Franken urges colleagues to pass unemployment benefits extension

“Calling opposition to the extension “short-sighted …”

Uh, Al, this extension is only until the end of November. Wouldn’t that be the real definition of short-sighted? What are you going to do then? Pass another one?

“He also wondered aloud why Republicans have suddenly become concerned about the national debt in the last year and a half.”

Who does he think’s been putting together the federal budgets for the past four years? Newt Gingrich?

Dennis, is that all you got?

Dennis,

The unemployment extension that still has not passed is short sighted.

We are in a depression. What remains of my furnishings is going to consignment to pay for rent for a couple of months. I don’t have a car (a real neccesity in Texas, but I’ve gone without for 20 months now). Unemployment is and was taxed, they may pass it, but I’m sure there will be some other event that will grab the attention of dems and gop alike.

Obama was able to get health care pushed through, but when it comes to MILLIONS of unemployed, there are no jobs and no UI.

ROCK-ON AL…YOUR THE MAN!! NY THANKS YOU!

Only till the end of November! I don’t know about you Denny, but my bills are due at the end of every month, my guess is you are fortunate enough to be employed and must not have any friends or relatives out of work. My guess is that you don’t have any friends. And you probably care more about your money than your family.

I am appalled to see how many americans will argue that we need help, they will embrace the words that this will create a deficit but when the bankers who are already among the top wealth in this nation literally pocketed this money for personal gain but thats ok. No one is still arguing over the huge deficit that created, it is forgotten and in all reality those who serve greed have the money that should have been put into the extension. In all reality some of you are more comfortable with your tax money going to some guy who needs to buy his fifth home in napa valley and a new yacht…poor him lets all shed a tear!!! but when a person such as myself who has had to deal with no income and a broken back along with a shattered kneecap i dont deserve any help at all. I gotta tell you with what I see goin on im thinking its a good time to go to these people houses who literally robbed us and take what is our back. If the day comes where I see some guys camping on the front lawn of those execs i will donate every drop of blood I have to buy a plane ticket and go join them to take back my money that I need to survive…not to go buy a new yacht.

BTW i cant even begin to pint out the absurdity that newt gingrich is somehow looking out for the best interest of the people. It is flat out obvious to any five year old who has ever heard him speak that his intentions are by no means proper, sound, ethical or moral. Good luck living in the cotton candy clouds with marshmellow mountains coated in chocolate.

Dennis

There was a surplus left by the Clinton administration!
Clinton came into office with a huge deficit left by bush 1 and Reagans Huge tax cuts for the rich{cronie kickbacks for his people meanwhile Reagan did things like declaring ketchup a vegatable to satisfy a two vegatable need for school lunches reducing costs onthe backs of children} As always republicans takeaway from the needy and give to the rich.

Bush 2 hannded money to his cronies in his lied about war in iraq removing Clinton Surplus driving deficit to new levels . He created homeland security{the largest expanse of government in many many years.They created the stupid color codes that scared the crap out of people on the street .They also funneled more money to his rich cronies supplying so called defense.

Obama has had to deal with a huge deficit left by bush 2, infact he has had to clean up a bunch of mess left by bushh 2.

By the way Obama has only been in charge of budget for 2 years at most.

The deregulation of banks happened under republicans{ another kick back to cronies}. This was the cause of this recession that put these people in such a bad position.

I guess you would have the hardworking people
eat ketchup and live in the boxes that the kecthup came in.

Go Al Go Al

I want to know: What is up with the UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION on the SENATE plate, if it does not include a TIER 5 extension and a COBRA assistance plan. These people are in dire need of assistance. It is not their fault they got laid off and their families should not become homeless while we build in HAITI or other countries. DO NOT GET ME WRONG; I WANT TO HELP ALL; BUT WE SHOULD HELP OUR OWN PEOPLE FIRST

Although this is different from the depression of the 20′s, it is also very similar. As we know, so many jobs will never come back and mine is one of them. I have been in school for the last year and a half but am a ways from getting to a point of a new career. I am female, in my mid 50′s, single, about to lose my modest home. I am giving up. As these days progress I am giving everything I own to the local charity and writing my obituary. I can’t do this any longer. I realize many of you can’t understand but this seems like a better option than living on the street.

Patricie, I know just how you feel. I have felt this way numerous times since I lost my job 6.5 months ago. I’ve looked and looked and interviewed and interviewed…I hate this. I had a very expensive master’s degree hanging on my wall and two days ago I took it down because all everybody offers me is close to minimum wage. This is unfair. It’s insulting. I won’t let them win, though. I will stick it through and find my way out. I gotta keep telling myself this. I just have to!

The National average during the “Great Depression” was %11.5.
I am in Reno, Nevada, where they claim it is at %14, yet that is not counting those like me that have been dropped from the roster, now that our benefits have ended.

