Just Noticing: Observations Of A Blogger
Posted by Michelle Moquin on February 23rd, 2014
Good morning!
“Just noticing…”
- GOP Continues to Turn Its Back On The Unemployed
Efforts by the Senate to reach a compromise to extend unemployment insurance (UI) fell flat again today as Republicans voted against the 1.7 million Americans looking for work who have been cut off when the benefits lapsed in late December.
The bill, which fell a single vote short of the 60 needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, was a compromise on multiple accounts. First, it accommodated the Republican demand that it be reduced from a one-year to a three-month extension. Second, it was fully paid for–using an offset that Republicans have supported in the past and are currently considering in other legislation.
CREDIT: SENATE DEMOCRATS
Now, to be fair, some Republicans aren’t just refusing to compromise–they would never vote to extend unemployment insurance in the first place. Yesterday, for example, Rep. Jeff Sessions (R-TX) said that “it is immoral for this country to have as a policy extending long-term unemployments (sic).” Two months ago, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) stated that extending the benefits beyond the prescribed 26 weeks does a “disservice to these workers.” (We remind the Senator that they are not “workers,” they are looking for work–and that’s the whole point.)
Whether it’s a refusal to compromise no matter what the other side offers, or a misguided ideological opposition, these elected officials are hurting struggling families and the economy overall. The beneficiaries of extended unemployment insurance are not lazy; they are caught in an economy where there is only one job opening for every three job seekers. And they are contending with a job climate in which economists have shown that in the eyes of employers, being out of work for over nine months is the same as losing four years of job experience. State economies have lost an estimated $2.2 billion since the extension lapsed in late December.
BOTTOM LINE: Shame on Senate Republicans for once again refusing to extend unemployment insurance benefits. Not only are they denying a lifeline to millions of struggling families, they are hurting their own state economies to the tune of billions of dollars. That’s immoral–and irrational.
We don’t need to guess who this is directed at.
…Right?
Yeah…Let’s ask the question.
Still Working on it, Rosa Parks.
Last but certainly not least…
so where are our alien friends? :)
*****
Happy Sunday everyone!
Blog me.
Jimmy: I like it. Now we just need to make sure that it happens.
Black History: Thanks for the cool and informative write on Dr. Helen O. Dickens. She was certainly a Wonderful Woman of the World in her time…and continues to be so as her contributions to women and girls lives on as her daughter follows her footsteps.
Peace out.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)
Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:
Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129
Thank you for your loyal support!
All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012
“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream
" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"
February 23rd, 2014 at 1:07 pm
I wouldn’t count on it Michelle. American dems are too timid to go on a wolf hunt.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:39 am
Sam Farr is my congressman. Total flaming liberal.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:39 am
The unemployment rate dropped to 6.6%? Wow, doing my happy dance.
Except I don’t believe that for a minute.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:40 am
I used to live in Carmel Valley. I actually knew Farr before he started his political career. He was a doosh back in the 70’s and apparently is still one today.
As a matter of fact, I thought he had died some years ago and am surprised he is still around.
Zombie?
February 24th, 2014 at 7:45 am
MAJORITY RULES!!!
Ok, not long ago a new statistic came out saying that the vast majority of the members of Congress are millionaires. Lets face it having millions these days just ain’t what it use-to-be. and I am sure that the 1%ers are very grateful to them there GOPers doing back flips on a tightrope over a flaming tub of hot oil to make damn sure that they get, literally, every cent.
Several years ago I read “THE JUNGLE” written by Upton Sinclair. The book goes into how a immigrant family gets shafted left and right and takes place in Chicago during the GUILDED AGE. And they say time travel isn’t possible.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:46 am
Taxpayer cash that the Fat Cats would rather see spent on corporate subsidies? Give me a break. *ONLY* public funding of campaigns will get us there and *ONLY* threatening their jobs with a near-100% turnover will accomplish. EDUCATE THE VOTERS!!!
February 24th, 2014 at 7:47 am
These right wing bastards are nothing but thieves and con men. The problem is that the majority of the electorate in this country is grossly misinformed or just straight ignorant.
Then we have the pussy Democrats who for some reason find it so hard to stand up to these fools and explain to the American people why.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:48 am
Republicans think our economic issues are caused by rich people not having enough money and working people having too much.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:48 am
When will these punk ass democratic politicians stand up to the damned Republicans and just say no. Then explain to the American people explicitly what these right wing living off of the government getting free government health care assholes are up to.
