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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Luke Russert reports: The House just passed the $34-billion unemployment benefits bill, 272-152, with 31 Republicans joining 241 Democrats in voting for it; 10 Democrats opposed.
The bill is now literally being driven down Pennsylvania Ave where President Obama will sign it as soon as possible. Benefits will take two-to-four weeks to reach people that need them.
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It's hard to believe that this piece of legislation took so long to pass. The dysfunctional senate really needs to take a hard look at it's unconstitutional rules. Remember 50 votes to pass a bill, the V-P is the tiebreaker. On this issue, I'm a constitutionalist conservative.
Did you feel the same way when the Republicans were attempting to steamroll the Democratic opposition back in '05?
The filibuster is like lawyers; everyone hates it until it's the only thing standing between them and a law they don't like.
Ron indiana what about the 60 votes to stop the fillibuster
Passive Observer:
Don't want to speak for Ron but from what I have seen of his comments and posts Ron would say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Whether it is the Dems or the Republicans in the Whitehouse, and in power, stop this silly 60 rule vote procedure in the senate and go with 50 + 1.
Thank Goodness!
Did anyone else hear about the heartless b@stards errr, I mean Republican't invoking some archaic Senate ruled that forced a 30 hour delay before it came to the final vote?'
Maybe one of the right wing nuts can explain to us what THAT was all about?
Other than prolonging relief to the people who are suffering!
Thank you CA; You read my mind. Fair is fair. Thanks again
Absolutely right CA! I never understood that 60 rule vote in the first place, time to do away wiith that piece of garbage, regardless of who controls the legislature. It is the only way for good legislation to work for the American people, if they pass bad legislation - then we know who to vote out.
I agree, Ron. The rules have been abused to the point where the Senate struggles to pass even simple pieces of legislation.
Passive observer. Yes, I did feel that way. I've made the comment many times that both parties are guilty. That said, republicans have outdone every other Senate session in shear number of filibusters.
Finally.....
Do we know the names of the 10 Democrats who voted against the bill?
Ok, Good.
For those who needed this benefit extension and who have been out there diligently attempting to find work good luck! For those who will also benenfit from this extension but who have been sitting on their a** taking advantage of the system, get off your a** and go make a serious attempt to find work.
There is no reason congress should be wasting time on this dance every few months. Extensions should be automatic when unemployment is above a set trigger point. It's far more a matter of national security than illegal foreign wars are -- and if anyone in congress had tried to live on (a disappearing) $300 a week EVER they would understand that.
Good news, but Congress has done nothing to help create jobs, seems that many in Congress think a 20% unemployment rate in OK, or as they so quaintly describe it the "new normal", folks we have to do better.
The endless unemployment extensions are hard to justify when I am scraping by having to do whatever it takes to pay my bills. As a “self-employed” / “freelancer” / “independent consultant” for the same company for 5 years I lost my income when the company went bankrupt. . I've cut down everything to the bone and beyond. Sold off personal property. Taken work way below my level, almost entry level. Moved downward in housing. But the “no-work pay” for others keeps getting extended and extended and extended supported by Federal Tax dollars. It leaves a bad taste. Either widen benefits to include the rest of us who did not work on staff or let us all stew in the same thin soup. Maybe more families hung out over the hairy, ragged edge will develop some political will. There is a difference between state and federal unemployment benefits. Federal unemployment benefits extend state unemployment benefits out to 26 weeks. They must be explicitly passed by Congress. They're paid for out of our federal tax dollars we all pay. A law firm should start a class action suit for "us" who have paid taxes but don't qualify for benefits including the 1 year worth of cobra subsidies.
I guess you are saying you never paid into unemployment insurance to protect your income during an economic disaster such as this. Much like you probably didn't pay for medical insurance for yourself either I bet. So if you got hurt and didn't work, the rest of us tax payers would pitch in and help you. If you had purchased insurance, much like I have all my working life, you would have had income right now. I'm not sure who you are blaming all your issues on right now. You pay taxes and insurance, such as unemployment and health insurance so when you are in need you are covered. If you didn't purchase that insurance, you are to blame, not anyone else. If you didn't have the income to purchase insurance then you should have applied for the many social programs available to all citizens in need including self employed ones. Rich people apply for entitlements all the time. They are called subsidies. There is no shame in it for them. Please don't blame unemployed taxpayers for your self created troubles.