I have friends, that work at the employment office, and they tell me that is more likely that we are at %17 or higher.

I am by training a Paralegal, a construction Driver (Teamster Local 533)Cook, and a Tattooist….
If I cannot get work in nearly 18 months, with these skills, what do you REALLY think is going on here in Nevada?

I lost my job In OCT 2009- have over 17 years Exp. With what seems like no job In site- I have been tested (for employment) passed all! been drug tested (for employment) passed! And still not hired????
My home which I’ve paid on for over 5 years Is near the foreclosure stage, my gas has been shut off (lucky It’s only for heat) I go to food pantries (which is ok by me)-
Anyway, I have been reading about this In the Bible for years! Why Is everyone so surprised by this? We have been told about this for 2000 years! So many so called people of GOD with no clue as to what He said? JESUS preached about this “the kingdom of GOD” on earth! Well It’s coming! But before Jesus shows up- these things MUST happen! No point In crying and being sad- JESUS WILL redeem his people! that’s a fact- Do you not know by now that ALL of mans Governments will be removed!? And that JESUS will be the KING OF KINGS!!! The BIBLE Is NOT a fiction novel friends! “So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is near at hand…For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (JESUS)- peace to you all! be joyful! REMEMBER-we do not own this earth! GOD DOES- and He WILL be giving It to his SON! JESUS-

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
-Matthew 6:31-33

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”
-Matthew 12:25

“What are you so frightened about, you little-faiths?”

SMILE! BE CHEERFUL! BE faithful! YOU WILL BE FINE!
THIS PAIN IS ONLY FOR A SHORT SEASON-

Patricie, please don’t give up. You are not alone. I know where you are coming from. All we can do is hope and pray.

As for denny boy, we live in a democracy and as you can see by the posts not only are you out-voted here, your an idiot. But denny boy don’t blame yourself I don’t think anyone gets that ignorant purposly. Maybe in time you can overcome your selfishness but I don’t know about your ignorance. Maybe your afraid they’ll take away some of your tax loop holes, or perhaps you are an employer and would like to see all your employees working cheap enough so you can be more profitable. Either way you are an ignorant asshole

!!VOTE OUT THE REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER!! please sign the petition @change.org
http://humanrights.change.org/petitions/view/vote_out_the_republicans_in_november

Hey ICTHELIES,

Leviticus 19:9-10 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Forget something?

Don’t worry, Ed. The fact that I am “out-voted” here by the assembled clueless doesn’t make me feel bad for some reason.

I find it incredulous that these repulsive republicans are upset about the deficit spending,but can’t enact legislation fast enough to wage an ILLEGAL,UNNECESSARY,FABRICATED war in Iraq and at the same time deny people in the USA the right to eat.What a goddamn shame.Maybe some of you people should visit a real country.It’s called CANADA!!!

Well Canada is certainly a beautiful country,but if anyone thinks for a minute that the NWO,IMF,Bildebergers etc.don’t have their claws firmly around the throats of the everyday,hard working average Canadian,you are sadly mistaken indeed.As America goes,so goes Canada.

Dennis -

Calling people who are out of work and losing their homes “clueless” is pretty typical of the right.
The fact that you express yourself in such a manner really demonstrates who actually is out of touch.
Feeling bad would be evidence of a conscience – something you and the other right wing trolls who visit this site are lacking.

Denise>>here’s a little something for you to try and figure out.Heaps sees but fews knows,lots starts but nobody goes,make dates but can’t fill em see snakes but can’t kill em.Honk your horn and toot your tooter there goes Denise on his motor scooter.Hello world it”s ME!!!

Newt was one of the GOP masterminds who figured out how to win. Hold up the Bible, the flag, proclaim if you don’t vote for us, you are a commie traitor. Fear tactics, race baiting. The GOP is God’s own party. NOT. The next election will be a replay . And the GOP has their foaming at the mouth talk guys doing the GOP propaganda 24/7. Radio, all media is owned by corporations.
Beware of wolves in sheep clothing. The GOP claims to be the real Americans. If you are rich, if you are part of the defence contract industry, the GOP is the place to be. Or the tea party. What did Queen PalIn say? WE NEED TO TRIM THE BUDGET…BUT DON’T CUT DEFENCE SPENDING. The military industial complex Eisenhower warned was our greatest threat is just that. It is an entrenched establishment, and I fear it’s too late to do anything about it. The goons who sent our jobs overseas, left our borders wide open knew it would mean more profit for their fat cat corporate buddies. Cheap, and sometimes slave labor cost us our jobs. We did not leave our jobs. They left us. All this ‘can’t afford benefits for jobless’ is crap. If we knew what all our money is going to, we’d realize our government is run like the mafia. And there are a lot of Godfathers. They are known as senators and representatives. With a few exceptions. If they get too close to changeing the power structure, they will end up like JFK and RFK. This debate about jobless benefits has been to make things worse for the unemployed. Let them twist slowly in the wind. They think people are stupid..they will blame the democrats. Blame Obama for all this mess. Score one for the GOP. Eight years of son of poppy Bush, W. put us where we are. Phony war on drugs, war on terrorism. Hallibutin, the Carlyle group, to name a couple have made trillions, thanks to the Bushies. They are like a mafia. They and other ‘members of the family’ have profited from every Bush decision. And they (most of the GOP) will stop at nothing to control congress, re-take the white house.
I fear for the few who are not part of the Washington mafia, who would like to do what is best for the American people. I think Al Franken is one of them. They will do
everything to smear him, get to him (they have ways). God help us all.

