Republicans Just Don't Feel Like Extending Unemployment Benefits

When Abraham Lincoln presented his Gettysburg Address, he said that the United States government was "of the people, by the people, for the people." Guess the modern-day GOP didn't get the memo.

With just a few days left to extend unemployment insurance benefits for millions of Americans, it seems as though Republican leaders will simply do nothing. These benefits stop at the end of the month, putting more than two million Americans under further financial hardship during the holiday season.

Many Democrats are still seeking ways to circumvent the GOP opposition, with little success.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) says that his chamber is "in the process of trying to establish the schedule of the lame duck session, in terms of the remaining days of the session, so no specifics, but think we all understand that this is something that is going to have to be done."

He acknowledges, though, that there is no plan for a vote on an extension. "At this point it's not been scheduled," he said. "We're trying to make a case that there be action but at this point I can't point to a specific time it will come up for a vote this week." (The House defeated an extension yesterday.)

Here's the hypocrisy of the situation: the wealthiest Americans have captured "half of the overall economic growth" between 1993 and 2007 while poverty rates continue to rise. When we should be discussing aiding those who are most affected by the recession, we have Republicans who are adamant about extending the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while doing nothing to guarantee unemployment insurance for the ones truly suffering.

As Reed says: "On the one hand they want to provide $700 billion in tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans but not pay for them. And on the other hand they're demanding that UI benefits for the middle class be paid for. That's a little like someone on a diet who orders a Diet Coke and a Big Mac simultaneously."

As the GOP continues to belittle hard-working Americans by embracing the belief that these benefits "create hobos," people who can see their benefits fade are under a tremendous amount of pressure.

Think this issue isn't important?

Consider 99ers like Louise Davies of Boston who has been left without dignity since her unemployment benefits expired. "I bite my nails. My hair is starting to fall out," she said. "I have very little dignity left. I can barely look at my husband, I feel so ashamed."

Think of Susan Madrak, a formerly self-sufficient woman who is terrified when she thinks of paying her bills.

The American people deserve better from our elected officials. The hypocrisy and political scheming must end now. Tell Congress to extend unemployment benefits today!

Photo credit: David Drexler