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Published Thursday, July 1, 2010 | 1:54 p.m.
Updated Thursday, July 1, 2010 | 2:42 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Carson City, yesterday voted in favor of the House bill to extend unemployment benefits, despite his history of voting against most Democratic-backed economic measures.
Heller made a name for himself last year and in 2008 by voting against the stimulus package and against the bank bailouts, earning praise from voters in his heavily Republican district.
But today, when it came down to preserving unemployment benefits for a state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, he voted with the Democrats.
The bill passed the House today, but failed the Senate last night.
Heller’s vote is also significant in that it represents a significant parting with the stated position of Sharron Angle, his party’s nominee to take on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Angle said she would have voted against the unemployment benefits extension, arguing the prolonged benefit creates a disincentive for people to return to work.
Heller opted against running against Reid, despite intense pressure from national Republicans to do so. He also was nearly defeated by Angle in the GOP primary for his seat in 2006.
So, it will be interesting to see how aggressively he campaigns for Angle this year. He was one of the first to send out a press release endorsing her. But with that out of the way, maybe he won’t do much more.
NOTE: This post has been corrected to reflect the House vote occurred today.
Watch new VIDEO of Sharron Angle claiming plenty of jobs exist for "spoiled" Nevadans on unemployment http://bit.ly/b4hsxJ
Congressman Heller probably understands that the thousands of unemployed construction and hotel workers in Las Vegas, or anyone else in the state who wants to find a job and can't, aren't going to survive without receiving unemployment benefits while they keep looking for jobs. Oh, and if they ever get that "princely sum" that Sharron fears is going to "spoil" the unemployed with a sense of entitlement such that they will never work again, they will receive a maximum benefit of $362 per week. Probably not nearly the amount of the nice pension her husband gets from the federal government after all those years working for the BLM. Certainly, not enough to support a family. Maybe Sharron can point the thousands who are out of work to all those great jobs she says are out there just waiting to be claimed. I know lots of people who would like one.
Heller, Sandoval, Tarkanian, Lowden, Republicans in the Senate, Republicans in the Assembly, NO ONE from Sharon Angle's own party wants to stand up and agree with her because they ALL know she's nuts, wrong, and out to lunch!
And now she wants the federal government to stop providing social security and unemployment, but she wants the federal government to start monitoring every pregnancy and charge women and girls with crimes if they have an abortion because according to her its the "Christian" thing to do.
Oh, and thats after we utilize our "second ammendment remedies" and "take Harry Reid out".
Would Senator Amodei please ask this kooky, violence-preaching fool and her out-of-state self-proclaimed Tea Baggers to stop making the Republican Party of Nevada look like a bunch of idiots and cease this joke of a campaign? Its embarassing to Nevada when the signature video of her campaign is her running away from reporters asking questions about her long record in elected office and the signature audio of her campaign is her asking her fellow Americans to violently revolt and shoot the Majority Leader of the United States Senate.
ENOUGH WITH SHARON ADDLE-MINDED ANGLE!
What would you rather have, a UI check, or a job that is currently held by an illegal immigrant? This is a serious question.
The answer to that question should help you decide who to vote for this November.
Hey boftx,
>>The answer to that question should help you decide who to vote for this November.<<
To start, I want a sane person in that office. There is only one, and he's the one who is not asking for his opponent to be shot.
Maybe Ms. Angle would like to show everybody where these jobs are exactly, a state with 13% unemployment. Isn't it typical though that a conservative republican spews such nonsense, however it's not like she has anything to worry about,never mind that even some of her constiuents are probably wondering how they are going to feed their kids or make the next house payment. BobbyG, how true, and pretty scary at the same time.
Heller parted ways with Ensign, Ensign is the "sitting" Senator. Ensign could have been the dramatic game changing vote, one that would have put Nevada's unemployed before politics.
But, Ensign is against extended "benefits", friends with benefits....well that is a a different mater.
CJJames,
You didn't answer the question directly. But I presume from what you did say that you would rather have a never-ending dole than take a job that pays roughly the same (assuming it was in Nevada with supplemental UI available).
Sir, it is *that* position that gives rise to the more extreme conservative views on UI.
And now today, we heard Obama call for ways to allow those who are here illegally to continue to stay, working in jobs that by all rights should belong to US Citizens who are rightfully fearful of what the future will bring.
You, sir, would vote for a man who is not only in agreement with Obama's policy, but would be the primary means of getting it adopted. A policy that dictates fear for citizens and security for illegal residents. Is that your definition of sanity?
if we hold businesses accountable for hiring undocumented workers and illegals admit they have broken the laws by being here, pay fines and back taxes, and perform community service in order to become citizens it takes all the bluster out of the argument against immigration reform. Poor right wingers. How does that scare legal Americans?
JerryWayne,
So you would give illegals some kind of get-out-of-jail card and allow them to keep the jobs they already have, at the expense of unemployed US Citizens? (who would still be in fear of losing whatever UI exists for them.)
