How did the unemployed get their unemployment checks before the taxcuts deal?

[kentuck]

Some had been on unemployment for 99 weeks. Before there was even talk of extending the Bush taxcuts.

Why did the Repubs vote for them that time? And the time before? And the time before that?

What made you think they would not vote for them again??

They always talk of stopping unemployment benefits. Sometimes they actually delay them for a few weeks to see if a few people might go and get jobs but they have always agreed to extending unemployment when the economy is this bad.

For those that say we had no choice but to extend the taxcuts or the unemloyed would have been left out in the cold (many of them were left in the cold anyway), please explain?

[EC]

1. They did stop them in July of 2008

(I know because mine stopped) but when the Democrats won they pushed them through after the election...no, they would have let them run out and would have been happy about it...I think that the lack of spending between July and Sept. helped push the economic disaster, since there was no one shopping anywhere that I went during that time...

[kentuck]

2. How did the Democrats "push them through"?

Do they not have a bigger majority now than in 2008?? At least, until January 5th?

[EC]

5. No,

Teddy Kennedy and Robert Byrd were still alive.

[uberblonde]

3. They stopped them in March 2010.

With no additional weeks for 99ers, many of whom didn't get 99 weeks. I got 73.

[kentuck]

4. Historically....

The unemployed have gotten 26 weeks and one extension of 13 weeks.

What have we got to give the Repubs when they expire the next time?? Perhaps the economy will be better? Maybe 8.5% unemployment?

How do we get help for the unemployed with the Repubs in charge of Congress?

Or maybe we can extend the taxcuts for the wealthy for 4 more years?

[Rex]

6. Have past bills always paired unemployment and tax cuts for the rich?

When did they start doing that and why is my question.

[kentuck]

8. It's a good question.

The Repubs threatened to shoot the hostage and the Democrats believed them. No need to negotiate.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. They Passed With Overwhelming Democratic Support

And less than a handful of Republicans.

For instance, unemployment insurance was extended this Summer with only two Senate Republicans voting to extend it. We would need eight in the new Congress...

[kentuck]

9. How will the Democrats persuade the Repubs to help these folks?

Without giving up something in return? The precedent has been set.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. I Have No Idea

Probably won't be a quid pro quo large enough which is truly sad...

[kentuck]

11. It is not a pretty picture ...

to look at.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. I Think We Might Get One More Twenty Six Week Extension Next Year And That's It

.

[2Design]

13. new criminal gov of florida is going to make people on UE do community service for the money nt