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Americans' reactions: "Good!" (a few of us), or "Yawn," most of us.
After all, we are still mired in economic doldrums. Economists and other fortune-tellers might claim that the Great Recession is over, according to the stock market and the rich-folks investments. But we ordinary folks know an official unemployment rate above 10 percent - which we have nationally, and have in higher numbers locally - means an underemployment/people hurting rate of 15-20 percent.
So doesn't it make sense to extend the unemployment benefits for another 20 weeks?
Yep - if you're a tax-and-spend goofy liberal like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or Barack Obama.
In the real world, however, one wonders:
* Is 20 weeks the best period of time?
* Is the current amount of unemployment benefits the best amount to continue to pay, especially in light of the fact that the money must be paid by increased taxes on businesses, which always shed jobs when their taxes go up?
Nobody ever asks.
Just "Let's extend, and buy more votes for our re-elections! All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries!" And it did, by 403-12 in the House of Representatives, and 98-0 in the Senate.
Damn fools.
Why not extend the already-extended benefits (many on the dole have been there for a year and more), but at, say, 75 percent of the current rate? Perhaps that will motivate some Americans to get jobs.
"There are no jobs, you dummy!"
Oh, yeah?
Becoming self-employed is a "job." Picking up part-time work instead of the previous full-time work is a "job." Getting up, getting out (real-time or on line) and actually looking for work is itself a "job."
By mindlessly extending unemployment benefits for another four-plus months, at the same levels, Washington is saying, "Continue to sit on your butts; we'll take care of you, while we cause the country to lose even more jobs."
Given the unemployment levels, we think Congress should have extended the benefits - for another 10 weeks, not 20, and at 75 percent of the full rate for those who have exhausted the benefits.
But nobody even batted an eye. Just spend billions, and get re-elected.
Next year, folks: The 2010 elections.
- Denny Bonavita
