Partisan Argument Slows Unemployment Benefits Extension

this is completely ridiculous and childish that the republicans are holding this up for their own ammendments that have absolutely nothing to do with extending unemployment. they are doing it out of spite because there are more democrats now in washington than republicans.
i think this is so uncalled for. by the time they final extend unemployment there are gonna be so many more unemployed. plus the people waiting for this extension will have already defaulted on their credit cards (because we are getting raped by them but we bailed them out so it’s ok for them to do that to us, right?), they will have defaulted on their mortgages, car loans, etc. and will have lost pretty much everything that they have worked for. as if it isn’t enough to fell worthless as it is because u can’t find a job and then to have the people that do have jobs kick u when ur down. our government are nothing but liars and hypocrites, they are there to help us and all they do is hurt us even more and reward the people that hurt us. instead of sending millions/billions of dollars each month overseas to help other countries, let’s help the people that are in this country first.

Why don’t we just vote all the senators out of office and see how they can manage on nothing or social security – see how they would like it.

To Jim,
You must have a job. I hope you keep it, must be nice. NO ONE is getting rich off of unemployment you idiot. All we want to do is pay our bills and feed our kids. It’s not like we are going to the Caribbean on Unemployment. Once again I say, as long as the Politicians have big fat jobs w/ great benefits why should they care about the people starving out here. It kills me that the Trillions they have given the banks and corporations in stimulus money who are not returning any of it in loans or jobs, and they are quibbling over which pot to pull from or which amendment is more important to tag onto this. Are you kidding me? Meanwhile people are homeless and starving. I hope people remember this when election day comes up. Get rid of every incumbent, I don’t care what party he or she belongs to.

catman | Nov 2, 2009 6:54:15 PM…..And what do you think of that Halloween costume of a Republican in the 23rd dostrict of NY? We need a party that REALLY cares about its constituents.

I’m really not shocked with whats going on with congress our Government.. it’s just business as usual for them and it has been going on for decades. What if All Americans demanded FREE Healthcare and marched on Washington to bring them down to their knees by not allowing them to profit on our lives anymore…Oh what a Revolt !!

TFarmer its not Democrats that are the problem, it is the good old boy system in the republican party. Noone has thier own voice, I dont agree solely with democrats and I dont agree with republicans. when I voted I voted for the better canidate. Thats what we have to do because both parties sometime neither one represents me but in order to vote I had to become either rep/dem It is time for people to dtermine where they stand as a voter rep/dem vote your issues and then vote the better canidate. As it stands now the rep/ party are wanting to vote on issues that havew nothing to do with this bill. There is a time and place for everything. While they are holding to a so call standard, they dont want to hurt the employers, so some rep/ did not want to vote yes on the unemp issue anyway. Not concerned about the employees who pay taxes and work mind you can not collect unless you have worked and you were released as to no fault of their own. Our money and the employess money is tied up in this. As a country some people droped the bomb as far as wallstreet is concerned they still have jobs. It come down to the have and the have nots. The have nots are making the decisions. We need to prepare for the next time educate ourselves our children put our self in position, because the us governmrnt will not always have our back. Their agenda is greater than the need of the people. It is time that the Government as whole npt everyone in the white house is agenda driven, those that have power,shall i say old powerit begs to be questioned.

I AGREE THAT THOSE DUMMIES DON’T GIVE A CRAP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR GOOD PAYING JOBS AND ARE TAKING THEIR TIME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE JOBLESS AND NEED THE EXTENSION. THOSE OF YOU LIKE ME WRITING COMMENTS HERE SHOULD WRITE AND CALL THE NEWS STATIONS. I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE TODAY SHOW EARLIER AND YOU ALL SHOULD DO THE SAME. THIS NEEDS TO BE MENTIONED ON AIR SO IT MAYBE PLACES PRESSURE ON THE SENATE TO HURRY UP OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE MORE HOMELESSNESS!!!

WOW, AM SOrry!

The longer it takes, the more suffering for AMERICANS who are just trying to survive. I am still looking for a job, after being laid off a year and just finishing school, my husband’s whole plant is shutting down in one month, and we will only be able to survive another couple of months unless they pass an extension. Christmas, who cares about that when you’re worried about the mortgage! Thank God we don’t have kids yet! If we as individuals put some pressure on the press, and the press in turn would put some pressure on Congress, maybe we could move this along faster. I am scared and wondering
just how to manage all our finances in the months ahead, before things start to turn around for the economy.

