Republican Senator to American Jobless: F-U

[Alferd_Packer]

Republican senator gives the middle finger to reporters asking about his efforts to block the jobless benifits bill.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/republican-senator-gives-journalist-the-middle-finger/?fbid=bFReTIgS7Y3

Will this blowback on him?

[AlBell]

Great question. Since that's been the attitude of the Obama administration and the Demo'rats for a year now concerning the jobless, will it blow-back on them?

Answer. I sure hope so.

[Ziggurat]

Republican senator gives the middle finger to reporters asking about his efforts to block the jobless benifits bill.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/republican-senator-gives-journalist-the-middle-finger/?fbid=bFReTIgS7Y3

Will this blowback on him?

Seeing as how he's planning on retiring (it's in the article), I don't see how. While it's easy to blame him, will the democrats let him hold up the bill so that they can scapegoat him, or will they make the cuts necessary to get him to allow it? I wonder...

[stilicho]

Republican senator gives the middle finger to reporters asking about his efforts to block the jobless benifits bill.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/republican-senator-gives-journalist-the-middle-finger/?fbid=bFReTIgS7Y3

Will this blowback on him?

Why should it? It got Trudeau re-elected a few times:

http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Middle:finger:Rc.htm

In Canada, showing the middle finger is called the Trudeau salute after Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau because of a famous photo of him giving the finger to some protesters.

I can't locate the image but it happened in Salmon Arm. He was also known to tell people to **** off but maybe it's just a Canadian political technique that won't work in the polite US.

If that fails, Bunning could apply the Shawinigan handshake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawinigan_Handshake.

[leftysergeant]

Great question. Since that's been the attitude of the Obama administration and the Demo'rats for a year now concerning the jobless, will it blow-back on them?

Obama and the Democrats are not telling the unemployed that it is just too bad that their unemployment benefits and health care insurance go away just becasuse one selfish little snot does not like what the grown-ups decided to do. Now bring something to the discussion and spare us the smarm. Defend the snivelling twit Bunning's egotistic tantrum or leave it alone.

[FarmallMTA]

Obama and the Democrats are not telling the unemployed that it is just too bad that their unemployment benefits and health care insurance go away just becasuse one selfish little snot does not like what the grown-ups decided to do. Now bring something to the discussion and spare us the smarm. Defend the snivelling twit Bunning's egotistic tantrum or leave it alone.

Actually, he's simply diverging from the lunatic Democrat model in which Unemployment is the new Employment. It has to end sometime so the incentive is there to get back to work. Otherwise, leftists who do no work have money to live on and we're trying to get them some self respect again by having them employed and contributing. Check out the avatar!

[corplinx]

Republican senator gives the middle finger to reporters asking about his efforts to block the jobless benefits bill.



The hysteria from the press over this is funny. Bunning being vilified for upholding paygo on extra unemployment benefits is definitely being blown way out of proportion.

[tyr_13]

Seeing as how he's planning on retiring (it's in the article), I don't see how. While it's easy to blame him, will the democrats let him hold up the bill so that they can scapegoat him, or will they make the cuts necessary to get him to allow it? I wonder...

What a strange way to phrase the question, as if the man has no control over his vote.

[Spindrift]

The hysteria from the press over this is funny. Bunning being vilified for upholding paygo on extra unemployment benefits is definitely being blown way out of proportion.
How so? I think his hypocritical grandstanding can't be exposed enough.

[jammonius]

Other Republican Senators are apparently adding fuel to this fire, including in remarks made by Kyl of Arizona.

If unemployed people perceive themselves as being kicked while they're down, I would foresee a possible "Let Them Eat Cake" moment developing here posters.

Those of you who have some influence with the R party may want to let them know Americans are seething with anger over the obviousness of who's interests matter (bankers and Wall Street and for whom no amount of money is too much) and who's interests don't matter and must be set aside in order to pay for the bailouts (the unemployed, underemployed and Middle Class Americans).

Watch out posters, I wouldn't light any matches in the current volatile atmosphere.

