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For the third straight month, the job picture in the United States has been disappointing. Any chance lawmakers might pick up the major provisions of the American Jobs Act, most of which have traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support, and which independent economists believe would have a significant impact?
Well, no. Republican lawmakers are absolutely convinced the jobs report is Obama's fault, even though they killed his jobs plan, and despite the fact that they were taking credit for themselves when the jobs picture looked strong earlier this year. (How does the GOP get credit for February 2012 jobs, but avoid blame for June 2012 jobs? The answer is simple: shut up.)
But don't worry, Americans can take some comfort in knowing Congress won't take the economic news lying down. Dave Weigel has the story.
For any lover of American prose, the political statements that follow lousy jobs reports are clip-and-save treasures. Michele Bachmann assures us that the economy is struggling because of "uncertainty." Mitt Romney wants the "kick in the gut" to end. Amid all the verbs and gerunds expressing disappointment, Eric Cantor gives us a sort of heads-up about how Congress will respond.... The House will hold yet another vote on full repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
It will pass, and die in the Senate. Tread carefully. After that vote, you don't want to be mobbed on the street by newly certainty-infused people offering you jobs.
House Republicans won't pass -- or even consider -- a meaningful jobs bill, but they can vote to kill health care reform for the third or fourth time (it's tough to keep track). The economy will no doubt sour as the House majority votes to take health care coverage away from millions, pushing a bill they know can't pass. Eliminating health care benefits, as a practical matter, is the GOP jobs plan.
To be sure, it'll make Cantor feel good about himself to go through this charade. I wonder if the unemployed will feel equally good knowing the House GOP leadership is more concerned with hollow, regressive theatrics than job creation.
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Why would you use terms like "work" and "congress" in the same sentence? Since when do parasites "work"? Our Congressturds exist solely to enrich themselves and cause the vast majority of American citizens as much misery as they can possibly cause. I would suggest the brightest boys in the room in congress restudy the French Revolution to see what the result is when the brightest guys in the room ignore the basic wants of the masses.
There's that false equivalency again. There's a big difference between the Dems in Congress and the Republicans in Congress. One party is, at least generally, trying to make things better for the American people. One party is more concerned with making things better for itself, without regard to what's good for the country. Three guesses which is which. First two don't count.
Fred: "Working" with the same gene pool while not learning from the repeat of history seems a natural pattern and calls into question any evolving therein.
mpguy: To me, the most operative term in your post is "least" because that is exactly what the Democrats have been doing since Reagan.
bluesmoke ... At least they haven't been working industriously against the interests of the majority of the American people, as have the Republicans.
Interesting how you pick out one word--out of context--and try to run with it. You've been trained well by your party. That's the kind of thing Republicans do all the time. It's why people can't trust anything they say.
mpguy: I agree the Reps, more historically the conservatives, do often work against the interests of the majority and that Dems are more likely in favor. My context of "least" is being not enough when in need and more could and should have been done. I don't trust either party because they don't give answers germane to the question but self-serving statements on other people's time. I agree with the substance of your post.
I was channel surfing the other day and happened upon a Frank Luntz "town hall" (made up suspiciously of all Tea-Publicans) on Faux News. There were eight Republican members of the House there to take "questions" (read softballs thrown to them so they could groove on talking points).
One of the congressfolks--in all seriousness--said that Republicans "put people before politics." Really. No, seriously.
I guess Republicans enjoy a laugh.
Wow, one might expect the House to be coming up with legislative ideas on how to help the job market or the economy, energy policy to help clean renew-ables to flourish or maybe just go on vacation and say "@!$%# it". This ACA thing is yet another lose/lose vote for all. It appears that one must welcome a "revolution" Fred, it appears to be at least historically, the only way things get done any more. Also bluesmoke, I agree with your Democrat performance evaluation.. Good times!
How is 80-120 thousand people getting a job bad news? Isn't anyone going to say - Good on you and glad you are working!?!
Because that number doesn't even keep up with the population growth. Does going backwards sound ok to you ned? Wake up!!!!!
Why does anyone believe that this Congress actually "works for" the American people? Cantor is a revolting, small charactered, immoral little man whose sole concern is himself! If the American people were actually paying attention, they would realize that the GOTP is surely NOT working for them - and fire them when they come up for re-election! These GOTP'ers not only care nothing for working Americans - they are traitors to US all! In 2009 they ran on a "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" agenda - hey a$$holes WHERE ARE THE DANG JOBS?!
FIRE THE GOTP IN 2012!
Well, that's what we're all here for. To help Eric Cantor feel good about himself.
Can'tor won't?
Regardless of what we see or hear on cable news, this is what is in the background and the driver of the lunacy on the right. The demographic changes in this country scares them and they feel, it threatens their priveleged advantages that has nothing to do with merit. White unemployment is around 7%+, people of color, 14%+, college grads 4.5%+, yet the ones complaining the most are those that are suffering less than others. It is simple, we survive as a nation together, or fail together. A balanced approach between the private and public sector is key. One without the cooperation of the other takes us back to few getting all the wealth at the expense of the majority.
Think of it this way, the few that are contributing 100s of millions to elect an empty suit, Romney and a GOP that promises more tax cuts for them at the nation's expense. If they were spending this money for the working class folk, they could do it directly, but they refuse to. Ask yourself, why?
Steve- CORRECTION: According to John Boehner's House website: