We've all heard about Sen. Jim Bunning's efforts to block the vote on unemployment benefits. But after a confrontation between Bunning and journalists at an elevator, I think I've made up my mind about this mean old man.
At first he claimed that he was taking a stand on reckless government spending, which I can respect. Bunnings said:
"I believe we should pay for it... I'm trying to make a point to the people of the United States."
But then I watched him utter these words on the Senate floor:
"I have missed the Kentucky-South Carolina game that started at 9:00 and it's the only redeeming chance we had to beat South Carolina since they're the only team that has beat Kentucky this year."
I think Bunning's bitter, because he's being forced into retirement. I doubt he cares about people at all. I think he's like virtually all American politicians, he only cares about his career, his money, his family and himself. Now, millions of families will lose their benefits because of his selfishness. Thus doesn't seem like an act of courage, but an act of mischief. If he's so concerned about government spending, why doesn't call for the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He voted for the surge in Iraq and has supported Republican spending for years, so there's no excuse for him to deny people's unemployment benefits.
Bunnings
Voted NO on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008.
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007.
Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan
Voted NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months.
If he can fund war abroad, why can't he help people at home.
Here's an idea, since it costs about $10 billion/month to fund unemployment, why don't we end the $10 billion/month wars so we can afford unemployment benefits in America?
Just a thought.
Now, I know that we can't keep unemployment going forever, but at least we can spend our money on the people who need it most.
The Unemployment Story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1202
Bunning's War Record
http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Jim_Bunning_War_+_Peace.htm
The democrats passed this thing called pay as you go recently. Now that its passed they should honor the pay as you go. I don't care about bunnings motive, he is bringing up a point that is getting the attention of the nation. That we are spending too much money and we can't even figure out how to cut somewhere to spend a measley 10 billion. This is just proving how reckless the congress is. Bunning will be gone eventually, but his point will be proven.
ReplyDeleteReid didn't want to use some of the unused stimulus package money to pay for it. Yet you are condemning bunning who showed what a failure the democratic leadership are using for not wanting to pay for the money instead of deficit when there is already money set aside from that stuipid stimulus package.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Bunnings that supported Bush's tax cuts when the Republicans had no means of paying for it?
ReplyDeleteWe are on a spending binge. There is no money to pay for the war in Iraq/Afghanistan. At the same time, if we add up all of the "mandatory" expenditures in SS, medicare, medicaid, fed retirement, welfare, unemployment benefits, interest on the debt, there are not enough tax receipts to pay for it. Double the tax rates and the revenue will only go up slightly if it goes up at all because the economy will not stand it as weak as it is.
ReplyDeleteWe have to get back to fiscal sanity. That has to start with the big ticket items which are seniors and military. It may sound cruel, but living longer means working longer. And to your point, we have to get out of foreign conflicts.
ER my dad WANTS to work, but the work dried up. He is now eligible for social security so he got on it. Even with that its not enough and he is falling behind so I had to bail my parents out.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the same views on cutting off seniors as unemployed. The young can figure out how to survive. I don't want senior citizens thrown out in the street.
Hey Reg,
ReplyDeleteWe are usually on the same page. But I have to somewhat disagree with you on a couple of things relative to the Bunning issue. While I have no love for any politician and really no desire to defend him, I think the Bunning "Mean-Old-Man" reputation is a bit overblown to the extent that it draws focus away from the real issues. I don't disagree with you on the record. It is what it is.
But some of that record is actually good - more so than a lot of the other incumbents. I believe that in this latest stunt, Bunning may have actually done a great service for America. For further explanation, please see http://www.swichon.info/2010/03/bunning_on_unemployment_the_case_for_term_limits/
Love your work man. Keep it going.