Americans are suffering because Republicans don’t care who they have to hurt in their attempts to manipulate US Voters.
More than 1.3 million laid-off workers won’t get their unemployment benefits reinstated before Congress goes on a weeklong vacation for Independence Day.
An additional 200,000 people who have been without a job for at least six months stand to lose their benefits each week, unless Congress acts.
For the third time in as many weeks, Republicans in the Senate successfully filibustered a bill Wednesday night to continue providing unemployment checks to people who been laid off for long stretches. The House is slated to vote on a similar measure Thursday, though the Senate’s action renders the vote a futile gesture as Congress prepares to depart Washington for its holiday recess.
A little more than 1.3 million people have already lost benefits since the last extension ran out at the end of May.
"It is beyond disappointing that Republicans continue to stand almost lockstep against assistance for out-of-work Americans," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The measure, however, stands a better chance of passing after a replacement is seated for Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., who died Monday. The measure fell two votes short of the 60 needed to advance Wednesday night, but only because Reid, a supporter of the bill, voted "nay" to take a procedural step that would allow for a revote.
"We will vote on this measure again once there is a replacement named for the late Sen. Byrd," Reid said.
Byrd’s successor will be named by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat.
Unable to deliver more stimulus spending for President Barack Obama, Democrats in Congress had hoped to at least restore the jobless benefits. 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.
Many Democrats see state aid and unemployment benefits as insurance against the economy sliding back into recession. However, many Republicans and some Democrats worry about adding to the growing national debt… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Common Dreams>
Aid to unemployed workers is an excellent way to stimulate job growth, because the recipients spend their benefits immediately to fulfill their day-to day needs. But the GOP wants to prevent job growth, as long as Democrats are in power. Not only are Republicans trying to deceive voters by preventing solutions to problems they caused and blaming Democrats, but also, they are manipulating the progressive base to turn us against Obama.
Rachel Maddow ran two segments that have bearing on the GOP tactics. In the first she and DNC Chair, Tim Kaine, discuss this vote.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
In the second, she and columnist, Ezra Klein, discuss the tactics.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Ezra has his head so far up his butt that he’s breathing pure methane. Rachel’s view is the correct one. The Senate has a long tradition of collegial cooperation. It has been an unwritten rule for over a century. Democrats are still playing by it, but Republicans are not. When Republicans pretend to be playing by the rules, Democrats respond habitually. Republicans are like a woman who leads a man on, lasciviously and seductively implying a night of passion, enjoying the flowers, candy, gifts, dinner, and dancing, and knowing all along that they will leave him with a peck on his cheek and a bulge in his pants.
On those rare occasions when something does pass, it is so watered down that we progressives are left fuming, and that’s exactly what the GOP wants, to drive a wedge between Obama and the progressive base. When we say that the Democrats in the Senate are foolish to allow themselves to be so manipulated, we are spot-on. But aren’t we just as foolish as they are, if we allow this Machiavellian GOP manipulation to turn us against the only available chance for progressive gains?
14 Responses to “Machiavellian GOP Tactics Divide America”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
You know, once upon a time, the Democrats had some crazy liberals that got s*** done.
There was once a woman from California that was someone I characterized as a “screaming liberal harpy”. She spoke, and voted, her mind. As a moderate, I was actually annoyed and disgusted with her. Then she became Speaker of the House and ceased to be a “screaming liberal harpy”. Now, as a moderate, I am annoyed and disgusted with her for I understand the need for that level of passion and commitment to a cause.
