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Thursday, March 4, 2010 | 2 a.m.
John Ensign
Sun coverage
Sun archives
It should come as no surprise that Republican Sen. John Ensign voted this week against extending unemployment benefits for out-of-work Nevadans — despite the state’s 13 percent jobless rate.
Long before Republican Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky brought the Senate to a standstill to protest the cost of additional unemployment benefits, Ensign of Nevada played a similar spoiler role.
Ensign has long questioned the worth of extended unemployment benefits, asserting that excessive aid deters the jobless from finding work.
Ensign has not gone so far as to wonder if the government is creating “hobos,” as Nevada Republican Rep. Dean Heller did last month. But his sentiment is similar.
“The more generous the benefit, the easier you make it to stay on unemployment insurance, and the less incentive there is for people to actually go out and do what it takes to get a job,” Ensign said during a pivotal debate in 2003.
At that time, Ensign objected much the same way Bunning had been doing over the past week to bipartisan requests to take up an unemployment extension.
On at least three occasions in 2003 during the days before Congress adjourned for the Thanksgiving recess, Ensign rose to object to legislation that would have extended unemployment insurance benefits.
The national unemployment rate was 6 percent at the time, higher in other states, and lawmakers were worried about a recovery from the post-9/11 economic downturn.
Ensign argued then that the economy was looking up and, under Democratic control, Congress and the White House in past years had cut off benefits when the jobless rate was as high as 6.4 percent.
“This is not about being cruel and heartless,” Ensign said at the time.
Today’s national unemployment rate is 9.7 percent, and 176,000 Nevadans are jobless. States grant up to 26 weeks of jobless benefits, but the federal government has extended aid during the recession. In Nevada and other hard-hit states, nearly two years of benefits, 99 weeks, are offered.
Late Tuesday, as Bunning ended his one-man stand and the bill came to the floor, Ensign joined a minority of Republicans who voted against the legislation.
His office declined a request for comment.
The bill includes a 30-day extension of unemployment benefits and a continuation of the 65 percent COBRA subsidy to help laid-off workers pay to remain on company health plans, among other provisions.
Bunning argued the cost of the $10 billion package should not be added to the federal debt, and said he was taking a stand “so my grandkids don’t have to pay the bill.”
Bunning suggested money could come from either unused stimulus funding or by closing a biofuel tax credit loophole. But he was unable to get a majority of his colleagues to agree.
The bill passed overwhelmingly 78-19, and late Tuesday President Barack Obama signed it into law.
I was shocked to see nothing about Charles Rangel being dismissed from his position, and then I remembered these RSS feeds come from the Harry Reid express, er, Las Vegas Sun.
I was just laid off this Monday, but being as I am prepared to make sacrifices to make ends meet, I am against more government provided pick-me-up. I am not in debt because I hate spending other peoples money. I STILL applaud anyone who votes against a renamed stimulus bill, and also against free money for people who didn't prepare by saving bills such as this "jobless benefits extension" bill. Call it what you want but liberalism is progressivism. TARP was a corporate wellfare bill. The Jobs bill was just another stimulus. This Obamacare is just a Union Protection/Payback bill, or as many call it, future votes for the socialist/marxist party of america AKA Democrats. 67% of America is against it. THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING!
I guess I hoped the Sun would be a bit more objective as it does call itself a NEWSPAPER. Maybe we should call it the FOXNEWS paper, only it's for liberals and their spend spend spend, tax tax tax, destroy the USA destroy the USA destroy the USA ideals. Gotta love freedom of the press, even when one disagrees with the ideals being PRESSED!
Thanks to Senator Ensign I now understand why republicans are against health care reform. Good health care for everyone at reasonable cost will just encourage people to get sick.
John is just making decisions in line with what Nevada's leadership wants in hard times: People should leave the state, outsourcing costs to other states, until things get better and gaming-hospitality needs to fill new positions again with young people who look good and are healthy in age-life, don't know a whole lot, but want to have fun working in a fun town.
Good job, Senator Ensign.
The truth is federal stimulus spending, within reason during a recession, puts money into American citizens hands who are going to spend it to pay bills and buy necessities, meaning it is going to turn over several times in the private sector to curb economic retraction for American business, and greater tax shortfalls.
Of course Senator Ensign is not unemployed, not on Cobra insurance, and, gee John, how many American soldiers are now estimated to have some degree of brain trauma from service in Iraq, is it up to 15 percent now? Some of the returning troops are going to have long term issues, not all, but many, and of course Republicans will not want to provide federal assistance for their long term care either.
Fiscal conservatism for others, entitlement for self through corporatist partnerships, the modern Republican code.
Ensign must have been one of the many tightwad posters on this website before he took office.
I understand that fiscal responsibilty, as important as it is, has completely flown out the window throughout the last 8 years of Republican rule. Sorry to have to say that but it is REALITY.
If he (Ensign) had been a serious player in trying to balance past budgets I would applaud his recent action. But since he was just a contributor throughout the worst "spend and not tax" period our country has seen, he is just a grandstander for picking out a single issue and playing politics with it.
Comment removed by moderator. Name-calling.
Jim Bunning said 'If the Senate cannot find $10 billion to pay for a measure we all support, we will never pay for anything.'
------------------------------
Reid, Pelosi and Obama could not find $10 billion -- shame on them.
Why did Reid, Pelosi, and Obama WAIT until it was past due to pass this bill. It was brought to the floor the day the pig trough was empty.
How long should people get unemployment benefits? 2 years? 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? If you can't find a job after a year you aren't serious. You may not like what you have to take but taxpayers shouldn't have to pay benefits to people indefinitely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOZxQPqgN...
The real tragedy here is 30 billion dollars and 30 thousand lives sent to Afghanistan and Iraq. Obama reneged on his promise to end those US commitments. He LIED just like ALL politicians do. Throw out all the incumbents next elections!!!! Think outside the box, bring in independents who actually have some ideas.
Let them eat cake!
WHAT THE REAL TRAGEDY IS BUSH LIED TO US ABOUT WMD TO GO TO A WAR IN IRAG WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IN TO
When you finally STOP handing out the goodies, those that CAN work will hopefully start. And those here ILLEGALLY might finally LEAVE!
Obama is getting us out of Iraq in a responsible way after Republicans said that there shouldn't even be a time table for the exit. Afganistan is where the real enemy lived. We're chasing them into Pakistan. If we can keep from making Pakistan an enemy, they won't get away. The world still believes in Obama (and the US). If we don't leave countries that cooperate with us in a bind when we leave, we won't wear out our welcome.
In defense of Sen Ensign, If Nevada does'nt want Jobs then it doesn't jobless bennifits.
And how long should jobless benefits last??? Surprise, the article doesn't say. Two years? Five years? Until you decide to retire? I suppose the author believes in the "green jobs fairy" too.
