Republicans block bill to continue benefits for millions with no job
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - For the third time in as many weeks, Senate Republicans on Wednesday successfully filibustered a bill to continue providing unemployment checks to millions of people.
But this time, since the slimmed-down measure attracted two Republican votes, its passage seems assured next month once a replacement is in place for Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., who died on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a supporter of the bill, had to vote "nay" to take a procedural step that would allow for a revote. Even though the tally stood at 58-38, Democrats were in reality just one vote short of the 60 needed to beat the filibuster. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska was the sole Democrat against the bill.
Immediately after the jobless aid vote, the Senate cleared for President Barack Obama's signature a measure to give homebuyers an extra three months to finish qualifying for federal tax incentives that boosted home sales last spring.
The jobless aid measure is one of the last remnants of the Democrats' jobs agenda, which has largely fallen prey to GOP concerns about the deficit. Although a hiring tax break passed in February, ambitious plans for new road construction, incentives for so-called green jobs, and, more recently, funding for cash-starved state governments and local school districts are languishing in the face of Republican resistance.
Save for GOP moderates Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Republicans uniformly opposed the $33 billion jobless aid measure because its cost would be added to the nation's $13 trillion national debt.
"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," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
The House is slated to vote on a companion jobless aid measure today, though the Senate's action renders it a futile gesture as Congress gets ready to depart Washington for its cherished 4th of July recess.
Without an extension, 1.7 million of the 7 million people who have been without a job for at least six months will have lost their unemployment benefits by the end of this week, according to the Labor Department.
"We have a basic responsibility to help our constituents respond to emergencies," said Reid. "We have a fundamental obligation not to deny them the help they need when they need it the most."
Obama has urged lawmakers to spend about $50 billion to help states pay for Medicaid programs and to avoid teacher layoffs, but Democrats in Congress have been unable to come up with the votes.
Governors made another plea Wednesday for money to help them avoid layoffs of state employees
"This is crucial for America and crucial to the citizens of our states," Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said at a Washington, D.C., news conference with governors from New York, Maryland, Washington, Kansas and Michigan.
Rendell said Pennsylvania stands to lose $850 million in Medicaid money. Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson said his state might have to lay off 3,600 teachers.
Many Democrats see state aid and unemployment benefits as insurance against the economy sliding back into recession. And most economists say extending benefits for the unemployed is a good way to stimulate the economy since the money is immediately recycled into the economy.
"It means they've got money in their pocket for the local grocery store, for the local gas station and the local hardware store," Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said. "It means more money in local economies and more job creation."
However, many Republicans and some Democrats worry about adding to the growing national debt.
"No one's disputing the value of these very important programs," said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. "But we also have to have tough choices and we also need to live within our means."
Brown and other Republicans want to pay for the unemployment benefits with unspent money from last year's massive economic recovery package.
The Democrats' unemployment bill would provide up to 99 weekly unemployment checks averaging about $300 to people whose 26 weeks of state-paid benefits have run out. The benefits would be available through the end of November, at a cost of $33 billion. There are no offsets in the bill, so the cost would add to the deficit.
It's a tough vote for some lawmakers who want to help constituents hit hard by the recession but are wary of being labeled big spenders.
Senate Democrats initially combined the unemployment benefits with the extension of the homebuyer tax credit. Once the combined measure failed, the Senate passed the homebuyer provision by unanimous voice vote.
Under current law, homebuyers who signed purchase agreements by April 30 must close on their new homes by Wednesday to qualify for credits of up to $8,000. The bill would give those buyers until Sept. 30 to complete the purchases and qualify for the credit. The House passed that measure Tuesday as a stand-alone bill.
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216 COMMENTS
grumblestilt said...
The Republicans caused the recession which led to all of these people losing their jobs - so why would the GOP want to help them now?
July 1, 2010 at 12:28 AM Report abuse
tenacity said...
As usual the demorats keep adding and not paying for anything then blaming the republicans or Bush for everything ...November is going to be sweet.....bye bye shellie and mikey
July 1, 2010 at 12:32 AM Report abuse
Do2nT said...
Grumblestilt: Read the article "CBO warns about 'unsustainable' debt." Some of us are truly concerned about the tax burden we are going to leave our children and grand-children. I hope you are not as shallow as your comment.
July 1, 2010 at 1:01 AM Report abuse
David said...
The recession was caused by Government dictated lending practices which caused banks to lend money which they otherwise would not have lent to people who could not afford the homes they were buying. Eventually, the chickens came home to roost.
July 1, 2010 at 1:05 AM Report abuse
gotabor said...
Fringe liberals only care about themselves.No thought to the deficit or the grandkids who will have to pay all this back. Definision of selfishness.
July 1, 2010 at 3:19 AM Report abuse
mohonk said...
Nobody ever considers the obvious. Cut spending, eliminate government employees, eliminate the related expenses. All Senators and Representatives should be required to take a remedial course in economics.
July 1, 2010 at 4:15 AM Report abuse
UofA said...
Put in a time line that Democrats are allowed to live off of welfare rolls. If unemployed workers can only draw benefits for so many weeks, why not the baby makers that don't even pay for their booty calls?
July 1, 2010 at 5:27 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
if the bush administration had not made this economic mess to begin with then millions would not need this--check out the key players in the corporate world that have made millions of dollars on the economic collapse and on war---republicans!!!
July 1, 2010 at 5:44 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
Why pass a fiscally responsible bill when we can just add to the national debt, anyway? Pelosi and Reid don't care, Obama is in so far over his head as President that he doesn't even realize it. Let's just keep spending. We'll pass our debt on to future generations as their inheritance. November can't come fast enough.
July 1, 2010 at 5:46 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
Punk51, I thought Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, two crooks that helped FANNIE and FREDDIE go down the crapper,(Just two of many), were Dems. November...
July 1, 2010 at 5:49 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
The Repubs blame the government for EVERYTHING!! Banks didn't have to make those bad loans. In fact many smaller banks and credit unions dodn't and stayed solvent. It was the large banks and their Wall Street buddies who were bundling these bad loans and making billions off the high interest that caused this. Deregulate the financial industry like the Republicans did in the 1980's and you get too much concentration in large banks, a stock market that grows too fast on false pretenses, and eventually recession.
July 1, 2010 at 6:20 AM Report abuse
JMY1 said...
What a HEADLINE, Typical assoc press. Why not, "Republicans stop more reckless spending!"
July 1, 2010 at 6:25 AM Report abuse
zombie9 said...
Typical GOP crushing the poor and weak. Those unemployed people should just get jobs or starve. All GOP members should be voted out for their complete disregard for this country and life on Earth in general.
July 1, 2010 at 6:36 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
NO.NO.NO. This is a crisis. The official unemployment rate is close to 10%. But the REAL unemployment rate in many places is close to 20%. That is unprecedented in modern times. You have 20% of the workforce without jobs, not paying taxes, and the Republicans are worried about the deficit? Of we don't put people back to work we won't have to worry about the deficit. Obama promised to fix the outsourcing problem by cutting tax breaks to companies that outsource. Any of those companies that outsource should have tariffs placed on the goods they reimport back to the states. The tariff money could be used to help the unemployed. Better yet those items would become more expensive then American Made items and that inevitably would put Americans back to work.
July 1, 2010 at 6:41 AM Report abuse
MainenCrisis said...
Biddy and the dems blame big business...so whats your point?
July 1, 2010 at 6:47 AM Report abuse
jack33 said...
I love this - Republicans are the party that's for giving it all to business. "Smaller government" is really just a code word for less safety regulations on oil companies (see BP oil spill), finance regulations (see economic crash), consumer safety (see absent drug testing), food safety (see toxic hamburgers), etc. But Republicans have done so well in convincing people that less government is better for them - but it's really only winky-winky to business for less regulations. The masses are asses, and big business knows it. And so do Republicans.
July 1, 2010 at 6:54 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
Biddy, this is a crisis, you're right on that. What I don't understand is why our President can't concentrate all of his energy to solving the problem without going off in several directions at once trying to push his socialist agenda. The Gulf is drowning in oil, the economy sucks, we're fighting wars that need direction, and Obama is promoting health care reform, financial reform, auto industry makeovers, Cap and Trade,(Tax), and today, amnesty for illegal aliens! Mr. socialist has the attention span of a child. His greatest attribute is as a campaigner, sure as heck not as a leader. Obama isn't the root cause of these problems, but he's also obviously not going to come up with the cure, just make it worse.
July 1, 2010 at 6:54 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Yeah. And Republicans blame the Democrats and the government. So what's yours? Somebody is responsible for the failure of major systems in this country and you bloodsuckers continuosly blaming everyone BUT those who are responsible is almost comical. The government needs to get far more aggressive in prorecting American jobs and regulating the financial sector in particular.
July 1, 2010 at 6:56 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Yeah. And Republicans blame the Democrats and the government. So what's yours? Somebody is responsible for the failure of major systems in this country and you bloodsuckers continuosly blaming everyone BUT those who are responsible is almost comical. The government needs to get far more aggressive in prorecting American jobs and regulating the financial sector in particular.
July 1, 2010 at 6:56 AM Report abuse
nikonwilly said...
Americans lose homes and go hungry while keeping the War profiteers fat and wealthy. Some research will show where these politicians have their investments...It's certainly NOT in America.
July 1, 2010 at 6:58 AM Report abuse
MainenCrisis said...
