Would you be ok if Obama didn't extend unemployment ?

[SpartanDem]

If the pugs try holding it hostage for another tax cut extension like they did last year? Last year I supported Obama extending them in exchange for the tax cuts because while I hated the tax cuts I didn't wnt people to be hurt by not extending tem. But after going through this latest hostage situation I'm close to the point of saying screw it and let angry voters take care of the situation because the tax cuts hurt us in the long term. Of course this could backfire and Obama gets the blame.

[uppityperson]

1. I am not ok with stopping UI extensions. eom

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Unemployment should be made available

to anyone who wants to work and can show they are making an effort to find work.

I would enlarge the pool of beneficiaries to include long-term unemployed folks who would not otherwise be included and those trying to re-enter the workforce.

[eleny]

3. +1

[SpartanDem]

9. This isn't whether it should available

it's whether you're ok with extending the tax cut to keep unemployment.

[Coyote_Bandit]

37. Ummmm......

Unemployment benefits should be available to anyone who wants to work and can show they are making an effort to find work.

If we aren't willing to include all these people in the pool of beneficiaries then perhaps we shouldn't make those benefits available.

[SpartanDem]

38. I was asking if we faced a situation like last December

you'll remember the gop filibusterd UI for the tax cuts. I'm asking if that happens again do we extend ui or say fuck it taking our chances with the voters.

[Coyote_Bandit]

39. So.................?

Fighting to make unemployment benefits available to everyone who is actively seeing work is not an option?

Should FDR have limited those eligible to work in the CCC camps to only those who lost jobs in the last 6 weeks?



Part of our problem is that we fight political battles - and completely and utterly lose sight of the human impact behind those battles.

I would suggest that if our Dem politicians had the spine to take care of the people then they would have little need to be concerned with playing politics.

[bayareamike]

4. Nope.

I would also extend unemployment benefits for part-time workers. Unemployment benefits cause very little drag on the economy. Don't see any reason not to extend them.

[ZombieHorde]

5. Excellent question. On one hand, we want President Obama to fight hard for liberal causes,

on the other hand, unemployment benefits are extremely important. What if extending unemployment meant cutting medicaid or SS?

I guess I'll vote "maybe."

[Dr Fate]

24. Pony-wishing Liberals would propose balancing this with cuts in war spending.

But we know the public hates that idea and DEMS would lose elections for the next 20 years if we did that.

Every poll suggests that the public prefers to continue spending billions on wars, not domestic programs like unemployment benefits.

The Far Left cant see that this is an either or situation, and that spending over a trillion dollars on wars really has nothing to do with how much money is in the pot.

[ZombieHorde]

28. I agree with your points, but "pony" was originally used on DU to disparage gay rights.

I don't think we should be using that term.

[Dr Fate]

31. No- we used that to disparage the people who wanted Obama to fight for the PO.

And since it has been proven that they were wrong (Mandates are wildly popular and we would have lost the midterms even worse w/o them), I think it is a good time to bring it back.

[ZombieHorde]

34. You should ask about it in the GLBT forum. You'll see that you will be causing pain to that

community if you do bring it back.

[Dr Fate]

36. Obama lets gay people fight in Our Glorious Freedom Wars.

So I'm not sure what we would be complaining about.

Besdies- I'm not talking about people on DU- I'm talking about The Professional Left.

[ZombieHorde]

40. Just weigh your insult against the unintentional harm it will cause the DU community.

If you don't care, then you don't care. Think about it.

[polmaven]

6. The unemployed can't

wait until after a new Congress takes office to get payments.

[SpartanDem]

7. I'm little surprise at the results so far given the anger

92% of DU is ok with extending the tax cut in order to keep unemployment? After what we just went through with tea party terrorist? It's certainly not consistent with last years reaction to extending the tax cuts.

[bigwillq]

26. It's only a DU poll.

Don't take it too seriously.

[dawg]

8. We can't give in to hostage-takers forever.

There comes a time when it must end. Democrats could introduce unemployment extensions as a stand-alone bill and dare Republicans to vote against it.

Even if it went down, the public would get a good education on where the parties stand.