" If you can't find a job after a year you aren't serious"
By Get-Involved:
You must have a job to make a statement such as that.
THERE AREN'T ENOUGH JOBS to employ all those who lost their jobs ANYWHERE in the country, let alone Vegas. Those of us who have been unemployed for what we consider WAY TOO LONG are very very serious in finding work and even accepting the fact, albeit reluctantly, that we may NEVER find work, any kind of work, to make ends meet. It is a very serious and stressful situation to be in. As much as we hate to think about it - we KNOW the benefits will run out someday, and when that happens - most will be in a terrible position - no money to keep a roof over one's head, no money to buy food (good food and not crap), no healthcare coverage. And the list goes on and on.
Until you walk in the shoes of those unemployed for a long time now - keep your comments to yourself or go talk to some people who have been looking for a job, ANY job, for over a year now. THEN make an informed comment.
Mr. Sun...journalistic integrity would dictate that "editorials" be so noted and that they not be masqueraded as a "news" story...integrity, Mr. Sun...
"I was just laid off this Monday, but being as I am prepared to make sacrifices to make ends meet, I am against more government provided pick-me-up. I am not in debt because I hate spending other peoples money"
Check back with us in 6 months or so and let us know if you found a job or you are still unemployed. I think your attitude will change if you haven't found ANY kind of work within the next 6 months.
Perry stated "SCREW ENSIGN SCREW GIBBON AND SCREW LOWDEN"...I must say Perry, I am 33.33% in agreement with you...
i hope i get a job soon...so i can work for about 2 years, then quit and have a salary for the rest of my life for doing nothing.
So, when you go off to finance a new car, doesn't the bank ask how you expect to pay for it?
That's the only question. How will it be paid for? And there are no answers...
Thank you John Ensign for voting against the extension. You were respecting Obama's "Pay As You Go" statement. The sooner the government follows this, the sooner we will get out of debt.
johnny boy i slept with my best friend's wife then ran to mommy and daddy to fix my boo boo ensign...
is nothing but a snot nosed spoiled rich punk who rode mommy and daddy's coat tails all the way to washington...
so that he could fight for other snot nosed spoiled rich kids...
and for mommy and daddy...
who the hell would join the stupid pathetic ugly lying republican party this days...
only l-o-s-e-r-s!!!
Incramentalism You are pathological,narcissistic,delusional and in reality should ne institutionalized.
I have 2 questions:
1) How is it possible that John is still in office?
2) When did the republicans get so mean and uncaring?
Ensign did the right thing. If you read the liberal's comments, they either contain personal attacks or other nonsense.
So, you supposedly bright liberals and Lisa Mascaro, Obama and Reid and Pelosi all support trhe pay as you go. this doesn't do it? So does that mean the wonder President is a liar? Or does it mean words don't mean anything? And the writer of this article, the liberal hack Mascaro, does seem to mention this in her article? Lack of intelligence or lack of ethics? Has to be one of those 2 choices.
I have 2 answers:
1) John has not been charged with anything!
2) Cutting up some peoples credit cards is not mean or uncaring. Tough Love!!!
Is this an op-ed piece or a news article?
The first paragraph should answer who, what, where, why, when and how. This is a prime example of opinion writing, not news reporting.
Read the first few paragraphs to this story and then the first paragraph of the Yucca Mountain story also writtn by Lisa Mascaro. They both sound like the beginning of a novel, not a news story.
One of the main reasons Nevadans should want unemployed folks to get unemployment insurance is because those people are the most likely to spend it. Think about it, it makes economic sense!
Well, at least Ensign is an evangelical bible thumper, not from Salt Lake City. Talk about a hypocrite. We elect these wealthy do-nothings who could care less about us slobs trying to make a living in the worst economy I've ever experienced.
Ensign and Heller are the worst examples of human beings since Archie Bunker.
Sounds like Socialism has taken a deep hold over much of the body politic. God help us.
Senator Ensign, unlike some other Senators, realizes you have to have the money before you can spend the money. While Senator Bunning protested the extension, based on the lack of funding, Senator Reid offered him a bone;
"As part of the deal to get Bunning to end his filibuster, Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV] allowed a vote on an amendment that would offset the cost of the extensions by ending the "black liquor" tax credit for paper companies. That amendment failed to pass in a 43-53 vote."
This link provides the explanation for what the "black liquor" tax credit is.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090420/ha...
This link provides the vote results.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/ro...
Thank-you Senator Ensign, Senator Reid you should be ashamed.
I just want to know where he got his fricken orange fake tan in the dead of winter? Must be nice is what I say. I work, pay bills, (have NO credit cards) and manage to save $100 a month - I just wonder how long THAT would last (my meager savings) if I lost my jobs. Not ALL who work are spend-thrifts - I pinch my pennies and save what I have left over - I don't drink, gamble, go out to eat - in other words I do NOTHING to help the economy - WHY?? Because I CAN'T AFFORD to :( So please keep in mind when you belittle those of 'us' who 'haven't saved for a crisis'.... there are SOME who DO save - WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO - If I made more money I'd save more.... and so it goes.... Ensign should try to get a REAL JOB and see what the REAL WORLD is like out there. And for those who have managed to 'Save' enough to live off of for the rest of their lives (or at least for 10 yrs.) all I can say to you is BULLY FOR YOU!
FINALLY, a senator that is going to stop making it easy for people to receive money for such a long period of time. Instead, teaching them to get out of the house and look for a job! So many people claim craigslist and jobs.com is called "looking for a job". Its time to learn what hard work is all about! Even if that means changes for your family, moving to where the job is, or switching fields! Desperate times call for desperate measures, not sucking off of the government's debt costs!
Other than Jim Gibbons, Nevada has never had a bigger political failure than John Ensign.
Ensign comes from the pampered, privileged class that has every advantage to become successful yet his political career will end in disgrace. Even by lowly GOP standards his hypocrisy has been off the chart.
So JE is toast and he's angry about it. From now until Nov 2012, when he'll go slinking back into the private sector to take a cushy lobbyist job, Ensign will let his full teabag hang out and those Nevadans on the lower rungs will feel the brunt. We can expect every vote from John to be like this one.
There's 1 job opening for every 5 unemployed. Do the math morons.
"So many people claim craigslist and jobs.com is called "looking for a job". Its time to learn what hard work is all about! Even if that means changes for your family, moving to where the job is, or switching fields! Desperate times call for desperate measures..."
And you know SO MUCH on what people are doing as far as looking for a job!!! What are you - an expert? Or maybe you have a couple of lazy ass friends (birds of a feather flock together) and base THEIR pathetic lives on what YOU think everyone else is doing!
Another "know it all" who seems to think they have all the answers and are experts because THEY STILL HAVE A JOB...for now. Remember: YOU may be the next one looking at jobs.com.
What a hustling SLEEZE.....