My point is the left is sending us down the drain in the name of "fairness" back in 2002-4 the GOP was desperate to reign in Fanne and Freddie do to bad accounting and they were over extended. The democrats including obi said everything was fine. We all know that F&F were major players in the mortgage crisis that lead to our economic toruble. Rahm Emanuel, Obi's chief of staff was taking home 250k a yr as a board member back then. How can anyone blame the GOP when they fought to regulate it? How can you blame the GOP when F&F gave loans to people who didn't deserve them in the name of fairness? How can you criticize big business bailout when F&F got jsut as much or more but ARE TWO OF THE VERY FEW WHO STILL HAVENT PAID BACK THE BAIL OUT MONEY. You all can vilify the GOP all you want but you'd be wrong. The dems own as much or more of this situation. As for extended benifits, its too easy to stay on them but when they are cut off people will go find jobs. Its that simple.
July 1, 2010 at 7:09 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
Biddy, I didn't say Obama was the cause of these problems, I just said he's not capable of leading us through them. AND, a lot of our current ills trace back through both republican and democrat administrations. Are you not capable of digesting that fact?
July 1, 2010 at 7:09 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
Can someone tell me where to find the law that said F&F and banks HAD to loan to people without incomes? And, where MSE's were required to be traded on Wall Street? I would like the bank bail out money returned, and given to the 10% unemployed, and any left over be given to SMALL businesses that create REAL jobs. The multinational corporations don't care about this country.
July 1, 2010 at 7:21 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Gary. I'm not that partisan. I agree mistakes were made in the past. Perhaps the greatest were made in the Clinton era by expanding trade agreements. However, I find it a bit confusing. The modern conservative agrees that government is very limited in creating jobs. Fair enough. On the other hand they are downing the government now for not creating them. Even though the evidence clearly points to the fact that this country hasn't created enough jobs for available workers for the last decade! The fact is that mechanization and outsourcing has reduced the need for American workers. That was in motion long before the current financial crisis. We need to stem the flow of jobs out of this country and put people back to work.
July 1, 2010 at 7:22 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Gary,--Who is ? I got news for you, I don't think Jesus could. I'm sure you might think a McCain could have. The bottom line is, once again we the citizen are being held hostage by the Republicans. This nation is knee deep in s--t. And most know where it starts 1980 ! Only one Democrat until Obama, and he left us swimming in dough. Live in denial if you want, but it's time people step to the plate and say enough is enough, and I don't care how much it cost.
July 1, 2010 at 7:24 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
Biddy, thanks for an intelligent exchange. Have a nice day.
July 1, 2010 at 7:26 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
Great point Biddy.
July 1, 2010 at 7:32 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
It was learned that for the past several years, Republicans have blocked a cure for cancer and blindness. Senate republican leaders have expressed concern that the cures cost to much and until the funding can be brought inline with the rate of inflation have vowed to with hold the cures as long as needed. Save for GOP rinos Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, who both recently reveled that they are both men who “just love wearing dresses” Republicans uniformly oppose releasing the cures.
July 1, 2010 at 7:34 AM Report abuse
Bole said...
That's not the only 'anti-people' agenda that they have.
July 1, 2010 at 7:39 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Jake,--I would not be surprised, not about the man thing but about the cure thing. Seriously, think about it, when the cure for cancer got closer we came up with aids, how long can we milk that one ? Anyway I'm sure a compromise will be worked out on the continual benefits, and when you dig deep into it you'll find I'm sure Republican pork loaded to the gills.
July 1, 2010 at 7:43 AM Report abuse
PortlandDad said...
"Many Democrats see state aid and unemployment benefits as insurance against the economy sliding back into recession." I don't think we have come out of the recession?
July 1, 2010 at 7:44 AM Report abuse
ubi said...
Indeed, you oughta pay for what you get. Do hope the 37 remember this when the appropriation for supplementary for war comes through soon. If the argument is valid, it should apply to all cases. Yes?
July 1, 2010 at 7:52 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Jake,--I forgot to add, that they will then try to use it against the President. Games at our expense. Meanwhile the average smoe will never dig deep enough to see the Republican pork, they'll just run with sound bites from Limbaugh, Beck and Co. Always easier to look the other way when it's not happening to you..
July 1, 2010 at 8:01 AM Report abuse
root66 said...
When your unemplyoment checks stop.Blame the Republicans.
July 1, 2010 at 8:07 AM Report abuse
gowens said...
'As usual the demorats keep adding and not paying for anything then blaming the republicans or Bush for everything ...November is going to be sweet'-----------------------Similar to financing tax cuts for the rich with deficit spending? Oh, sorry I forgot, that's OK cause Republicans did it..
July 1, 2010 at 8:24 AM Report abuse
gowens said...
'Biddy, I didn't say Obama was the cause of these problems, I just said he's not capable of leading us through them. '------------------So I suppose you think Palin more capable? Now that's funny...
July 1, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
bastaa said...
Gotabor: That's why the "liberals" left a surplus when Shrubby BP Bush came into town and then rode into the sunset with Five Deferment Dickie with OUR CHILDREN'S future in their lunch boxes. Bayhner called the whole crisis an ant and the regulatory fix a nuclear bomb and Scott Brown followed suit obeying the big banks he took money from just before his election. NO on unemployment, No on big bank regulation, preferring to tax mid size ones, NO on securing funds from BP, NO on participation in global economy talks, NO on healthcare, NO on securing funding for homeless veterans and their children, YES the entire time Bush called for spending on anything, especially the industrial war blackhole.
July 1, 2010 at 8:31 AM Report abuse
Dan said...
The democrats made a big deal of passing pay-go a while back. They said they were going to pay for what they spent. Since then they have borrowed every cent spent. Hypocrites. The republicans are trying to get the democrats to walk the walk. I got laid off in 2008 and my unemployment runs out in three weeks. I don't want it extended if the bill will be given to my grandchildren. middleone, if you want to see what caused this, google "redlining Reno Obama acorn". You will not like what you see for it is the truth. Biddy would cry too.
July 1, 2010 at 8:38 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
99 weeks? The government is paying able bodied people to not work for TWO YEARS? That's not unemployment, that's funemployment. There are help wanted signs all over the place. Granted they pay crap wages, but I would hope one would take more pride in earning a lousy paycheck than being paid by the government to do nothing.
July 1, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
Pass a law giving a mandatory $100,000 fine and jail time for hiring an illegal. Jobs are then going to open up. Then, if you don't take one, no assistance of any kind from the government.
July 1, 2010 at 8:40 AM Report abuse
exPortland said...
The national debt is a cancer has been growing for decades; both parties are to blame; now the reckoning is upon us. Stupid and irresponsible "republicans are meanies" headlines like this serve only to continue the folly.
July 1, 2010 at 8:46 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
gowens, I never said I thought Palin capable of anything...you're dreaming, and puffing liberal smoke out of your behind. Don't associate your ranting with hypothesis about what I think. Now that's funny, huh?
July 1, 2010 at 8:48 AM Report abuse
bastaa said...
Moderate one: They have laws of this nature in Arizona. Unfortunately they will not go after the employers they chose to go after the racially profiled people on the street.
July 1, 2010 at 8:51 AM Report abuse
Iwatch said...
Excuse me grumglestilt: Sen. Barney Frank D-Mass (Head of Committee overseeing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with friend Sen. Chris Dodd insisted that everyone should be able to own a home and forced lenders to loosen standards for lending. This was a huge factor in the housing bubble bursting. Some of these folks were on welfare and claiming those payments as income and successfully received loans of $200,000 or more. There is enough blame to go around. However, we haven't seen anything yet if the federal budget keeps growing.
July 1, 2010 at 8:56 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
and yet in the very NEXT vote the R's supported a homeowner tax credit which also adds to the deficit. What hyocrits!!! There are 2 ways to build a deficit."spending" and reducing revenue. I guess the R"s just support ONE way of building it. GEE WHO BUILT the deficit to begin with?? Clinton left Bushy with a surplus. and BUSH just like Reaagn went on to create HISTORIC deficits and NOT a word of complaint from the right. GEE could this just be a campaign strategy?? You think?? what hypocrits."Let them eat cake" The "cake" these 14 million strong will eating in November will be voting D!!!NEVER EVER VOTE R AGAIN . Party of the heartless, toying with "the people's lives to "win".
July 1, 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse
Sue01 said...
REtMVVI4NTRL: "The government is paying able bodied people to not work for TWO YEARS? ...that's funemployment." Have you looked at the job listings lately? They don't fill a half page! Nothing "fun" about it. And then you need to understand that MINIMUM wage is NOT a LIVING wage. Families need food and shelter. Job hunters need GASOLINE in order to look for work. REPUBLICANS' priorities are SCREWED UP! They recently fought to retain (and won) preferential (lower) tax rates for hedge fund managers - How much did that cost? They prefer to aid the OVERPAID, not the unemployed!
July 1, 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!! Party of No needs to Go!!!
July 1, 2010 at 9:12 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!! Party of No creates gridlock AGAIN and needs to Go!!!
July 1, 2010 at 9:14 AM Report abuse
Dan said...
henryelm, There is an old saying; "it is not how much you make that counts, it is how much you spend that counts. Cutting taxes does not create dept, spending causes debt. Regan and the democrats in congress agreed to a tax cut/spending reduction package. Taxes were cut, spending was not(congress controls spending, not president). The democrats never cut spending. The democrats are not doing a annual budget this year because they do not want to go on record for voting for this massive deficit/debt. The mistake that was made during the Bush years was not the tax cuts but no spending cuts to balance things. We spend too much money. period. Cut federal spending to what the Constitution defines and we will be ok. Otherwise, cling to your guns.