[Ziggurat]

What a strange way to phrase the question, as if the man has no control over his vote.

You missed my point completely. I'm suggesting nothing of the sort. My point, rather, was that this guy is retiring, so there's no leverage on him, he's made whatever decision he's going to make for whatever reasons he had, and there's nothing anyone else can do to change his mind. But the Democrats are not retiring. Well, not all of them. They still face future elections. It is their response, then, which is of more interest.

[WildCat]

Other Republican Senators are apparently adding fuel to this fire, including in remarks made by Kyl of Arizona.

If unemployed people perceive themselves as being kicked while they're down, I would foresee a possible "Let Them Eat Cake" moment developing here posters.

Those of you who have some influence with the R party may want to let them know Americans are seething with anger over the obviousness of who's interests matter (bankers and Wall Street and for whom no amount of money is too much) and who's interests don't matter and must be set aside in order to pay for the bailouts (the unemployed, underemployed and Middle Class Americans).

Watch out posters, I wouldn't light any matches in the current volatile atmosphere.
So the Dems aren't in on the Vast 9/11 Energy Beam Conspiracy?

[tyr_13]

You missed my point completely. I'm suggesting nothing of the sort. My point, rather, was that this guy is retiring, so there's no leverage on him, he's made whatever decision he's going to make for whatever reasons he had, and there's nothing anyone else can do to change his mind. But the Democrats are not retiring. Well, not all of them. They still face future elections. It is their response, then, which is of more interest.

Then the line 'easy to blame him' was being literal, and not criticizing blaming him for holding up the thing? I see.

[skeptical]

The hysteria from the press over this is funny. Bunning being vilified for upholding paygo on extra unemployment benefits is definitely being blown way out of proportion.

1M people will have their unemployment benefits end next month, 5M by the end of June, in a time when the unemployment rate is over 10%. Is it your opinion that this is not a serious problem?

[AlBell]

1M people will have their unemployment benefits end next month, 5M by the end of June, in a time when the unemployment rate is over 10%. Is it your opinion that this is not a serious problem?
Sure is. When do you think the Administration and Demo'rat congress will address the problem?

By, for example, offering tax credits to companies that actually hire people.

[willhaven]

Sure is. When do you think the Administration and Demo'rat congress will address the problem?

By, for example, offering tax credits to companies that actually hire people.Something like this?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/24/senate-vote-jobs-passage-likely/

WASHINGTON -- Companies that hire the unemployed would claim new tax breaks under a jobs-promoting bill the Senate passed Wednesday, delivering President Obama and Democrats a much-needed victory.

The 70-28 vote sends the bill back to the House, which passed a far more costly measure in December. Many in the House consider the Senate bill too puny, but they may simply adopt it and send it to Obama in order to get a win. Democratic leaders promise more so-called jobs bills are on the way.

The bill contain two major provisions. First, it would exempt businesses hiring the unemployed from the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax through December and give them an additional $1,000 credit if new workers stay on the job a full year.

Second, it would extend highway and mass transit programs through the end of the year and pump $20 billion into them in time for the spring construction season. The money would make up for lower-than-expected gasoline tax revenues.

[Shalamar]

Sure is. When do you think the Administration and Demo'rat congress will address the problem?

By, for example, offering tax credits to companies that actually hire people.

So... What exactly is a 'Demo'rat'? Is it a rat trained in demolition? A rat who demonstrates software and oither products?

Or is it you're just resorting to name calling because you have no means to argue in any other meaningful way?

[AlBell]

Something like this?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/24/senate-vote-jobs-passage-likely/

Yeah, something like that, with the credit one month pay or $1000, whichever was larger, done 13 months ago. and in a program 10 times as large.

[tyr_13]

Wow look at those goalpost fly away!

[Drudgewire]

I'm confused. The reporters are unemployed? :confused:

[willhaven]

Yeah, something like that, with the credit one month pay or $1000, whichever was larger, done 13 months ago. and in a program 10 times as large.Talking about the stimulus? Even the CBO said it added between 1-2.1mil jobs. So yeah, they've done something fairly substantial.

