In his weekly address, President Obama stood up for the unemployed and asked congress to pick up the unemployment extension legislation that Republicans have successfully blocked over the last few months. The president points out that unemployment benefits have been approved by both Democratic and Republican administrations in the past, but now, the Republicans are against it, “because it cost money.” He went on to say;
GOP Senate Leader Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell
After years of championing policies that turned a record surplus into a massive deficit, including a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, they’ve finally decided to make their stand on the backs of the unemployed. They’ve got no problem spending money on tax breaks for folks at the top who don’t need them and didn’t even ask for them; but they object to helping folks laid off in this recession who really do need help.
The president also reminded the Republicans in congress that because of its very nature, unemployment benefits are among the best ways to stimulate a stagnant economy. In his address, the president points out the fact “that most economists agree that extending unemployment insurance is one of the single most cost-effective ways to help jumpstart the economy. It puts money into the pockets of folks who not only need it most, but who also are most likely to spend it quickly. That boosts local economies. And that means jobs.”
Calling the GOP the “partisan minority,” president Obama stated that “Republican leadership in the United States Senate chooses to filibuster our recovery and obstruct our progress.” It has been the administration’s accusation over the last few weeks regarding the GOP and their desire to see his administration fail.
Mr. Obama also points out the seriousness of the Republicans desire to obstruct. He states that “every day this goes on, another 50,000 Americans lose that badly needed lifeline.” He went on to say that “more than two million of them have seen their unemployment insurance expire. For many, it was the only way to make ends meet while searching for work – the only way to cover rent, utilities, even food.”
What Americans are beginning to see is that this is a carefully orchestrated effort in play by these Republicans to see this country fail. The unemployed are just pawns being used to make sure that their efforts pay off.
Related articles
- Obama blasts Senate Republicans for obstructing economic remedies (dailykos.com)
- Obama slams Republicans over obstructionist tactics (alternet.org)
- Obama: GOP Is Obstructing Our Progress (abcnews.go.com)