Some of those collecting unemployment are beyond where you are. They have already sold everything, taken pay cuts and still are not able to get a job doing anything. Either one is overqualified or there are no jobs in one's field. Do you think you could do a job you have no interest, experience or knowledge of? We have all had to cut back. Even those of us who are still lucky enough to have a decent paying job. Our buying power has gone South and going further at a bit slower pace but still going.
All these Republican "BUMS " need to go ..We paid into this in the event we lost our jobs and then these idiots keep it from us ..They didn't want it unless it was paid for !!!! IT WAS YOU IDIOTS you looked the other way as your other congress and senate people raided the accounts !!! and looked the other way when John McCain voted to DE REGULATE the banks and looked the way when the OIL COMPANY'S found we had to many safety rules... it would cost to much for them to adhere to !!!!
Wow Nancy Pelosi sure knows how to herd the facist racist elements in her House! Who'd have thought she'd get 31 repugnant ones to vote for the unemployment benefits bill? Looks like Crybaby Boehner has something new to cry about, his flagging support from his own party of sore losers and liars. Yet another legislative smackdown for the Impotent Minority to whine about. A real shame that Democrats couldn't keep the necessary job creating items in the bill, that's what our Bushwhacked economy really needs right now to keep our recovery going like the Energizer Bunny.
Eric, I'm sure they were terrified this vote would be used against them in this election cycle, i'd sure use it against anyone who voted against the extension if I were running for one of their seats.
You would not think it would take so long to do what is right.
Thank goodness. Despite all the static and political posturing, it got done. Millions of Americans will be able to feed their families and keep their homes for another few months.
I believe a serious attempt should be made to set up a modern CCC or WPA to put some folks back to work, and to make some improvements to our infrastructure that have been languishing for a long time.
Agree about the 50 + 1, Ron. Did you know that the Spanish word "filibustero" translates to "pirate?" I suppose it could also mean "hijacker." Interesting.
Well Mr CA my company had to lay off 681 employees last year. We are in a town of 5100. I myself spent my last dime to try and keep these jobs. I just couldnt get myself to send my product to China and have it made to suit the woll-mart fusks. I was on a plane every week to Bentonville with hat in hand to let me keep these jobs. It riles me to think someone like you dont have the time or money to come to this town and help find my past emplyees I loved and respected, a forking job. I hope you dont get all your thoughts and ideals form the fux news. If you do and you came here to act like a big white dummy, go play on the train tracks. Most of you dont have a clue what it takes to put 681 jobs out there for people, worst yet what it does to you to see yourself fail them. Think I will go get a bottle of jack, maybe then you will make sense to me then.
sobadtoo: Thanks for sharing your story. It is heartbreaking. It sounds like you really care about your people and tried everything you could to keep their jobs. It's helpful to hear your perspective. Tell us more if you can.
Hey sobadtoo:
No one is criticzing those who have tried to find work or are in a sitaution where there is just no work avaliable and they can't reloacte, etc, etc. So don't assume I am not aware of these people's situations or that I do not support providing them with assistance until they can get their feet back on the ground. But there are people who do take advantage, who do have work available that would pay more than their weekly unemployment benefit, but would prefer sitting on their butts doing nothing. You know that to be a fact yourself. It is to these people I am saying get off your butt and look for work. Not to those you have described in your post.
By the way, go back a read a few months worth of comments. You'll quickly learn what I think of Fox Noise. I just happen to be a left leaning independent who also recognizes that there are people who will and do take advantage of their fellow citizens and government assistance, and I am just as willing to call these people out as I am calling out those who do not want to support unemployment benefits for those who deserve it.
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm here is where you need to go for that answer can see all votes ,,,from what state and if yay or nay,,,gl
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm
Off topic, First Thoughts. A person knows they hit a nerve when the conversation turns to writing skills, thinking I'm a good writer, liberal leftie, tool, permanent liberal majority (I do not support that concept one bit), and my point was proven completely wrong because I failed to name a politician as a leader. Palin, Pence, Bachman, King, Wilson, Rand Paul, Angle....there's more but I wonder why anyone assumes that Leaders are always politicians.
Go get em Jody:
Jody great post, go get em Jody. Another greenie. Have a great day and thanks for the posts today.
