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For Democrats Health Care More Important Than The Unemployed
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by Rory Cripps | October 5, 2009 at 02:41 am
632 views | 38 Recommendations | 14 comments
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The Democrat party touts itself as the party of the working people. And before every election, they remind the American voter that the Republican Party is only out for the interests of Corporate America and the rich. Both political parties are different sides of the same coin. Indeed, other than stated political philosophy there is virtually no difference between the two parties when it comes down to what they accomplish for the American people.
If the Democrats are truly the party of working America, and as different from the Republicans as they claim to be, then now is their chance to prove it. They are the party in power. They own the house, the senate, and the presidency. They've run out of excuses.
The American economy is a train wreck. It hasn't been this bad since the Great Depression. Millions of workers have lost their jobs and the unemployment rate is in the double digits throughout much of America. Yet the Democrats are dragging their feet when it comes to helping unemployed Americans because the Democrat party is obsessed and preoccupied with passing health care legislation.
CountryInterest RateGrowth RateInflation RateJobless RateCurrent AccountExchange Rate United States 0.25%-3.80%-1.50%9.80%-9977.0450
Nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline in September (-263,000), and
the unemployment rate (9.8 percent) continued to trend up, the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported today. The largest job losses were in construction,
manufacturing, retail trade, and government.
Household Survey Data
Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed
persons has increased by 7.6 million to 15.1 million, and the unemployment
rate has doubled to 9.8 percent.
Day after day, Ann McGilly has been calling the Senate and begging to know why her unemployment benefits have expired. The answer she keeps getting: Sorry, but they're busy right now fixing health care.
Hundreds of thousands of people ran out of unemployment benefits in September, and more than 1 million could have their benefits expire by the end of the year if Congress doesn't act. Ms. McGilly, who began to cry as she talked with a reporter, said she can't understand why the Senate is putting a health care bill that wouldn't take effect for years ahead of immediate action for the unemployed.
"Please make these people understand that it's cruel to make people wait like this for a health bill that may never come about," said Ms. McGilly, a New Jersey resident who received her last unemployment check last week and said she no longer has money to pay for her 17-year-old son's medication. "I signed for my final check, it was direct-deposited on Tuesday, all that money is going to my rent, and I don't even have money to buy food."
House members say they've done their part: On Sept. 22, the House voted 331-83 to grant an extra 13 weeks of benefits to states with the highest unemployment rates.
But the bill now languishes in the Senate, awaiting action by the Finance Committee - which has spent the past two weeks focused on a health care reform bill.
Ms. McGilly said she has called the senators from her state repeatedly and tried to call the Finance Committee to beg for action.
She said the staffers who answer the phone tell her that her senators support the bill and "it will be voted on sometime later on, but right now they're concentrating on the health reform bill."
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Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 06:04 on October 5th, 2009
I watched Sicko last night and although I.m not a Michael Moore fan I found it interesting. Would be a good watch for everybody. At the very least it gives food for thought.
at 19:32 on October 25th, 2009
I pay $1020..00 for healthcare and sinking. They want me to go out and jump start the economy. People be real. We need healthcare like yesterday.
at 06:15 on October 5th, 2009
Wave a wand and the mess will go a way?
The Democrats where left a mess it actual a problem that spans further than unemployment and health but lets really look at the problem you point to closer.
Has the government got the money to extend unemployment benefits, no at a guess so the money has to be found at a guess it will be. To cut employment the government can not invent jobs so jobs have be created by the business sector. USA needs a strong manufacturing base, but without taxing goods imported to China it can not supply the incentives to old and new manufacturers at home to create the jobs required.
The health problem well that effected the well being of both employed and unemployed citizens without health cover. Its not actually a priority over the issues of unemployment it has come under more pressure by the rich elite republican within the medical heath and insurance business and those that thought they would pay much more taxes because of the solutions provided.
Seeing that Obama place the first needed extra import tax on Tires made in Asia to strengthen the tire industry at home and create more jobs. He seemingly is geared towards creating more jobs at home. It's going to be slow as there could be political problems between USA and China. A Buy American goods only campaign would be a good patriotic move to speed the procees up.
However magic and miricles hardly ever happen and republican nor democratic presidents have never been issued a whiz 3 magic wand. Oh Harry Potters no help either as he does not exist. lol
at 07:57 on October 5th, 2009
...........Health Care More Important Than The Unemployed.