I wonder when the blowback will set in. I bet those who got jobs after losing them, businesses who got stimulus money and people employed by stimulus money are PISSED.

[daredelvis]

Yeah, something like that, with the credit one month pay or $1000, whichever was larger, done 13 months ago. and in a program 10 times as large.

Sounds like welfare to me.

Daredelvis

[AlBell]

Talking about the stimulus? Even the CBO said it added between 1-2.1mil jobs. So yeah, they've done something fairly substantial.
Do you believe that, and have seen any evidence of it? I believe figures lie and liars figure.

I wonder when the blowback will set in. I bet those who got jobs after losing them, businesses who got stimulus money and people employed by stimulus money are PISSED.
Wake up. The blowback is all around you.

As to off topic & moving goalposts, don't we already have plenty of praise Obama/Demo'rats, laugh at Republican and Tea Party gatherings threads for your liking?

[willhaven]

So the tax cuts and credits passed by the Democrats don't count as "offering tax credits to companies that actually hire people"? Got it...

Just hand wave the CBO away. If you believe figures lie, you won't believe any statistics. Even the CBO report itself (http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/110xx/doc11044/02-23-ARRA.pdf).

[leftysergeant]

Sure is. When do you think the Administration and Demo'rat congress will address the problem?

By, for example, offering tax credits to companies that actually hire people.

No wonder you're a right winger. You haven't been paying attention to facts.

Obama has already put that measure forward.

Kind of hard to get around to doing anything about it when you have sociopathic morons like Bunning throwing a shrieking tantrum and bringing action to a halt.

[wastepanel]

Bunning, who is retiring at the end of this year, said he doesn't oppose extending the programs - he just doesn't want to add to the deficit. Democrats claim the bill is an emergency measure that should not be subject to new rules requiring that legislation not expand the deficit.

FROM FEBRUARY 10, 2010:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/81405-pay-go-gets-passed-then-it-gets-bypassed

AND FROM JANUARY 28, 2010:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/01/28/83259/senate-votes-new-curbs-on-federal.html

The Democrats made the rules, and wanted to loophole their agenda. I guess we didn't see this coming at all.

If the Democrats really cared, they would have brought this up for discussion rather than try to go directly to the "Emergency Spending" loophole. On a sidenote, I loved all the postering the Senators did when all they had to do was bring it into discussion for a vote.

[Alferd_Packer]

I'm confused. The reporters are unemployed? :confused:

Just hyperbole on my part to gin up a thread.

[leftysergeant]

If the Democrats really cared, they would have brought this up for discussion rather than try to go directly to the "Emergency Spending" loophole.

And watch some moron like Bunning or Shelby filibuster it or try to stick in some other pork for their home states.

Riiiiight.

[corplinx]

1M people will have their unemployment benefits end next month, 5M by the end of June, in a time when the unemployment rate is over 10%. Is it your opinion that this is not a serious problem?

Do you think extending benefits is a serious enough to _pay_ for it? Apparently, 99 senators don't.

[leftysergeant]

Do you think extending benefits is a serious enough to _pay_ for it? Apparently, 99 senators don't.

Stop that. the Bush tax cuts die this year. It's paid for.

[Thunder]

what does Rush and Hannity think about this heartless Conservative GOPer?

[corplinx]

what does Rush and Hannity think about this heartless Conservative GOPer?

Being the 1 in 100 that stood up for paygo, he can claim to be the only conservative (fiscal) in the senate.

[leftysergeant]

Being the 1 in 100 that stood up for paygo, he can claim to be the only conservative (fiscal) in the senate.

Emergency supplimentals are exempt. He's BSing you.

The end of the Bush tax cuts will pay for most social programs anyway.

He is only standing up for the slave-owning class.

(And, did I mention he's a sociopath?)

[corplinx]

Emergency supplimentals are exempt. He's BSing you.

The end of the Bush tax cuts will pay for most social programs anyway.

He is only standing up for the slave-owning class.