July 1, 2010 at 9:18 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
'Some of us are truly concerned about the tax burden we are going to leave our children and grand-children." Really??? Where was YOUR concern when BUSH was creating historic deficits??? REALLY?? Where was your concern when congress( under BUSH) was voting for the biggest WALL STREET bailout in history?? DID you know clinton left BUSH a surplus which he squandered in 2 years and then went on to build a historic deficit??HMM.WERE you PR the R;s concerned then? NOOOO, they endorsed deficit spending as sound economics. HYPOCRITS
July 1, 2010 at 9:21 AM Report abuse
Dan said...
henryelm is not going to be happy with the November election results. I wonder which socialist country he will move to. After all, good socialists always say they will leave country if Republicans win. But, unfortunately, they never keep their word. Hypocrites.
July 1, 2010 at 9:22 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
Uncertainty is killing the economy. Employers are uncertain of their tax bills, uncertain over the cost of health insurance, uncertain over the newly reformed banking industry, uncertain over pending legislation like Cap and Tax, and this uncertainty is making them delay risk taking that would create jobs. This well meaning government intervention is causing the recession to drag on. There was a crash in 1920 followed by little or no government intervention, and the economy bounced back in less than two years. There was a crash in 1929 followed by massive government intervention, and the resulting depression lasted for over a decade. There was a crash in 1987 followed by little or no government intervention, and the economy bounced back in less than two years. We're past the two year mark since the last crash with no recovery in sight. Government intervention is the problem, not the solution.
July 1, 2010 at 9:23 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
henryelm, many people on the right were critical of Bush's deficit spending and bailouts. Your argument has no merit. And even if what you were saying was true, it is no different than a child justifying his behavior by telling Mommy that someone else did it first.
July 1, 2010 at 9:27 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Ah, millions of new Democratic voters this November.....welcome to the party of people first, not profits...
July 1, 2010 at 9:30 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"meincrisis and the R blame the unemployed ...so whats YOUR point?" MY point is 14 million unemployed American will be voting D come November!!!THEY will be voting NO to the R governors that said NO to extended unemployment. NO to R's who have said 5 times NOW" "let the unemployed eat cake" while toying with their lives and while saying BUT those hedge fund managers( that busted the economy and created the unemployed) need a tax break!!! the choice is clear: party of "the people" or party of wall street!!
July 1, 2010 at 9:30 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
".welcome to the party of people first, not profits..." ~~~~~~~ When the government confiscates profits, what incentive is there to create wealth? I've never been employed by a beggar. I prefer to be employed by wealthy people who have money to back their checks. What incentive is there to expand your business if you're going to be punished by the government for going after profits? What is the purpose of running a business? To make a profit or to employ people?
July 1, 2010 at 9:37 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Ah, yes the party of "We're all in this together" versus the party of "I got mine/screw you bums." See you in November....
July 1, 2010 at 9:41 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
meine says: "back in 2002-4 the GOP was desperate to reign in Fanne and Freddie do to bad accounting and they were over extended." So why DIDN'T they FIX it?? They had the votes and the WH too, to do it. And continued to have "the votes" needed to fix it for the next 4 years and yet they did NOTHING!!! Just rewriting history again are we? Well because the R's and those funding them at the time (the REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY)didn't want "the problem" fixed. THERE was big mioney ion NOT fixing it. It took a D Majority in 2007 led by frank and dodd to START to address the problem. BUT YUP it was too late by then!!!YUP blame EVERYINE else. Do anything BUT take responsibility.
July 1, 2010 at 9:44 AM Report abuse
Eric said...
does 99 weeks of jobless benefits seem excessive, i mean that is almost 2 years. i know there aren't many jobs out there right now, but i have a hard time thinking that people are spending 40 hours a week looking for a job, which they should be if they are on these benefits, or at least volunteering somewhere. I am all for helping people out but 99 weeks is ridicules, even though i know 300 a week is not much, still could find a job at mcdonalds that pays tat much instead of mooching off of the government
July 1, 2010 at 9:50 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"How can anyone blame the GOP when they fought to regulate it? " ah because they didn't. succeed. So why DIDN'T the REGULATE IT?? Bush was in the white house and they had a majority and votes to do so. SO why didn't they "fix' it?? BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO!!! BECAUSE BUSH was pushing the homeowner society and the REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY was making a KILLING on inflated prices--brokers, appraisers, etc.and all THEIR lobbyist were saying NO, and SO was GRENNSPAN!!!!!! Tell the truth meine, the whole truth and nothing BUT the truth --not the campaign sound bite version of it.
July 1, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
Try running your household the way the government is running theirs. In 2011 our nation's debt payments will equal GDP. What happens in a family when the MINIMUM PAYMENT on debt EQUALS the TOTAL INCOME? We will be bankrupt. So, the question is WHEN DO WE START REINING IN SPENDING? Today, tomorrow, or NEVER because it's NOT THE FAULT OF OBAMA. The comments here today reflect a support for an unsustainable economics position for the nation. That's why their party is on their way OUT!
July 1, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
'The national debt is a cancer has been growing for decades; both parties are to blame;' well NOT really Clinton did a good job reducing it .D's always have to come in to clean up R messes. "
July 1, 2010 at 10:05 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Let's see....It's November and I can vote for the party that is trying to help me weather the economic storm created by the other party, or I can vote for the other party that's very worried about THEIR grandchildren and would rather I provide for MY family by "sucking-it-up" and eating my gun (for my life insurance and the exercising of my Second Amendment rights). WHAT TO DO....WHAT TO DO....?
July 1, 2010 at 10:07 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
" Sen. Barney Frank D-Mass (Head of Committee overseeing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with friend Sen. Chris Dodd insisted that everyone should be able to own a home and forced lenders to loosen standards for lending." well the FACTS dispute the rumor started BY the right to shift blame from BUSH to their "enemies list", dodd and frank.
July 1, 2010 at 10:09 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"Try running your household the way the government is running theirs." ~~~~~~~~~ You'd be put in prison for fraud and racketeering.
July 1, 2010 at 10:09 AM Report abuse
Brian said...
When Republicans are in charge...people are employed, taxes are lower, people spend money, buy homes, purchase cars, take vacations, save for college, give to charity and have a retirenment account! *****When democrats are in charge...The National debt soars to highest level since WWII, unemployment claims rise to 9.8%, poeple cant spend money because they dont have any! They cant even stop the oil leaking in the gulf! Democrat socialists you elected have take over banking, automotive and healthcare! The socialist stimulus is a failure a "bad Joke"...just like Republicans had warned it would be. To get people employed again...ELECT REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVES...STOP SPENDING...CUT INCOME TAXES, CUT CAPITOL GAINS TAXES, KEEP THE BUSH TAX CUTS IN EFFECT!...and above all...Never...Ever...elect, trust or believe a democRAT, liberal or progressive!
July 1, 2010 at 10:16 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"Cutting taxes does not create dept, spending causes debt." well that would explain the righties shifting their talking point from the deficit to debt. wiley coyote. Think about it. Oh I'm sorry righties aren't allowed to think "on their own", just repeat the party line spoon fed by beck, Rush etc.
July 1, 2010 at 10:18 AM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
We are in a debt we should not have because of these two dang wars. Plus the fact that THERE ARE NO JOBS. When are you people going to figure this out. It is so easy to solve. Get out of these wars and stop giving tax breaks to the cpmoanies employing everyone in the world but Americans. Blah, Blah, Blah. Just more of the same from the blamers of government. All you want is an excuse to complain about the "other party". Take your own advice and complaint to EVERYONE in Washington regardless of party.
July 1, 2010 at 10:22 AM Report abuse
Pat said...
And exactly how long should people be allowed to collect unemployment? I mean it can't go on forever but the administration would like it to extend to forever. It is time that the taxpayers of this country had a say, and as for me, I say enough is enough. Nov can't come soon enough so that the American taxpayers can have their say.
July 1, 2010 at 10:25 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"Uncertainty is killing the economy." Wall street casino capitalism (and the deregulation that built the casino) killed it first!!!brian the seconds cenario happenes because the first scenario doesn't work!! Trickle down,voodoo economics doesn't work and the D have to rush to the rescue on their white horse repeatedly to save us from our selves and reckless R ways.
July 1, 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
Afghanistan broke the Soviet Union's back, so you would have thought Bush would have thought twice about also attacking Iraq unnecessarily at the same time. How are those two wars working out for us economically? The Republican recession has damaged our nation. Funny how some of the same people who denied the CBO's comments about how Obama's health plan will help the deficit are now believing every possible warning put out by the CBO.
July 1, 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"And exactly how long should people be allowed to collect unemployment?" well how long will the economy be busted and how long will unemployment be above 5%?? Alternatively when does BP stop "paying" for busted businesses?? When the oil stops harming them. In both cases, until "recovery" happens.
July 1, 2010 at 10:32 AM Report abuse
crazycat said...
If only the unemployed would take the jobs offered to them....
July 1, 2010 at 10:33 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
grumblestilt and henryelm, you guys are really comical with your mindless blathering. Are you guys really that narrow minded? Hard to believe, but then again...
July 1, 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"Wall street casino capitalism (and the deregulation that built the casino) killed it first!!!" ~~~~~~~~~ Bubbles and corrections are a natural cycle of capitalism. When the bubble bursts resources need to be reallocated to productive purposes, and then the economy hums along to the next bubble. This happens relatively smoothly when there isn't government intervention. The problem is when the government comes along and tries to prevent the reallocation of resources with bailouts and other programs designed to benefit those with political connections. This drags out the natural correction, creates uncertainty, and in general makes things worse. Look at the crashes in 1920 and 1987. No intervention and the economy bounced back. Now we're repeating the mistakes of the 1930s, and suffering for it.