TFarmer – Have to basicly agree with you but check the financial statements of 90% of the Congressmen and you’ll find that they don’t need the money they get in office, they are worth much more. The bigger question which should be asked is why someone will spend millions on a job which pays less than $200k per year and they have to spend millions again in either two or six years when there term is up and they need to get reelected. Something is seriously wrong with this picture.

A bill as important like the unemployment extension should stand alone and with the urgency of which it is needed should have no delays or debates. It’s to bad that we the people can’t hold up all those senator’s money so they can’t pay for just simpel amenities then see how fast they act. ABC, please air who hurting all of US.

the republicans in congress and especially in the senate are a bunch of losers. I am represented by Jim Infoff. Probably the dumbest dude in the senate. I hope everybody whose unemployment benefits have run out remember the republicans when they vote next time.
lsd

This is so ludacris ! Like serious. This is like ‘ he i can’t have it you can’t have it type stuff’ why must we suffer. I swear where is OBAMA when we need him. There republicans know dog on well one thing has nothing to do with the other. Those people really don’t care about us as a person. Where all just a number.

I say the people of this country needs to do what it did 233 years ago you know if everyone who is having problems like I’m having them would just start to walk into places and order something and get up and say they can’t pay for this and get arrested for it and over flow the jails and court system something will start to happen in this country they will flip out on that one the government is controlling us instead of working for us we need to take back this country and change things back i don’t like to tell people to be a thief because I’m not one but before i go completely hungry i will do it go to jail and eat 3 meals a day and have a roof over my head the poor and homeless do it now they will do some little petty thing around Oct or Nov and get put up for the winter and come out around spring and live outside and do it all over again sounding good to me because I’m almost there myself it is costing us the tax payers more money to house these people and when you get a fine or court cost refuse to pay it and set it out in jail Ohio police sheriffs and state highway patrolman have gone over board pulling you over left and right and giving out tickets to people who were not speeding or doing anything wrong your word against theirs in court and who is the judge going to believe you gotta it they got you coming and going OHIO IS A COMMUNIST STATE!!!!!

THIS IS A SHAME THAT UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSIONS ARE TAKING SO LONG!!!!! I WONDER DOES THE SENATE WORRY ABOUT HOW THERE GOING TO EAT OR PAY BILLS..NOW I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE HAD TO DO THIS..I KNOW IT WOULDN’T BE PRETTY..THEIR PROBABLY A HURT THEMSELVES..BUT I HOPE NOT….MAY GOD BLESS US ALL EVEN THE SENATE.

What a bunch of B.S. These people are supposed to be working for us. Maybe if they had to walk a day in our shoes things would be different. I bet they would not survive without their nannies, maids, chauffeurs, cooks, and the rest of the people that do everything for them. They need to get off their asses and do something quick. I have completely exhausted everything available to me and am now borrowing to survive.

My unemployment benefits ran out a few weeks ago. I had managed to keep bills current with unemployment, but since it ran out my credit card payments became impossible. I had set aside enough for a few weeks, but with this delay in vote and no chance for a master carpenter to find a job.. What do I do? I have no choice but to simply not pay my credit cards, this will limit me for YEARS to come.. again What can I do?

I think it is absolutley disgusting how the government is treating their own people. I too have been laid off since a year ago and my benefits ran out last week with only $17.00 to claim. I’m a single mother of 2 children and a student in my last year of college. I dont know how I’m going to feed my kids. There is no work where I live. I’m just so outraged! Get off your butts and pass the extension already. It is the people out here suffering that put all of you where you are at. I will remember when it comes time to vote and I’m sure many others will too!!!!

you know I’m just waiting and waiting… my unemployment ran out at the end of Sept. and i and my family is feeling it. Christmas is around the corner and my kids are asking. But what do I do. I have no job and there’s no job in the paper. What kills me they have extendened the first time home buyers…. but what about us. It must be nice to be able to buy a house at this time and get anouther credit. If you can buy a house you have something. Every day I’m on the internet looking and waiting for my extention. I guess of I was buying a house I would have it made!!!!!

I have sent so many emails to my Senators and written on blogs…what will it take to move this along…it was supposed to be an EMERGENCY bill!!! I agree that we all need to be very proactive in the upcoming elections and watch other items coming up for vote. We also need to contact the news media and get them to put pressure on our “elected” officials. Our strongest voice is going to be at election time. I’m not sure removing all incumbents is the answer but I don’t have a better solution at this point and maybe if everyone who is now in office is not re-elected we can show the power WE HAVE. We are at the mercy of a group of elected officials more concerned about their personal “political” agenda than the welfare of those of us who need our unemployment benefits until we are able to find a job. Being on unemployment is not a “lifestyle” people enjoy…it just enables us to possibly pay our bills and eat. It’s not like we use the money to take a cruise and vacations…there’s no extra money for an afternoon drive and to stop for dinner. Again…our power may be limited now to sending emails to our senators and posting our comments here, but in the future…our power will be on election day! Keep that thought, even if your next election isn’t until 2010.

