"Every time we pass one of these bills, we are adding to the deficit, and we are not creating jobs...and it's a legitimate point for Republicans to make."
- Sen. Jon Kyl (R - AZ)
I think I'm getting bogged down with the political grind this week. Can it be?
Maybe I'm coming off the emotional high of the Olympics when I actually felt patriotic...(Mr. Costas, I miss you already!)
Or maybe it's the Democrats' plans to pass Health Care via reconciliation, which is really disheartening.
[Sidenote: reconciliation has its purposes...so don't freak out on me...but it was NEVER intended to be used for such a controversial bill that will transform this nation and our government's rule over us. Check this for an easy explanation on the original intent of reconciliation]
Not sure what it is, but today I'm sullen. Not defeated. Just a tad morose.
But, pressing onward, this irked me today:
Rep. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is blocking a $10 billion proposal for an extension of unemployment benefits for 100,000 people and a few transportation projects...a few more things are down the pike like COBRA and Medicaid/Care subsidization. If you were to read about Bunning in the press today you'd think this guy was pretty horrible.
But do you know his objection? It's really quite simple:
He's wondering where the money's coming from.
He's wondering why Congress doesn't use $10 billion from the FIRST yet unspent stimulus bill.
Did you know only 1/3 of the stimulus has actually been spent? There's still $237 BILLION left to be assigned and spent.
He's got a valid point: When do you begin holding the line? At what point does the spending come into check?
Recipients of government aid will always be upset when benefits contract or expire. That's why the decisions are hard to make. I'm sick and tired of the sob stories. Everybody's got 'em. (Hello? the dentures story from the Health Care summit...geez.)
I don't want to belittle people who are out of work. I personally know people who are unemployed and working hard to find a job. BUT I also know people who are working the system. The system creates a vicious cycle of government dependence. When the assistance ends they are left with no prospects, no direction and no motivation...except praying for an extension. Some benefit recipients don't know how to step up and take care of themselves since the very hand that feeds them continues to enable their current situation.
Check out this graph from The Wall Street Journal. With every passing day more people are receiving benefits on an extended basis.
People are NOT getting back to work. They are waiting for more government support. And while Congress and our President are wound up with Health Care the real issue still remains job creation.
Sources:
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