July 1, 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
Your repub buddies won't enforce the law passed by your god Reagan about fining employers who use illigal immigrants. Bear some responsibility here with your beloved party. crazycat..... why don't you get out there and create some jobs that people can live off? We are all s c r e w e d until we get out of these two wars and stop sending work to other countries.
July 1, 2010 at 10:37 AM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
UofA, there are federal guidelines after which the federal government stops paying welfare. The problem here in Maine is that the state refuses to adhere to them and instead picks up the tab after the fed stops paying. (why do you think welfare cases like the somalis move here from other states that end welfare according to federal guidelines).
July 1, 2010 at 10:47 AM Report abuse
RickD said...
For those blaming one side of the isle over the other for our failing economy, wake up. As if one side is holier then thou. There is more then enough blame to go around and it is time for everyone to face that simple fact. Just taking sides gives those a pass that do not deserve one, and that means no incentive to fix the problem. Of which a major issue is our government over spending, and the current administration is taking that to a whole new level. It is time to reign in spending, and stop passing bills that require more borrowing and more debt saddled on future generations. We are living in a time of political selfishness with no regard what so ever for the generations not yet born that will be crippled under massive debt all thanks to our Washington elite. It is time to throw incumbents out of office for failing the American people.
July 1, 2010 at 10:47 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Eric said... "still could find a job at mcdonalds that pays tat much instead of mooching off of the government" ///Well Eric, McDonald's here in Portland hire 2 people a couple of weeks ago for the summer rush. I heard they had over 500 applicant's. They gave the jobs to teen agers. Maybe those people will have better luck at Burger King.
July 1, 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
Eric I would love to hear how you would live off a part time job at Mcdonalds. What a joke. Don't you people get it?
July 1, 2010 at 10:59 AM Report abuse
AR5 said...
Pat said: "And exactly how long should people be allowed to collect unemployment? I mean it can't go on forever but the administration would like it to extend to forever." ================================ The administration has not proposed that the unemployment benefits go on forever, so hope that makes you feel better. And, you will have your say in Nov? What will you say? Do you really think that the people who lose unemployment now will not then be on some other type of government support? It is not easy to be unemployed right now, and more and more people are falling into that bucket. It's not going to help those families or the economy to cut those benefts now.
July 1, 2010 at 11:07 AM Report abuse
Hawkeye9909 said...
People don't want to hear the truth but we, the general public, are to blame for this mess. We bought homes we couldn't afford, we piled up credit card debt that we couldn't repay and we kept sending unqualified people to Augusta and Washington DC because they promised us a better hand out than the other individual. Nothing will change unless we are willing to accept the pain involved with making real change....
July 1, 2010 at 11:11 AM Report abuse
trisailer said...
The simple, sad fact is that all of these problems would go away if we would get over our wild west devotion to unregulated capitialism and require the people who are obtaining the greatest benefit from the country's infrastructure that was built with the sweat of the working class, who believed that it would create a better life for their children and not a bunch of greedy pencil pushing hedge fund managers and CEO's. Bill Gates had a great idea and certainly deserves to benefit but 70 billion???? come on. CEO's are compensated millions and are nothing but PR men who are milking the system. Many don't pay any taxes at all.
July 1, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
we'd be in better shape if we gave up the delusion that the free market can work without regulation. what is the nature of man?? What is the purpose of government?? Among other things to protect us from a free market gone wild. They FAILED in protecting us from casino capitalism. And well NOW we are ALL paying the price of that in bailouts, in unemployment, in lost investments and retirement funds, in loss of credit, in fore closures, in a restrained economy. How anyone can be so delusional to say the free market CAN work , when there is proof all around that it simply put, DIDN'T, is beyond me!! And THAT is the REAL fear these people are facing--the backlash. How many times does voodoo economics need to fail??
July 1, 2010 at 11:33 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Hello.it wasn't "the government" that failed. It was the leaders that supported the belief in a free market that failed. They trusted the wrong thing and forgot about the nature of man. They erroneously thought man would "do the right thing" if deregulated and if they didn't the market would regulate them. It didn't work because there was NO fail safe. THAT is what scare the heck out of them!! All they they KNEW to be true failed.Now that is one MIND busting reality to face--- That everything that your believed in is WRONG. It's a reality that they aren't willing or don't dare to face because the consequences are too dire. what they like to call" a natural correction" is what the rest of us see as failure.This time a pretty fatal one.
July 1, 2010 at 11:45 AM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
Reid, 99 weeks of not getting a job isn't an emergency. That's a lot of Oprah and sorting your MP3 collection for the 5th time.
July 1, 2010 at 11:54 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Right on trisailor! The saddest fact is that the numbest-dumbest worship the corporate Barons (thinking they'll get to be one) and fulfill HL Mencken's observation that, "Capitalism is a form of religion: it is the worship of jackals by jack-@$***."
July 1, 2010 at 11:56 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Democraps and their short sighted goal of a million new home owners who can't afford the mortgage; and Barney Frank's B.f. who promoted the housing derivatives CRASHED THE ECONOMY. So why is the economy mired in OBAMANOMICS? Why have his policies failed to move it? Why is the only solution to borrow more and more money; and stimulate the public sector at the expense of the private one? No new private jobs; no new housing buyers....no buyers; no housing market. Then there is the looming pension obligations of public employees backed by union muscle...where's the money coming from to pay them? And the OCCUPATION of both IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN, and AFRICA. The debt piles up, and Obie has no solution except to keep the public unions happy, and put the unemployed on the dole...extend the benefits 100 yrs...THERE ARE NO JOBS UNDER OBAMACARE!
July 1, 2010 at 11:57 AM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
henry, it was not the free market that failed. The free market is a system of profit and loss. Loss is a feature, not a bug. When investments fail and people lose money, it teaches them not to do it again. When people make risky loans and lose their shirt, it teaches them not to do it again. But that's not what happened. Politically connected investors got bailed out while everyone else was left to dry. Those giving out risky loans were bailed out, so no lesson was learned. Government intervention, choosing winners and losers based on who went to college with who, not based upon sound business practices, is the cause of the problem.
July 1, 2010 at 11:58 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
The free market went into free fall! It failed!! And government SAVED it( and us) from the brink. YEAH and it cost us a pretty penny. Should we have let it fail and see if it would "naturally correct"?? YUP. BUT NO ONE dared, on BOTH sides of the aisle. They ALL feared the consequences, including the free marketers!!! And we got the consequences, anyhow.
July 1, 2010 at 11:58 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
LOOK at BP, the right was the first to try to "blame obama" instead of BP. why?? They wanted another GUV'MENT bailout FOR BP. They EXPECTED the Guv'ment, NOT BP,to act. why?? They expected taxpayers, NOT BP to pay for the cleanup and the consequences. why? They blame OBAMA( guvment) not the freemarket for BP failing stock price,instead of BP's actions. The right doesn't REALLY believe in the free market any more then anyone else does. When push comes to shove they blink and EXPECT a costly taxpayers paid government bailout. Just where IS that bailout clause in the constitution?? Where IS the economic development clause?? Oh it's not there!!
July 1, 2010 at 12:06 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
No new private jobs, yeah because the ceo's need their pennies to themselves. Already in the sauce common? You are smarter than that or are you in survival mode for yourself like the ceo's? Why don't you do some consulting to those in Maine who cannot find a job? Make your buck off the sweating backs of those who are about to lose everything.
July 1, 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
You folks can ramble on all day about who's fault it is and that people on unemployment are moochers and on and on. You are completely ignoring the problems that are creating unemployment. You know that point A to Point B to Point C stuff. The global economy was supposed to create better paying, higher skilled jobs for Americans. That idea has completely failed. Instead our lower skilled jobs have been outsourced, mid range jobs are being outsourced now, and other countries are beating the pants off us in creating new products. Expecting people to make a living flipping burgers is fantasy. And there is even great competition for THOSE jobs. Some of you people need to climb out of your well insulated holes and take a look at reality.
July 1, 2010 at 12:11 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
Biddy, they do not get the simple fact that THERE ARE NO JOBS! And you cannot live on Mcdonalds etc. wages. Yes any honest job is a job, but you cannot live of it without help somewhere. Corporate America lives in a fantasy world of everything for the big guy.
July 1, 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"and Barney Frank's B.f. who promoted the housing derivatives" BUT who actually WROTE and delivered the legislation that CREATED the derivatives??? well my oh my PHIL GRAHAM( R-Texas), passed after midnight on the last day of the session before Xmas vacation, read only by Phil Gram( R-TEXAS) and ameriquest (who wrote it), passed BY an R majority!! paved the way for the other financial scandal of the decade-- enron. BUT the R's who were in the majority failed to fix it ,despite EBRON!!YUP plenty of "blame" to go around!!
July 1, 2010 at 12:18 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
I agree with you alphabet but who asked for the economic bailout?? Bush and Paulsen. And who delivered it?? It failed in the first vote, remember? Wall street took a nose dive and EVERYONE GOT nervous. The R's got bailout "religion"( with the help of a lot of earmarks) and embraced it!
July 1, 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse
DeathCultt said...
Looks like UR Vacation is over, time 2 hit the concrete and find URselfs some work. Working n fast food or landscaping, janitorial there is a place called "Labor ready U can go 2," find where all the illeagal immigrants are working.