When will you people understand that people like Gibbons and Ensign don't give a darn about you. Yet, you support them like their ideology will be passed on to you. Go get a job you say, there are no jobs to be had. Government is this,goverment is that. Get off of it. People need help. Don't act like the big corporations, the same corporations that shipped jobs overseas is going to help. The Ensign's of the world are just doing this to score political points. Judging from the comments you suckers are posting, they are scoring quite well.
Over the past few days I have read a lot of comments about unemployed people "just sitting back and enjoying the unemployment compensation they are receiving," and I have to wonder where the hell all of these people are living? What planet are they on? They make it sound like you can walk out your front door and find a job right away. That's simply not the case. It is harder to find work now than ever before. Prospective employers are more selective because of the huge prospect pool out there. They scrutinize your job history, criminal background, credit, etc., which in turn leads to longer wait times for offers of employment. It can literally take months before they make a decision, and that is for just one position. Meanwhile, Joe Applicant is still unemployed and looking for work and waiting for that one phone call that they have been offered a job.
Over the past two years, I have been laid off three times and my wife has been laid off one time. Our household income has been cut in half and we are struggling to pay the bills. We have to pick and choose who to pay each month, which in turn leads to hundreds of phone calls from creditors that aren't getting paid. Right now, I have been out of work for over seven weeks and have applied for hundreds of jobs. I've applied for jobs such as bus person, cashier, laborer, convention porter, as well as jobs within my scope of experience. In seven weeks, I have had three phone calls that lead to two interviews for very low paying jobs - but still no job offers! I'm pretty sure that most people are not sitting at home "raking in the big unemployment bucks" and happy with the fact they are loosing their homes, cars and everything that they worked their entire lives for. I have already come to the realization that I will have to take a huge reduction in pay when I go back to work, but first, someone has to hire me.
Our leaders have lost sight of what is important to the average working person, and therefore when these bills are on the verge of expiration, they wait until the last minute to take action and use it as a grandstand for their political agenda. I'm pretty sure that if their pay and benefits were on the chopping block at the expiration of a bill, they would ensure they addressed it weeks prior to it expiring and would not engage in petty political games that may possibly disrupt their style of life. What do they have to worry about, they have jobs (oh yeah, a little note here, we are paying their wages, sort of like unemployment, huh.) John Ensign is just another example of what is wrong with our government. How can he stand up to make moral decisions for us when he himself (like so many others that represent us) crossed the moral line and doesn't care about or know what the right thing to do is?
We did not ask to be let go from our jobs, but we resent the finger pointing and comments that we are lazy, worthless people living off of the government's dime!
If today we stopped sending out social security checks, shut down the entire pentagon and military and quit paying them our current federal budget would still have a 180 billion dollar deficit. That's how big of a hole we're in. I'm sympathetic to the plight of the unemployed. It can't be easy. But mortgaging your grandchildrens' future to a life of indentured servitude for a few sheckles now is not the answer. This is not Monopoly money people and spending beyond your means has definite consequences. Ensign made a tough choice and said I'm not going to saddle the future of our country to serfdom.
Not trying?
Here is a list of the companies that I have contacted regarding potential employment and at which I have applied and submitted a resume recently:
1. The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
2. IES
3. ECHO Plastic Injection Molding
4. Schiller International University
5. U-Haul
6. The Superior Group
7. Resource Accounting
8. Tampa Bay Rays
9. UDP
10. USDA Forest Service
11. Greystar
12. Johnson Consulting
13. Martinez and Shanken PLLC
14. Dolce and Companies
15. Solano County, California
16. Volt
17. Continental Federal Credit Union
18. San Francisco Giants
19. Reddy Ice
20. Climatec
21. Ajilon Professional Staffing
22. Brookline College
23. Private Hearing Healthcare
24. Gecko Car Care, Inc.
25. Weider Global Nutrition
26. Fairmont Hotels International
27. Cardiovascular Consultants Ltd.
28. Alliance Residential Company
29. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries
30. JP Morgan - Chase
31. Y. A. M. Holdings
32. McMurray
33. Kelly Financial Resources
34. The Mirage
35. Fremont Hospital
36. Vaco Resources
37. Collins College
38. Open Lane
39. Gilmore and Bell
40. DuPure International
41. GES Exposition Service
42. MGM Grand
43. Rural Metro Corp.
44. Red Door Spa Holdings
45. Gold Dust West Casino
46. Sumtotal Systems Inc.
47. Synnex Corporation
48. Crawford Thomas
49. Sami Fine Jewelry
50. Solari Hospice Care
51. Computer Guidance Corporation
52. Maricopa Medical Center
53. Healthcare Trust of America
54. Ironwood Cancer Center
55. Eastridge
56. Watermark Retirement Communities
57. Sparkplug Communications
58. Walgreens
59. RedFlex Traffic Solutions
60. Mountain Park Health Center
61. Examination Management Services
62. State of Nevada
63. Countertop Creations
64. Oxford Life Insurance Company
65. Tempe - St. Lukes Hospital
66. Arcata Associates
67. Sierra Nevada Corporation
68. Coach America
69. Western Nevada College
70. Republic Services Inc.
71. Invista
72. PDS Technical Services
73. U. S. Department of the Navy
74. Doctors XL, LLC
75. LiveOps
76. Drive Time
77. Arizona Community Foundation
78. Go Wireless
Very, very well written, Sincitymoose. Most of the Redneck haters cannot write as well as you do. Hope they all experience what you're going through.
"Ensign made a tough choice and said I'm not going to saddle the future of our country to serfdom."
How is it a tough choice for Ensign? He has a job now, and when he's booted out of office he'll land in a cushy lobbying post or go back to being a vet.
He's in no danger of ever standing in an unemployment line. And I sincerely doubt anyone close to him is either. So really, he's got the same myopic view - "Get lost. I got mine."
It's all phony BS from the teabaggers.
They pretend to care about deficits but didn't make a peep for the six years taxpayers were spending $10 billion a MONTH for a completely unnecessary war. In fact, almost all right-wingers supported the invasion and money was no object...then.
But now a Democrat is in charge and teabaggers are whining about "our grandchilden" being in debt. It's ridiculous, especially when we include the $1.8 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest that Bush and his GOP rammed through Congress in 2001.
So keep blowing smoke, wingnuts, but President Obama and the Democrats have the nearly impossible job of fixing the disaster your party left behind.
I wonder what would happen to some of these mean spirited bloggers if we really put an end to the "socialism" in the country: ie immediately stop all Social Security payments and abolish Medicare/Medicade.
Let everyone (yes, you retires will now be in this group) find their own health insurance and pay for it yourselves, not just the working poor that have no health insurance or those that have lost their jobs.
Let everyone fend for themselves when they retire, or keep working until you die.
I bet the "no socialism" cries would soon die out!
I also know I would have a lot more money in my pocket on payday if I didn't have to pay for these programs.
