Why didn't the Democrats keep Congress in session until Unemployment benefits were extended?

[Karmadillo]

Are they required by law to go home? Or could they have stayed if they had wanted to make the extension an issue? And if they could have stayed, what does it say about them that they didn't?

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/05-7

Published on Monday, April 5, 2010 by CommonDreams.org
Shame on All of You for Hurting the Least of These Again
by Donna Smith

<edit>

Do they know what it's like to have that unemployment check not arrive? Already much less income than one gets when working, the benefits are sometimes just enough to prevent folks from qualifying for other government help but not enough to really afford payment of all the bills. Being on unemployment is no picnic but it is better than nothing.

I recall weeks when those unemployment checks were the difference between buying a child's asthma inhaler and not being able to do so. And I suspect that thousands of families are facing just those kinds of decisions this week as their benefit checks will not arrive. Would they like watching their children wheeze and gasp for air? Would they want their utilities cut off or to see an eviction notice posted on the door. The pharmacist and the landlord, the tax collector and the utility companies don't really give a damn whether the Republicans were punishing the Democrats by cutting benefits - the bill collectors want their bills paid. On time. No wiggle room.

Cutting off unemployment benefits during this time is causing great harm. It isn't just about not being able to have a spring holiday or a new iPad, it's about having groceries and a roof over one's head. I know we all understand clearly after the healthcare debate that precious few of our elected officials really believe healthcare is a human right for all persons, but now it should be abundantly clear that they also have nearly total disregard for the suffering resulting from their failure to protect most human rights in this nation.

Cruel and unusual punishment is forbidden by the Constitution, but not by this Congress and not by this President. I am angry with them all for not being in the least bit courageous or creative in finding a way around and through their differences that did not harm the people they are elected to represent. Shame on you all. And may you never know what it is to have such cruelty thrown your way by people who pretend they care. Restore the benefits, by whatever means necessary, before more people suffer. Just because you are on recess doesn't mean you can hide from your responsibilities. The people who elected you sure can't. Get it done.

[jody]

1. Because every Dem congressperson is running for reelection in their district in November. n/t

[tonysam]

2. And not taking recess until a Tier V was added.

Democrats really need to play hardball instead of this nicey-nicey shit of the "procedural rules" in the U.S. Senate which bottleneck needed assistance.

[Love Bug]

8. Are there plans to add another tier?

I hadn't heard that there was. I certainly hope so because things aren't improving THAT fast.

[spanone]

3. why are the democrats not using this to beat the living shit out of republicans?

WHY

NOT

?

the rethugs would have been bashing democrats all over the sunday shows if we had done such a deed....and the media would be reporting on it ad nauseum

[xultar]

4. +999 infinity as a recently unemployed person I see the Democrats as totally

Lame on this issue. They should be :kick: the shit out of the pubs and they aren't. Dems could use this for a campaign style beatdown and get votes.
They are missing a huge opportunity.

[Karmadillo]

10. It's baffling. Talk about an easy issue in this economy.

nt

[NNN0LHI]

5. Do they know what it's like to have that unemployment check not arrive? Hell yes I do

I was out of work under Reagan and Bush1. I ran out of unemployment benefits all the time. It was a common thing. Rush Limbaugh was on the radio every day saying we were all welfare recipients who didn't want to work.

Don

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. Because they care about us thiiiis much || n/t

[Raineyb]

7. Because they don't need them.

You didn't think this was about doing something for the people did you?

[branders seine]

9. because they don't give a crap about workers

[amborin]

11. K&R

[chill_wind]

12. It didn't involve a FISA-FIX for themselves and Bush. Unforgiveable.

Would they want their utilities cut off or to see an eviction notice posted on the door. The pharmacist and the landlord, the tax collector and the utility companies don't really give a damn whether the Republicans were punishing the Democrats by cutting benefits - the bill collectors want their bills paid. On time. No wiggle room.

What a very tragic betrayal this is for too many people who will be immediately impacted, and beyond doubt.

[DCKit]

13. Because it's just too damn hard to convince the (R)s to do the right thing.

Far easier to let them go home and face their unemployed constituents.

Yeah, they're gonna win BIG in November.

[KharmaTrain]

14. Cause Coburn Is A Rat's Ass...

There had been an agreement between Reid & McConnell to extend the benefit following the HIR fix vote...it was "assumed" the extention would be passed by unanimous consent (a simple voice vote), but at the last second, as many Senators were out the door and on their way home, Coburn pulled a "Bunning", put a hold on the legislation that is what created this mess. By the time Reid, who got skunked again, could do anything, most the caucus was at the airport and there wasn't a quorum to take a vote to bypass Coburn's "objection".

Yep, it is cruel punishment to those who have shouldered the burden of the utter collapse of our economy. Too bad Coburn wasn't forced to wait a couple weeks for his next paycheck...but it's more important to look like a right wing hero and be the toast of rushbo and faux noise than to help a fellow American out in a time of great need. But then we saw that during the Healthcare debate...the rushpublicans only care about you if you're rich, white and guillible.

[salguine]

15. Because they don'r care. They have their jobs and their "campaign contributions".

[Romulox]

16. Occam's Razor: it's not a top priority for Dems. nt