By all means hit the companies who employ illegals, and that includes FIRING the illegals and giving those jobs to citizens!
Any plan that allows those who are currently here illegally to retain their job is a slap in the face to every person who is legally entitled to work in country, whether they are a citizen or greencard holder. Not only that, any such plans just ensures that our unemployment rates will not improve at the pace they need to.
IS SHARON ANGLE FROM ALASKA?
Step right up! JOBS! JOBS!
Yep, SharLron's the name; jobs, mah game. Ya see, I'm awantin to bee yer Senator just so I kin git cha them jobs.
There'll be lotsa old folks dyin in their homes so we'll need folks to clean up and remodel.
There'll be lotsa JOBS folks.
No need for the welfare of social security. Let's get out of that old box and live a little.
Wager your retirement on whim and the wheel.
What is the first thing a employer do when they start to lay off employes?
They lay off the older workers, so what is the employes that has worked 30 or 40 years doing one job to do now? Would you hire a younger worker or the person that is now in their 60's.
There is no work out there if you are in the wrong end of the employment picture, Just look back at the big deal they made when they said there was 600 new jobs here in Vegas, sure there was in McDonald's.
After 47 years of working, now you are telling me I am a bum, because I got laid-off, and that I am taking advantage system because I can't find a job.
What do you think will happen when all these workers can no longer feed their family's or pay their bills! Do you think things will get better because they cut off these benefits?
We have all this unemployment because of HARRY REID. People want JOBS. Time to vote Reid out.
airweare,
There is a fatal flaw in your logic. No self-respecting legal worker in this country would want a job like that. And since all of the currently illegal immigrants are going to get some sort of new status, they won't want it, either. That would result in a brand new, bigger wave of illegal immigrants to do this work at minimum or below-minumum wages. That in turn would leave us even worse off than we are now.
Bobo,
There is a fatal flaw in your logic-a lack of facts. Sharron says there are plenty of jobs for unemployed Nevadans, and JobConnect proved she was wrong: 1300 jobs for 120,000 people. Sharon believes that social security and welfare should be ended because they "spoil" the citizenry and instead a Bush-like investment in the stock market is a good idea. That would leave seniors without a safety net and younger workers waiting for the next wall street meltdown so they can watch their future disappear. Instead, you want to talk about illegals-WHICH AREN'T EVEN MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE.
If you really want to vent on the symptom instead of the problem, go talk to your Republican friends who give lipservice to hating illegal immigrants but refuse to do anything to punish big business who benefits from their cheap labor and fear of being found out.
"That would result in a brand new, bigger wave of illegal immigrants to do this work at minimum or below-minumum wages. "
Already happened under the last Congress under the last President. We are dealing with the results-oh, but don't you dare regulate big business! Noooo!
CJJames,
First, you apprently missed the (bad) pun in the first sentence and the satire in the rest of that comment addressed to airweare.
Second, you are not familiar with my postion on those who employee illegals, or you would know that I want much stiffer penalties for those who do.
Third, don't stop with the last Congress, I will happily say that the Reagan Amnisty was an abomination.
Although immigration wasn't directly mentioned, it is a part of our current unemployment problem. I do not say it is the cause, but it is certainly an important component.
Last, was there any call for your display of disrespect in addressing me as "Bobo"?
Angle is running on the "Anyone but Reid" platform. She has no real workable ideas on how to fix anything but says Reid has to go. Many here feel the same way. Ok, you have that right.
Can anyone tell me who really has a workable plan? Who in office has done anymore then Reid has for Nevada? I am not supporting Reid here, I am asking who is better and really has a plan for Nevada. I have spent over half a century in this town and plan on that much more time. Tell me who really has real plans for Nevada. The "Anyone but the other guy" platform does not fix the problems.
vegaslee,
Your argument certainly has merit. But unfortunately we are now faced with not deciding who can help us the most, but rather, who can hurt us the least. Even granting that Reid has done things in the past that have been worthwhile, there are things that he wants to do in the future that are simply unacceptable to some. Therefore he *must* be voted out, if possible, and replaced with someone who is if nothing else not capable of doing any harm.
I will be the first to say that this is not an ideal way to run a government, but there is not much choice in the matter.
Reid is a net negative for Nevada and the nation. Obama coming here to campaign for him is the Kiss of Death. Goodbye Harry, your time has come and gone.