Just a thought!
Those on the right need mental help therapy. Ensign & Bunning are just rich shills for anyone who bribes them with the bucks,...they have their money,...and don't give a damn about anyone else. Politicians are elected to serve the people, but these two, and the Republican party serve only corporate their masters.
To no100. How about Wal-Mart? K-Mart? What is your speciality? What is your education level?
It is absolutely astounding how many people buy into the red herring crap and fight about unemployment benefits bankrupting us or the "lazy people" who wont take menial jobs. Keep arguing dummies, the real crooks appreciate the diversion.
As I mentioned we are on the hook for trillions in bail outs, not billions as they like to say. Yet we argue about unemployment benefits, just like the whole "irresponsible people caused this buy buying houses they couldnt afford" b.s. The problem was, is and continues to come from the derivative market, wall street created to magically make 2+2= 400,000. And guess whos paying the 399,996 that came up missing when they realized their new magic math doesnt work. The "lazy guy" and the hard working people. So yea.......lets keep focusing on unenjoyment and that money that will actually be put right back in the economy, while trillions go into the wall street black hole.
Interesting note, when Angela Merkel (she the German Chancellor for all you Sean Hannity listeners) told the German and European banks to eat crap an interesting thing happened. The world didnt end as they told her it would, they survived and are in better shape than our banks. They didnt give out 100's of millions in bonuses cause the government didnt pay for them.
Moreover, why is CITI starting a new derivative product (the main source of our problems) based on the next "financial crisis"? Especially when a)they dont have the money to cover it if no crisis happens b) They know a hell of a lot more about how bad things are than we do c) they are capable of creating a crisis (and making billions) all on their own accord. The only firms that are capable of selling something this dangerous are the "too big to fails" because only the government can back something with this much risk of loss. Oh, my didnt the government give citi over 300 billion in "loan guarantees"? hummm. See this tells a thinking person a few things: a citi is betting on massive inflation, things are more screwed up than you can imagine and finally they have nothing to lose. So keep bit**ing about unemployment benefits and Billy not having a job flipping burgers. Enjoy now self righteous a**es because you may be walking down the street with a donkey and clanging pots pans tied to him on of these days if you keep getting distracted by shiny bouncing balls.
http://www.risk.net/risk-magazine/news/1...
republicans have a history of opposing social security, unemployment benefits in case of lay off, medical insurance for poorer folks, all social services, etc...
republicans support more money for war, money for the churches, tax breaks for the rich, bailouts for the corporations who put us in this situation.
americans deserve what they get when they vote republican.
Hey 2dollars, did you know Glass-Stegall was repealed and signed by clinton? did you know both the house and senate banking over sight was headed by democrats? (Dodd and Frank whom opposed regulation) Did you hear Maxine Water comical rant on how great Fannie and Freddie were during hearing about regulating them (I bet shed give a million to have those tapes disappear) Do you think jogn corzine left the ceo position at goldman sachs to run for senate because he was concerned about us peons? (or maybe he was looking out for his investments) Think AIG got bailed out and only goldman got 100 cents on the dollar for their investment (opps little timmy's boys at the ny fed made sure not to many questions were ask) Thin the treasury in this admin is stacked with goldman executives but accident. Wake up we've been tag teamed. And finally looks like our only hope of goldman getting bi*** slapped lies with the European Union, who is really ticked off because goldman helped Greece hide 100 billion euros in debt form other members prior to the Euro and after its acceptance. And by the way profited hugely by selling greek bonds andon derivatives and other instruments related to the greek currency during conversion to the euro. I hope they cram it up goldman a** , they are pretty mad and of course goldman owns us we wouldnt question our masters, so it looks like its up to them to do it.
Teabag John went on with Alan Stock, talk-show/host softball pitcher. No questions on the unemployment bill, Ensign was allowed to brag about his new tax on tourists. What happened to the private sector John? They can't get together and market USA tourism? Tax, not fee John. Quit your lying.
Of course silver spoon John, just has to go to mommy and daddy if he gets in a jam. Or he can go on the Republican lap dog station, that coincidentally has Republican Party and John Ensign Employees miraculously win "Radio Star Contests," that give the Republicans a show of their own. Radio station to Republican party employment or visa verse... the revolving door to Republicanism works both ways out at kxnt.
The new State Republican spokes-mouth came from the ranks of this bias Republican hack station.
Now the lowly Chad Christensen is out at the "in" station which has anointed Lowden as the aire apparent. The teabag party is persona non grata (they'll split the vote) and so on and so forth.
Isn't it neat when a Political Party has their own Mandarin that sees to it that the Ensign's of this world can be shielded from their constituents. I thought Republicans were for personal responsibility? oh well not for JOHN.
stevem quote:
"i hope i get a job soon...so i can work for about 2 years, then quit and have a salary for the rest of my life for doing nothing."
For stevem and others let me explain how it works in Nevada.
Employers are required to pay into a state and federal unemployment insurance fund. The amount is based on the employees gross income. The percentage is based on the employers record of claims and time in business. Just like auto insure the more claims you have the more you pay. The total percentage paid in the employees name could be a low 4% OR high 11%.
When an employee gets laid-off they the department of unemployment figures how much money was paid in your name in the past quarters. Then provides you an account with that money paid to you a certain amount per week as long for 12 months starting at the date you filled, as you meet certain conditions.
In my case I was out of work for 1 month last summer until I found a job. This winter I was off 1 month at the end of the year. Took a short term job and am so far another 2 months this year. So I was off a total of 4 months in the last 12. Just now my benefits amount is almost $0. After talking to the department of unemployment last week I would be SOL unless the federal benefits were extended. The federal program was extended 38 days. That will provide me about 8 more weeks of benefits. Maybe I can get an emergency 4 week extension until I can re-qualify a new year of unemployed which may get me about 8-12 weeks.
I wish I could express to what I think of those those that belove I'm just living off the government. But the post would get deleted.
I have worked for 20 years and have had only two other unemployed situations that lasted only a few weeks each. I am only receiving a small fraction of what was paid in for my unemployment.
Thinking that you can work 2 years, quit and live off unemployment for life is a stupid lie. First you don't get benefits if you quit. Second you only get back based on what you earned.
Repubs want their "grandpa's" America, which is long gone.
And their intolerance makes it difficult for them to relate to what's replaced "grandpa's" America.
Gays used to hide. Now they don't. Repubs can't deal with it.
Minorities used to cower. Now they don't. Repubs can't deal with it.
Women used to tolerate back-alley abortions. Now they don't. Repubs can't deal with it.
The entire free world used to dance to our tune. Now they don't. Repubs can't deal with it.
Repubs are often paranoid xenophobes who perceive our entire existence being threatened by every little shadow.....
2dOLLARS you are the one sounding intolerant, you are making some pretty big assumptions based on a political leaning.
