Net Worth Of GOP Senators Blocking Unemployment Benefits

[Nbadan]

Super-rich Senators looking out for its constituency....the super-rich...



VT7d_xQZGE8


"The Senate is just a fraternity of the super-rich, who have no idea what it's like to be poor, or at least they're sure acting like they have forgotten all about it.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics' website OpenSecrets.org, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell's estimated net worth tops out at $31 million. Here's how some of the others top out: Tennessee's Bob Corker - $96 million, Lamar Alexander in a $40 million, John McCain - $26 million, and Georgia obstructionist Jonny Isakson... well, he's only at $9 million.

These old, rich, white Republicans have done everything in their power to block any help for the unemployed in this country, including their own states, where the unemployment is in double-digits in their states: Mitch McConnell has 10.4% in Kentucky, Corker and Alexander earn 10.4% in Tennessee. Isakson is turning his back on the 10.2 percent folks in Georgia, and John McCain, I guess after running for office, I guess you could say that maybe he doesn't give a damn about the 9.1 percent of the folks who are out of work in Arizona. They're all worried about the deficit. (sarcastically)

- snip -

Now, in that soundbite, did you hear him say that maybe they'll find some people over on the other side of the aisle that are willing to work on anything. Mr. Axelrod, come on. You know what time it is. You guys are in a daze in the White House if you think the Republicans are going to do anything to help you see the light. They still haven't learned the lesson of the last 18 months at the White House. Just over a year ago, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina gave us the game plan. The Republicans are about one thing and that is about breaking the President of the United States and his agenda.

Keep in mind. Keep in mind throughout all of this, it's not just the unemployment extension. There are four million Americans who have been out of work longer than 99 weeks and they get zero help. Even if the Senate does the deal on extending the unemployment, there are going to be four million Americans that get nothing - and that is what happens in a third-world country. Record that, you Righties. Because this is where we're going... We're saying in America 'Well, we don't have anything for you any more. It's over. You're on your own."

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Are you kidding me? Nancy Pelosi and her husband are worth something like $40 million.

How much is John Kerry and the Heinz family fortune worth? :lol The list goes on and on. HOw much is Soros, who is pulling all Obama's strings, worth?

Libs are fucking dumb. Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole. They aren't going to go out and get a job when they can sit on their asses and get paid without doing so much as lifting the remote.

There are exceptions to this, but by and large you've got to motivate people to go out and find jobs.

[boutons_deux]

"Nancy Pelosi and her husband are worth something like $40 million."

Are the Pelosis and other wealth Dems blocking the payment of unemployment?

"Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole"

You Fucking Lie, because you blindly, ignorantly parrot the Repug/conervative talking points.

[baseline bum]

Libs are fucking dumb. Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole. They aren't going to go out and get a job when they can sit on their asses and get paid without doing so much as lifting the remote.

There are exceptions to this, but by and large you've got to motivate people to go out and find jobs.

I guess if you're single with no kids, live somewhere with insanely cheap rent, and got laid off from a high-paying job, then unemployment would be great, but for the vast majority of people, unemployment sucks and barely provides for the bare necessities while looking for work.

[Nbadan]

I guess if you're single with no kids, live somewhere with insanely cheap rent, and got laid off from a high-paying job, then unemployment would be great, but for the vast majority of people, unemployment sucks and barely provides for the bare necessities while looking for work.

That's one of those 'facts' that wing-nuts would rather ignore because it does not correspond with the GOP propaganda that people would rather sit on their asses at home and collect a fraction of their regular pay than work for real money...

[boutons_deux]

"the average weekly benefit comes in at 25 percent below the poverty level for a family of four.

So are we to believe that millions of people are not looking for jobs so they can maintain the cushy lifestyles enjoyed by those living well below the poverty rate?"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/the-unemployment-benefits_b_643717.html?view=print

===========

Yes, Arianna, the class-warring economic/social Darwinists believe that a few $100/week turns all the unemployed into Welfare Queens and Kings driving Cadillacs rather than battling 5 other unemployed people for one job.

[Wild Cobra]

Aggie, you forget, anytime a republican or conservative criticizes a liberal or democrat, it's a lie. Anytime a liberal or democrat criticizes a republican or conservative, it's true.

[fraga]

Damn you rich people...

[CosmicCowboy]

"Nancy Pelosi and her husband are worth something like $40 million."

Are the Pelosis and other wealth Dems blocking the payment of unemployment?

"Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole"

You Fucking Lie, because you blindly, ignorantly parrot the Repug/conervative talking points.

Actually the Democrats did block the unemployment benefit extensions. Republicans offered to sign off on unemployment extensions if they were paid out of the stimulus funds already budgeted. Dem wanted to borrow more money to pay for them and chose not to extend them at all and blame the Republicans.

[boutons_deux]

"Republicans offered to sign off on unemployment extensions if they were paid out of the stimulus funds already budgeted."

The stimulus is proving to be too small as expected. Unemployment paychecks get spent probably within days of being received.

The Repugs want the worst possible economy and maximum citizen pain for November

[CosmicCowboy]

"Republicans offered to sign off on unemployment extensions if they were paid out of the stimulus funds already budgeted."

The stimulus is proving to be too small as expected. Unemployment paychecks get spent probably within days of being received.

The Repugs want the worst possible economy and maximum citizen pain for November

translation:

Yeah, the Democrats didn't agree to the unemployment extensions but blame it on the Republicans. Idiots like Boutons buy it hook line and sinker.

[Spurminator]

So how long do we keep extending them? Does this political theater continue into perpetuity or is there a timeline with a specific end goal?

[CosmicCowboy]

So how long do we keep extending them? Does this political theater continue into perpetuity or is there a timeline with a specific end goal?

Personally I think 2 years was long enough. There are a lot of jobs/careers that simply aren't coming back. Times change. The internet has also changed things.

Some people (especially those in sales or financial services) may have to come to grips with the fact that they aren't gonna get a job doing the same thing that pays what they were making. There are jobs out there, they just may not be the jobs they want.

[angrydude]

maybe the democrats should be trying to get ppl their jobs back so they won't need unemployment in the first place.

[Winehole23]

There are jobs out there, they just may not be the jobs they want.Not for everyone, it would seem.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pMscxxELHEg/S5EJ-B5NWlI/AAAAAAAAHrk/5IKBW_ftUC4/s1600/EmploymentRecessionsFeb2010.jpg

[Wild Cobra]

So how long do we keep extending them? Does this political theater continue into perpetuity or is there a timeline with a specific end goal?
The democrats believe the the "cradle to grave" concept.

[boutons_deux]

"democrats believe the the "cradle to grave" concept"

You Lie

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

So how long do we keep extending them? Does this political theater continue into perpetuity or is there a timeline with a specific end goal?

As long as it takes to keep the Dems in power, at least according to the Dems.

There are all kinds of stories about people who were making six figures, can't find a job that pays that, so they stay on UE because they get more there than they could working a job.

I remember reading a story about a girl out in Commiefornia who got fired from a $200K a year job. She had lots of offers for jobs that paid around $100-$120K, but wouldn't take them because she could get more on the unemployment benefits.

Who can blame her, but that's what's wrong with the system. People won't adjust their standards of living to take a lesser paying job than they had when 'times were good'.

[George Gervin's Afro]

As long as it takes to keep the Dems in power, at least according to the Dems.

There are all kinds of stories about people who were making six figures, can't find a job that pays that, so they stay on UE because they get more there than they could working a job.

I remember reading a story about a girl out in Commiefornia who got fired from a $200K a year job. She had lots of offers for jobs that paid around $100-$120K, but wouldn't take them because she could get more on the unemployment benefits.

Who can blame her, but that's what's wrong with the system. People won't adjust their standards of living to take a lesser paying job than they had when 'times were good'.


I though there was a weekly cap (400?) to unemployment benefits. You can rake in 100G in unemployment benefits?

[CosmicCowboy]

I though there was a weekly cap (400?) to unemployment benefits. You can rake in 100G in unemployment benefits?

Yep. It's based on a flat percent of the salary you had before. Some states have caps, some don't.

[boutons_deux]

"Unemployment Benefits

* Regular benefits are paid for a maximum of 26 weeks in most states.
* Additional weeks of benefits are be available during times of high unemployment.
* In many states, the compensation will be half you earnings, up to a maximum amount. For example, in New York State you're entitled to collect up to a maximum of $405, which is half the state's average weekly wage. While in Arizona, the highest benefit rate is $205.
* Benefits are subject to Federal income taxes and must be reported on your Federal income tax return. "

http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/unemployment/a/unemployment.htm

"The minimum weekly benefit amount is $40 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $450. For more information about how the Department calculates a UI claim, review A Guide to Benefits and Employment Services, DE 1275A and the California Employer's Guide, DE 44. "

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080207141239AAEYtFU

450 x 52 = $2400.

so how much unemployment $$ does a CA person make that is better the $100K/year job offer?.

