I was disappointed by the recent filibuster in the U.S. Senate which caused the jobless aid bill to not pass. The bill would have allowed unemployment extensions through November to those unemployed for longer than six months. The irony is that the bill - if it were based on actual votes - did pass in the Senate, but due to an outdated parliamentary procedure--the “filibuster”--Democrats were short of the 60 votes required to overcome the Republican led filibuster. The vote was actually 57-41. Yes—57 votes Democrats, 41 votes Republican. The “filibuster” has long strayed from its intended purpose and its use in this instance did little for those in need.
I realize there are many fortunate Americans who decry "It is so wrong to give federal tax dollars to the unemployed", "what about the deficit, the economy" …and I have heard or read the many arguments against it. But the consequences of having a million or more individuals and families stripped of the temporary financial lifeline for basic survival would cause far more financial devastation to the economy. The economic situation at hand in American was not caused by the average citizen and it will not be solved by simply denying jobless aid funding to the unemployed.
Maybe the Words below Have MEANING For Those who Understand
"I doubt if there is one voice here that knows the nightmare of being without, to lose your job, your home, to be condemned for being long term unemployed. I wonder if there is one voice here that knows what it's like to have to sleep in a car that has run out of gas and to wake up to the nightmare of having that car broken into by someone who feels that you have more than them because you have a car, and to not even have a cell phone to call the police.
Once you lose that wonderful cushion and live the nightmare of being disconnected from this wonderful society and experience just how difficult it truly is to be hired by all those amazing Fast Food jobs and WalMart jobs and any other low paying job simply because you are on foot, without a phone, without a place to stay and you're looked at like garbage --THEN and ONLY THEN will you understand that nearly every voice on here is speaking from their lives IN PARADISE.
Be careful what you deny to others, you may one day need the same kindness, and PLEASE hope that someone, anyone will see you as a human being trying to climb back into the shoes of life, and not a worthless charity case."
(by Sandstorm)
1 comment:
I too am saddened that the unemployment benefits extension was denied. There are so many people who simply cannot wait until the powers that be decide to put compassion above party affiliation. Your words speak for the many who don't have the right words or the proper medium to express them.
By the way, love the new design of your blog. I would love to see such beauty in person.
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