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The Republican Party appears to be ready to contest the elections this year on the basis of "Hey! Unemployed guy! We hate you!"
When they're not objecting to unemployment benefits on the basis that unemployed people are lazy, and don't deserve them, Republicans have another line of attack, that if we are going to pay unemployment benefits to those lazy people, the cost can't be added to the deficit. It must be paid for. If there's one thing Republicans want voters to count on them for right now, it's to prioritize the deficit over all things! Anything that's not paid for -- "Sorry! We can't afford it! It's the deficit! No exceptions!"
Except for one really big exception. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), who has objected to increasing the deficit to extend $10 billion in unemployment benefits, told Fox News this weekend that it's fine to borrow in order to keep the $678 billion in Bush tax cuts for people making more than $200,000 a year. "You do need to offset the cost of increased spending. And that's what Republicans object to. But you should never have to offset the cost of a deliberate decision to reduce tax rates on Americans," Kyl said.
Just to be clear, a deficit is money flowing into the government as taxes, minus the money going out of the government as spending. Those are the only two ingredients, money in and money out. If you're saying you don't care about one of those things -- if you're saying taking in less money in taxes isn't a big deal -- then you don't actually care about the deficit!
Disregarding one of them would be like saying, "Hey, let me make you a gin and tonic! Here's a glass of ice. Here's some tonic. Here you go! Here's your gin and tonic! Sorry, we didn't have any gin! Enjoy!"
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I'm just going to leave this here: http://threepanelsoul.com/view.php?date=2007-05-19
It makes this all the more amusing.
Hehe, very good, Jess.
Funny, they didn't mind bringing on two wars without any means to pay for them.
Rachel, you repeated yourself 4 times today. Is 4 the magic number? Did you drink all the gin up before you started talking? Good choice on that G&T. Yes, Gray Goose, super bubbly Canada Dry quinine water, two wedges of lime smashed in a (clean) garlic crusher, and gobs of burning ice make the best G&T.
I love your show. You're a little clumsy sometimes, but that makes you more endearing.
Mom
I have never met a person who didn't make a gaff. I think if I meet that person, I will have died and gone to heaven. As for the rest of us, if we beat ourselves up for every gaff we made, most of us would be black and blue.
That said, I barely notice Rachel being clumsy, and if she is, one can still be classy at the same time, as is Rachel.
I must have missed Rachel's clumsy moment, or gaffe. This segment was a blinding success, as far as I can tell.
I wasn't sure what Margaret was referring to either, but I'm sure my advice is good anyway.
Did wonder why glass wouldn't be empty if Reps put nothing in and nothing out. But, I guess the gin & tonic really is appropriate, because they won't spend anything on the poor, but they'll tax the poor. (They will put tonic in, no tonic out). Gin, they keep all that to their wealthy selves (no gin in, no gin out).
So what you have is not an empty glass, but one with a little tonic, going flat in the bottom.
Do they ever LISTEN to themselves? This gives me the mental image of a dog chasing its tail.
Yeah, and whenever the republicans are in control of things I feel like they must be chewin on the ice and spittin back in the cup when they're done with it and then every 4-8-12 years they give us back the cup, full of backwashed saliva and mostly chewed up ice. And why does it always have that stench of oil and cigarettes as if you had been letting that semi-homeless gas station attendant stick his filthy oil and nicotine covered mustache in your drink.
But no one complains too much. Of course they don't, because they would NEVER think that that guy might have ruined your drink intentionally or out of greed. I mean, cmon... he just asked me if I believe in Jesus and said he does too. Nope must mean he only made a mistake. we all make mistakes... wait a couple years until the democrats have finally gotten the drink tasting good again and then say, ok, you guys had power for a while now it's their turn. THAT'S the mistake! We never learn! ,just because they say they want values, people are willing to overlook or ignore all the things they do to destroy our families. I don't know how not being able to afford school or healthcare promotes wholesome family values, but I'm sure they would find a way to argue it!
Someone needs to get them a governance bendy straw, so that they can get enough little sips of power... enough to feed this sick desire our country (sorry guys) the media seem to have for parity, even when one side is clearly either insane, or at very best not at all acting in good faith (or many like beck, limbaugh and palin who are clearly both.
I mean, It's bad enough that they ruined my parents drink, and now mine... but do I have to stand back and watch as they start sticking their oily fingers in my unborn daughter's Shirley temple to steal the cherries?
