Republicans in the name of fiscal responsibility are filibustering an extension of unemployment benefits and financial help for the states, which includes 238 million dollars for Kentucky. Their argument is mainly ideological. Fear of the deficit and unwillingness to be bipartisan is driving them to verbally assault those in need of these benefits. A recession as long and strong as the one we are currently in requires increased stimulus from the government to carry those most affected, middle class workers, minimum wage workers, and the poor till the economy turns around and jobs become available. As we are still in the early stages of the recession, cutting back on spending is the last thing we need right now. It is true we need to tackle the deficit and I agree, but later after the economy and jobs are back on track.
Kentucky's Republican Federal Delegation, in the name of cutting the deficit are willing to let unemployment benefits run out for eight thousand Kentuckians and the State to lose out on 238 million dollars it needs to balance it's budget. That's eight thousand Kentuckians who can't make their mortgage payments, rent, utility payments, Doctor bills, food, and are facing ruin and homelessness. Eight thousand Kentuckians scrambling to find the money just to survive. Eight thousand Kentuckians to swell the welfare rolls. Eight thousand families in crisis.
Even worse for these families in crisis, some Republicans in Congress and some running for Congress are beginning to ridicule and deride those who need benefits. Senator John Kyl of Arizona said giving people unemployment was a disincentive to them finding work. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah said of unemployment benefits that we shouldn't give cash for people to by drugs. Sharon Engle, the Republican candidate for Senator from Nevada claimed that too many entitlements have 'spoiled' our citizenry, people would rather stay on unemployment than get a job. Republicans filibustering over the unemployment benefits extension are giving action to the way they really feel. That unemployed people are that way because after losing their jobs, which must have somehow been their fault, they are too lazy, after getting unemployment benefits, to look for another job and are spending the money on drugs.
There seems to be two kinds of people in America these days. Those who cheer when their fellow citizens get ahead, and those who ask, How come you're getting something and I'm not? Republicans are fastly becoming the party of those who begrudge others for getting ahead. They have forgotten that Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and unemployment insurance are what keeps our society from descending into riot and anarchy over the inequity of wealth inherent in a Capitalist Society. These programs are the way we give action to the belief that we are all in this together, that we are not a country of all for one, but as we should be, a country of one for all.