Alaska Senate Candidate Miller: Unemployment Benefits Not ‘Constitutionally Authorized’
Email ABC News' Rick Klein reports: Tea Party-backed Senate candidate Joe Miller today added his voice to those who are critical of Democrats' efforts to expand unemployment insurance, and went even further than most candidates in saying that federally backed compensation to the unemployed isn't "constitutionally authorized." “The unemployment compensation benefits have gotten — first of all, it's not constitutionally authorized,” Miller, R-Alaska, said on ABC/Washington Post’s “Top Line.” “I think that’s the first thing that's gotta be looked at, so I do not favor their extension.” Democrats tomorrow hope to extend federal unemployment benefits to those who have been out of work for more than 99 weeks, after Republicans repeatedly blocked similar moves, arguing that Democrats haven’t found corresponding budget cuts. In questioning the constitutionality of unemployment benefits, Miller appears to be going further than other Tea Party-backed candidates – such as Nevada’s Sharron Angle and Kentucky’s Rand Paul – who have also blasted Democrats for seeking to extend unemployment benefits further than current law provides.
He also said he wants to “transition out” of Social Security over time – but said it’s important not to impact benefits for senior citizens who are already receiving funds through the system. “I think it's absolutely critical that the government keep its contract with the seniors that are currently dependent on Social Security,” Miller said. “The first, I think, bit of order that we've got to get in place is financial solvency. But yeah — ultimately, we've got to transition out of the Social Security arrangement and go into more of a privatization. And you know, it's not that radical of an idea. … . It's a system that is broken, and so there does have to be change, there has to be transition. But for now, those that are dependent on it — we've got to keep those obligations and commitments.” Miller is running in a GOP primary against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and has been endorsed by former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska. “It's absolutely definite that her endorsement of this campaign has helped us,” Miller said of getting Palin’s endorsement. “It's certainly given us national recognition. Really, in Alaska, what makes campaigns work, though, is the sweat equity that people put into the volunteer networks. It's a very small state, population-wise. We expect in our Republican primary to have probably less than 100,000 votes. So really, what makes these campaigns move forward are the people on the ground.”
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SS privatization relies on individual retirement accounts that are PRIVATE, and not in the general fund.
The government tends to use other people’s money, for things that were not intended, then try to make the shortfall in other ways.
If you go to individual accounts, that cannot be permitted.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | July 19, 2010, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
Joe Miller, like Palin must have some big oil money in his campaign.
He is not for The People by The People”. The unemployment benefits are for the American citizen due to the deregulations that the Republicans impossed. America has more millionars than ever. Bush cut the income tax on the rich and that is OK with the Republican and the likes of Palin and Miller. It’s not Ok with the middle class who are getting taxed more so the wealthy could have vacation homes and yachts – all as write-offs. Miller has no ideal of what is going on the jobs front. He must never have been unemployed or maybe was taken care of and does not understand what a person who worked all their lives must now face as corporations ar eposting record profits.
Posted by: Syl | July 19, 2010, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
whaaaa !! stop complaining people. Where in the Constitution says anytning about handouts ??where. Prove it !! Go to work, pick potatos and make some money and stop crying for God’s sake !!and why attacking the rich ?? IOf that were your money you wouldn’t be talking like you are. Im not rich, a work for my money .I have work from janitor to mid level management jobs. I hhave worked and provided for my family. Ihave been unemplyed and have found a job, did no care how hard it was but damm sissys if you can get an office job with coffee breaks and donuts whine to the never end. Grow up, reach under and have some cojones !! Go and get a job !!
Posted by: Frank | July 19, 2010, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Yeah, folks: Palin’s endorsement helped Miller just as Judas’ kiss helped Jesus.
Posted by: Meg | July 19, 2010, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
The Unemployment Vote on Tuesday will be for people who have been out of work from 26 weeks to 99 weeks–not after 99 as this article states. Those Tier 5 or 99′ers will not unfortunately be receiving aid with this proposed legislation.
