The GOP Still Just Doesn't Like The Unemployed

[babylonsister]

Gawd. I wish people would wake up and recognize what's going on here.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022747.php

THE GOP STILL JUST DOESN'T LIKE THE UNEMPLOYED.... It's astounding, but in the midst of an unemployment crisis, prominent Republicans continue to castigate those struggling to find jobs.

snip//

When it comes to Republicans condemning the unemployed, there seems to be something of a trend of late. Two weeks ago, Rep. Dean Heller (R) of Nevada expressed concern that the government is "creating hobos" by extending unemployment benefits. Around the same time, Rep. Steve King, a right-wing Republican from Iowa, explained his opposition to extended unemployment benefits: "We shouldn't turn the 'safety net' into a hammock."

Last week, Senate Minority Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Senate's #2 Republican, argued that unemployment benefits dissuade people from job-hunting "because people are being paid even though they're not working." And this, of course, coincided with Sen. Jim Bunning's (R-Ky.) crusade against extending benefits.

As a matter of economics, the GOP argument is absurd: "{W}hen the economy is deeply depressed, extending unemployment benefits not only helps those in need, it also reduces unemployment. That's because the economy's problem right now is lack of sufficient demand, and cash-strapped unemployed workers are likely to spend their benefits. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office says that aid to the unemployed is one of the most effective forms of economic stimulus, as measured by jobs created per dollar of outlay."

As a matter of conscience, having prominent Republicans chastise those struggling to find work during an unemployment crisis is just callous and cruel.

And as a matter of politics, who, exactly, is going to be impressed by Republicans attacking the unemployed as lazy? Since when is "screw struggling families, let's worry about corporate tax cuts and the estate tax" an effective election-year message during difficult economic times?

—Steve Benen 8

[RandomThoughts]

1. When they get rid of million dollar yearly wages.

They will have an argument.

How is a high income person living off the tit of money making money and unregulated capitalism any less of a bum then a person getting a few hundred dollars for food.

[axollot]

9. Bingo. I'd like to see a HOLD on Congress salaries until the people

are working again. Lets see how fast they change their tune. Ugh, the idiots actually fundamentally believe (even those RW unemployed because "they're not lazy" or some rubbish) that anyone receiving help of any kind is a major character flaw.

I actually had a huge row with my BIL who is a hard right idiot. He BANNED me from his fb page when I called him out about getting help from family when times were tough for HIM. Now he refuses to go to any family function that I may attend. What an ass. His mother and I are very close - he hates that, he even called his father over my fb post - trying to say some stupid shit that I was slandering him in front of his underling employee's at CSX where he works and where 3 generations of family has worked. Total Turd.
*sigh*
/rant off
Cheers
Sandy

[axollot]

14. Oh yeah and his wife made the comment that I wouldnt be for

universal care if I was married to my SO - because I was on medicaid while fighting for SSDI (which I just recently won) and now have Medicare (what a nightmare Part D is!!)
Yet she is on the tit of CSX's insurance which is bloody fantastic. Bitch. :mad:
Cheers
Sandy
still ranting....

[zbdent]

2. Didn't a bunch of tax cuts to millionaires/billionaires get pushed at us as

job creating?

So ... where are all the jobs created by those tax cuts? I thought those were supposed to spur the United States into an amazing economy which would make gold-plated toilets commonplace ...

[GoCubsGo]

5. That question cannot be asked often enough.

Why nobody is asking it, other than you and a few others here, is beyond me.

[Jennicut]

3. Hobos, huh?

I guess middle class folks who lost their jobs and now need unemployment because for the last year the jobs picture has been pitiful are now hobos? That is what they think of us. If we are not making money for the big corps, we are simply parasites to them.

[POAS]

6. I mildly disagree----

To them we are parasites even when making money for the big corporations because we make too much money, get too much time off (even time we get without pay like weekends much less paid days off) and get too many "entitlements" like protection by OSHA.

They wouldn't be happy even if they ever brought back slavery (ummmmm, make that overt slavery within our borders) because they would complain we eat too much and our shacks are too luxurious.

[Jennicut]

7. You are probably correct. We are parasites to them 24/7 in their minds.

[zbdent]

17. they wouldn't like slavery, because that would mean that we were property

which they would have to keep healthy ...

what they love is watching people fighting for scraps ... if you ever have a chance, go to Pymatuning lake in northwestern PA/Northeastern Ohio ... if you see a duck on the surface of the water, throw a piece of bread toward it ... and watch the duck disappear in a mad flurry of carp ... that's entertainment to Repugs ... watching the potential employees try to be lowest bidder for the few jobs available is like watching the carp fight for that bread ...

[Clio the Leo]

4. But If they hate the unemployed so much...

... why did they swell the ranks of America's jobless popluation? (heh, just a little joke :) )

[99 Percent Sure]

8. Correcto-mundo. But while they don't like the unemployed,

they sure do get off on creating as many unemployed persons as possible.

They're amoral and anti-American,sadistic, narcissistic, poorly raised, greedy, low-down people, most of them.

And they get off more creating misery in people's lives. That's how they roll. It ain't enough to be in opposition to the co-party, they want to kick the puppy until it dies.

Really, inside themselves, they must be miserable.

[HughMoran]

10. Will the several people who unrecced this explain why they are pro-Republican?

Just curious...

[axollot]

12. Good point when I rec'ed it had no recs at all!! Bastards. n/t

[HughMoran]

13. Kinda creepy/vengeful of someone to unrec a thread we should all be agreeing on wholeheartedly

If not Republican people who have accounts here, why would someone unrec this thread?

[Bobbie Jo]

16. No need to assume from the unrecs...

Many of the posts/posters speak for themselves.

Edited to add: Recommended.

[Bitwit1234]

11. You just mentioned some people that it would be wonderful

to see join the unemployment line. If the people in their districts had a lick of sense they sure would be in December.

[Yavin4]

15. This New Republican Meme Does Resonate With A Huge Portion of Americans

We live in a barbaric, predatory capitalist system. There are some who are doing marginally better than others, and this hate filled message does resonate with them. People want to believe that our system is perfect, and that it must be something wrong with the individual if they cannot do well in it. For example, idiot HR managers won't even consider your resume if there are employment gaps on it because in their bubble world, talented people would never have to struggle for employment in our wonderful system.

[Dappleganger]

18. We need to ensure the unemployed get to the polls next time...

en masse, voting those who are standing in the way of helping real Americans.

[babylonsister]

19. We really need to find a way to get the word out that this is how the rethugs feel. nt