What does your little rant have to do with this discussion. You are acting just like the shinny ball distraction die hard right wingers. Humm, cant really make a logical argument to contribute to the discussion so I think I will reach into the old bags of names and ism's.
And by the way the dem party doesnt give a rats a** about you my friend. They dont run for office on poor folks money. And as my previous post points to whom they loyalty lies. Please put down the kool aid cup.
2dollars...by your comments, it would seem to me the evidence indicates it is you who is a 'paranoid xenophope'...not a Republican myself, but I certainly don't fear them any more than I fear the far-left...you may want to rethink your comments and evaluate your fears...
Well said Purgatory
sincitymoose
Good post and to the point. Unfortunately, there are a couple on here that would find fault with everything you said about finding a job. They would think differently if THEY were in the postiion you and thousands of others are in.
I second the motion Sincitymoose, good post. I hopething turn around for you soon, good luck.
"How about Wal-Mart? K-Mart?"
LOLOLOLOL The applications are done ON LINE in the store on the computer - that's IF you can get to one since there is always a line waiting for the computer. The odds of you actually getting called for an interview is ZERO!
Unemployed Life:
Your working for a company that cuts your hours so your making less than the cost for you to live.
While working, you use up your savings paying bills, and you look for a job to keep you working full time.
You finely file unemployment not because your not working but because you receive so little work your check is next to nothing.
Your employer disgruntled because you filed unemployment lays you off. But then claims that you quit to keep their contribution to the unemployment fund lower.
Your unemployment payments are put on hold for a month while it if disputed.
You average calling the office 2-3 times a month. It takes 1 hour of calling just to not get a busy signal. Then your put on hold for 1-3 more hours.
A good part of the day you read all employment ads on many locations and employer web sites. Many are scams to steel your identity, sign you up for school, pyramid deals. Most don't list what company but want all your information.
Looking at any kind of job you can do most will want several years experience. I talking about an $8/hr job mopping floors want someone with 2 years experience.
You send out 3-6 resumes a day 6 days a week.
You apply online for jobs as many companies that's the only way they take applicants. Every company web site wants more information from you than it takes to get a mortgage. You think they can't ask any more then it the personality and basic skills tests. It can take an hour or two to apply at each of these. Some wont even give you an auto reply "thanks for applying".
Go to interviews where people are lined out the door to interview. Ask how many applicants and some say 200 or more for one maybe a few spots. Then they ask how cheap will you work for. Maybe they tell you they have others with good credentials willing to start for $9 / hr and ask if you can go cheaper. Knowing you wont be able to sustain your self at that amount you pass. Or they will offer you something that is wrong as it does not meet minimum wage or have a base pay for inside sales.
Every week you don't know if you will get your unemployment payment or if something will change. The benefit amount was reduced $25 this week just because of what happened in Washington. You don't know what you'll get next week.
You can't change your financial situation as no one will give an unemployed worker credit.
You cut back on everything. Buying only the cheapest food, buying gas, and paying bills. Your stuck at home except for interviews or going to get food. Even though there are places to go that don't require money being in a store or on the strip is almost depressing seeing what you would like to do if you had money.
You savings has gone done to less than $1000. You know if you loose the unemployment there is a good chance you will loose most everything you own.
You try to find items around the house that you could sell.
republican geezers...
always good for a laugh!...ha,ha,ha.
"To no100. How about Wal-Mart? K-Mart? What is your speciality? What is your education level?"
Thanks for the suggestions dhvincent. I'll check out what they might have available. In response to your question, I have an MBA in Finance, and I'm taking the extra accounting classes to sit for the CPA exam (in this economy, I've got to improve up my credentials). I guess no one needs an accountant when nobody has money!
I'm not limiting myself to just looking for accounting work. So if Wal Mart or K Mart wants me to stock shelves, I'll stock shelves. The problem? Everybody and his younger brother Larry wants that job, and those who already have it aren't quitting. But it's worth looking into.
Take care,
No. 100
Ms. Mascaro should be given the chance to fully appreciate the un-employment benefits she so vigorously supports and be replaced by a 1st year English major who understands that a news article should not be an editorial. In fact, Ms. Mascaro's magaging editor should also be replaced (possibly by the same person) for the same reason.
I'd go on to speculate why this hasn't been done but I'm sure my comment would be removed at that point.
gmag39; "ecm...
Are you for real?
Yeah, your Senator Ensign, he's a real "STAND UP GUY.""
Did you bother to find out what Black Liquor is, or how the paper industry has found a loop (8 billion for 2009)? Did you notice the article is dated 4/2/09? Then did you bother to see how our wonderful senators voted two days ago?
Yep, I'm for real.
The ignorance displayed on this comment section is surreal.
Go out and get a job, what frigging jobs would those be?
Here's an idea how bout we end this stupid Terrorism scam and stop the 2 Wars these criminals are financing? How much Heroin and easy Oil do these pirates need anyway?
Helping a fellow unemployed neighbor is PEANUTS in an environment where pirates like Ensign are spending America into oblivion.
John Ensign is a disgrace to America, his Family and his Wife. He should not be making decisions about anything.
Ok, ok, how come we keep hearing from Repubs "not wanting to put our children or our grandchildren in debt", but they are perfectly content to destroy education, the environment, and put our children in harms way constantly fighting needless wars for oil in the very next breath?
Stupid Repugs, we see right your blatant lies about you "caring" about future generations, you could care less!!!
If you have been on unemployment for a year now and can't find a job, just maybe you should consider changing your occupation or relocating.
How long do you want the rest of us to support you?
Another year?
All your life?
Why does John Ensign still have a job?
This man has no ethics.
Good point about relocating LarryV. I'm packing up and moving in a couple of weeks. By the way, I've been a hard-working American taxpayer for 25 years. Those currently employed aren't the only ones who have paid the bill for this.
"If you have been on unemployment for a year now and can't find a job, just maybe you should consider changing your occupation or relocating."
If you've been unemployed for a year, you don't have the money to relocate. Unless you mean "move somewhere and live out of your car until you find a job."
If Congress would have lived up to the election process promises of getting more jobs for AMERICANS I can see somewhat where Ensign is coming from. But they've done squat. Nothing will turn this economy around until they start doing something about creating jobs.
them.......
Our jobs are in China.
Where have you been for the last 25 years?
Hey LarryVegas, you aren't supporting anyone. We've paid into the Unemployment INSURANCE system over the years and now we are using it. Idiot.
Teamster hit on something! All we need to do is convince all the employed people to work for $1.84 per week and we can create jobs by bringing them back from china! Pierre will be proud
I can't believe this appeared under a news banner. This is an editorial. I don't see any stories about the ethically-challenged Charlie Rangel. If he had an -R next to his name, I'm sure it would have made the front page. Unfortunately, left-wing bias has become all too common in newsrooms around the country.