OMG, finally... while whatching cspan i got a knock on the door it was the electric company to shut off my power, i didnt get a cut off notice.... I cried and begged him please no, i asked him if he could go do another job and come back ill do everything i can to find the money, even though ive borrowed so much, i have three kids and i am absolutly terrified.. I broke down and just prayed for this to end... my kids cried with me and we held hands and jst prayed... got a phone call it was someone to help, they called the electrtic payed some so they wouldnt turn it off and brought me some groceries to feed my fam..... and now this bill has past... we have lost everything all we had left was the electric, luckily the home i live in is owned by family so they havent made me pay rent in two months. but its been everything i can do to stay calm, i have severe depression now, high blood pressure, and cant control my emotions... after the electric comp thing i thought im jst done cant fight anymore, tired... my baby said mommy i love you we have each other we will make it..... and then the bill passed the House and president will sign it.... I jst hope we get our checks as fast as possible.... i have the electric comp on hold with the little payment but i cant hold them off to long..... my fam has had to seperate due to the economy and loosing jobs, during that time being alone i was put in hospital for emergency surgery and inded up with two surgerys back to back... Its been so hard for everyone in my family, and my poor kids have learned so much about hte world and realizes whats going on in the U.S..... and my baby has expressed his emotions for the familys that are like mine........ I JST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU LORD. MY HOPE IS BACK AND IM MORE EAGER TO GET THAT JOB AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY LIKE IVE ALWAYS DONE........ THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO LISTENED TO MY EMAILS. I know its jst the beginning but its a beginning of a whole new life for my family. THANK YOU, AND I HOPE THIS BILL HELPS THOSE FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO GIVE YOU HOPE LIKE I FINALLY GOT.........
if you couldn't pay your electric bill, who is paying for your internet access?
Stacie,
Hold in there, Be Strong, I know it is not easy, having been there and done that, but the Universe rarely gives us anything that we cannot handle, even if we have to search for the answer sometimes.
northeasterner,
How can you be so cruel and heartless, many people have free internet and even if not, there is always the library. Many jobs REQUIRE you to have internet so that you can apply online and/or receive notice of jobs etc. But to tell someone to cut what for some is a necessity is just meanness!
Hey Stac - hang in there girl - things WILL get better.
We have a wonderful President. He is a good man and cares deeply about all of us. I believe he's working every day on our behalf.
Keep the faith....
I havent paid it at all.... ive made arrangments with them i have till next friday or its gone as well.... my internet was more helpful with arrangments than the power comp in wyoming, i would of tryed to make arrangments with them as well but i never got a cut off notice... wasnt ready for that... im ready to loose the internet. thank god i do have it and they have worked with me cause if not id have no way to look for work, i save 5 dollers for gas if i get a job interview... So listen i used what money i had and dispersit it the way i new best..... if you think its wrong then thats your opinon.... but i know that i did my best...... I think your comment was rude..... sooo rude.... i cant go look for work i have to do it on the internet and if it gets cut off next week then i guess i will be selling all my furniture...... anything else you like to add.... would you like to pay my for my internet access????
the jerk actually seems jealous that you are about to lose everything......wow i guess he/she isnt happy that you are struggling......were is the compassion for others in need???? do they hate that much .......i would trade places with anyone that has a job even if it meant i had to shovel @!$%#, or pick fly @!$%# out of pepper........ who the hell are they judging ? and who made them god? dont worry god has a plan for that idiot....get a grip buddy the world dont revolve around you.......i hope you lose your job and need help it would serve you right
Thank you guys sooo much.... your words i needed to hear.... You guys have put a smile on my face, and given me so much more hope.... I do have faith in our president. and i do have faith in america. I have cried for so many familys as i know there worries.... I cant stop praying for the world and the people even if they dont understand were we come from... i have to pray for us to come together and work together.... again..... thank you soo much
Stacie, just know that there are many, many people out here who are praying for you and others in your situation and working on your behalf. Keep the faith and believe that better days are ahead for you and your children. Don't give up!
B.Honest,
Just when you think you have seen the low of the lowest you get some insensative idiot like noreaster. Repugnant indeed. There are horror stories like this in every city in every state. Many of these people are facing serious financial problems through no fault of their own. Yes, there will always be those few that will scam the system. But this in no way justifies the hate I just saw from this clown. You were being too nice calling him insensitive. There is another character flaw at work here.
Stacie, I wish you the best. Hang in there and be strong for your family. I know it is easy for me to say not being in the same position as you, but you have my prayers and respect. Do what you can and keep your faith. You have many people on this board pulling for you. Keep us posted. God Bless.