I'm done... I say they just shouldn't be allowed more than a bendy straw's sip of power over anything of any consequence. (ok, actually, you know what? that was kinda harsh. They can keep NASCAR, it's already covered in oil anyway!)
Goodness, Tree, that was powerful and funny; a great combination. And, I got your point. I think!
1. You don't like leftovers; even drinks.
2. You have a distrust of NASCAR and resent their sponsor program.
3. REPUBLICANS ARE POWER MONGERS!!!!!!!!!!
I think I agree.
Great post.
Cut the pay of our Representatives to minimum wage, have each of them pay for their health insurance and the health insurance of their staff. Let's then see if they have a different view on the unemployed and their needs which are directly related to the Senate and Congressional Farce that continues to bewilder everyone.
This is something I have been wanting to see happen for years. But, since they are able to set their own salaries and choose their own benefits, the chance of any of the above happening is slim to none. [Also, while complaining about the deficit (the result of two wars, one totally unnecessary, the other handled extremely poorly), they will attach earmarks to every bill that comes down the pike. This is aimed at both parties. Neither is without responsibility.] Wish we all could have jobs where we could name our own price, have excellent healthcare, leave the job richer than when we arrived and have a golden parachute to gently land us into retirement.
Also, I am getting very irritated by all of the "Christian" posturing when greed is the primary motivation driving Washington & Wall Street. (Is greed a venial or mortal sin? Not Catholic, but know it's a no-no.) Walk your talk and you will never have to tell anyone of your beliefs. In other words, if you have to cry from the rooftops how devout you are, then you must not be living by the tenets of your faith. What ever happened to WWJD? Too difficult to adhere?
And, don't even have to have any smarts, ethics or loyalty. Obviously, their job description says: "Can you shake your head, No?" "No?" "You're hired."
Rachel- you have no idea about unemployment. you should not comment on any thing you dont understand.How many people do you know making the maximum 440 a week. NO ONE !!!! Many of these folks dont want a lower paying job. Im talking millions of people. Why not keep getting handouts from a dem govt endlessly. I f these were real professionals they would go get a job. LOOK in the paper!!!!!!! Angry in watertown ny or anywhere Chris
Enjoy that Kool-Aid. Look in the paper? Obviously YOU don't.
Chris, I don't know what State you live in but here in Arizona, the MAXIMUM unemployment payment is $237.00 after taxes are removed. That means people who had low paying jobs get less and people like me who made about 50,000.00 a year (I was a construction manager) get $237.00 a week...which if you don't know math is $5.50 an hour. I would gladly take a job at McDonalds, or Lowes or the grocery store or at a call center but you know what they tell me? I am over educated and would be bored working for them or I get passed over for a younger employee.
There is no winning this game. I just have to sit tight, still apply everywhere and hope my industry rebounds before my savings drys up.
First question, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at Redstate or Fraud News Network. Apparently you know nothing about Unemployment Insurance as well.
Caune, Chris obviously lives in the state of ignorance and denial. And, he's never had to live on unemployment. His remarks were so demeaning and insulting that I couldn't even bring myself to reply to his post. Maybe we could start a petition to have his juvenile post put on 'deleted until experience qualified' status.
You don't know what you're talking about.
@ Tree....Amen. It's been the pattern for years now. That is why we need to close the enthusiasm gap for the next election. We should NEVER let the "wrong-wing" back in power to destroy.
Rachel makes this so clear--it is so obvious. I used to be a republican of the Eisenhower variety. I grew up after Nixon and found my true Liberal calling.
This is nothing new, Republicans have been singing the same old tune since I was a child, and I'm about 6-8 years older than Rachel. They break the economy, Democrats fix it, break, fix. It has been a regular feature, according to an old friend, Dr John, even before my political consciousness.
I guess the gin & tonic really is appropriate. Because they won't spend anything on the poor, but they'll tax the poor (tonic in, no tonic out). Gin, they keep all that to their wealthy selves (no gin in, no gin out).
Actually, John John, that's what I called Dr. John, who was actually a scientist having no training in anything near political science, was quite a character. He could have had his own show. It might have been hilarious, if bizarre. If you can imagine, he'd have been like a cross between Rachel and Rush Limbaugh. "The Republicans are destroying the country! Vote Republican, so they can destroy the country, and thereby, eventually, themselves!"
Don't do it!!! As I told you then John, the cycle just keeps repeating itself.
Thank you for your voice supporting the millions of unemployed Americans.