Historically Republicans vote against unemployment extensions. It’s status quo but the problem with this issue and the overall performance of our govt in DC isn’t one party or the other, it’s both……..and more importantly it’s the voter. Last election we reelected 94% of incumbents after having dismal approval ratings. What? Are you ignorant enough to think your representatives are the only good ones? Do you think they aren’t part of the problem? If so then you get what you deserve. All of you people need to quit your whining (no matter what side of the political fence you stand on), get to the polls and send a message by NOT VOTING FOR INCUMBENTS!!!!!
If you can’t do that then you’re a bigger part of the problem than they are!!

so true they don’t care as long as they making it they don’t care.it’s so sad to be that harsh not to even helping us out times like this lets pray that god steps in change they’re hearts.as a country we need prayer for the ones in the senate for us and the ones against us.

there stalling,they do it every year about this time,the only way they will move fast on this bill ,if the president goes on national tv and lets the whole world know that there dragging there feet on this issue,but thats not going to happen because there trying to push health care,no unemployment,crime will go up,people will find ways to survive,one way or another republican or democrat crime has no feelings or who you are

To whom it may concern, i thinmk it is so sad when you are in trouble and your government wont help,there are not any jobs out here and they wont let you get money to help feed your children and pay your bills but yet they are making the big bucks, so why should they care about the little people? think about if you were ever out of a job and what you would have to go through.we need help and fast.

I have worked since i was 15 am 54 now i have been out of work for a year,I got laid off after 15 years.Still have three children at home,mortgage is two months behind already i could go on and on.We really need this extention my wife works three to four days a week,at least we can get food and lights.Its only a matter of time before its all gone including our 30 year marraige,the stress is just to much.Just pass the extention alot of people need this.

But we don’t have special interest groups lining our pockets with cash to pay for the health insurance

I think they should loose there pay and benefits until they pass something for the unemployed and then we would see some action

Hey Sandcrab 1613:
What rubs the rest of us is that no sitting Congressperson has to deal with the burden of making COBRA insurance payments.
I have been unemployed for over two years, and the biggest drain on my resources was keeping up the COBRA payments. I still had confidence in the American economy to right itself, which not only hasn’t happened, it’s gotten ten times worse now that we the people found out the true extent of the financial mismanagement that has been going on.
Members of Congress pay a monthly premium and co-pays, but these are nowhere near as costly as COBRA payments and their co-pays, especially since the COBRA payments and co-pays come out of an unemployed person’s savings. My COBRA coverage ran out long ago, as has my ability to carry any health insurance coverage at all from my savings.
The nearly 18% of the American people (soon to be 20% or higher) who are either unemployed or underemployed right now are going to remember the Hard Heart of the Republican Party. Come the mid-term elections, all those who voted to hold the extension of unemployment benefits hostage to their amendments, which is every Senate Republican as far as I can see, will hopefully be swept out of office. And good riddance. Maybe a more humanistic Republican Party can be reformed on the ashes of the old. I certainly hope so.

When will they vote again?

can someone tell me why they are talking health care in the Senate when it is still sitting in the house? why are they not doing anything with UNEMPLOYMENT WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK AND NO JOBS TO BE HAD!!!!

Mrs. Senators: Stop playing , this is a bad moment for the country , the people need to get they unemployment extension checks A.S.A.P or we the people will get a leader who works for the people that’s why we vote for you , show you leader ship before we get a replacement.

jim you are and idiot no doubt, you probably endorse them paying the taliban to switch sides. may be the unemployed should join the taliban to ensure food on the table

I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN SENATOR AGAIN AND I HAVE VOTED REPUBLICAN ALL MY LIFE—WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE –I NEED THIS EXTENSION OR ITS BANKRUP FOR ME

I have been following this for a long time now. I just cant believe it yesterday for the first time in months it was on the docket. I live in massachusetts and I will vote out every incumbent any chance I get. I have called everyone. I know its not just me but Ive run out of everything gonna lose my car, apt this is discusting at the end of my rope look like for most of us who have exhausted benefits will have to wait till next year by then we will all be homeless and starving.