[Nbadan]

Aggie heard it (mostly likely on one of those wing-nut e-mails), so it must be true!

[CosmicCowboy]

On further review, all states have weekly caps. This chart is not gonna cut and paste right.


Weekly unemployment benefits by state
State Maximum State Maximum
Alabama
$255
Montana
$407
Alaska
$370
Nebraska
$308
Arizona
$240
Nevada
$362
Arkansas
$409
New Hampshire
$427
California
$450
New Jersey
$584
Colorado
$475
New Mexico
$455
Connecticut
$519
New York
$405
Delaware
$330
North Carolina
$494
District of Columbia
$359
North Dakota
$385
Florida
$275
Ohio
$372
Georgia
$330
Oklahoma
$392
Hawaii
$545
Oregon
$482
Idaho
$362
Pennsylvania
$539
Illinois
$385
Rhode Island
$528
Indiana
$390
South Carolina
$326
Iowa
$443
South Dakota
$285
Kansas
$423
Tennessee
$275
Kentucky
$415
Texas
$378
Louisiana
$284
Utah
$444
Maine
$496
Vermont
$409
Maryland
$380
Virginia
$378
Massachusetts
$628
Washington
$541*
Michigan
$365
West Virginia
$424
Minnesota
$566
Wisconsin
$363
Mississippi
$230
Wyoming
$387
Missouri
$320

[boutons_deux]

So Aggie is totally full of shit (surprise!) that someone on under $25K/year unemployment would turn down a job of $100K+.

[CosmicCowboy]

So Aggie is totally full of shit (surprise!) that someone on under $25K/year unemployment would turn down a job of $100K+.

Technically a husband/wife could pull down $66,000 in Massachusetts.

[Winehole23]

MA is an outlier.

[baseline bum]

As long as it takes to keep the Dems in power, at least according to the Dems.

There are all kinds of stories about people who were making six figures, can't find a job that pays that, so they stay on UE because they get more there than they could working a job.

I remember reading a story about a girl out in Commiefornia who got fired from a $200K a year job. She had lots of offers for jobs that paid around $100-$120K, but wouldn't take them because she could get more on the unemployment benefits.

Who can blame her, but that's what's wrong with the system. People won't adjust their standards of living to take a lesser paying job than they had when 'times were good'.

Where did you read that? A chain email? That's the stupidest thing I have ever read on this forum.

[DMX7]

Are you kidding me? Nancy Pelosi and her husband are worth something like $40 million.

How much is John Kerry and the Heinz family fortune worth? :lol The list goes on and on. HOw much is Soros, who is pulling all Obama's strings, worth?

Libs are fucking dumb. Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole. They aren't going to go out and get a job when they can sit on their asses and get paid without doing so much as lifting the remote.

There are exceptions to this, but by and large you've got to motivate people to go out and find jobs.

That post = FAIL

[boutons_deux]

I heard on NPR that USA has the worst unemployment benefits of all the industrial nations (lowest amt, shortest duration), which pairs with USA having the most fucked up health care system, costing the most per capita while excluding 10 of Ms (including unemployed).

But the myth WE'RE NUMBER ONE! lives on in (very)fat, (mostly) dumb, happy Americans' fantasies.

btw, in 2011, China will break USA's 110-year as world's top manufacturer.

btw, mfring is only about $1T in USA $13T GDP. Good luck on bringing those mfring jobs back at any significant level.

[CosmicCowboy]

I heard on NPR that USA has the worst unemployment benefits of all the industrial nations (lowest amt, shortest duration), which pairs with USA having the most fucked up health care system, costing the most per capita while excluding 10 of Ms (including unemployed).

But the myth WE'RE NUMBER ONE! lives on in (very)fat, (mostly) dumb, happy Americans' fantasies.

btw, in 2011, China will break USA's 110-year as world's top manufacturer.

btw, mfring is only about $1T in USA $13T GDP. Good luck on bringing those mfring jobs back at any significant level.

Actually as China's standard of living is rising they are also experiencing significant wage inflation, especially in the coastal areas. Some manufacturing is already moving back to the US.

[Wild Cobra]

I heard on NPR that USA has the worst unemployment benefits of all the industrial nations (lowest amt, shortest duration), which pairs with USA having the most fucked up health care system, costing the most per capita while excluding 10 of Ms (including unemployed).