I was laid off even though I was a hard worker and had more seniority than most of my co-workers at a Chrysler dealership in Missouri.
The Republican Senators need to be ashamed of themselves for turning their backs on citizens of the United States.
Unemployed in Mo.
Rachel - This is a long-term conservative strategy known as the "Two Santa Claus Theory", which is the brainchild of Ronald Reagan adviser Jude Wanniski. Ever since Ronald Reagan, whenever Republicans get into office they cut taxes while running up the deficit so that whenever Democrats regain control, Republicans start screaming how we need to cut the deficit. Then Democrats end up where we are now, not being able to buy our way out of a pickle barrel when we need to -- think stimulus spending, unemployment benefits, etc.
You're real gift Rachel is teaching the American public about ideological differences, and correcting conservative historical revisionism. You should be teaching this theory to the public as loudly and as long as possible to steal this tactic away from the conservatives. Left untold, the cycle will never be broken.
Republican fiscal irresponsibility predates Reagan, but a lot of bizarre ideology came out of Reagan's administration, in attempts to cloak and excuse themselves.
Watching your show today and again I am left wondering how some senators get elected to office. When one said that the unemployed..will become ho bos..Geez, I wish he had taken a history lesson before making this comment. During the depression there were HO BOs...but this is was shortened for what the really Hoe Boys...men looking for work, traveled the rails, and in backs of trucks looking for work in fields to support their families. They carried their own tools to work..some were probably gone for months. I think this senator should be given a chance to experience what ho bos were really worth.
For those of us who are not imbibers, here's an analogy that may illustrate the point:
The Republicans (for some inexplicable reason) open up a soup kitchen. They announce to everyone that every person in line gets a hot dog. At the front of the line is someone handing out empty buns and ketchup packets who says, "Here's your hot dog!"
http://www.ted.com/talks/carl_safina_the_oil_spill_s_unseen_culprits_victims.html
Very compelling piece. Thanks for posting the link.
Rachel you are my hero!!! Thank you on behalf of all the unemployed workers who WANT to work and CAN NOT find work!!! The majority of us have worked and paid into unemployment our entire lives. We did NOT choose to be laid off or have our jobs outsourced. To the idiots who think we live a life of leisure, do you honestly think we want to lose our houses, cars and possesions??? FYI, most states unemployment benefits don't even exceed 300 a week max!! As for taking low paying jobs, most fast food and min wage jobs are not even hiring and when they do they will not hire anyone with a degree or experience as they know that if a job comes available in their field they will leave!! Fact!!! I challenge any of you donkeys who actually think their are an abundance of jobs available out there to actually apply for some and see how many reply's you get back!!!
Is this what the Republicans meant with their "Contract on America" in '94? Destroy the middle class?
YEP!!!!
My only hope from all of this nonsense is that enough of us the "people" are paying close enough attention and remember to vote this year
That's the key Jim. Everyone get out and vote.
Apparently Kyl and the repubs don't know how to read. The CBO reported in 2005 that the Bush tax cuts added more to the deficit than domestic spending increases.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=966
Paygo, which BOTH parties had agreed to years ago, would make any spending increases or tax cuts have to be deficit-neutral, so I guess that in the years since that consensus, repubs have decided that only spending increases, specifically on the domestic program side, and not defense, have to be offset by spending decreases elsewhere in the budget. I hope dems have the brains to hammer the hell out of repubs in the coming months with the idiocy spilling from Kyl, Barton, Boehner, Angle, Paul, Bachmann and the rest of the clowns who have taken over the repub party and destroyed it. If repubs actually win in November, be prepared for the lousy economic climate we have today to look like the good old days. Millions of unemployed will join those already unemployed, and none of them will be getting unemployment benefits. Maybe it will then be time for people with REAL gripes to start massive protests, instead of ignorant old white folks wearing tea bags on their hats.
Kyl has no credibility and is obviously short on brain power. He doesn't even pique my attention. I know how I'm going to vote.
Is Kyl up for re-election this year?
On the way in to work today, I heard that Bachmann has a 9 point lead over her opponent right now, and raised $4.1 million during the last reporting period, with most of it coming from out of state. Just because they are nutty as a Snickers bar doesn't mean they won't win if they can outspend their opponents.
Kyl isn't up for reelection till 2012.
Spending isn't going to play into this election like it has in the past. People are paying attention now.
When Rand Paul won the TeaBag primary in Kentucky in May the Democratic loser of the primary on the same day got more votes than he did.