July 1, 2010 at 12:37 PM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"I agree with you alphabet but who asked for the economic bailout??" The people who made bad investments with borrowed money, and the people they borrowed the money from. They made short term profits off bad decisions, and it was time for the loss part of profit and loss to kick in. Lucky for them they went to college with people in government who can spend other people's money without consequence. Well, we're those other people, and we're screwed.
July 1, 2010 at 12:52 PM Report abuse
xcalibur1066 said...
hahaha.. In order to get back taxpayer money from corporations, Mr. Obama has sent the stock market plunging. Americans lose billions in the process. Mr. Obama campaigned on "living within our means" and "net spending cuts". Now, when R's hold him to his own standards, the D's get all bent out of shape. The CBO just released a report saying that our debt levels are unsustainable. during the ObamaCare debate, the D's held the CBO in the highest regards. Now, what do you think of the CBO? Betcha don't like them. The R's will pass unemployment extensions when another program is cut by the same amount. Seems they are doing just what Mr. Obama asked of Congress. The D's are the ones holding up extensions, not the R's.
July 1, 2010 at 1:06 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
sopy=copy
July 1, 2010 at 1:06 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
Let's not forget that in 2005, it was Geoge W. Bush who actually sued the State of New York in federal court to stop it from regulating the sub-prime market, which New York recognized was a disaster in the making. When the market exploded and nearly dragged America into a depression, Republicans couldn't have cared less about the actual problems, they were only concerned about not being "blamed." If you want actual policy that makes sense for working Americans, elect Democrats. If you want bumper stickers and anti-rational approaches, elect RepubliCONS. Republican: We Fail Always!
July 1, 2010 at 1:12 PM Report abuse
trisailer said...
Biddy is right, stop the finger pointing and let's get to work fixing the problem. Restore taxes for the rich, close loopholes for the rich, end the wars, cut the defense budget by 60%, eliminate homeland security, reform immigration and create a pathway for desirable immigrants and deport the rest, legalize all drugs and eliminate prescriptions for drugs and tests, provide incentives for oversea medical treatment, import doctors, tax companies who send jobs offshore. think-tanks for science....want me to go on?? How about we start thinking outside of the box (for real)
July 1, 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
Gary, I would like to see you lead this country at this moment in time with all the demands that are placed on the President, not to mention the unrealistic expectations that are generated by people that have a political motivation instead of a motivation to make this country better. I hope that people remember how Senators Snowe and Collins vote on issues that affect people and businesses. As the commercial says they were happy to bail out banks, but not interested in helping unemployed people.
July 1, 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
Routone, are you going to blame Bush when obamanation is kicked out of the White House......wAy past time to man-up, this guy has no clue and even his handlers are self-imploding..(ECONOMICS GUY RESIGNING wonder why)...... another 6 months Clinton will resign and start her next campaign. (DOORS music in background......THIS IS THE END.....)
July 1, 2010 at 1:18 PM Report abuse
trisailer said...
The problem is not the president it is the gridlock in the congress. It has become such a powerstruggle that nothing is getting done and those countries who can move quicker and are more flexable are going to get out in the lead.
July 1, 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
Libertarian or even better tea partier. I'm not a demo either. You labeler, you! By the way "demorat" is another 15 old word.
July 1, 2010 at 1:38 PM Report abuse
trisailer said...
Well teenyboy when you graduate from 3rd grade you can tell me what is wrong with any of those ideas.
July 1, 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
"maybe if you actually read them you would know that I'm am not a Republican" ==================================== BWAAAHHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA
July 1, 2010 at 1:43 PM Report abuse
SL said...
I am constantly amused by the conservative pproach to this issue. Unemployment benefits? Come on folks get a job! Bank Bailout? How much do you need folks. Low income aid? Get a job and earn your own way. Wall Street collapse? How much do you need folks. BP destroys the Gulf? The government should head up the efforts, but not spend a dime. I am not for never-ending unemployment, but, either create jobs with the funds or expect to see a whole mess of people lining up for blocks of cheese and tubs of peanut butter! Remeber those days?
July 1, 2010 at 1:44 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Trisailer. Thanks for yout very good post. We really are going to have to think outside the box to rebuild this economy. People forget that the deficit is directly tied to unemployment. When people can't find jobs they can't pay taxes. They also need more government help which increases taxes. And everyone ends up paying more. The key is getting full employment.
July 1, 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
Gee sailorboy, these don't even need explaining........... ....... "cut the defense budget by 60%, eliminate homeland security,legalize all drugs and eliminate prescriptions for drugs and tests, provide incentives for oversea medical treatment, import doctors" .................unless of course your liberal socialist mantra is 'hmmmmm.....stupid......hmmmmm........stupid....hmmmmm'
July 1, 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
now this is the real biddie.......'They also need more government help which increases taxes. And everyone ends up paying more. ...........................................socialist liberal demorat
July 1, 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
MORE CLASSIC BIDDIE............Biddy said... ................... where unqualified candidates get elected because they spark the emotions of the uninformed. Too bad. They win elections and then they have to govern. They then flop and people see them for the inept louts they are. They rarely last beyond one term. June 29, 2010 at 3:41 PM Report abuse -------------------------------------got this one right on obamantion! lol
July 1, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
tenTcity: once a again you are like a broken record. The needle is stuck on a scratch: click, click, click, click, click. BORING. PLease offer anything an adult may use, with adult language. You sound like someone who never went to school or leardned how to write properly. Biddy is saying the same thing the rest of us are: THERE ARE NO JOBS, dingbat!
July 1, 2010 at 2:04 PM Report abuse
bastaa said...
Tenacity: Taxes were higher under Reagan and Eisenhower than at the present. So I guess that makes them good little socialists. The "experiment" that has failed is trickle down based on complete deregulation of the patriarchal power brokers.
July 1, 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
You say there are no jobs. Then you say that there are jobs, but they don't pay enough. Which is it? If you're saying that there are jobs, but they don't pay enough, what does that really mean? Does it mean that an income must support a lifestyle, or that the lifestyle must conform to the income? Once upon a time people would give up things that they could not afford, but now we go into debt and take government handouts before canceling internet, cable, cell phone, and other luxuries. Want is not the same as need. Luxuries are not necessities. We're a nation of fat, lazy, spoiled slobs. It's our sense of entitlement that will be the death of us.
July 1, 2010 at 2:13 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
no roxie he is say a lot more than that....his socialist view point is clear that the government will fix this.......in other words MORE GOVERNMENT......I stand against that and believe the government should be shrunk. The M0R0N in the White House is clueless and can't do anything without a teleprompter. Democrats just want to keep on spending regardless (and blame Bush of course)..... The current government is completely out of touch with society.....Pelosie, Reed are jokes........THE only way to stop this out of control runaway train is to put balance back in the government and get rid of all the wasteful spending.....health care bill first......Society sees it and its not hard to predict what is coming in November!
July 1, 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
One of the real issues Republicans have with this bill is the "Jobs" portion of it. Perhaps it's because the teachers, police officers, and other government personnel jobs it might save are UNION jobs. The fact that the payback in tax revenue from UNION jobs is higher then private sector, non UNION jobs doesn't seem to faze them. They want to take the money for the bill from unused stimulus funds which are needed to save private sector jobs. My other point is have you checked interest rates lately? Banks are paying nothing for deposits because they are rolling in cash and lending very little of it. The banks need to start loaning money in order to jump start the economy.
July 1, 2010 at 2:19 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
bastaa.....and why could it have anything to do with Truman and War expenses (forget the Korean War?) and the TOTAL failure of the Carter years........I fully expect to see taxes jump astronomically in 2013 when the obamanation mentality has to be paid for. So stop it now and repair the damage before it gets worse.
July 1, 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
biddie ....actually read the bill it is strictly on the unemployment benefits costing 33 Billion and how it is going to be paid for................Democratic and our two Rinos want to borrow...1 Demo and the rest of the Republicans want to use money already authorized and unspent......no "jobs" so try to keep up........lol
July 1, 2010 at 2:26 PM Report abuse
notspot said...
A Harvard-educated businessman who cracked the racial barrier to become state transportation secretary in the 1990s has been fined for failing to pay thousands of dollars in wages to immigrant workers at a Popeyes chicken franchise in Boston. In May, the state attorney general’s office ordered owner Richard L. Taylor and restaurant manager Reba Danastorg to pay $9,748 in wages to five workers at the popular chicken chain in Kenmore Square, which closed a few months ago. The state also fined them a total of $5,000. The money was owed to cashiers and cooks who worked between August 2009 and January 2010. The dispute is an embarrassing mark on the career of Taylor, a Republican power-broker who has been outspoken on behalf of minority groups. He now runs a real estate development business and teaches at Suffolk University.
July 1, 2010 at 2:26 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
A friend of mine was looking for a couple of workers for his landscape business. The jobs are seasonal and pay $8 per hour. He had posted an ad and had over 75 hits. One of the applicants was an unemployed computer programmer. Another was an unemployed truck driver. The situation out there is desperate for many. You need to climb out of your hole and take a look around.
July 1, 2010 at 2:27 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
Jobs that are part time and pay minimum wages will not help the tax base. Jobs that were sent overseas for cheap labor to line a ceo's pocket is what is wrong and why there is no tax base. Come on! Either is a "no-job"like a "no-brainer" idea alphabet person. tenTcity: government will be involved until that changes. It's either spending money to create jobs which in the long run will create a bigger tax base or welfare checks from government to feed people. What do you want? How about an end to these two wars and keeping our money home.
