How Unemployment Will Swing the Elections

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Speaking of realpolitics, present predictions are that high levels of unemployment will be with us for at least the next two years, perhaps longer. That's at least 14 million voters, many long ago unceremoniously thrown off of unemployment after 99 weeks. By 2012, that number will be astronomical, and could easily form the basis for a counter waive of libral Democrats sweeping back into office, not to mention another four years of Barack Obama at the presidency.
For the record: Republicans have never been hesitant about supporting unemployment benefits to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. What they have been saying is they want to first identify the means by which continued unemployment benefits can be paid for without raising the deficit. If Congressional Democrats can now see their way through to reducing government spending over 100 billion a year, Republicans should be able to find a good reason to fund Extended Unemployment claims at least until 2012.
Congress could even find a good reason to create a new WPA (Works Project Administration) type program (complete with drug testing) that would include a new "must work" provision for those wishing to extend their unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks. I dare say, the quicker this is accomplished the better it will be for the common good of all.
ex animo
davidfarrar

davidfarrar of GA 3:53PM October 28, 2010

one and a half trillion dollars combining the bank bail out and the stimulus.
if all this had been spent on real work as in road and bridges and upgrading
the whole infrastructure of our country the economy would have healed
itself. the banks should have been allowed to fail, that would have been no
worse than all the foreclosures that would not have happened if one and
a half trillion dollars had been spent on real jobs.

ivan tyree of OH 7:41PM October 25, 2010

If we are very generous with our job estimates, the 814 billion dolllar stimulus plan added around 2 million in (temporary) jobs. If it indeed managed to add that many, it cost $407,000.00 per job. Maybe, it would have been better to send every man, woman and child the US $2652.00, the cost of these jobs. Who will pay off this huge amount? Since I am an old grandpa I should be happy since I will not have to pay much of it, it will be paid by our kids and grandkids. If we multiply that cost by 3.2, the average family size in the US, it will cost about $8500.00 per family. With Obama's healthcare costing another trillion dollars or so, that adds an additional cost of about $10,000.00 per family. We are then up to $18,500.00 per family and, guess what, the illegals and wellfare receipiants will not be paying this. Watch in this election and find out who votes around 99% for the liberals. It will not be those who have to pay these bills, it will be those who get a free ride. Unfortunately, even voting for conservatives will not remedy this anytime soon. It will take forever to eliminate the massive government spending that has been created by both political parties. We have to get back to our democracy and away from the socialistic programs that have been created. The government was never intended to be a giant insurance policy.
The federal government took in 2.162 trillion dollars during the just ended fiscal year and spent 3.456 trillion. Last fiscal year's deficit was even worse. How long could you sustain corresponding losses in your budget until you went bottoms up? Let's get rid of the big spenders and those supporting the 14 to 20 million illegals-who cost us big time (medical, welfare, crime, etc.) and many of whom do not pay any taxes. We cannot afford not to do so. Our country and freedom are at stake.

Leon of ID 4:56PM October 25, 2010

Very good article. Couldn't have said it better myself.

sLp of AZ 4:02PM October 25, 2010

Good article. Thank you. Nobody seems to want to hear accurate reporting during this campaign and both parties are catering to this. What a mess. Viewed in perspective, Obama policies have helped and Republican policies, as judged by their votes in Congress, would almost certainly hurt. But who has perspective in a campaign where accuracy is least important criterion for getting published.

Stephen of PA 2:15PM October 25, 2010

Republican corporations sent the jobs overseas. Republican corporations hire illegal immigrants -- twenty million. How long do you give President Obama to turn the situation around from 8 years of Republicans? What jobs have the Republicans promised Americans? There's still the military hiring. Why not start another war? Iran, perhaps? Or North Korea? China would be good, since we are trillions of dollars in debt with them.

Jovina of TX 2:03PM October 25, 2010