This absolutely has to stop. This country is in serious trouble and the senate persists in playing old politics. Read the blogs. Americans are mad as hell and just about ready to “not take it anymore.” Read your history. When this type of mentality persists for years and years, a revolt threatens. Think of the human cost of a revolt. Let’s make sure no incumbents from either side are re-elected in the next election. At least, this is a peaceful reaction.

The pity of it all is that we, as Americans, continue to make the same mistake. When these same politicians come around to be re-elected we either stay at home and don’t vote, or give them another ticket to represent us in Congress.
When will the day come that politicians will have a degree of fear that they may NOT be re-elected? That’s easy, when we stand up as Americans and vote them out, vote someone else into their office, and let the new office holders know it’s a part time job if they don’t perform for the public good.

All of you blaming the GOP need to read this article again. Why can the Dems add unrelated amendments, but the GOP can’t? Last time I checked, housing tax incentives have nothing to do with unemployment extensions! Dems are afraid of any legislation on ACORN or illegal immigration, that is the problem here. Pass the benefits and fight about the other amendments seperately. Our politicians ALL need to go!

The Republicans are standing up for their principles? What a joke!!!! How about standing up for all of us who are unemployed and cannot afford to pay our bills. My mortgage payment will be late two months in a row. Just pass the unemployment extension!!! I will NOT be voting Republican again. They don’t care about anyone but themselves. They have the money to pay for their morgages, food, clothing. I cannot afford to get my car repaired. If I cannot afford to get my car repaired, I cannot go on interviews. See how this works you idiots in goverment! My son is wearing ripped jeans because I cannot afford clothes for him. These people don’t care about anything but their own egos and how many votes they will get come election time.

I am praying daily for all who suffer the unemployment. I am in the same boat. I am praying for our Nation, and all Nations. Someone “IS” listening, because God is listening. Let us all KEEP PRAYING for one another.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will HEAL THEIR LAND.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

bummer, I’m not gonna be able to hang on long enough for it to be much help. My UI ran out 1st week of september. My wife, 5 year old daughter, and I have 3 days to pay rent or vacate the premesis or judgement and unlawful detainer will be filed in court…. adding an additional $1500 to my past due rent, and virtually destroying my ability to rent in the future. Me and my $12 billfold will See yall on the streets! Thanks for the help, Senators! Glad to see that a lousy tax credit extension for home buyers is more important than a roof over my sweet child head.

dont you get it. They all stalled this bill to get passed election day without consequence. Now this bill will never pass!

I am a single mother living in MI, i have a 18 month old boy to care for. My benefits ran out a month ago. I need this to pass in the next couple weeks or I will be evicted. Pray for us.

unbelievable! Thats all i can say!

We need to start protesting these idiots. How long does it take to get anything done in Washington? Apparently decades. What do these people get paid for? I just imagine them all going to lunch for the majority of the day. I am considering becoming an expatriot and moving to France. At least they have free healthcare.

We have to call them, send faxes, Twitter, Face book, what ever, we have to stand up and demand for our rights! We worked, paid into this benefit for years, I worked over 25 years, never used unemployment benefits, never was unemployed . Don’t lose Hope, please Act Now!!!
I made over 30 calls both to Rep &Demo my state and others too!

i read all yhe comments made and mine is my unemployment ran out in july and I am sitting here facing forclosure and have used up a big chunk of my retirement funds to cover medical expenses because i have no insurance and i am so sick of everybody bull in washington be it democrat or republican
these people who hold our lifes in there hands can afford to play games and anyone who continues to complain about the democratic party. needs to know this didn’t start with them this started when the good old party was in charge and the only reasons they continue to cause trouble is to try and reflect away from the fact that they made this mess and unless you have live without health coverage and lose of income and then spend time watching those who abuse the system get ahead and you who have work all you life and because you don’t have a pacel of kids you pretty much f—-

The point is… These politicians (all parties) now serve their own agenda instead of ours. We should have the say on their pay increases and on their votes. Instead, they vote their own raises and desires and care less about us. Boot them all out the next time they are up for election.

how high do the numbers have to go?
how many tent cities have to grow?
Please tell me Mr.Senator, can you hear me?
how many families will fall apart?
how long will it take for the voting to start?
Please Mr. Senator, do you care about me?
we are in the same boat ; just sailing on different sea’s.
when this is finally over you won’t remember me.
but come election time— then Mr. Senator — you will see!!!