There was once a man from the New England area that was a governor. He became head of the DNC and was strong, effective, with a touch of ruthlessness. He knew and understood how to mobilize people and really run a political party. Then, for reasons I am unclear about, he went back to his everyday life. The DNC that used this man then put someone in place that I only know his name when mentioned. He interviews like a dial tone most of the time, and seems to only have half a plan. But this seems to fall under my last point:
There was once a second major party in the US, they were called Democrats. They were a bit unruly at times, but forwarded the counter point of the first major party in the US called Republicans. Then a little news station came along on cable and started talking crazier than an illiterate, paranoid schizophrenic running a European country, and some people tuned in. Then the Democrats started using this news network to assess how they were doing with their leadership, and basing all decisions off things said on the news network. Now, we only have one political party in the US that has some individual that are little unruly. The news network has called the unruly ones: Un-American, Communist, Socialist, Terrorist Supporters, Fascist, Big Government Lovers, Tax Raisers, Deficit Raisers, and a slew of other names. Fortuantely, these few unruly individuals have decided to press on, anyway. We are hoping that their level of commitment and passion catches on with the Democratic Party leadership, but I am not hopeful, for hope has become nothing more than an empty campaign promise for me in so many ways.
Get Howard Dean back as DNC chair! Grayson for Speaker! Can Reid and replace him with… a rock! At least then there is the possibility of America realizing Center is NOT Left!!!
I have to admit that Pelosi has not done that bad a job., but I’d love to see Grayson become speaker. The only thing that will save Reid’s sorry butt is an obtuse Angle. As for dean, I wanted him to be the nominee in 2004 instead of Kerry, who had fire in his belly in the 1970s, but has become a wimp.
Hassert was a worse Speaker, I will grant you. However, in order to be more ‘acceptable’ TO HER OWN PARTY, she toned herself down. Well, this has been a HUGE disservice to herself and her party.
In terms of Speakers, yeah, she is fine. She keeps things moving and the like. In terms of Nancy Pelosi, she is a sell out and a ghost of her former self on a good day. Not as bad as Reid, but she is part of the reason that people think center is left.
I have no disagreement with that, Otis. The current Democratic Party is just a tad to the right of center. Many 1960s Repunlicans were left of them.
However, had the Senate passed everything Pelosi has gotten through the House, the progressive disaffection with the party would not be near what it is.
Nice rant Otis. Count me with the people who just lost their unemployment. My last check is this week.
I was lucky enough to be on unemployment for one week, but my friend who was laid off along with me was unable to find a job for over a year. He was very frugal and was able to live off his unemployment checks for a few more months until he finally was able to get a job. I helped him as much as I can, offering my name as a reference or talking to my place of work…
I really believe the unemployment checks need to be extended but the GOP is too focused on attacking the things that have saved this country from completely falling apart…
I am glad that I am represented by Alan Grayson. When Ric Keller was in office, I did not feel as if I was being represented at all…
They can’t find $33B for the unemployed but they just approved another $30B for the war in Afghanistan, which we are losing. Is this the most backwardassed country in the world or what?
Kevin, I can no longer work as I am disabled. I’m in the process of filing for SSDI and suing my LT disability company (who decided last May I wasn’t disabled, and when I appealed and submitted additional documentation didn’t even call my doctors and summarily denied my appeal), so I am still living off of savings and part of my 401K right now. It’s not looking good for me.
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that. 🙁
I can’t recall where I read it, but I saw an article that stated unemployment benefits was one of the best ways the government could get a return on their investment, where for every $1 the government spends on unemployment, they get back $1.63, or something like that (I can’t remember the exact numbers)…
I keep thinking of a scenario of a homeowner who is on unemployment but their benefits cease to exist. They are forced to foreclose. That will negatively impact the property values of the surrounding properties and effect not only the individuals, but it will also decrease tax revenue for local governments, which would in turn cut services…
I could probably go on, but simply put, unemployment helps and the GOP does not want to help. Instead, they are more interested in dipping into Social Security to pay for their wars…
Here it is. I read it over at Media Matters…
http://mediamatters.org/research/201007020030
Kevin I read that. Every penny spent to help a deserving worker is a penny the GOP can’t spend on a millionaire.
(I cleaned up the duplicate.)
This cutoff of unemployment benefits will definitely hurt the economy; i.e. people who have no money can’t spend any. This is a twofer for Republicans. They can nail those lazy unemployed parasites they hate so much, and if the economy sinks even further, they can blame it on the Democrats this November.
Bingo!! You clearly get it. 🙂