You just don't seem to understand that politics are way bigger than the little peoples personnal problems. duh.
at 13:24 on October 5th, 2009
Hugh: I couldn't agree more! Yes! Politics and politicians are way bigger than the little peoples. Just who in the heck do the unemployed think they are to complain anyway! LOL!
at 08:18 on October 5th, 2009
The Senate needs to pass the unemployment extension now.
No excuses.
at 14:12 on October 5th, 2009
a211423: I agree! They really need to do something immediately! The politicians have been spending money hand over fist that we don't even have for years on stuff that America doesn't need. But in the case of extended unemployment benefits, in this train wreck of an economy, it is something that unemployed Americans desperately need. You know me--I'm not a big government kind of guy. But I believe that the economy is a lot worse off than the political powers that be have led the American people to believe. I base my belief on hard economic data and economic trends such as "leading indicators", specific job sector growth, unemployment trends, etc. Things don't look good from an economic standpoint in spite of what we're being told by the so-called "experts".
at 09:14 on October 5th, 2009
Both are important issues, unemployment bills most likely would be easier to pass though
at 13:40 on October 5th, 2009
Barry: Health care reform is an important and pressing issue. However, in my opinion, if something is not done to mitigate this unemployment situation immediately, the U.S. is going to have a lot more problems--and it certainly doesn't need anymore problems at this point. Economic issues aside, from a health perspective chronic unemployment is not a good thing. In all too many cases, social, emotional, physical, psychological, marital, and substance abuse problems are a result of chronic unemployment. There's a tendency on the part of many to equate their self-worth with their employment status. I'm sure that we all know what it's like to be without a job. However, in the recent past, the future of the job market wasn't as bleak.
at 09:17 on October 5th, 2009
Look at the economic value in a universal healthcare system and you will see how it is better for all, businesses as well as the people. Health care and a distinct publicly run option is paramount to both the businesses and the whole economy of the US.
China and India won't bring the US to its knees - the idiots who vote for and stop health care reform will.
at 10:30 on October 5th, 2009
Rory,
It is the Democratic Party. The use of the term Democrat party is pejorative. The Republicans use it all the time. So does Rush, Hannity and all the other wingnut gasbags.
The last time unemployment benefits were extended, it was the Republicans that were arguing that we couldn't afford it. Part of the stimulus package funds were targeted for unemployment. Interestingly, Perry from Texas, and Sanford from S.Carolina/Brazil, were threatening to forgo the monies because of the unemployment issue.
Having the majority in both houses and the Whitehouse, does not make for easy passage of any legislation, least of all the most contentious one of health care. The Republicans have shown that their primary objective is to see the president fail. The Democrats have to contend with a significant faction of Blue Dogs in the Senate, where you well know, 60 votes are needed for cloture. Reconciliation requires 51 votes, and we'll see if the Dems grow some balls. (I'm not holding my breath.)
In case you haven't seen the story, Senator DeMint is going Honduras to support the new military junta. How patriotic.
at 13:56 on October 5th, 2009
nanute: MINCHIA! I didn't know that the term Democrat party is pejorative until you told me! From now on I'll use the term Democratic Party in spite of the fact that Democrats sit on one side of the congressional isle and Republicans sit on the other side and in spite of the fact that the Democratic party is often not very democratic. I'm not asserting here that the Democratic party is bad and that the Republican party is good or vice versa. They both suck in my opinion! How is that for fairness and impartiality? My point is that we've got a serious unemployment problem in the U.S. and that millions of Americans remain chronically unemployed and their benefits have been exhausted. From a pragmatic and humanitarian standpoint, the unemployment situation should take precedence over the health care debate at this time in my opinion. There are areas of the country where the unemployment rate is approaching 20%! These are depression numbers!
at 14:05 on October 5th, 2009
Rory,
I couldn't agree more. Relief for the unemployed should be a priority. Just watch what happens when it does come up for debate; then we'll resume the dialogue.
Regarding the term Democrat party: I remember there was a time when you didn't know the other definition of MINCHIA! LOL!
at 14:40 on October 5th, 2009
Roy: Yeah! "Our Thing Comedy"! In all seriousness though, it's bad out there and getting worse. I need to write a piece on how government unemployment statistics are compiled and what the government omits. In other words, what the government is not telling the American people.