(And, did I mention he's a sociopath?)

Did I ever mention that we would love for you to post on SC?

[leftysergeant]

Did I ever mention that we would love for you to post on SC?

What is SC?

[Meadmaker]

If the Democrats really cared, they would have brought this up for discussion rather than try to go directly to the "Emergency Spending" loophole. On a sidenote, I loved all the postering the Senators did when all they had to do was bring it into discussion for a vote.

That's the part I'm confused by. I'm no expert on Senate rules, but it seems to me that what happened here is that they asked unanimous consent for the bill's passage, but one senator objected. So, it seems again to me, that all they need to do is actually convene the Senate and pass a vote. What's the big deal?

[daredelvis]

Being the 1 in 100 that stood up for paygo, he can claim to be the only conservative (fiscal) in the senate.
Interesting that his convictions come to the surface after doing squat about spending from 2001-2009 and picking this bill to do it with.
What is SC?
skepticalcommunity you can use swear words there! It's the "good forum" according to corplinx.

Daredelvis

[corplinx]

skepticalcommunity you can use swear words there! It's the "good forum" according to corplinx.

It's a crappy forum. But at least there lefty's posts could be properly appraised in value.

[Spindrift]

That's the part I'm confused by. I'm no expert on Senate rules, but it seems to me that what happened here is that they asked unanimous consent for the bill's passage, but one senator objected. So, it seems again to me, that all they need to do is actually convene the Senate and pass a vote. What's the big deal?

I was wondering the same thing myself. I understand that the motion was to 'suspend debate' and get unanimous consent. Is there some kind of procedural thing where they couldn't just go to debate, talk about it for a while and then vote on the thing? I suppose Bunning could filibuster, but if 99 other senators where going along with unanimous consent couldn't they kill the filibuster. I know this all is probably too simplistic but I'd like to at least see an explanation no matter how byzantine.

[daredelvis]

It's a crappy forum. But at least there lefty's posts could be properly appraised in value.

Almost used the words "wank-fest" and "fit in", but held back. Until now.

Daredelvis

[wastepanel]

I was wondering the same thing myself. I understand that the motion was to 'suspend debate' and get unanimous consent. Is there some kind of procedural thing where they couldn't just go to debate, talk about it for a while and then vote on the thing? I suppose Bunning could filibuster, but if 99 other senators where going along with unanimous consent couldn't they kill the filibuster. I know this all is probably too simplistic but I'd like to at least see an explanation no matter how byzantine.

It's all a political game. The Democrats got to say Republicans don't care about the average man, the Republican can say he stands for conservative ideology.

[JoeTheJuggler]

I admit I've never heard of Bunning before this incident.

I'm curious, was he all gung-ho on fiscal responsibility during the spending orgy of the Bush administration? I suppose he opposed the elective war in Iraq since there was no way it was "paid for" except by deficit spending. And I'm sure he expressed outrage over the lack of oversight and accounting wrt the dispersing of funds in Iraq. And I suppose he opposed the Bush tax cuts, since they weren't "paid for" but actually resulted in a greater deficit.

Or is his record not at all consistent with his current position (from a position of fiscal conservative ideology)?

[fishbob]

Actually, he's simply diverging from the lunatic Democrat model in which Unemployment is the new Employment. It has to end sometime so the incentive is there to get back to work. Otherwise, leftists who do no work have money to live on and we're trying to get them some self respect again by having them employed and contributing. Check out the avatar!

Got those talking points down!!!
Polly deserves his cracker.

[JoeTheJuggler]

You missed my point completely. I'm suggesting nothing of the sort. My point, rather, was that this guy is retiring, so there's no leverage on him, he's made whatever decision he's going to make for whatever reasons he had, and there's nothing anyone else can do to change his mind. But the Democrats are not retiring. Well, not all of them. They still face future elections. It is their response, then, which is of more interest.

I agree with you here, Zig.

Bunning will not face fall-out for what he did the same way a president who issues controversial pardons on his last day in office will not face any political repercussions.