If everyone not currently working will just up and leave Nevada, Larry's ad valorem tax rate will go up so much he will have to depart too.
I was one of those "hobos" or people "who lack incentive to get a job" according to Heller and Ensign. I was laid off and it took more than 6 months to find another position. The really humorous part of this story is that I have a graduate degree, years of experience and.... a commendation for my work from Senator John Ensign. Without unemployment insurance benefits, I wouldn't have made it. If I couldn't find a job IN OVER 6 MONTHS with a professional resume, meaningful experience, and a commendation from state senators, how on earth does Senator Dufus expect teens, seniors, or minimally experienced or educated persons to find employment? Maybe they both need to open their eyes about the reality of how difficult this economy is and stop blaming the awful conditions on the citizens. I have no respect for those that dump on the weak or needy. By the way, I just tore up my commendation :)
RKC:
Hang on to that commendation. You may yet need to burn it for warmth! ;D
For those who do not know what this bill means, the extension does not allocate more money to unemployment accounts. It just extends the date when extensions phase out.
So this helps no one who has run out. Within a few month many many will have nothing.
If you have a job, trade with me. After all you say you can get a new one!!!!
"Our jobs are in China.
Where have you been for the last 25 years?"
teamster, I think that is the first intellegent thing I have read from you. There may be hope for you, yet.
On a related note, economic recovery will be impossible until our government understands this, no matter what party is in control.
How it All Started:
Running a big Surplus, so Congress fixed things (they are good at that) by deregulate banking and insurance. They called it "One stop shopping."
Everyone was making money so we give huge tax cuts to spur economy more.
Now we let everyone get a piece of American Dream and don't pay attention to how it is being abused, after all, everyone would be pissed if you pointed out the pending issue. (That was what Alan Greenspan said.)
Wait for the big bang, the crisis that opens the gates of opportunity for whoever is the minority party.
Step 1: Run up an unplayable deficit and blame it on prior administrations after all so many need the help. (Who got more, banks and insurance, new car buyers, new home buyers, unemployed? Who needs more? hmmmm)
Step 2 pending: Raise interest rates to stop inflation.
Step 3 pending: Piss off everyone by raising taxes and cutting those "entitlements" (Social Security and Medicare).
Step 4: Do you know the end result?
Someone please tell me what can keep it from happening.
It has happened before, the results were not good.
People who are unemployed, whether they receive unemployment benefits or not, and are able to keep posting leftwing/Marxist/Democrat propaganda on this website, need to get a job of some kind and get with the program once more.
My God, this is America, the land of Big Capitalism, where everyone pulls their weight, except the crippled, the widow, the orphan, etc.
Pierre
Regarding "everyonoe pulls their weight EXCEPT the crippled, the widow, the orphan, ETC."
In your description of "etc" - define what you mean. In other words - who else is included in that "etc" and are exempt from pulling their own weight?
mr incrementalism,
first off lets start by saying the world doesn't revolve around you. that being said, remember we live in America and part of being American means lending a helping hand when you can. Now its funny how many conservatives are against helping the unemployed, but you all had no problem with the billions of dollars spent on the iraq war, or why is it ok to help countries devastated by natural disasters but its not ok to help americans devestated by the economy at no fault of their own. another thing I always hear republicans cry about is big government this and big government that, but if you would remove your head from your rectum you would see the real reason the gop wants less government is so their corporate buddies can take advantage of the American people, case in point the warning letters issued by the FDA to food producers this week. I agree less government is better except we live in a world full of people like yourself who only care about themselves and will take advantage of anyone they can as long as the law says its ok. So that being said, unfortunately until we have a complete change of perspective in our society big government is something we will have to live with, and who says 62% of Americans are against the healthcare plan, correct me if Im wrong but nobody ever asked me what I thought.
Would you left wing bleeding heart Liberals please tell me how long a person should be able to draw unemployment...
Obviously you people who oppose this bill are not unemployed or haven't been employed long enough. Times are hard out there. We have approximately 2 to 3 yrs longer before this thing sees its way through. In the meantime, while the "business cycle" plays its way through, government assistance comes in to keep the peace and show resemblance of a 1st world country. People will find jobs once there are jobs out there to get. WE MUST do whatever it takes in order to keep civil unrest to a minimum and make sure are people taken care of. If not, you better invest in a nice home security system, get a gun or two, and watch your back on the way to your car. By the way, those who have not been laid off by now or recieved a significant decrease in salary, should consider yourselves very fortunate and should quit trying to blabber right-wing rhetoric that is futher setting back already-demoralized Americans. We are in this mess because capitalism was taken to the extreme and a very select few got very rich off of it and created a huge bubble. Oh well, I know there is really no sense in talking to you conservative fools. You're stuck in your ways whether rain, snow or sunshine. The only way this country will revert back to your crooked, look-out-for-yourself politics is if you fool the "middle area" of the populous. Hopefully they are smarter than you.
If you work for a living and still vote for Republicans, you are an idiot! LOL
another thought. i was part of the team that opened city center and i can assure you a good percentage of those 12,000 jobs were given to people here on work visas, my question is how come our friends that care about us so much, the government, haven't pulled these work visas and sent these people home so we can start putting americans back to work, also WTF are companies doing still employing illegals, dont people care about each other anymore in this country or is everyone just out to make a quick buck?
well larry vegas how long is not a question we can answer, i am unemployed myself and i guarantee i can work most people under a table in any job, yet im unemployed, luckily i have savings but ive already put in probably 100 apps and not one reply, infact one job that i was a step away from getting was with the state and the job was canceled. So to bad for me? is that what your saying, that even though ive worked my ass off for 20 years if i dont have a job now i should just be left to rot. mind you if i dont get a job and i run out of money its people just like you ill be taking money from, but not in the form of unemployment ill pry it from your hands with cold hard steel, then we'll see who has a bleeding heart lol
To the unemployed, benefits-grabbing commentator named electriccuda:
Linda at the Serene Ave Burger King is looking for new employees all the time. Drop in and grab a whopper and a job, and save some of my hard earned,U.S.Treasury-bound dollars.
Nothing will be resolved by attacking each other here -- no perspectives will change. This article is about John Ensign, Nevada's No.2 hypocrite -- Gibbons is No. 1. Ensign said nothing when appropriations were billions in the red financing the needless Iraq war, so now is the time for fiscal responsibility? If you think Ensign voted correctly, let's wait until your turn comes for unemployment. And in the meanwhile, keep an eye on your wife when Ensign's around.
hey pierre its my money too buddy i paid in way more than im collecting so when i can find a job or jobs that pays more than the benefit, which dont even pay my bills, luckily ive been saving, ill gladly take it. ive flipped burgers before buddy its not beneath me.in fact there was a time when i was homeless in this town and i worked my way all the way up to 150k a year with my own bare hands. its funny how we have so many selfish right wing crazies in this town who think they are all that matters. you people have no clue what empathy is let alone family. i bet 99% of you conservatives cheat on your spouses and look at child porn because you all seem to be borderline sociopaths. what happened to the america where if someone fell down someone was there to help you up, either with words of encouragement or a helping hand? i've always gone out of my way to help people that want to help themselves, so pierre give me your job and you take the burger king one friend since you think its such a great job. its funny how when people have money they are respected by right wing crazies but if you dont your sucking the country dry. i dont get it, pierre i hope your mom has to eat cat food because all the governments help is gone, i bet you dont even talk to her do you?
