JOB!!!!
Mr. Heller, you are misinformed. Most people need unemployment because their jobs have been SNATCHED from them due to budget cuts -- NOT because they are lazy hobos or gypsies. You, sir, need to do your research before you open your mouth and insert your foot. You may hold a bachelor's degree in finance, but you know NOTHING about who the unemployed really are. I am ashamed that you are a part of MY government and making decisions for ME when you don't know the facts. You Republicans and Democrats need to stop the P*$$ING contest you have started in Congress because WE are the ones having to PAY just because you all can't get along and play nicely. Congress is supposed to think about the people and I think you have FORGOTTEN about us. It isn't about you or your p*$$ing contest -- it IS about
the people! Remember???? We are the ones who put you in office because we TRUSTED you!! I wouldn't count on winning reelection, either. I think there will be MANY of you who will then be the hobos and gypsies -- oops!! I mean unemployed! But you won't have to worry about that will you??? Try to live off unemployment and then have it TAKEN from you!! I wonder how long you would last??? My guess would be not long. Then you would know what it is REALLY like trying to make ends meet on unemployment or -- NOTHING at all!!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!