It’s time for these Democrats to stop being a bunch of dam pussies and start standing up and speaking up for the people!
February 24th, 2014 at 7:49 am
Luckily we’ve got the $90 billion (they’re admitting) to cover our stay for the next year in Afghanistan. Was worried we wouldn’t be able to pay for that.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:49 am
The CBO says that UI generates $1.10 for every $1 of benefits. That’s a REAL return. Unemployment benefits are IMMEDIATELY spent in the local economy.
They would have a very high velocity. They are a GOOD investment. This is just obstruction. Damaging the economy lets them point a finger at Obama, however misguided.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:50 am
Wasn’t there just a story about a trillion dollar budget deal? You mean this wasn’t included in it? But the MIC still had it’s budget increased.
What’s going on here? Hello, Any Democrats in Washington? Hello….Hello…
February 24th, 2014 at 7:50 am
Since the recession started, millions of Americans have ALREADY lost their federal UI extension. Nothing was done – not even discussed – to help them. So no surprise that this latest group of people to lose their federal extension is getting this response.
If I were a cynic, I’d say there’s a long game being played to drive down wages of the nation’s true and hardest workers and to widen the gulf between the haves and the have-nots.
Meanwhile, the Repub shutdown of government cost $24 billion.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:51 am
Richard#9, Being pussies is the narrative. Being complicit is more likely.
February 24th, 2014 at 7:51 am
American Politics has turned to complete shit. The lying Republicans are so greedy and transparent. The Middle Class conservatives want to keep everything they have, lest they become lower class americans, who really end up taking it up the ass. The democrats would like to help, but they are all chicken-shits beholden to special interests, so they do nothing worthwhile.
They all want to keep their seats in congress or wherever, but nobody wants to do anything to earn those seats. We can’t seem to vote the bad seeds out, without replacing them with someone just as bad. Voted out, taken out, America needs some heros.
Meanwhile the poor stay cold and hungry. What a friggin’ mess were in. I suppose it could be worse and I suppose it will be. We need to TAKE this country back, it belongs to the people. And it looks as if voting and peaceful assembly is accomplishing nothing. This quagmire needs more profound measures put in place.
Can we (me and you) slay this monster?
February 24th, 2014 at 8:18 am
Good Point Rich#14
February 24th, 2014 at 8:19 am
Juliette#13, Of course, the Republican policy is to keep unemployment high. Like you said, an over abundance of workers applying for the same job keeps the wage for that job from going up. When employers have to worry where their next employee will come from, wages to recruit the best workers rise.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:20 am
Once again, the incompetent Democrats are forced back on their heels by another filibuster by the Senate Republicans. Come on Reid, invoke a talking filibuster rule.
Make the Republicans get up and explain why the right-wing Cato Institute, not some lefty think tank, estimates that federal subsidies to corporations costs taxpayers almost $100 billion every year, but we can’t afford to extend benefits to the long-term unemployed.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:20 am
Democrats have to learn how to “pay for” stuff. Every time they demand payment put a one tenth of one percent increase in the rate for capital gains on the table.
February 24th, 2014 at 8:21 am
Looks like the Thugs didn’t get the general message from the “semi-nuclear option” a couple months back. Can we take away all of their toys now?
February 24th, 2014 at 10:14 am
This is the GOP playing their favorite game of ‘hardball’. And it is what makes their Party’s economic philosophy a toxic mix of economic poison time and time again. It would be one thing if Republican methods produced positive economic results for America that surpassed or even matched that of virtually every Democratic leadership’s stewardship.
“Oh, those lovable scamps! Aren’t they cute? They ‘love’ America and Americans, too, but have a different approach to improving the country, that’s all.” Bullshit. They do not ‘love’ America and Americans.
Their only aim is to get into office by any means and lie necessary in order to propose and pass this same kind of Supply-Side/Trickle-Down nonsense that, as Pope Francis pointed out, has only shown to drive down the standard of living of the vast majority of people, never to improve it.
In America, it has also only shown to lead directly to the next Great Republican Depression, Great Republican Recession, massive property value declines, market crashes, and horrific U.S. jobs losses. The half dozen biggest and worst of them in the past 100 years or so.
That anyone can be so ignorant of the historical data and overwhelming evidence of major economic downturn (under the stewardship of Republicans) vs notable economic recovery and expansion (under the stewardship of Democrats) to even remotely suggest there is “no difference” between the two major parties is beyond comprehension..