I guess LarryVegas thinks someone who pays into the system shouldn't be able to draw benefits from the system when they become unemployed.
Study after study have shown the stimulative effects of unemployment.
"Economists, including Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com, routinely rate increased unemployment benefits as among the most stimulative provisions under consideration. Zandi estimates that every dollar spent on increased unemployment benefits increases economic activity by $1.63."
lectrocuda
Don't waste your time and thoughts on "Pierre". Everyone has his number and he's a loser. My guess he gets off on people getting pissed at his posts - that's IF you can make sense out of them. He probably doesn't work at all, but is a bitter person sitting at home watching The View and Oprah and the shows on the CW network and has to vent somewhere so he comes here and posts his unintelligible words.
Our elitist Liberal Kevin Sandoval posted:
"I guess LarryVegas thinks someone who pays into the system shouldn't be able to draw benefits from the system when they become unemployed."
Let me speak very slowly so our smartest Liberal can understand...
AN EMPLOYEE DOES NOT PAY INTO THE FEDERAL OR STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS.
THE EMPLOYER PAYS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL WAGES PAID INTO BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS, BASED ON THAT EMPLOYERS AMOUNT OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.
All Liberals can think about are entitlements...
Actually, republicans around here regularly argue that a tax on employers is a tax on employees and their customers.
The tax on an employer is paid somehow. Some think it's paid as higher prices for customers. Some think it's paid as lower wages for employees.
Thus, when a business pays into the unemployment fund, employees suffer. In effect, they are paying into the system by foregoing wages.
If you want to "debunk" the entire rhetoric we've heard from republicans and libertarians for decades, I'd be happy to hear your argument.
But to be ideologically consistent, republicans often criticize taxes as harming employees because they lower wages. I'm following that train of thought to it's logical conclusion.
Put Ensign and Bunning in the unemployment line when they are up for reelection. Of course people like them who were born with golden spoons, never need to worry about things like that, now do they?
Taxes rob capitalist entrepreneurs of their wealth, which is produced by their intellect, guts, and risk-taking. Taxes are then re-distributed to the habitual unemployed, who milk the system and give zero in return. I find it amusing that an illiterate hobo in this town can go from street begging to a 150K job overnight, but then again the world (especially Vegas) is overrun by Walter Mittys. Libtards for the most part believe the government owes them an entitlement.
... LMAO!!! Typical RePUKE!!!
Poor little Kevin Sandoval aka ksand69 has spun himself into a corner.
Liberals think they are elitists yet they can't answer my question, so I will make it a multiple choice question.
Would you left wing bleeding heart Liberals please tell me how long a person should be able to draw unemployment while they are supposedly looking for work:
(a) 6 months
(b) One year
(c) Forever
(d) Only until Republicans take over Congress and the White House.
The republicans got us into this mess and now they want to destroy the lives of millions of American families by cutting off their only access to stay afloat?
LarryVegas tries to distract with his childish multiple choice propaganda. The American people aren't buying it, Larry.
The Congressional republicans have the lowest approval rating when it comes to the economy. The Democrats and Barack Obama both have an edge over the republicans when the American people are asked who is better equipped to handle the economy.
Congress has been multitasking around the obstructionist republicans. They passed health care through the Senate with a supermajority, and still the obstructionists whine and whine about Congress not getting things done?
The republicans did their best to try to sink America like the Titanic, but they failed. The Dow was up 122 points today because things are getting better.
A temporary unemployment benefits extension has been supported by:
The National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governors Association
National Association of Counties
United States Conference of Mayors
Economic Policy Institute
Catholic Charities USA
Center for American Progress
Center for Law and Social Policy
Coalition on Human Needs
Larry would rather see families and children homeless?
If Harry Reid wasn't already finished in politics, he soon will be.
Celebrating the loss of 36,000 jobs in the American economy in February may be one of the most clueless political statements ever seen...
Kevin Sandoval aka ksand49 resembles an "educated idiot." This is a phrase used to describe the arrogant liberal intellectuals and elitists unacquainted with real life who foist their insane ideas on the "unenlightened" rest of us.
Your ad hominem attacks are more proof you just can't keep up with the arguments, Larry.
Yawn.
The republicans got us into this mess and now they want to destroy the lives of millions of American families by cutting off their only access to stay afloat?
LarryVegas tries to distract with his childish multiple choice propaganda. The American people aren't buying it, Larry.
The Congressional republicans have the lowest approval rating when it comes to the economy. The Democrats and Barack Obama both have an edge over the republicans when the American people are asked who is better equipped to handle the economy.
Congress has been multitasking around the obstructionist republicans. They passed health care through the Senate with a supermajority, and still the obstructionists whine and whine about Congress not getting things done?
The republicans did their best to try to sink America like the Titanic, but they failed. The Dow was up 122 points today because things are getting better.
A temporary unemployment benefits extension has been supported by:
The National Conference of State Legislatures
National Governors Association
National Association of Counties
United States Conference of Mayors
Economic Policy Institute
Catholic Charities USA
Center for American Progress
Center for Law and Social Policy
Coalition on Human Needs
Larry would rather see families and children homeless?
Lowden increases her lead over Reid...
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds Sue Lowden, ex-chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, with a 51% to 38% lead on Reid.
Scary Sue is Nevada's Leona Helmsley.
She took a $200,000 bonus after firing 100+ workers from her casino.
That sounds like something all those corrupt Wall Street bankers would do!
Spin it as you can, but Sue Lowden increased her lead over Harry Reid...
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds Sue Lowden, ex-chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, with a 51% to 38% lead on Harry Reid.
To the poster who suggested that if a person can't find work here in Nevada they should move... I'd like to know which state you suggest they move to? Last I heard there isn't a state in the union that isn't suffering the same unemployment problems as Nevada - maybe to a somewhat lesser degree(percentage-wise) but unemployment is unemployment all the same... so just where do you suggest they move to - and since they're unemployed how would you suggest they pay for the move? Maybe some people can't literally 'pound the pavement' - maybe some have to search on-line and in newspapers...maybe some don't have the gas money to drive all over town chasing rainbows..... and most companies don't even have you apply in person anymore anyway - it's either on their own computer and in the case of places like Home Depot and Wal-mart you use a computer in the store to apply - no chance to increases your odds by getting a face-to-face interview...no chance to 'sell yourself' to the interviewer - just an on-line app. and you become one of a thousand+ faceless job applications being received daily.