~SolitaryParent
http://solitaryparent.wordpress.com

Hmmmm…Where do I start? I was laid off towards the end of 2008, went on interview after interview after interview. I registered with a number of staffing agencies, when I would call the agencies they would tell me, it’s really slow right now, no jobs are coming in, this is the part that Congress pretend to be unaware of. It wasn’t until stimulus dollars were put out there before companies began hiring again, a lot of the jobs that were created are temporary jobs. I’m a single parent taking care of 3 children, I have totally and completely depleted my savings since I’ve been laid off. I worked as a contractor and was paid weekly. I was the Executive Assistant for two VP’s) prior to being laid off, my bring home pay after taxes was over $1,000 per week, when I worked overtime, I was at $1,200+ per week AND I was receiving child support in the amount of $400 per month. I wasn’t wealthy, but we were comfortable and I was holding it down for my household.

To hear Congressmen say “let them starve”, “they’re lazy”, “they don’t want to work” is an insult to the 3rd power. Why don’t they take a 50% pay cut to help with the deficit since they care so much. My unemployment was $433 per week, doesn’t come close to what I was earning, but it helped. Currently I have NO INCOME. I received my last unemployment check Thursday, June 17, 2010. My ex-husband was laid off, I have NOT received child support payments in approximately 14 months. I am not on welfare, I do not receive food stamps and I am NOT on any housing subsidy programs. I am BARELY making it. I have depleted all of my funds, the scary thing, if Congress continue to drag their feet, my children and I will be facing homelessness, no money to pay August rent. What kind of crap is this. Oh and we do have to pay taxes on the unemployment monies we have received, either way it goes, unemployed or not we’re still paying into the system.

This is enough to drive a person crazy. I can’t believe the situations I’m facing, it’s unreal. I may not have internet service anymore after tomorrow, no money to pay the bills. L-(

The Republicans want to give the richest 2% a tax break which would cost 678 Billion, the now born again fiscal Republicans have refused so far to show how they will pay for it. They would sooner go on a July 4th vacation with the Democrats while sticking the knife in the back of the American people.

Many,many of the comments on this article are thoughtful and moving. It gives me hope. I’m not of the opinion that Jesus will come and save us though.
What Sen. Franken is NOT saying(and probably would love to say out loud)is that the Repubs want everything about the economy to be horrible,especially for the next few months. They don’t give a rat’s patoot about the deficit,whether you keep your house and feed your family or your jobs. All they care about is THEIR jobs and getting back into in power.
Every day they lie,lie,lie about everything. How they can do it with a straight face is beyond me. They have to be delusional.Some are outright nuts ae:Barton,Bachmann,Palin etc.
Every one of the last 3 Repub.presidents raised the deficit way more then the Dems.Clinton actually ended with a surplus and produced far more jobs. If we intend to get anything done to help this country back on it’s feet,more Dems are needed.
Please wake up America..

Chas – Congress controls the budget, not the President; and Congress was controlled by the Democrats during Bush’s presidency – and they voted against Bush every time – so thank the Democratic Congress for the deficit Obaman “inherited”.

Luis – well, I see the problem – you obviously believe that working for minimum wage is not worth your time and trouble, so, it’s not that you can’t find a job, you aren’t willing to work for less than you believe you are worth. Geez

Why no report of the alternative unemployment financing plan offered by Sen. Scott Brown…flat REFUSED by demoncrat leadership. Why didn’t Obama use the $2 billion in tax dollars he just loaned to George Soros’ Brazilian off-shore oil drilling scheme (didn’t see much about that in the paper). I don’t know any Americans who work for Brazilian off-shore oil drilling companies, but I know that $2 billion would have gone a long way to help a lot of unemployed Americans.

“The same people who didn’t have any problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars on tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are now saying we shouldn’t offer relief to middle-class Americans,” Obama said.

This is scary!! Notice the word “spending”. So tax cuts to Obama is government spending. This says it all. Obama puts millions out of work with his anti-business policies then criticizes the Republicans for blocking further unemployment compensation.