I cannot believe that ANYONE could read what Stacie wrote and not be moved by it. The only comment one of you could make is how she has her internet? JAYSUS! How about you hope that things get better for her? What is it with the lack of compassion that seems to be so endemic now? People are doing the very BEST that they can in a bad economy, add to it, Stacie is trying her hardest to raise three kids! Could you all quit being Republicans for a moment and try finding your heart? Stacie, my very best wishes to you, I know how hard you are trying and I thank God that you will get that extension to take the pressure off!
Thank god .........i have paid into these benifits for 20 years before I actually was FORCED to use them...........
Patiently waiting in Delaware
Thanks to all the men and women who fought for our rights.......and still believe in honest out of work people NOT numbers
in response to you Stacey.....i am crying reading your story bcause its so close to my own , i didnt choose to be unemployed i have worked for 20 years non-stp bringing home 700 a week then struggling with 300 a week then without ANY for warning simply cut off and forgotten like all the money i paid into unemployment benefits never seemed to even matter i was just a worthless unemployed number so what if i became homeless i would just be a different statistic on some other ledger.......yes thank God for hearing our prayers. Yes i agree there are people taking advantage of this but left to God he knows HOW to handle that when the time comes and the people who are job hunting 8+ hours a day this now has become my full time job with no relief no matter how hard i try, i have faith something will come for me but in the mean time i now am relieved i wont be homeless there is hope in the near future........again THANK YOU GOD FOR HEARING MY PRAYERS........
Kimmy 1002,
you and Stacey will both be in our prayers tonight, hang tough.
Kimmy and Stacey:
I wish the two of you the very best and hope that things turnaround for the two of you soon. And Kimmy, you are correct that while working you contributed to those unemployment benefits you are receiving so who has the right to say you should not be able to use and receive the same until you no longer need them. It is after all money that you put into the system. It is your money.
I am not an organized religious type of person because I have issues with man telling me what God expects from me and of me. But I do have a strong sense of spriituality, a connection between that of the heart and the good that comes from someone or something greater than myself, and that connection man can make between himself and nature. To what we know to be true and just and right when watching the rain fall on a country pond rippling off into different directions. To that we feel when we seeing a mother softly touch the cheek of her child. When observing a young person taking the time to give an elderly person some attention or the feeling we get when the sun warms our face when rising on a summer morning. And the pain we feel (and yes anger) when we see how others in our world suffer. By way of this sprituality and this connection I know that whoever it is that gave us the ability to experience and to share in these gifts will be watching over you. I also know that in their eyes the two of you are very special people.
thank you so much......its means so much to know people care ......i didnt ask for this in anyway but, i am doing the very best i can, i have no luxeries just the simple basics and that is ONLY so that i can job search and hopefully my phone will ring asking when i can start.... i pray for that every day. my day starts first thing checking emails for responses from prospective employers and the rest is spent calling everywhere and anywhere looking for work....then with gas so expensive you have to figure out how you are going to get the money for that......i know it will pay off for me eventually. most days i am so sick from worry i wont eat because i am in fear it will be the last bit of food i have and dont know when or how to get more and i try to make it strtch so that my kids eat .......so yes this to me and my family is truely a blessing........THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOU KIND ENCOURAGING WORDS...........
Wow Kimmie you are right, the same stories.. I dont eat aswell I just feel way to bad if i eat cause if my kids want more and i dont have it ill feel bad... so i wait till there done, most of the time i just skip breakfast, and lunch ill try to eat dinner but sometimes its hard if you havent eaten in 3 days and then you have a meal, to me sometimes it dont look good, but i will make myself eat it, with doing that im killing my body.... but what do you do as a mother your job is to take care of your kids, and that means you come last... But now we do have hope... and with this hope i will jst take it with me and get that job no matter what it pays. I have to show my kids you can pick up yourself and do it rather give up...... Again thank you all for all the wonderful things you have said, for awhile i was wondering if everyones heart was gone cause all i was seeing is people saying such mean things and that just breaks my heart... I love my country... I will do my best to help it, and others through this time, and with yalls words i will keep in my heart and my mind so when i go for that job interview ill remember the prays that were said for my family as to many others. God Bless America!!! :-)
Kimmy and Stacie,
Hold in there, be strong, There are a lot of people here praying for you. Stacie, do be sure to eat, it does your kids no good if you are in too poor of a condition to take care of them, YOU eating is as important as for them in this situation, also, it helps keep the depression lower, I well know!!