She is up thats for sure but I wouldnt put a lot of faith in polls at this point.
Either way, what makes you think she would do better?
Lowden halted the election in midstream and without the approval of delegates to the convention. A few weeks after the election at the state convention was abruptly halted, a few state party leaders named the delegates to the national convention, which according to the Republican National Committee, violated an agreement with the national party which required that the delegates be elected at the state convention.
So you want someone who riggs elections and screws their own party members? Nice.
And Ksand99, she gave her husband a $200,000 dollar bonus to be exact. Thats not so bad him being an employee and all, that way sure the company was doing so poor 100+ workers had to go but atleast on of the hard workers got something. (haha)
Some of her points and views actually appear to great to me, I could never get over the BS pulled with the delegates. Sounds like she may be better suited for the poliburo. We love democracy..........you can vote for candidate 1A or 1B that we have selected for you.
If a unemployed person can't find work, they should just set at home and wait for their unemployment check to come in... FOREVER...
Unemployment Compensation should be for a fixed period of time to enable the person to find a job. After that time, if no jobs are available, the person should go and apply for public assistance and qualify on household income.
How many out there drawing unemployment have a spouse who is a high earner?
I know quite a few professional people whose spouse is drawing unemployment compensation and have no plans on obtaining employment as long as they can draw unemployment.
Larry- that makes sense.
Martin123 I mostly agree with what you're saying BUT the part about the glass-steagall act. BTW, people here, and most Republicans who whine about how the dems got us into this mess, should go read about the Glass-Steagall Act. The Repubs wanted less goverment oversight, as they usually do; they don't want to have to answer to anyone while they have their hand in the cookie jar! That's what they got when the Glass Steagall Act was repealed. And that is what lead us to this mess, TARP and our 2nd depression. From wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass--Stea...
The bill that ultimately repealed the Act was introduced in the Senate by Phil Gramm (Republican of Texas) and in the House of Representatives by Jim Leach (R-Iowa) in 1999. The bills were passed by a Republican majority, basically following party lines by a 54--44 vote in the Senate[12] and by a bi-partisan 343--86 vote in the House of Representatives.[13] After passing both the Senate and House the bill was moved to a conference committee to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions. The final bill resolving the differences was passed in the Senate 90--8 (one not voting) and in the House: 362--57 (15 not voting). The legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 12, 1999.[14]
It was passed by a Republican majority Congress. Even if Clinton vetoed the bill, they would have over rode it anyway.
quote by gregory: the truth is federal stimulus spending, within reason during a recession, puts money into American citizens hands who are going to spend it to pay bills and buy necessities, meaning it is going to turn over several times in the private sector to curb economic retraction for American business, and greater tax shortfalls.
Agree 100%. Obama has no choice. If they don't get money into the economy, we will have a greater retraction and end up with a full blown Depression like what happened in the great Depression. People need to go study economics. George Bush and his banking & wall street friends made a lot of money and got very rich during his tenure. Our huge deficit started in his administration when they gave the largest tax cut to wealthiest 1% of wage earners.
John Ensign and the Repubs are just tools for the corporations that pull their strings. They need to get soft money donations aka lobbyists out of Washington and start making the people we elect accountable to us. WE PAY THEIR SALARY THEY SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO US not the lobbyists!
sdvincent, a lot of places don't want to hire people who have higher levels of education because they are "over qualified" and they know that as soon as something better comes along that person will leave. So we have huge gaps of people with higher levels of education who can't get work because no one will hire them because they are "over qualified". In the meantime their job has been outsourced to someone in India. (Yeah, it's not just manufacturing jobs being outsourced, it's service jobs, IT jobs, you name it.) What a joke.
Suitefreak, Well Said in all posts.
What is amazing is how many of the people whining and complaining have never heard of Glass-Stegall! My point and I think you got it was its been a bipartisan cluster - in many cases. 90 to 8 and 362 to 57 is pretty decisive. He could ahave vetoed it but after a, i believe 12year 200 million dollar plus lobbying effort your right probably would have been over ridden. Clinton was VERY tight with the wall street crowd though, they didnt invest heavily in him to have him veto their baby
I really dont think people understand what a mess we are in. Its way past just tighten the belt. It is a gigantic mess. Obama had no choice but to put money out, period. Of course that carries another set of problems but when we've just been kicking the can down the road too far.
You should read about the new Citi derivative if you really want to lose some sleep. People should be pi**ed beyond belief. Derivatives caused this mess and now they are proposing the "mother of all derivatives", of course they are a dead man walking and have nothing to lose at this point. All I can say is A) they know something we dont know B)there is only one reason they would propose this and only two possible out come and neither is good news for us.
I love how some people try to blame the Democrats for Ensign's vote. It's Obama's fault he voted no!
I think that continuously extending unemployment benefits is one of the reasons the recession is lasting as long as it is.
This recession is called the Obama Recession for all you Liberals who don't know who is in the White House...
LarryVegas, have you forgotten who was in office the preceding 8 years? Have you forgotten who took over running this country with massive reserves inherited from and amassed during the Clinton era; and who it was that managed to squander all of that getting us into massive deficits? It was BUSH. That will be forever his legacy. (Well that and getting us into an unnecessary war in search of non-existent WOMD!)
Obama inherited this mess. All of you Repubs should go research the Glass-Steagall Act and study basic economics. Obama had no choice but to do what he did. If you knew anything at all about economics, you would know this. To do otherwise is exactly what lead to the last Great depression. Everyone would pull their money out of the banks & Wall St, more banks and more businesses would go belly up and we would have bread lines and rationing like the last Depression -- or worse! The best Economic scholars in the world learned this from studying the last Depression, and that's why he responded as he did with TARP and other programs. This is exactly why repealing the Glass-Steagall Act and removing government oversight and Deregulating the banking system was a huge mistake. I know all you Repubs love deregulation because you don't like getting caught with your pants down around your ankles while your hand is in the cookie jar. Too bad! You need regulation because people are human and greedy, and this economic fallout is a result of that one simple truth!
SuiteFreak- they will not look up Glass-Steagall its not as entertaining to research big boring complex problems. Its much easier and more entertaining to repeat talking points from some hack entertainer who passes their shows off a political and policy information show.
TARP- as horrible as it was (and that 700billion is only a small portion of the total amount given) , was needed. Too bad they didnt put some checks on them when they had a chance. And the anti regulation crowd, isnt even smart enough to understand our problem was in large part caused by unregulated derivatives (funny dont regulate them, but let them become so large that the only one capable of backing them is the taxpayer) and the "mother of all" is being launched as we write, that pays out during the next "finacial crisis".
Its far simpler to rant about free loaders and say this whole crisis was created by irresponsible home buyers.