But the myth WE'RE NUMBER ONE! lives on in (very)fat, (mostly) dumb, happy Americans' fantasies.

btw, in 2011, China will break USA's 110-year as world's top manufacturer.

btw, mfring is only about $1T in USA $13T GDP. Good luck on bringing those mfring jobs back at any significant level.
I'll bet we would have a lower unemployment rate is we didn't have as good of unemployment insurance as we do.

[boutons_deux]

"we would have a lower unemployment rate is we didn't have as good of unemployment insurance as we do."

generously, $500/week for 26 week normally. $12/hour for a 40-hour week.

That's not even close to other countries, where the unemployed also have at least 50% of their salary, and full health coverage.

[Wild Cobra]

"we would have a lower unemployment rate is we didn't have as good of unemployment insurance as we do."

generously, $500/week for 26 week normally. $12/hour for a 40-hour week.

That's not even close to other countries, where the unemployed also have at least 50% of their salary, and full health coverage.
Other countries use consumption taxes rather than taxing productivity also.

[boutons_deux]

"Other countries use consumption taxes rather than taxing productivity also."

aka, "WC has been bitch slapped, again"

[DMX7]

"Other countries use consumption taxes rather than taxing productivity also."

aka, "WC has been bitch slapped, again"

:lol

Ouch, I could hear that one from here.

[ducks]

"Nancy Pelosi and her husband are worth something like $40 million."

Are the Pelosis and other wealth Dems blocking the payment of unemployment?

"Ridiculously extending unemployment benefits just keeps people on the government dole"

You Fucking Lie, because you blindly, ignorantly parrot the Repug/conervative talking points.

link

[Nbadan]

A majority of Americans want to reduce unemployment over reducing the deficit...


Two national polls released Tuesday revealed that registered voters think it's more important to help the unemployed than to reduce the deficit.

Voters are generally wary of government spending to boost the economy, but they nevertheless told ABC News and CBS News that the deficit is no reason not to help the unemployed.

Fifty-two percent of voters told CBS that Congress should extend unemployment benefits "even if it means increasing the budget deficit," including 35 percent of Republicans. Sixty-two percent of registered voters told ABC Congress should extend benefits despite concerns that doing so "adds too much to the federal budget deficit."

In a Bloomberg survey, 70 percent of voters said reducing unemployment is more important than reducing the deficit. But only 47 percent said Congress should reauthorize extended benefits, which in some states provided the unemployed with up to 99 weeks of checks.

Huff (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/14/unemployment-deficit-polls-voters_n_646600.html)

Barring another U.S. terra attack this could be the most important issue in Nov. 2010 and the American people are now on the side on democrats...

[boutons_deux]

"A majority of Americans want to reduce unemployment over reducing the deficit"

This shows how detached Ben "Horse's Ass" Nelson, other Blue Dogs, and the Repugs are detached from most Americans, even knowing that DC is a separate universe.

The Repug deficit scare-mongering is right up there with lies Saddam-WTC, Saddam-WMD

The overwhelming priority is to get the economy moving again, to get 8M people back to work. Taxes from that increased economic activity will pay down the extraordinary deficit to handle extraordinary Banksters' Great Depression.

On average, 100K homes are lost to foreclosure per year. In the first 6 months of 2010, 525K homes were lost, heading for 1M homes lost this year.

The Repugs WANT AMERICA TO FAIL.

[Parker2112]

"A majority of Americans want to reduce unemployment over reducing the deficit"

This shows how detached Ben "Horse's Ass" Nelson, other Blue Dogs, and the Repugs are detached from most Americans, even knowing that DC is a separate universe.

The Repug deficit scare-mongering is right up there with lies Saddam-WTC, Saddam-WMD

The overwhelming priority is to get the economy moving again, to get 8M people back to work. Taxes from that increased economic activity will pay down the extraordinary deficit to handle extraordinary Banksters' Great Depression.

On average, 100K homes are lost to foreclosure per year. In the first 6 months of 2010, 525K homes were lost, heading for 1M homes lost this year.

The Repugs WANT AMERICA TO FAIL.

but both parties are doing a good enough job. just saying.

[TeyshaBlue]

but both parties are doing a good enough job. just saying.

boutons can only see one.

[boutons_deux]

It's the Repugs voting against extending unemployment benefits, and the Repugs voting against and propagandizing against stimulus and for immediate deficit reduction (by hitting the lower 95% only), NOT the Dems.