There are an estimated 17 million unemployed out here...

[kentuck]

About 2 million are going to have their benefits expired. How do you feel about the other millions that have no benefits whatsoever. Do they not exist in your mind? Is it only those "2 million" that are being used as a negotiating tool by the Parties that are important to you? Let's get real.

[peace13]

1. I think those 15 million want the top 2% to have a huge tax break.

Just kidding! I just can't believe that two years later we are still talking about tax cuts, unemployment and DADT. Those folks in DC don't get a *amn thing done. If this were Rome they wouldn't even bother fiddling! Too lazy!

[atreides1]

2. If this was Rome

The Praetorian Guard would have already selected the new Emperor and Senate.

Lucky thing this isn't Rome.

[L. Coyote]

8. Here we have a Supreme Court for such inconveniences.

Junta Day 2000.12.12

[FirstLight]

3. exactly...i hear ya

I am one of those ...but I don;t 'count' because I don;t get unemployment, my job that stopped in 2008 was only part-time. So we are on tanf & foodstamps...so statistically it doesn't count. How many others like me and my family are there? How many that don;t even recieve any assistance for whatever reason, who are struggling to survive...

it's over, the momentum we had in 2008 was a flash in the pan and we are once more looking at the ReThugs driving us *Beyond* the ditch.
whatever happened to "no, you can;t have the key's back?"
Instead, the pres gave them the car, the house, and all of us in indentured servitude too...

Not looking forward to another sequel of the bush years, but it seems that we are screwn no matter what
what a wasted opportunity for growth, progress, etc...

[kentuck]

4. A lot of crickets here...

That are so concerned about those two million that are about to lose their benefits and not a whimper about those millions that collected nothing and are unemployed. What's the difference?

[gratuitous]

5. I'm still trying to figure out . . .

I'm still trying to figure out how an extension of unemployment benefits is a "budget buster" if it isn't "paid for," but $700 billion in addititonal tax cuts for the overrich is "responsible governance."

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

7. From the Rethug's point of view...

...not doing anything to reduce the budget will make extending unemployment benefits more reckless and indefensible.

[hugo_from_TN]

6. I hear you also

I was unemployed for 2 years with no benefits since I'm a self-employed contractor. I realize I didn't pay into the system, but the folks getting extended benefits (past 26 weeks) are getting more than the system intended, so it seems fair to me to extend benefits to the self-employed and part timers that are now unemployed and have no benefits. Somehow it a catastrophe when the "99'ers" are about to run out of benefits but there are millions that never got a dime.

[gateley]

9. I'm 'so' concerned about those two million, and I'm one of the ones

who collected nothing and was unemployed for years. I know what it was like for me, with no kids to feed and keep warm, to live with no heat, no water, no food. I don't want even 200 more people to have to go through that.

That's why I'm so torn about this issue. I say fuck the tax cuts, let 'em all expire, they had their chance, but I'm not sure how we could get the unemployment reinstated. I really don't know which is more important to me.

UPDATE: I just called my Rep's office (Inslee, thank God) and said I did NOT want him to support any compromise at all, regardless of how it affects OUR tax breaks or the unemployment compensation. I kind of feel sick to my stomach, but it's gotta stop!