This legislation will provide retro and weekly pay for those who have reached the end of the first three Tiers of Unemployment Benefits.
Miller should check his facts before he speaks. How can something that comes to a vote on the floor of the Senate, House and gets signed by the President be unconstitutional? I don’t see the logic.
Posted by: chris | July 19, 2010, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
OK Joe,
So you’re going to enter the National spitting contest. Don’t know if you noticed, but you occupy a seat that is responsible for all the actions (or lack of) or your predecessors. So, you decided to make your mark by throwing Americans under the bus. Why don’t you find out who drop the ball on toxic financial instruments and lack of oversight on Freddie and Fannie. Go after the real villains who at the moment are authoring the new Wall Street round of punishment. The unemployed did not create this mess, but our lawmakers (YOU) are responsible for it. As for Social Security, it’s a promise that every adult banks on since day one of job one. You want to phase it out? OK, please replace all the funds and interest that both parties withdrew since inception for any purpose other then intended. Then you can pro-rate the distribution to very American that paid a penny or more into it. Let us fix the problem the likes of you created.
dcg309
Posted by: dcg309 | July 19, 2010, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
If there were jobs out there to get we would be working by now, I’m in California and people are still being laid off, Homes are being lost. And now that the senate is taking its time with the unemployment extension we cannot feed our familys. Anyone out there that is saying anything different must still have a paycheck coming in.
Posted by: Cindi | July 19, 2010, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
The reporter gets it wrong here – congress will vote on extensions up to 99 weeks not beyond that.
Get it right ABC!
Posted by: Brad | July 19, 2010, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Ask the Republican and Miller if I can borrow some money until I get a job.
Posted by: Ruby Black | July 19, 2010, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
These Tea Party people are strange.
Everytime one of them talks, it reminds me of
AJ Benza for E. True Hollyood Stories.
And also a little bit of GG Allin.
It just seem like they like to try and be all edgy in a really silly boring type of way.
They all think their Counter Culture. Patriots. Rebels. Maybe even Modern Day Christopher Colubus’es ?
Some one should tell them, if you want to be Mayor of Cincinatti, you can act like your on the Jerry Springer show. But when you want to be on Prime Time and have Brian Williams talk about you without laughing, You better start acting like a human with knowledge of other living humans.
And knock off all the Friday night dive bar pool table talk.
Tea Party.
Boston.
Posted by: T-Bag Party | July 19, 2010, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
I AGREE
Posted by: steveshuster | July 19, 2010, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
on fox Hannity mentioned something about 126 weeks of benefits in the future.
Posted by: scott | July 19, 2010, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
Oh, well if Sean Hannity said something about there being 126 weeks of unemployment benefits in the future, then obviously it HAS to be fact. Nobody on Faux News would get their facts wrong.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 25, 2010, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm
I do not think liberals will get until they are no longer a majority party . From 1955-87 Dem had a hot streak on solid majorities in both houses congress. During that time all the legal foundations for the Nation insolvency experienced today was established during that time. Not mention 11 filibuster proof majorities since 1900. Meanwhile Democratic Party millionaires out number Republican millionaire 2-1 . The same ratio as registrants. Joe Miller is right on literally. Ask yourself who would been more qualified Obama or Palin to handle negotiations and communications with BP during the Gulf spill? Joke on you Klein . no ratings.
Posted by: kingging | August 26, 2010, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Cindi wrote: “If there were jobs out there to get we would be working by now, I’m in California and people are still being laid off, Homes are being lost. And now that the senate is taking its time with the unemployment extension we cannot feed our familys. Anyone out there that is saying anything different must still have a paycheck coming in.”
How can that be? Obama fixed that and Democrats are buying you jobs in California for $2million each…
But your post is a couple months old, and we just had a “summer of recovery”. Certainly things are better…
Posted by: Cowboy | September 19, 2010, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm