Huge Victory for the American People as Republicans Implode on Unemployment Benefits!

Huge Victory for the American People as Republicans Implode on Unemployment Benefits!

by Josh Kilburn

Victory!

Despite all the posturing, all of the lies and the smears, and all of the feet-stomping tantrums from the GOP and teabaggers, President Obama and the Democrats scored a major victory. Earlier today, the Senate Republicans finally caved regarding the unemployment extensions; and they're paid for in part by taxes on large corporations (such things exist? Apparently Santa is real).

The bill backdates all unemployment extension to December 28 of 2013, and extends coverage up to five more months. This means that the 2 million people who were cut off unemployment because of the political farce that calls itself the Republican party didn't extend the unemployment benefits at the time. What's more, the CBO states that this unemployment extension  could save 200,000 jobs, so it's not just the unemployed that will benefit from it (which takes us right back to this apparently nonsensical notion that in order to run a consumer-based economy, you need consumers who will consume goods and spend money doing so).

The bill pays for itself by augmenting how corporations do pensions, which, according to the AP, basically amounts to a tax. Underlying all this though is the fact that the Koch-funded, big-money controlled Tea Party certainly won't let this stand. And while the Senate Republicans have caved, it's a question of whether or not the hardline extremists and economic terrorists in the House are willing to budge (answer: no). And it still has to pass the House. Boehner is required to work with the Democrats if they want to turn this major victory for the Democrats into a major victory for everyone. But it appears like the Republicans would rather focus on "moral" arguments for letting people starve to death, having already built a substantial reputation on the issue of unemployment benefits.

It's fair to say that Boehner's arrived at his own tea party - either dump the TEA off the Republican boat and leave them to sink or throw 2 million Americans into the cold, and be (even more defined) as the party that hates people. And neither will reflect highly on him in certain circles come election time.

h/t: Politicus USA

Josh Kilburn