"Since June 1, when federal unemployment benefits began to expire, an estimated 325,000 jobless workers have been cut off. That number will swell to 1.25 million by the end of the month unless Congress extends the benefits. State-provided unemployment benefits generally last for 26 weeks, and the federal government picks up the tab after that, provided Congress approves the extensions. There is no disagreement over the need: 46 percent of the nation’s 15 million jobless workers have been unemployed for more than six months — a higher level than at any time since the government began keeping track in 1948. There is not even any genuine debate about how to pay for extended benefits. An extension through November would cost about $40 billion. But unemployment benefits are correctly considered emergency spending ...and exempt from pay-as-you-go budget rules. Nonemergency provisions in the bill do need to be paid for, including renewal of several generally useful business tax breaks, like the research-and-development tax credit, totaling $32 billion over 10 years. To help cover those costs, Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate started out with the sound idea to close an egregious tax loophole that allows wealthy fund managers at private equity firms and other investment partnerships to pay a top tax rate of just 15 percent on much of their earnings — versus a top rate of 35 percent for all other higher-income Americans. Closing the loophole would raise an estimated $25 billion over 10 years. Many private equity mavens, venture capitalists and other partnerships have lobbied to keep as much of the loophole as they can. Most Republicans and some Democratic senators — including John Kerry of Massachusetts, Mark Warner of Virginia and Maria Cantwell of Washington — are doing their bidding. " i expect this from the GOP, but Dems should know better. Editorial - The Unemployed Held Hostage - NYTimes.com
What? Are you serious? Both R's and D's are bought and sold like whores on a street corner every day. Did you really think that Democratic politicians can't be and aren't being bought?
of course not. but dont you like to know when it happens? i just emailed my conservative senators about it. perhaps you should do the same.
Agreed...and they should all be replaced. What gripes me about the current Democrats is they love to pretend to be so righteous and ethical yet often commit worse offenses than they ones they accuse everyone else of committing. DEMOCRAT = HYPOCRITE
You can't sit here and talk about Dems being hypocrites without talking about Republicans being the same exact thing. They talk about values, and morals, and the only thing they value is the same thing Dems do, Power, and Money. I agree with your Democrat assessment though.
I'm not letting the Republicans off the hook. We have toms of people (Rep & Dem) who need to be replaced. I just believe the current Democrat party is worse than any I've ever seen. Their policies are failing and they just continue to blame everyone else. They're starting to panic as they've lost several key positions and are looking to lose many more in a few months. They'll soon turn their attention to young voters and minorities. I'm not sure they've done much for these groups in the last few years but since election time is near, they'll surely focus their efforts there. I'm sure we'll start to hear about the wealthiest "1%"...scare tactics...and you know the race card will be pulled at some point. They will target groups who lack experience and knowledge as these are the easiest to manipulate. They've got several groups in their back pocket. Now they have to figure out how to get them to the polls. I wonder how they'll buy the votes this time.
This seems like a foolish statement unless you aren't being specific enough. I have my problem with Republicans but at least they aren't trying to take over banks, internet, GM,nationalize healthcare, sue states, bad mouth American cities or banks. They aren't trying to re-invent the country to something its not. They are the lessor of two evils. They also aren't trying to raise taxes through every avenue including a Vat tax. Again I would rather NOT vote Republican but with the Democrats in this country these days this country won't be recognizable in four more years! The country won't be fixed without Political reform, Senators and Congressman with power once retired or voted out become lobbyists who expect and receive favors and money back and forth with politicians. Wake up America, the government is just as corrupt as the private sector!
