Today Republican leadership (Sen. Mitch McConnell, Rep. John Boehner, Rep. Eric Cantor) met with President Obama to begin discussions on an agreement/compromise concerning the extension of Bush Era Tax Cuts. More specifically extending tax cuts for the upper wealthy 2%.
I’m not writing this to once again exhaust the tax discussion; I want to shed light on the disdain Republicans seems to have for the working class.
While wealthy Republican congressmen fight to protect their fortunes as well as the fortunes of their millionaire/billionaire buddies; 2 Million Americans will potentially lose their unemployment benefits at the end of the year as congress was unable to workout an extension. Those Americans struggling to find work will once again be slapped in the face by the government they voted. At the same time they will be labeled as lazy folks looking for a hand out.
REALLY??
I don’t understand how anyone could call the majority of Americans on unemployment lazy. If you ever been on unemployment you would know going from a $60K (annually) job to receiving $405 (before taxes) a week is NO lap of luxury.
Weekly unemployment benefits by state (2/2009)
| State |
Maximum |
State |
Maximum |
| Alabama |
$255 |
Montana |
$407 |
| Alaska |
$370 |
Nebraska |
$308 |
| Arizona |
$240 |
Nevada |
$362 |
| Arkansas |
$409 |
New Hampshire |
$427 |
| California |
$450 |
New Jersey |
$584 |
| Colorado |
$475 |
New Mexico |
$455 |
| Connecticut |
$519 |
New York |
$405 |
| Delaware |
$330 |
North Carolina |
$494 |
| District of Columbia |
$359 |
North Dakota |
$385 |
| Florida |
$275 |
Ohio |
$372 |
| Georgia |
$330 |
Oklahoma |
$392 |
| Hawaii |
$545 |
Oregon |
$482 |
| Idaho |
$362 |
Pennsylvania |
$539 |
| Illinois |
$385 |
Rhode Island |
$528 |
| Indiana |
$390 |
South Carolina |
$326 |
| Iowa |
$443 |
South Dakota |
$285 |
| Kansas |
$423 |
Tennessee |
$275 |
| Kentucky |
$415 |
Texas |
$378 |
| Louisiana |
$284 |
Utah |
$444 |
| Maine |
$496 |
Vermont |
$409 |
| Maryland |
$380 |
Virginia |
$378 |
| Massachusetts |
$628 |
Washington |
$541* |
| Michigan |
$365 |
West Virginia |
$424 |
| Minnesota |
$566 |
Wisconsin |
$363 |
| Mississippi |
$230 |
Wyoming |
$387 |
| Missouri |
$320 |
|
|
Who can feed a family and pay bills on $628??
The economy is SLOWLY recovering but there is not enough job creation to support the amount of unemployed Americans on the market.
It is time for us to do the right thing and help those who NEED the help and not worry about tax cuts for RICH MOFOS!!
As always….
If there is something to be said, “It’s On Broadway” to step up and say it!!!
It's On Broadway 