February 7, 2010

In late February Jim Bunning, a Republican Senator from Kentucky blocked an extension of the unemployment benefits and COBRA for millions of unemployed. He did this because he is ornery and just wants some time in the spotlight. He said “Tough shit.” when pressed to stop his obstruction.

About 5 million people depend on unemployment benefits and Bunning's obstruction started a cascade of problems starting with the loss of benefits for tens of thousands per day. It will also cost state governments more money to restart the extensions after they have stopped.

Bunning's tactics seemed to get his allies worked up saying the benefits were encouraging people to stay home and not find work. This is what Tom DeLay (R-TX) said:

"You know there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don't look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/07/tom-delay-jim-bunning-was_n_489050.html

While it is certainly true that some people use unemployment as a way to lay around, most do not. They have mortgages and mouths to feed and they cannot wait. Defining the situation based on the lazy is unfair and disingenuous.

What is striking is the implication that there are lots of jobs out there if only people would just get off their butts and get out there and get them. This is wrong and DeLay knows this is wrong. Others like John Ensign (R-NV) and John Kyl (R-Az) are also wrong to support Bunning and says the same things as DeLay.

Republicans are using the Great recession for political gain and don't care who they hurt. After all, they are employed and that is truly unfortunate.