July 1, 2010 at 2:32 PM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"Calling people fat & lazy is indeed showing U must have a very low opinion of urself." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ You're saying we aren't fat and lazy? Are you a shut-in? Look around. People think they are owed everything and need to earn nothing. Not everyone, but quite a few. Remember when Michelle Obama volunteered in that soup kitchen? People in brand new clothes were snapping up pictures on their cell phones! They could afford new clothes and picture phones, and they needed charity?!? This entitlement mentality is insane!
July 1, 2010 at 2:33 PM Report abuse
Dave said...
The Repubs are the party of "n0", and if they are not careful, they are gone also. We can spend billions on two wars which we can't possibly win---and if we do win, we are the ones who will re-build both rat holes. Yet, we can't afford to help our own---until this recession really gets over. Maine, like Michigan, needs that federal help---yet that bunch in D.C. takes a vacation!! I'm sick of the continual bad news from these elected care-not's!!
July 1, 2010 at 2:34 PM Report abuse
Page5Girl said...
i would like to add that we also cut the 3bil a year we send over to Israel as "foreign aid". we should not be providing welfare to a country who can take care of oneself. we also should stop foreign aid to Jordan...you know why Jordan receives “foreign aid” funds? to be nice to Israel. complete waste of money folks. it's been going on for decades. shut 'em down.
July 1, 2010 at 2:38 PM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"Either is a "no-job"like a "no-brainer" idea alphabet person." ~~~~~~~~~ Wrong. Your lifestyle must conform to your income, not the other way around. If you can't afford something then you don't buy it. If you can't make the payments you give it up. Instead we rack up debt and demand government charity! We're a nation of lazy complacent slobs who expect something for nothing. If my grandfather were alive he would be ashamed at what we've become.
July 1, 2010 at 2:44 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Basing an opinion of unemployed individuals on the First Lady's Soup Kitchen appearance is a bit narrowly contracted. People looking for work in many fields need to keep a groomed and well dressed appearance. And ALL people looking for work need a phone and for most internet access. You need to get out into the community and look around to see what's going on.
July 1, 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Bravo Biddy ! Well said. I get a kick out of those who haven't pounded the payment in years. They will be in for such a rude awakening if they ever find themselves unemployed. You now also need a resume to wash dishes. Not as funny as it sounds, what do they need to know, that you can wash 3.2 dishes a minute. It's an employers market out there, and the guy next to you diving for perils just may have a Masters in whatever.
July 1, 2010 at 2:51 PM Report abuse
REtMVVI4NTRL said...
"And ALL people looking for work need a phone and for most internet access." ~~~~~ Tracfone and library. I just saved $200/month.
July 1, 2010 at 2:52 PM Report abuse
CALGAL said...
WHAT ELSE IS NEW???
July 1, 2010 at 2:53 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
RET, NFS! I agree with that you do not live beyond your means. LOOK AROUND! WHERE IN HADES IN MAINE DO YOU WANT THESE PEOPLE TO FIND A DECENT JOB? The problem with Americans is that they hate change unless it makes life easier and those days are gone. It is not our parents (I am 53) world by far. Most people will work. There is NOTHING in this state.
July 1, 2010 at 2:55 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
I was going to say the same thing Biddy. Plus if there was news that she was going to show up everyone would want to check it out, well dressed or not.
July 1, 2010 at 2:57 PM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
And these credit checks on people looking for work... well that's an invasion of privacy as far as I am concerned. People need to work to pay off debt!
July 1, 2010 at 2:58 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
...and by the way, the First Lady has not only done this once. After the 4th time you begin to realize this person really cares as oppose to the photo opp. Bless her heart. God Bless America-God Bless President Obama-Long Live The Republic
July 1, 2010 at 3:02 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Roxieow said... "And these credit checks on people looking for work" /// Yeah, we call that weeding em out from the mountain of resume's. Then we get to age, they have the work around for that also, "what year did you graduate high school" Oh yeah a good many people posting here today are in for a very rude awakening, if they ever get the pink slip.
July 1, 2010 at 3:06 PM Report abuse
AR5 said...
It's narrow-minded to generalize and assume that all unemployed are lazy, fat and live beyond their means. If this article were about the rising of unemployment, you blame Pres Obama, but now that it is about trying to help those you decide they are all losers. How is it going to help either these families or the economy if their benefits are shut off?
July 1, 2010 at 3:25 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
“Mommy, why do the republicans want Americans to lose their jobs?” “Well Dear, since the days of Joe McCarthy, through Nixon, and right on up to George Bush II, republicans have a tradition of punishing people who the republicans think are against them. So today, after the 2008 election, for the republicans that means all Americans.” “See, the republicans are desperately hoping for a long and painful economic collapse. The republicans are worried that if there is an improvement in the economy, then Americans will figure out there is someone who can lead the country better than the republicans can. And because the republicans cannot lead the country right now, they are trying hard to gum it up, and make it fall apart.” “But don’t worry dear. Americans are strong, and together, Americans are stronger than the republicans who worked to wreck the economy, and prevent it from getting fixed. America has faced worse problems than the republicans, and conquered them every time.”
July 1, 2010 at 3:28 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
It is being reported that for the first time in America's history several 3rd world country's are set to surpass America in the next few years, notably Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly Bangladesh.
July 1, 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse
Dino90000000 said...
Who needs money anyway?
July 1, 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse
tobyw1 said...
This country makes me want to Puke!
July 1, 2010 at 4:14 PM Report abuse
XPortlander said...
No Workie.....No Bennie
July 1, 2010 at 4:16 PM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
BO's toast if unemployment isn't below 6% by September 2012. Everything he's done (stimulus, healthcare, higher energy taxes, Wall Street regulation) has raised taxes, added burdens and reduced hiring. Proof is coming when unemployment hits 9.8% tomorrow. The best chance BO has to be re-elected is for the GOP to win Congress, repeal BOcare, cut spending and lower taxes.
July 1, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
Hey folks, getting two right (Questions 1 in the last two elections) out of ten is 20%. So teenyzitty's predictions aren't all that shabby.... Where'd he go....? Must be off to his gig handicapping the horses at Scarborough Downs...
July 1, 2010 at 4:28 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
PaulPortland,--And yet the nations CBO reports on his blog today only mention an unsustainable debt if we continue with the Bush tax cut's. Interesting would you agree ? But of course you can't see the trees in the forest. The people will be even less ignorant in 2012. All you got is mouth, loud. hoping to steer the sheep your way. Ain't happening, because they know who truly cares about the 'little people'.
July 1, 2010 at 4:29 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
July 1, 2010 at 4:44 PM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
Remember: Three years into his first term, Reagan was sitting on 10.5% unemployment - the highest since WWII. So here we are with Obama in office less than a year and a half with a worse recession on his hands than Reagan had and unemployment is only 9.5%. That seems to make him better than Reagan, doesn't it?
July 1, 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse
OldGuy said...
THIS IS NEWS? Who expected Republicans to actually help anybody?
July 1, 2010 at 5:16 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
Republicans TRASHED U.S. ECONOMY: We got trillions of dollars in debt BECAUSE of the deregulation and lack of oversight during Republican periods of control. The crash happened before Obama took office. The Democrats had only 50% of Congress, no "Control" like you guys keep lying. They were allowed to do absolutely nothing. This is pure Neocon chaos at work - and it's inevitable conclusion - huge unsustainable boom, followed by massive crash and punishing Recession. Just like always!!!! The Great Depression happened after two Republican terms.
July 1, 2010 at 6:11 PM Report abuse
Do2nT said...
Biddy, I never would have believed I'd be saying this, but I agree with almost everything you have posted here today. If job creation is not made the first priority by both political parties, we are all headed toward declines in lifestyle with more people in need than ever before.
July 1, 2010 at 6:16 PM Report abuse
Routone said...
We all know the economy started to crash months before Obama took office. People need to look at the bikini graph on jobs to learn the truth. This shows you US jobs from December '07 through March '10. If you don't like the source, google "bikini graph jobs" and hit "images." This one is more up to date, though, and that matters because last month saw 16,000 new jobs created. Bikini graph on jobs http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20… The thing that crashed all the banks was the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Yes the Gramm is Phil Gramm, who was McCain's economic advisor. Way too much deregulation is what gave us the crash in our economy. Think about that next time you hear Palin and company say they want less government. Think about Toyota making millions while they knew people were dying. Think about Blankenship not fixing his mines because it was cheaper to pay the fine and what do 25 miner's lives matter to him anyway? We need regulation, folks.
July 1, 2010 at 6:36 PM Report abuse
Do2nT said...
Routone needs regulation.
July 1, 2010 at 6:42 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
NEVER EVER VOTE R again. They had the gall to go on vacation after leaving 1.2 million unemployed AMERICANS with NO benefits for June. BY the end of July it will be 3.2 million American that have been "left behind" ( 375,000 a week). BOY THAT will hurt the economy!! My prediction? It will hurt the R's even more come November. Their true colors are showing.Gee I wonder if any of them are tea party folks. Bet they are!!
July 1, 2010 at 6:49 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
I bet the R's get some regulation from voters in Novemeber, at least from 22 million of them!!!
July 1, 2010 at 6:54 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"Tracfone and library. I just saved $200/month' Honey if you pay $200 for phone and internet services a month. I'd say it is YOU who are not being financially responsible and needs heavy duty financial counseling!!!