I know this is all easy for me to say. I have a job. And I certainly understand those who say the compromise was worth it. But there is always going to be another hostage. When do we draw the line?

[roomfullofmirrors]

10. I went unemployed/underemployed for most all of 2009/2010 and never got a dime in unemployment.

I finally just got a great job this week as a matter of fact.

[quinnox]

11. Wow, how did you get by?

Sounds like you must have had money saved up or got help from friends/family.

[roomfullofmirrors]

14. Both.

cash savings were wiped out trying to avoid foreclosure on my house. Foreclosure would have resulted in a loss of ~$80,000. I'll never take another loan out for anything. I became my grandparents these past couple of years. This was no recession or slow growth recovery for me, it was a straight up depression. I survived it but I'm not foolish enough to think that it's over. I should be making decent money soon. Paying off the house and preserving my equity is my only agenda.

[Dawgs]

12. Depends. If he continues to accept economy destroying ideas from the right then yes. n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. Nice principled stand, but pretty tough on the unemployed.

Some people need that money. Some actually use it for food and housing.

No, I don't think we should make pawns of the unemployed.

[LonePirate]

15. A UI extension will never pass this Congress. There are few things the Rs hate more than the jobless

Obama could fight tooth and nail for this but it will never reach his desk.

[B Calm]

16. I would prefer he start a jobs program like the CCC and put the unemployed to work!

[B Calm]

17. Well I guess that ended this discussion!

[Dr Fate]

27. And if we wasted money on that, how would we fund Our Glorious Freedom Wars?

Your idea sounds like something that might take money away from the Troops.

The public will be very angry at DEMS if we spend money on domestic job creation as opposed to finishing the job of fighting for freedom in 3 foreign countries.

[LaydeeBug]

18. You act like it's one or the other. Enough false equivalencies. He needs to FIGHT

[SpartanDem]

20. It is one or the other

that was choice he faced last year tax cuts or no unemployment. We'll likely be face with a similar choice for the terrorist at the end of this year.

[Dr Fate]

23. I thank God that spending on Our Glorious Freedom Wars will continue.

And that it is not a 3rd part of your equation.

Tax cuts or no unemployment. One or the other.

NO other choices. NOTHING.

[SpartanDem]

25. You can hide behind the snark

but this was the choice we were facing last December, right?

[Dr Fate]

30. No- I'm serious- we should continue spending millions a week on Our Glorious Freedom Wars.

If that means no unemployment benefits, or if it means more tax cuts for the Koch Brothers (or both), then so be it.

The choice should be as you say it is, and war spending should not be a part of this equation at all.

Obama would be a fool to stop spending billions on wars if he can end employment benefits or give out tax cuts instead.

[SpartanDem]

33. Hey I would love if it was part of the debate

But I wanted to see after going this hostage crisis now and back in December, if we were willing to give up something we like in order stand up to these terrorist. I never meant to imply that defense spending shouldn't be part of conversation

[Dr Fate]

35. Obama will make sure it is not. Thank God for that. God Bless Our Glorious Freedom Wars.

Clear heads prevail!

We might cut unemployment and we might have to give the Kochs more tax breaks, but Obama will NOT suggest that we end Our Glorious Freedom Wars as a way to shore up funds.

Ending entitlements or giving more tax cuts the Koch Brothers (or both) are the only choices Obama and the Democrats will give us, and we must accept that.

[Bluebear]

19. Well Obama not gettIng the blame is the imPortant thing here

[SpartanDem]

22. You don't think there is the slightest risk

,with our MSM and stupid voters in general that if the tea party holds unemployment hostage that Obama could get most of the blame? You have a lot more faith in them than I do.

[Dr Fate]

32. Exactly- Obama fools the media by never giving them a chance to blame him.

And it works every time.

[Dr Fate]

21. I am okay with whatever Obama did or did not do or does or does not do.

And no Liberals are going to fool me into saying otherwise.

[mmonk]

29. I would like to see him call their bluff. Their history has been to eventually pass it.

But I'm not sure where he stands politically because his moves do not indicate he is a fighter for progressive ideas or positions or will go to bat for the least of us.