Know that God Loves You in her Infinite Wisdom and that things will ease up for you soon, keep a strong heart and your head up and just keep on keeping on.
I am terribly sorry that words and prayer are all that I am able to offer for you, but they are given freely!!
I'm not much on following all the items in the bill but it seems to me that we all should step back and thank the government for helping us. I'm not for all the pickering and confusing lies that are told. I'm for helping those who need it. Maybe we should put energy into helping and trying to come up with ways of dealing with the situation at hand. No one wants a hand out but we all want a helping hand. I want to work and did for almost 30 years. Had to stop for family reasons. I never went on welfare and never asked for help and I would give my last dime to anyone who needed it. I'm no saint but I do believe in the Golden Rule.
I am happy to live in a country that helps people. Look around would you want to live any where else? Instead of putting down every thing that this President is trying to do, think about what we all can do to help. Don't vote for people who refuse to help! Don't vote for people who could and should retire NOW because there ways are old and their deeds are evil. Don't vote for people that think the only good president is a white one. Don't vote for people who give nothing to the system except their hurtful words and unfair actions.
I am glad the unemployment extension passed, however I am appalled that so much blame is being heaped upon the republicans that were more interested in using stimulus money since there is still around 400 billion left and not adding to the deficit. Remember it was Obama who asked for and the democrats that passed the PAYGO rule. It was Obama and the democrats in congress that took over the automobile industry and put a non-business person in charge that caused 1000s of people to be unemployed because they forced auto dealerships to close (See the TARP Inspector Generals Report). It was Obama that spent over a year pushing health care reform instead of trying to create jobs for those unemployed. It was Obama and the democrats that passed a 878 billion dollar stimulus plan that was going to save and create millions of jobs and to keep the unemployment rate at 8% or lower. (Unemployment now at 9.5%, higher if those currently not looking are counted.) When the democrats took control of congress in 2006 the unemployment rate was around 5.5%. Yes, Bush asked for TARP and it was passed with mostly democratic votes, including Obama's and Bidens, but it was Obama that asked Bush not to spend the 700 billion TARP money and to let him have the remaining 350 billion, which Bush did. There is plenty of blame to go around, but I will bet when this extension runs out the democrats will be asking for more extensions and bleeding hearts will be telling their story and blaming republicans. There is no way the economy and job market will improve in 4 to 6 months. Instead of the democrats asking for more unemployment payments and other government help they should be trying to create jobs. The democrats are only using this as a political football, and don't really care about anyone but their own survival. Small businesses are not getting any help and it is the small businesses that create the most jobs. Because of a lack of jobs and taxes most states are going to have to lay workers off to balance their budgets, yet the federals just keep piling onto the deficit.
The stimulus hasn't led to enough creation of jobs to alleviate the need for more unemployment benefits. It would appear that it's six of one and half a dozen of the other, so allocating from previously approved stimulus funds without increasing the deficit further would seem reasonable and logical.
I have seen it argued here many times that unemployment checks are stimulative in themselves. Paying for them with stimulus dollars seems quick and efficient. Had Democrats accomodated this one, sensible proposal, it seems that the benefits would have been more timely. As it is, it has certainly made people uncomfortable, but I understand that the benefits will be retroactive.
This in and of itself should provide a nice unexpected bulge to the economy in the run up to the elections, wouldn't all of you Keynesians say?
I had earlier predicted that the Obama adminstration would find a way to send a stimulus check in the run-up to the election. Politically, this will do just fine.
does anyone know if wyo will accept the fed aid. live in oregon had to travel to wyo to work. job was done reduction of work force. went back home to oregon no work 10% plus unemp. no money to travel lost home, lost rel. trans. wife of 32 yrs. has breast cancer, lost ins. also. now i have no unemployment. heard wyoming will not have additional tiers of euc. so what now nothing left. every job has about 50- 100 plus applicants for 1 position. what can i do with no boot strap to pull up or one to even hang myself. pls advise 541-603-4980, thank you, tim
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This is to those who are not eating as they should. Have you tried to get food stamps from Job & Family Services? If you have no income and kids that you are trying to provide for you may be able to get help with food, health, and possibly a little money. This is another service that we have contributed to as tax payers. It is a little embarrassing the first couple of times you go to the store, but trust me . . . it is better than going hungry! You should also check into community food banks. There is help out there if you do a little searching. I hope this helps you.