July 1, 2010 at 7:15 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Phil Gramm, did someone mention one of Texas favorite son's. Yeah Routone isn't that a bit unnerving, and most here don't even know who he is much less remember, he's the guy who gives the Banks Carte Blanche to rape and pillage America. And he was going to be on McCain's team, simply unbelievable. I think what amazes me the most is how an educated voter could ever have contemplated voting for him and Palin, unless they all went to the Oral Roberts University. Either that or Racism is even deeper then I thought. Let's face it folks none of you have stood in a soup line of late. And you think this President has done nothing, doesn't know what he's doing. If and when that would ever happen you'll be in the same boat as roughly 22 million others who the Republican party has kicked to the curb. This is about the marginalize, scared feeling GOP and it's supporters. Nothing more, not money or savings. You would rather bring down an entire nation then to ever be proven wrong.
July 1, 2010 at 7:16 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
The thing is JWR THIS group of unemployed aren't hamburger flippers; they are older professionals, voters, and taxpayers with LONG work histories who have NEVER been unemployed before. They aren't likely to "take" being kicked to the curb lying down. They aren't likely to let ANYONE victimize them. The ONLY thing that has kept them away from the pitch forks is unemployment benefits. I think the R's are "messing" with the wrong people's lives!! And will learn that come November. Heck I bet a lot of them are registered R.
July 1, 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse
null said...
The party of just say no republicans will kick you when your down. Thats what they do!! They dont have a clue how the avg. person lives nor do they care. All they care about is how they can steal more of your money to put in their pockets. If this keeps up we are headed for a french revolt against the rich republican pigs that have caused this mess by outsourseing all our jobs to China @ India. Thats why we have no jobs.
July 1, 2010 at 8:25 PM Report abuse
null said...
"Most economists say that unemployment benefits" are effective stimulus is nonsense! First. most economists don't say that, the reporter does. It does not grow our economy to transfer money from working Americans to unemployed Americans. It only serves to keep people unproductive and reliant on government interminably. This isn't a news story. Put it on the opinion page!
July 1, 2010 at 8:38 PM Report abuse
joe said...
republicans didnt care about the debt when starting two unfunded wars, bailing out aig and goldman sachs, or unfunded tax cuts for the weathiest, but god help the unemployed, they just add too much to the national debt!
July 1, 2010 at 9:47 PM Report abuse
sandman21 said...
grumblestilt said... The Republicans caused the recession which led to all of these people losing their jobs - so why would the GOP want to help them now? No No you mean the LIBERAL republicans caused it.
July 1, 2010 at 10:22 PM Report abuse
sandman21 said...
Grease here we come. Stop working now. Stop feeding the gov.
July 1, 2010 at 10:25 PM Report abuse
sandman21 said...
Oboma said , "The problem is if we secure the border, then you all won't have any reason to support comprehensive immigration reform.”
July 1, 2010 at 10:43 PM Report abuse
Hobbes said...
Why doesn't Obama use the stimulus money he's been hoarding to help pay for unemployment? Only 43% of the stimulus will be spent through '10. What's he waiting for? He loves that everyone is dependent on government right now and that's the way he's going to keep it.
July 2, 2010 at 6:36 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Where ever do you come up with that notion, 'hoarding' ? The States have it all, and some are just sitting on it, while they play politics. And it certainly is not because he want's everyone to be dependent on Government. He just happens to care. (I know it's a new concept in President's)
July 2, 2010 at 7:20 AM Report abuse
trisailer said...
MSH said it, We're either all in this togather or we're a pack of wolves searching for what we can get for oursleves. If it is the former than we should be looking for a way to minimise the suffering of the victims of the economic collapse.
July 2, 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
Republicans don't want to improve the economy. They want to keep the recession going because they think it will help more of them get elected.
July 2, 2010 at 7:58 AM Report abuse
Bole said...
I'm sure Republicans are also doing all they can to BLOCK JOB CREATION while Obama is in office. They BLOCK health care for people. They BLOCK unemployment for people. They can't separate small business and start up companies from the large successful companies and corporations who CAN afford more taxes and not tax the latter. They can't stand Mexicans. Arizona's new law won't be stopping Canadians nor Europeans for expired visas. Only brown people.
July 2, 2010 at 8:17 AM Report abuse
trisailer said...
Bloomberg said, "If I were the president working with Congress, I would give a green card to anybody from around this world who wants to come here, create a business. They keep the green card as long as they employed, let's say, 10 or more workers."
July 2, 2010 at 8:51 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
You liberals are a joke! Everything is still Bush's fault, when does Obama own it! Obama and the dems lack the ability to do anything but spend! For those of you that keep saying the government doesn’t create jobs your right, the government is suppose to create an environment that induces business to create them. This administration is incapable do to it’s progressive agenda which leaves potential employers holding off because the fear Obama will hit them with additional costs that will put them out of business! Until the dems are voted out of office this is not going away! And really 99 weeks of unemployment give me a break, there are some jobs available even if you think it’s beneath you!
July 2, 2010 at 9:07 AM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
"Everything is still Bush's fault, when does Obama own it!" Obama is less than a year and a half into his first term. Bush had the nation mired in two wars and deep in a careening recession when he left office. I seem to recall Republicans blaming Carter for the inflation and unemployment three years in. It's not like you can simply reverse course on wars and recessions.
July 2, 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Grumblestilt, When Reagan was elected he went right to work and fixed the economy without blaming the previous administration! Obama is just a thin skinned progressive that lacks the experience to move this country in the right direction. Obama is halfway thru his first and only term HE OWNS ALL OF IT! HE pushed the bailout package! HE promised that unemployment wouldn’t rise above 8%! HE promised job growth! HE promised transparency for everything! NOT BUSH! Lets face it and come to reality, you voted for a loser that’s lacks the knowledge and people to turn this around! Even the Europeans have learned that you can’t spend your way out of a recession and reversed course! The only way for our country to reverse course is to vote the dems out in 2010 and 2012!
July 2, 2010 at 9:52 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
OH, OH, OH, my fine Neo_Conservative/Limbaugh/Beck friend. Reagan blame everything on Carter ! And I helped his campaign spread the horse s--t. We sold Reagan too the country like the B-rated actor he really was. And come 2012 your going to s--t (quite possibly literally) your pants. The ignorant have awoke, and even a naked Palin doesn't help your base.
July 2, 2010 at 10:28 AM Report abuse
xcalibur1066 said...
Dow down over 1000. Housing at the lowest since 1978. 125,000 jobs shed. Official unemployment inching up. Unofficial is skyrocketing. Maine loses $100 million in Medicaid funding. I think we need to spend another $1 trillion or so. The last trillion worked out so well. Welcome to the double dip.
July 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
That's been one of the great lies of the lass century. FDR's policy's saved America from the brink of destruction. The difference was he did not have the idiots on the Republican isle that Obama has now. You people are so far removed from realty, it would be funny except you are playing with peoples lives. You would just as soon take the nation down then to ever be proven wrong. Site a link where the president says the stimulus will curb the loss of jobs, no indeed he say's the recovery will be long and painful. There are no magic wands, just obstructionist from the Republican party.
July 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM Report abuse
Routone said...
In order to wash off the stench of incompetent and greedy governance, conservatives consistently need to revise history. Which is why you hear right-wingers spreading fantasies that include: •That Ronald Reagan was the best President in history. •That Joe McCarthy was on to something before leftist whiners shut him down. •That any improvement of our current economy is due to George W. Bush’s policies. •That Hitler was a liberal. •That Herbert Hoover’s policies didn’t cause the Great Depression. FDR’s policies extended it. Add to that Texas rewriting school history books to fit a conservative viewpoint and a conservative Bible in the works, and it becomes dreadfully apparent that conservatives have a serious problem with the reality that reality has dealt them.
July 2, 2010 at 11:54 AM Report abuse
Routone said...
Top economists point to the consistent failures produced by Republican orthodoxy about economic issues. Recently Professor Alan Blinder, former vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board, and Dr. Christina Romer, chair of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisors, both strongly cautioned the Federal Reserve and Congress against reducing either monetary or fiscal stimulus until economic recovery is well underway. Both scholars support this view with a comparison to the Great Depression, arguing that the recession of 1937 to 1938 was caused by policy miscues, which tightened monetary policy through higher bank reserve requirements, and which tightened fiscal policy by reducing government spending in an effort to achieve budget balance. Both Blinder and Romer argue that it is necessary to maintain expansionary policy, and Romer adds that more fiscal stimulus may be necessary in the future as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act winds down in 2011.
July 2, 2010 at 11:55 AM Report abuse
trisailer said...
What none of you are capable of projecting is what things would look like if not for the stimulus programs. I don't think that this generation of Americans would be as willing to sit and take it as our parents did during the great depression. Apparently a few of you are willing to risk untold hardship and social upheavel just to try to prove your economic theories. This economic situation could not be more different from the great depression and I believe that if the money had not been spent things would be extremely bleak. Some of you are suffering because you didn't plan for the economy to take a dump and now you want everyone to suffer like you. I might be a liberal, but I don't depend on the government to take care of me and I generally plan for the worst, but I have been impacted by this along with everyone. The difference is I do not enjoy seeing other suffer.
July 2, 2010 at 11:55 AM Report abuse
Roxieow said...
WOW someone is deleteing comments big time and I think its the moderator. One of mine never made it and there was nothing unseemly in it compared to what is already here!
July 2, 2010 at 12:52 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
That's what the GOP are afraid of, that Obama will be as revered in the hillbilly sections of America as FDR, is still to this very day. In the Appalachian's they don't have Kennedy hanging on the wall, it's FDR. But when it's all said and done, Obama will be carved in Mt. Rushmore. The first Democrat to win West Virgina since FDR. And even more popular then Ronald Reagan.
July 2, 2010 at 1:06 PM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
PPH, why do you allow posting pictures if you just take them down?