Sandcrab1613 who cares about health insurance when people are suffering from defaults in cc’s and mortgages. Plus if you know anything about our government you would know that our entire structure is turning into an upper class and a lower class, we are eliminating the middle class right now… It’s completely evident, just take a look around, you got the rich-that have no problems at all, since their money earns enough interest that they could survive on… and you have the “past tense” middle class that had jobs before, but most are unemployed now, which turns them into the lower class with the amount of money they receive from their unemployment checks. Which takes me to the lower class, which is quite comfortable there since they’ve been there all along. In fact, they are the easiest ones to adapt to the current situation in which we are experiencing in today’s current “depression” not recession! Anyway, people this is going to become a barter society once again, with little to no money to go around, we will all end up doing favors for each other for repayment of services or even food and water… God Bless Us All

I am a single mom of three kids and my unemployment just ran out. I have been applying for jobs, that there are hardly any of. This is not even funny anymore. I need this extension to go through, how am I supossed to keep a roof over my kids heads? Or food on their table? I think that it is crazy that it is taking so long for a decsion to be made to help people. Helping people from becoming homeless should be huge!! We are people who have worked, it’s not like we are asking for something for nothing. We all need help, and I think that it is a joke that people including myself are running out of benfits, and it is taking congress forever to pass a vote! Come on now, Maybe they should all be in our shoes and see how hard it really is out here.

maybe the gov should invest in building more homeless shelters cause thats where we will all be.soon to be homeless.

People our talking about rights. You got your benefits didn’t you probably longer than any other time before. On average for like 1 year and 6 months this is just a extension. So you go paid from working this benefit wouldn’t even be from that. So because you worked means you should get unemployment forever. There our jobs out there it might not be what you want but if you have fire under your butt anyone can find a job in that year and a half time frame. I took a training program while on unemployment. So 1. I wasn’t just sitting around. 2. I knew not to rely on the government or someone else to pay my bills. I worked over a year for free most people would of said get lost but you take a job to learn smomething so you can make a good living.

woody—your either a heartless idiot or a self-centered blind capitalist. how can you say there are jobs out there, I live in RI and have been looking for work for sometime now. I have waited in lines of 100 or more just to submit an application. I have tried to find job training only to have a turndown because of my age (most programs here are targeted at 18 -25 yr. olds. Also some people don’t have the option of working for free. Instead of pointing the finger how about this country come together as a nation and find a way to create jobs ; on all levels, and come up with a reasonible payback plan I have no problem paying something out of my check once I am back to work.I am sure collectively we the unemployed could pay the extension back in no time. Maybe all those huge companies would be willing to do same.

this is sickning i want to find a job but without money how can i get to the interview cars need gas and the buss aint free so whats the hold up huh this is bull and all on purpose because the gov is run by evil monsters with no heart who dont care if u starve

Take the kids go to the your county building hang out every day! and please Never Re-elect anyone!

This doesn’t make any since,i have relatives, who are waiting for this unemployment extension, and is in desperate need, if these very same senators were not employed, and need some source of income, and just could actually feel what their American citizen feel, you could believed that there would not be no hesitation at all on the unemployment extensions!!!
What is it that they don’t understand about American family needing this help so terribly?? If this were illegal immigrants who had violated America, this bill would had been sign and
delivered already!
This bill should be consider an emergency,it should be voted on and sign by the President now,so that it can get to Americans citizens, by the end of this month or the beginning of December. I pray that it get pass as soon as possible!!!

They don’t create jobs unless they were corrupted for an election. And they have faith in the free market, but we have to compete with slave labor from China and $1 hour elsewhere, so we get only the rich and the poor. HELLO, this is the 21st century.
Nice job in holding up unemployment guys, but what are you going to do to 1) make us more competitive globally, and 2) stop Casino Capitalism or 3) create jobs for the middle class.
Last I checked the bailout and TARP cost a LOT more than the money that will go to put food on the table for the people who did not create this mess. Not to mention the “job training programs” really are not good.

It is not surprising that the DO NOTHING party (republicans) are up to their old tricks again..spouting off about Dems. spending too much..they have put our country to its knees and are doing everything they can to keep it there. The repubs have banked on America falling for their lying hype and it worked for years..truth is they spend money on cooperate executive bail outs…lots and lots of money ..on unnecessary wars, and anything to deplete our treasure, but let it be a program actually for the people and small business they will vote unanimously NO..lets vote unanimously NO to them when they run for office..every district ..everywhere..everytime. Then they will actually see that the PEOPLE want healthcare and to regulate Health Insurance companies instead of allowing them to rob us, deny us, and ultimately fall through the cracks.
Repubs are for smaller govt..good lets cut them completely out and then the govt will be smaller and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED for the people!!