GOP seeks to cut unemployment benefits

[babylonsister]

GOP seeks to cut unemployment benefits
By Vicki Needham - 12/09/11 05:59 AM ET


GOP leaders hope to build momentum for an end-of-year tax package with sweeping reforms to federal unemployment benefits.

The Republican proposal is expected to reduce the total number of weeks unemployed workers are eligible for aid by as much as 40 weeks and tighten rules for eligibility.

snip//

Ways and Means Committee ranking member Sander Levin (D-Mich.) was more pointed, saying House Republicans have “chosen a path of confrontation instead of searching for common ground.”

“They are following a path of blaming victims of the economic downturn,” he said. “I can only hope that when Republicans go home this weekend they will talk with unemployed Americans and begin to understand the exceptionally challenging circumstances they face.”

more...

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1007-other/198327-gop-seeks-to-cut-federal-unemployment-benefits

[TwilightGardener]

1. What sort of "momentum" do they hope to build? "Yay, cuts to benefits that people need! Yayyy!!"

[MattBaggins]

4. They want to increase the level of despair

people think I'm crazy but Republicans want to destroy the working class. they actually believe that we are over paid. I have talked before about a nightmare America where people walk into places and ask for jobs by saying "how much do you pay that guy because I'll work for half what you pay him". I cringe at the thought of that. Republicans call that a fantasy and masturbate to the idea.

[TwilightGardener]

5. I believe that. They are training us to expect less and less, and to resent neighbors

and friends who still have decent wages and benefits, or who get any sort of federal or state aid. My local paper constantly publishes letters to the editor about "greedy" teachers, school administrators, firefighters, etc. who still get the benefits most Americans used to have 30 years ago. Repubs are counting on regular joes to tear down what's left of the middle class and working class--all they have to do is sow the fear, resentment and jealousy and then stand back and watch us fight each other.

[MattBaggins]

6. Yet if you suggest that failing CEOs who get

30 million dollar golden parachutes for destroying companies are overpaid, or million dollar bonuses for laying off tens of thousands is immoral; you are a dirty filthy Communist and guilty of class warfare.

It is a full time sport in America to despise your brown collar neighbor, but don't criticize the actual vultures at the top.



"I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half."

[Bandit]

7. Plus I think they want Obama to be seen as a failure at any and all costs.

They put their hatred for Obama way ahead of the benefit of the country...Tories is what they are and always have been..

[WI_DEM]

2. Can it be more plain to the American people that they will go out of their way to stick it to the

little guy while standing up for the 1%? If they don't get it then (as is probably the case) enough people aren't paying attention.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. This would be devestating.

FAR more people literally out on the streets, homeless and hungry. OWS looks like a walk in the park compared to that backlash they'll suffer if this goes through. It's hard to believe that anyone would be this draconian. Wonder how many Democrats will go along.