July 2, 2010 at 1:08 PM Report abuse
bGtldzk4NjVlcw%3D%3D said...
The Republicans were willing to vote for extend benefits if they were paid for by cutting something else. You know, by following the PAYGO rule that Obama signed. Those mean and nasty Republicans actually had the nerve to hold Obama to his own word. How DARE they?!?
July 2, 2010 at 1:09 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
God,,,How I Love America..
July 2, 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
The short answer on FDR/Keynesian economic policy failure is this. Every dollar the government spends takes a dollar out of private spending. The government can never spend the economy to prosperity because it cannot tax it into prosperity. Most of the New Deal wasn't what you think it was. The government got into colluding with business and labor in a bad way. The outcome was high prices and labor costs that held down recovery and hiring for 7 years. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/FDR-s-Policies-Prolonged-Depression-5409.aspx
July 2, 2010 at 1:24 PM Report abuse
bGtldzk4NjVlcw%3D%3D said...
"The outcome was high prices and labor costs that held down recovery and hiring for 7 years." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The market crashed in 1920 and the government did nothing. The economy bounced back in less than two years. The market crashed in 1929 and the government intervened. The result was the Great Depression. In 1987 the market crashed and the government did nothing. The economy bounced back in less than two years. We're past the two year mark since the last crash with tons of intervention and no end in sight. John Maynard Keynes was wrong, Wrong, WRONG!
July 2, 2010 at 1:31 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
I'll pull it down, I realize not all Republicans are Nazi's.
July 2, 2010 at 1:39 PM Report abuse
bGtldzk4NjVlcw%3D%3D said...
PaulPortland - look up 'Fear the Boom and the Bust' on youtube. You'll get a kick out of it.
July 2, 2010 at 1:41 PM Report abuse
RickD said...
There have been offers by Republicans to continue benefits, one such plan would have continued benefits for the next two months fully paid for, but it was not allowed to come to the floor for a vote. The Democrats are playing some of the worst forms of politics right now, and those that suggest the Republicans did it are perpetuating the problem. Two wrongs will never make a right. In the war supplemental bill, which is stuffed with pork, there is also language, which states with the passage of this bill a budget is deemed to have passed. What an absolute joke. This country is drowning in debt, and borrowing from future generations is no longer an option. With the amount of debt and deficits being run up at speeds never before seen, you can take to the bank that the day this nations financial recovery actually begins, rampant out of control inflation will follow. The uncertainty of Washington is driving the lack of recovery; brace yourself the worst is yet to come.
July 2, 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Actually Rick that's not entirely correct. Harry Reid took a procedural route and voted nay, because it get's it back to committee instead of killing it right then and there. The Republicans are willing to go longer then 8 weeks provided it's loaded with their special interest, (pork) and reserve the option to keep the public from finding out. Nice try though..
July 2, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
Trisailer, the White House put out a graph predicting unemployment without the "stim" and current unemployment is higher than than. $1 trillion and they literally did worse than doing nothing. I'd post it but PPH keeps censoring pictures.
July 2, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
And folks lets all remember that our beloved President inherited 1.2 Trillion dollars in debt from the last administration and that CBO has said that the Bush tax cut's, if they continue will bankrupt America. Not anything this President has or will do.
July 2, 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Just a quick reminder those tax cut's are for the wealthiest Americans. The President is committed to helping the working families of America. That's you and I, not the 3% who control everything in this country.
July 2, 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse
RickD said...
Actually JWR you are wrong. Senator Brown from Mass introduced legislation for a 33 billion dollar extension of unemployment benefits that would have borrowed the money that is sitting in Washington from last years stimulus act. Which would have kept it deficit neutral. The bill never came to the floor for a vote. So why refuse to allow a vote? Maybe because it wasn’t a Democratic Party idea, or maybe because that would have reduced more wasted spending from the stimulus act.
July 2, 2010 at 3:18 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
No Mr. Rick. Senator Reid voted nay, remember, I've already cover that. They didn't have enough votes to over ride, because,,,,,,,,Sen. Byrd died. Now, it gives us a chance to replace him. And call the vote up again, and it will pass. But it will pass at a terrible cost because of what the Republicans are trying to do, load it with pork. The sick thing is they will then try to turn it around and use that against the President. Rick, the game is up, the ignorant have awaken.
July 2, 2010 at 3:28 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
July 2, 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
July 2, 2010 at 4:15 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
-John Newton (1725-1807)
July 2, 2010 at 4:21 PM Report abuse
kitterykid said...
If the GOP helped those out of woprk, it would cut into their profists from sending all the jobs overseas.
July 2, 2010 at 4:44 PM Report abuse
kitterykid said...
Gary, What socialist programs has Obama backed? Helathcare for all is not socialist as long as it is through the private sector, like it is. Everything that the Dems pass is paid for. It is the law!
July 2, 2010 at 4:47 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwrid10t.....you've had way too much of obamanation kool-aid that is obvious.
July 2, 2010 at 4:59 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
kitterychild......you really aren't that dumb are you? Do you have any idea what a deficit is? Let's put it this way - you know all the credit card you've maxed out, imagine being able to increase your credit limit yourself........M0R0NS
July 2, 2010 at 5:03 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
You must be in that 3% bracket I mention earlier, either that or you need to change your smoke. OH Man ! If that ain't the sorriest crock of horse s--t I've heard in quite awhile. Cause if that where true we would not have 22 million people fix-in to set up camp on the curb. At the very least I would think you owe this forum an apology ! How dare you come on here and insult us, have you no shame.
July 2, 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwridiot did you liberal socialist feelings get hurt????????------good because the crock of lies you spread is pathetic. Try reading something. cnn monkey feed and obamanation kool-aid the breakfast of id10ts
July 2, 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Can you feel the power coming through your screen ? That ain't me doing it dude/duette/anomaly, what ever. We got the power on our side and it ain't home made. Where going to bury the GOP once and fore ever, the Republican party as you know it is finish. You best get right (no pun intended) or your fix'n to get left, pun intended..
July 2, 2010 at 5:25 PM Report abuse
RickD said...
JWR, go read Senator Scott Brown's proposed legislation The Fiscally Responsible Relief For Our States Act of 2010. The ONLY bill currently being debated and voted on by the senate is the scaled down Democratic Party offering that was so pork and tax heavy when first introduced it was shot down in a bi-partisan fashion. The bill as it stands will add to the deficit. You talk about the one year 1.2 trillion dollar deficit BHO inherited, but how does that explain our current 1.6 trillion dollar deficit or the trillion dollar deficits predicted as far as the eye can see under Obama? How is it that a one-year trillion-dollar deficit from Bush gives the Democrats carte blanche to increase it even more and still blame Bush? Where is there any sense of fiscal responsibility from the current administration? You can take to the bank that once the November elections are over, taxes are going up for everyone to pay for Washington’s addiction to spending under Democrat control.
July 2, 2010 at 5:45 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
If we can get out from under the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest American citizens, we will make it through. As the President has so often made note, the recovery will be slow and yes painful, and some will feel it more then others. 'That's Life' , we deal with it collectively or we sink collectively. Let's remind Congress to keep their ego's in check, this should not be a 'one-up's-men' type debate. You site the continual spending, what hand was the President dealt ? Super Recession or Super Depression. Let's try to keep things in proper perspective, shall we ! You people want magic wand relief, turn Harry Potter off, we did not get into this mess in 18 months and we certainly are not getting out of it that soon. Just the facts,,,please.
July 2, 2010 at 7:15 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
FDR didn't even face the challenges this President has to face. You think anyone else could have done better ? The only thing most of you are concern about other then not giving Obama his due is protecting your portfolios, of which a good 75% are built upon misleading, pyramid schemes and outright fraud. Plain and simple, spin it any way you like, but you are not the only people who live and work their a--'s off in America. (but play by the rules)
July 2, 2010 at 7:20 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwrid10t.......maybe the obamantion kool-aid has already done it's damage because you are definitely a twisted personality I'm going to guess you have at least one picture of this mistake and his wookie next to your computer. lol November is going to be a difficult month for you!
July 2, 2010 at 8:28 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
wookie graduation speech......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8EBncjr644......roflmao
July 2, 2010 at 8:54 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
July 3, 2010 at 7:39 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
any of you liberal idiots remember that the dems passed PAYGO - Thats pay as you go! The republicans are telling them walk the walk not just talk! Thats the problem with you libs say one thing and do another!
July 3, 2010 at 8:33 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
They figure out a way to pay for it, with stopping the Bush tax cut's for the wealthiest Americans about 3% of the population, which by the way, control everything in this country. But as most know the Republicans said no, because they have become the party of no, that and they are in the back pockets of Corporate America. It's always been about the rich with them, they don't care about the working families of America,except to the extent of exploitation.
July 3, 2010 at 10:05 AM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwridiot.....nice photoshop photo op......just one problem the President doesn't ride in the Suburbans he has an armored limo .......lies and deceit as usual from socialist liberals!
July 3, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwridiot....one other problem unless obamanation is a member of Twilight he should be part of the reflection is the Suburban.......photoshop lies and deceit typical losers
July 3, 2010 at 12:28 PM Report abuse
tenacity said...
jwridiot....what no response...no 'you should be ashamed' no 'have you no shame' ................................yep just like the demorat you are, caught in the trap and can't get out........I can't wait till November to see your traitorous heroes shelly and mikey go down in flames.........really going to enjoy it!
July 3, 2010 at 12:42 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
July 3, 2010 at 3:03 PM Report abuse