The Senate voted 60 to 40 today to end a Republican filibuster of extended unemployment benefits.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I thought the recession was over? Why doesn't this administration make JOBS instead of JOBLESS BENEFITS?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The recession isn't over.

[^_^ 5,021]

The recession isn't over.

By the traditional, technical definition of a recession - it is over and has been for a while. We have seen many quarters of positive growth, a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth.

That said, job growth always does lag. This time it's lagging by a lot more than is the norm. There are theories out there about why that is, but I'm not sure I buy them.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In the current environment, there are about five applicants for every available job in this country. It's dishonest to say that extending unemployment benefits will encourage people to remain unemployed because people don't want to work. They do but if there are 5 applicants for every available job, math dictates that 4 out of those 5 will go without a job. Under these circumstances, extending jobless benefits is the right thing to do from a moral perspective. It's also the right thing to do from an economic perspective. Every dollar of unemployment insurance generates somewhere in the range of $1.60 in economic activity. Every dollar of tax cuts, on the other hand, generates anywhere between $0.30 and $1.05 of economic activity, depending on what the distribution of the benefit among the income groups happens to be.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

By the traditional, technical definition of a recession - it is over and has been for a while. We have seen many quarters of positive growth, a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth.

That said, job growth always does lag. This time it's lagging by a lot more than is the norm. There are theories out there about why that is, but I'm not sure I buy them.

Depending on who you talk to, there is a possibility of a double-dip recession.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In the current environment, there are about five applicants for every available job in this country. It's dishonest to say that extending unemployment benefits will encourage people to remain unemployed because people don't want to work. They do but if there are 5 applicants for every available job, math dictates that 4 out of those 5 will go without a job. Under these circumstances, extending jobless benefits is the right thing to do from a moral perspective. It's also the right thing to do from an economic perspective. Every dollar of unemployment insurance generates somewhere in the range of $1.60 in economic activity. Every dollar of tax cuts, on the other hand, generates anywhere between $0.30 and $1.05 of economic activity, depending on what the distribution of the benefit among the income groups happens to be.

A man well versed in economics.

[Craneman 2]

Where do I sign up.

2 year vacation, thats for me.

[Craneman 2]

Getting reelected is far more important to some Senators than actually standing up on principle. If only politicians acted out on behalf of what they believed is in the best interest of our country instead of serving their own self interests, imagine what could be done.

They do act upon what they believe and what they believe is whatever it takes to get elected.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Where do I sign up.

2 year vacation, thats for me.

Vacation? On 300 bucks a week? Where do you vacation on that? At the Trailer Resort in Buttfcuk, AL?

[HAL 9000 96]

Vacation? On 300 bucks a week? Where do you vacation on that? At the Trailer Resort in Buttfcuk, AL?

Livin' the High Life.

[mendeleev 68]

Its a great thing that two Republican senators finally said No to their Grand Old PARTY OF NO.

[DukeOfYork 28]

Will you still be calling the Republicans the "Party of No" after January when they take control of the House or will you call the Democrats the "Party of No" when they oppose Republican proposals?

The Republicans were the Party of Yes on this issue; they just wanted the benefits to be paid for out of unused stimulus money. Sounds reasonable to me.

But then again, El Buscador thinks it's reasonable to dip further in debt to extend those benefits. I wonder if he lives on a budget?

[^_^ 5,021]

Depending on who you talk to, there is a possibility of a double-dip recession.

By definition, a double dip recession requires the first recession to end. There is a short and shallow recovery between the two recessions.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

The unemployment program should be eliminated. The best program would be to have a very simple form to fill out when hired. The form would ask what percentage of your income you want deducted from your pay. Tax free of course the savings would be astronomical.

[^_^ 5,021]

The unemployment program should be eliminated. The best program would be to have a very simple form to fill out when hired. The form would ask what percentage of your income you want deducted from your pay. Tax free of course the savings would be astronomical.

You oppose unemployment insurance?