This is happening for two reasons: The Republicans in office are immoral, heartless douches, and they can still control what goes on because of our piece of shit half of the legislative branch, the Senate. They have a disproportionate representation and they can block passage of anything because this absurd old white guys club require a super majority to get things done. If there was no filibuster we would have better health care reform, better finance reform, and a better economic recovery. Until the Senate's bullshit rules like secret blocks and the filibuster are repealed, we will have a dysfunctional government.

TO emsique.

Where have you been living the past year? It can't be anywhere in America that's for sure. The Dems are in control of the entire government and have completely run it into the ground. We have unbelievable unemployment rates, a deficit that we'll never be able to pay back, and a health care plan that is riddled with corruption. As far as the unemployment goes what do you think is going to happen if you decide to attack the companies with taxes and stupid ass laws? I know what I'd do if I owned a large corporation and that would be the most economical thing to survive and if that meant shutting down and moving to China or Mexico then so be it, thus adding to the unemployment. This is by far the most dysfunctional and corrupt government that we've ever had and I can't wait until the November elections to finally reject these screwballs.

B-rad -- championing stupidity and laughably easy-to-disprove talking points.

AKA, the Monday Afternoon humor break.

"I was asked recently: When do you think we should cut off unemployment benefits?"

Bob, the answer to that question is "when businesses start hiring again, and it becomes clear that consumer confidence (and actual spending) are actually increasing."

Not a moment sooner nor later than that.

B-rad: Where have YOU been living these past 20 months? Democrats having the majority has meant jack shit with the filibuster rules in the Senate and the Republicans making the Dems come up with 60 votes on every fuckin' piece of legislation that crosses their threshold. When in all hell did the majority of 100 begin to equal 60?

FYI: The country was run into the ground over the eight years of GWB. Waging war in two countries while simultaneously lowering taxes for the wealthy. Do you even remember the lie that the war in Iraq would be paid for with Iraqi oil dollars? How about the prescription drug fiasco that cost lots and lots of BILLIONS? Another gift from the Bush administration that was left on this president's desk to figure out. Amazing! Bush takes a surplus and turns it into a HUGE deficit, and now you're worried about the state of government?

Ah, b-rad, the embodiment of the lazy trust fund baby that's in control of hiring. First, they had one of their own as president for 8 years, who promptly ran the economy into the ground, created zero jobs and helped cause a deflationary spiral. Being lazy trust fund babies who made money all their lives by doing nothing, this period of deflation is exactly what they want so they can live the indolent lifestyle of their choosing.

Then the lazy trust fund babies project their own laziness on the unemployed.

Wow, B-rad, you really take the cake of naivety. I think you need to go back to the drawing board.

When should we end unemployment? Thats a tough question to answer, but I would say you should look at a variety of factors and not just one single indicator.

Of course the republicans want things to get worse. Tough times for the average citizen is good news for them. Theres plenty of people willing to take it up the ass from them and still vote for them simultaneously.

@b-rad. Actually, Numbnuts I've been in China for the last couple of years watching this train wreck from afar which happened under Republican rule. I think I have a lot firmer fix about how the US works and doesn't work from across the Pacific than you do sitting in the State with your brain in neutral.

Jeebus, it's 2 am here! Ignorant fools keeping me awake!

As an umeployed person, degreed, tons of experience I can't even get an intervirew. THERE ARE NO JOBS OUT THERE. Period. I have apploed for every job-part-time, minimum wage, 14 hours a week etc. My benefits ended last week. By next month I will be homeless. There are virtually no services available in my county for a single, 59 yo woman. I was told by social services unless you are blind, disabled or pregnant forget it except for $115.00 in food stamps. My huge unemployment of $378.00 a week is oer the $1100 a month required to get food stamps. My car will be repossed soon, which will make it impossible to go one an interview if I would get one.

As we see it, there are 3 options. Live on the streets, commit suicide. or commit a crime to go to jail for shelter and food.

This is an economic emergency. I don't think benefits should be paid unending forever. We need programs. My idea is to do community service for our benefits, or a third or half of our unemployment benefits to survive.

As a majority, it is ridiculous the democrats can't get this through. The political will just isn't there. But I bet come November they'll be begging for our vote. Dream friggin' on.

I'm not sure homeless people can even vote with no fixed address. I'll be downtown in the makeshift tent city that's been set up.

b-rad shows the hinky little bit of psychology that the right wing uses to get people to vote against their own interests.

"If I were the head of a company..."

That sort of fantasy wish-fulfillment/identification and almost PLANNING for the day now in the present, when in the future, b-rad (and all the other Limbaugh-listeners) finally becomes a captain of industry, their massive wealth will be protected. They want into a perceived club, and by identifying with the members spiritually, they feel it brings them closer to that one-day membership, when they'll be the ones with the whips.

Pathetic.

I have the solution: Whenever unemployment goes beyond 7%, we, as a responsibly fiscal nation, begin paying our Federally elected officials minimum wage WITHOUT benefits; said solution to continue until unemployment goes back below 7%. No medical insurance, no life insurance, no vacation, no Federal Perks...including no Federally funded travel.

Let's see how long it takes for them to get off their asses about unemployment then.

The fuckers.

Jan,

I am so sorry to hear about your financial troubles.

You are right, Dems DON'T have the political will to do anything about it, because their fans...ahem...constituents believe that they are "doing the best they can in this political climate."

16% actual unemployment. 600 Million gallons of oil requiring cleanup...and we're talking about ending unemployment benefits?

NOT ONE...COUNT THEM...NOT ONE Republican or Democrat has suggested that instead of paying unemployment benefits, we hire some of those masses that are unemployed and move them temporarily to the Gulf to help with the cleanup...even though I have written about it for a month, written my two Democratic Senators, and my Republican Congressman.

I've given them the idea, as I am sure thousands of others have as well...nothing. Nada. Nichts.

"Oh gee, what can we do with all of these unemployed people? (drumming fingers on desk) If only there were some sort of national emergency that we could use to put them to work in...what to do?! It's a conundrum, if ever there were. Oh well...Time to go back to the Gulf and ACT angry for the CNN cameras."

That's your Republican and Democratic party. The parties of ideas.