boftx, your response to "vegaslee" doesn't address the point of which candidate can really "help" Nevada. Perhaps you think a nuclear waste dumpt at Yucca with thousands of tons of nuclear waste passing through Las Vegas every day is a good thing -- nothing bad could happen, gosh, no "oil spill couls evcery happen in the Gulf with BP in change" or no"three mile island" here. Or, "who cares if we don't get money for expanding highways and airports to help tourism", or money for dozens of other programs funded in part by the feds that will end up going to other states -- hey,you and your friends will be happy "we sent someone a message", which they promptly ignored and while they "kept on keeping on-- spending money, just not in Nevada. Eight years of Bush, much with the GOP in control of Congress, and federal spending reached new heights. Can you imagine when spending is cut, and federal dollars are more "carefully rationed" how much better off our state will be with number 100 in seniority, at the tail end of the line in the Senate, Miss Sharron Angle than number 1, the Majority Leader of the Senate. And yes, one state's pork is another state's lifeline, so, no thanks, you, your friends and Sharron run off and spread the word about forcing woman who are raped to have the child because it is God's will, about the rediculous claim that those who are unemployed are living the life of Reilly on unemployment check which, if they are loucky, might average around $300 a week, that medicare and social security are "entitlements" for spoiled citizens and that the federal government can't create jobs from a woman whose husband worked for the BLM for over 20 years -- and didn't have to contribute one cent to social security or medicare but retired with a "fat" pension and healthcare provided by the taxpayers. Maybe you should just move out of state.
msloan,
I would like to live in a different state, but 3 of our grown children (with our grandchildren) live here in Las Vegas so my wife and I must live here.
That said, I actually like what at one time was a strong libertarian streak in Nevada, which has apparently been forgotten or thrown out by others who have moved here.
I will be the first to say, and have said several times now, that there are some positions held by Angle that I detest. But I dislike some of Reid's even more. And unlike Angle, Reid is in a position to have his beliefs that I detest be put into law.
On balance, Reid can do far more harm to that which I value that Angle can. Even if he did something that I like, the harm he could do far outweighs the good.
This is the basic question that many moderates, and most independents are dealing with.
Scott Brown sells out the tea party crowd, part 15 in an infinite series:
"The "Massachusetts Miracle" who delivered Edward M. Kennedy's Senate seat to Republicans is now wheeling and dealing with both parties and hinting that he just might vote with Democrats if they agree to goodies for financial institutions in his state."
"It's an instructive look this midterm election year at how quickly a candidate who campaigned against "closed-door meetings" and "backroom deals" can learn to craft them once in office."
"Brown scored an exemption for home-state interests like Fidelity Investments and the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. from some new restrictions on trading. He also persuaded congressional negotiators to let banks invest up to 3 percent of their capital in private equity funds and hedge funds, a change that would help such banks as Boston-based State Street Corp."
Brown cutting backroom deals for big business in Massachusetts in exchange for his vote...
And we've been told the tea party and their candidates are not business as usual?
How quickly will Sharron sell-out?
Heller knows Angle is a nut and dreads the thought of working with her and Ensign.
We need to turn Nevada back into a territory if Angle is elected, and have a territorial governor appointed by the president.
And to think; if Heller had a backbone he could have run against Reid, and won.
While Angle will need to learn to temper some of her positions to obtain any measure of success, Reid & the rest of the Dems have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not up to the challenges this country faces economically, diplomatically, militarily or morally. While our southern border & the Gulf slide into chaos, long term unemployment continues to grow, and foreign policy initiatives fail, Reid and the rest of the DC crowd while away the time playing games for the cameras and collecting $$$ from their corporate sponsors. It's time to clean house in DC and get serious about the problems we face, and Angle is far more likely to do that than Prince Harry.
Maybe it's me, but I think all politicians are crazy stupid. Maybe it's because they have so many millions of dollars that they don't know how the other half lives.
All I know is that the people now running Nevada need to go!
if the state says unemplyment rate is 13%, you can guarantee it's more like 26%.
hey nv/ind- where do you think shasssarron money is coming from, regular folks-lol
Cutting off benefits is in my opinion purely evil.
What's behind that wide frantic smile on Sharron Angle's face?
Satan?
OMG another politician with head in butt disease, Sharron get left or get right What are you Obama's newest spokesperson?? Where the hell are all these jobs? You lost half the vote with that unemployment statement are you that stupid! really?! well hears to 4 more screwed up years with dickhead! thanks Sharron!
No one wants to cut off unemployment compensation at a time in the nation like this.
If the Democ Rats can make a political issue of it to win in November they will.
While Obama has billions stocked away for his spending choices he and his democ rats refuse to pay for the unemployment from their stash of cash.
The Far Left Political Report refuses to expose the truth of the Democ Rats. Maybe the first question should be why?
Obama and the Democ Rats have spent two trillion more than the government had coming in over the past two years. They could find $2 billion for solar to create 5,000 jobs at a cost of $400,000 a job, an utterly ridiculous amount, $2 billion to send to Brazil for Billionaire Soro's company to drill oil off the cost of Brazil and wait for all of the US deep oil drilling rigs that Obama is trying to keep from the gulf to go to Brazil.
Heller does not have the political guts to ask Obama and the Democ Rats to take the $32 billion for unemployment from their stash.
More proof that Republicans and Democ Rats are on the same side. In 2012 Heller will run as a Democ Rat. He is just practicing now.
mwileynet
Is this the Mike Wiley won "ran" against Reid early on but dropped out. The one who said the could have been elected senator many times except his ethics are too high. Is this the same person who ran against Hillary Clinton's brother in Florida and got trounced? The same as http://elkodaily.com/news/local/article_...