[wastepanel]

I admit I've never heard of Bunning before this incident.

I'm curious, was he all gung-ho on fiscal responsibility during the spending orgy of the Bush administration? I suppose he opposed the elective war in Iraq since there was no way it was "paid for" except by deficit spending. And I'm sure he expressed outrage over the lack of oversight and accounting wrt the dispersing of funds in Iraq. And I suppose he opposed the Bush tax cuts, since they weren't "paid for" but actually resulted in a greater deficit.

Or is his record not at all consistent with his current position (from a position of fiscal conservative ideology)?


I don't think consistancy is found in Washington. Read the articles I posted yesterday. The rule he was trying to enforce took effect January 28, 2010. It was a grandstanding gesture intended to create "manufactured" controversies like this.

Washington is broke because everyone speaks out of both sides of their mouths.

[leftysergeant]

Otherwise, leftists who do no work have money to live on and we're trying to get them some self respect again by having them employed and contributing.
Calling the unemployed less than dignified human beings for being unemployed during an ecconomic down-turn that your sort caused is hardly a way to get them self-respect. One generally tends to have less self-respect when they lose a job even if it is through no fault of their own, such as when the boss shoves the whole operation up his nose. It is even worse when one has no money at all and no health insurance coverage and will never again be able to get it because he has migraines under stress.

The whole idea of unemployment compensation was to tide people over during rough times so that, when the ecconomy does correct itself, there is a healthy pool of labor ready to go to work. This, of course, means little to the flying monkey right wing, because it is not their intention to restore the ecconomy to the same state of health it was in under the Eisenhower administration, when the New Deal was bearing its finest fruits. The investor class is making too much money under this ecconomy without having to actually earn it.

Check out the avatar!

Your repeated referrence to a long-forgotten politician says something about your reasoning abilities.

[Spindrift]

It's all a political game. The Democrats got to say Republicans don't care about the average man, the Republican can say he stands for conservative ideology.

Okay, thanks for stating the obvious. I'd still like to know procedurally how it works and why they just can't have a vote on the thing instead of doing it by unanimous consent.

[Spindrift]

I admit I've never heard of Bunning before this incident.

I'm curious, was he all gung-ho on fiscal responsibility during the spending orgy of the Bush administration? I suppose he opposed the elective war in Iraq since there was no way it was "paid for" except by deficit spending. And I'm sure he expressed outrage over the lack of oversight and accounting wrt the dispersing of funds in Iraq. And I suppose he opposed the Bush tax cuts, since they weren't "paid for" but actually resulted in a greater deficit.

Or is his record not at all consistent with his current position (from a position of fiscal conservative ideology)?

Apparently he was forced not to seek re-election by the other KY senator, Mitch McConnell. How McConnell did that, I have no idea. Apparently Bunning is plenty PO'd over that and this is one of his retributions.

Oh, and Bunning is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was quite the pitcher.

Another bit of trivia is that Ron Paul's son is running for Bunning's seat. I don't know if he even has a chance, but that's not who McConnell wants.

[leftysergeant]

Apparently he was forced not to seek re-election by the other KY senator, Mitch McConnell. How McConnell did that, I have no idea. Apparently Bunning is plenty PO'd over that and this is one of his retributions.

Apparently, McConnell has a lot of control over GOP campaign money, andcut Bunning off. Bunning nearly lost last time out, and McConnell wanted somebody stronger.

Bunning is kind of a spoiled snot, and decided to take it out on the whole Senate.

[Frank Newgent]

Oh, and Bunning is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was quite the spitball pitcher.


Fixed that for you :D

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1074832/index.htm

[wastepanel]

Okay, thanks for stating the obvious. I'd still like to know procedurally how it works and why they just can't have a vote on the thing instead of doing it by unanimous consent.

Sorry about that. Tuesday night, they voted 71-19 to extend the benefits. They took away a tax credit for some bio-fuel to fund it.

It really was as simple as putting it up for discussion and vote. Instead of doing that, the Democrats took the opportunity to bash Bunning and the Republicans.