If dems are able to lose this election after all the things repubs have done, from apologizing to BP, to blocking unemployment benefit extensions because the unemployed are "lazy and using the money to buy drugs", to embracing Tea Party candidates that want to eliminate Social Security, then they are just plain incompetent. If the American people want to elect people that have come right out and stated their contempt for them and their plight, they deserve the suffering they will endure. Why any unemployed person would even think of voting repub at this time is beyond me. Why anyone in the Gulf States whose livelihood has been destroyed by BP would vote repub is also beyond me.
I give the American people more credit than that.
A lot has happened in the past two years, and people are probably more in tune with Washington than they've ever been in the past. Look at the people who take the time to blog and share their opinions. These blogs are busy!
Let's see what happens in November.
I am all for deficet spending to stimulate the economy during a recession if and only if during boom years we take the money back off the table and pay down the debt. The goal of keynesian economics should be to even out the business cycle. Well, when do we ever pay it back?! Unemployment insurance is a safety net for those layed off and the purpose is not to stimulate the economy but to provide that safety net. If we are a moral people it is something we should all be willing to pay for. The only difference to the economy between a tax cut and more spending is the difference between what the people getting the tax cut spend it on and what the government spends it on. In the case of the transfer payment it would be the difference between what the people getting the tax break spend it on and what the unemployed spend it on. Neither of which is likely to be infrastructure or solar hot water heaters. That would be stimulative. Paying a person $20,000 a year who used to make $50,000 a year is hardly stimulative but then that is not the point.
FACE PALM!
And these are the people that are holding up climate change legislation which might help to prevent world from going down the road to catastrophic hell. Please give the richest their tax cuts but the poorest people in the US and the rest of the world must fend for themselves.
I would like to say that people such as Bunning and Kyle will be out of a job soon but even if they lose their elections, they will go to a much more profitable lobby position.
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/global_warming/
In addition, the strain on social service organizations including billions in SNAP (food stamp) payments that wouldn't have been made if extensions hadn't lapsed ARE spending that won't be repaid when the extensions eventually go through retroactively.
The gap will actually cost billions more than just extending in the first place would have. Good job, GOP/Ben Nelson.
Over the weekend Mike Huckabee of Fox asked his viewers what grade they would give the President for his job so far. I wrote in with, "
I think President Barrack Obama is doing a great job. An A-/B+ with an E for effort. He was given a very dirty canvas to make a pretty picture with. Our country thanks to George Bush was akin to a leaking oil tanker going the wrong way, heading in a very bad direction down a very narrow strait. It was clear (seemingly to everyone but republicans) we were headed for disaster quickly (hence the majority having voted for someone they barely knew in a knee jerk way). Now Obama must not only contend with fixing the leak & cleaning up the mess left behind by our metaphorical oil tanker, he must also very carefully turn the very large ship around without sinking or running it ashore. It's a dirty job and it isn’t (or if you are Mr. Steele "it ain't") a pretty job. It's a very tough job. It's a very slow, time consuming job. It's a very risky job. If he hasn’t been able to do everything he said he would do or if he's doing things he said he wouldn’t do, I have more than enough room in my mind to give him the benefit of doubt that he is doing the best he can given what he has to work with. And it doesn’t help that republicans are just sitting on their hands choosing not to help the President of the United States in our countries' time of need (even on things they were for when they were in power) just because they can't accept that they lost in the last elections & they want to make the president look as bad as possible for the next elections. All in all I give the President of the United States Barrack Obama an A-/B+ with an E for effort. I would give him an A/A+ if he stood up to the republicans more and just ran right over them every given opportunity only because republicans are being obstructionist on most every front and President Obama is trying too much to play the nice guy. I will never go back to the republican version of America where the rich get richer and the poor are blamed for their hardships while the world comes down around us. Don't be fooled by peoples' ability to criticize President Obama. It's not a reason to assume they will not vote for him again. Most people know this is a work in progress and it was a very ugly picture to begin with. Your company seems to throw people who are unhappy with President Obama because he hasn’t gone far enough quick enough together with people who are unhappy with President Obama because he is going too far. This makes him sound very unpopular. But given the chance to do it again, it is my understanding based on avid political discussions with people that most people (everyone I've talked to who voted for him) would/will vote for him a second time.". Surprise surprise, so far all the comments he has posted give the President an F (cough cough Fox News Propaganda cough cough mumble mumble).