What about the Unemployed??

[RockaFowler]

Does anyone care?? Because starting next week, we have less money coming into my house. And yes, the Repukes are holding my family and millions of other families hostage. God I'm sick of Repukes screwing with millions of people's lives.

[Goldstein1984]

1. The Catch-22 of dealing with hostage situations

And in America we have a huge portion of the electorate suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

[JoePhilly]

10. Its not a Catch-22 for the OP.

A Catch-22 is when one is screwed regardless of whether choice A or B is selected.

The OP is screwed (in about 2 weeks) if option A occurs, or the OP gets an additional 13 months of assistance of option B occurs.

One of the options is far worse for the OP. No Catch-22.

[Goldstein1984]

15. Yes, I know that

The Catch-22 is for those of us who aren't in the OP's situation, but care about our fellow human beings.

My principles, which are based on no loyalties to nation, party, or platform, tell me not to negotiate. But my principles also tell me to cause no unnecessary suffering. So, do I stand by my principles, or stand by my principles?

That's the Catch-22.

I'm very sorry for the situation of the OP, one of my sons is in the same situation.

[Horse with no Name]

2. I hate it

The sad thing is...they are rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.
The 99'ers are going to go from 2 million to 4 million and there is no help for them.
The families making $10-20k are going to see a tax increase.
Social Security is going to be cut to pay for this.
It is simply robbing one poor person's pocket to enrich another poor person.
Class warfare at it's finest.
I know people affected in every class. I don't want to be the decision maker, but it seems to me that a whole hell of a lot of folks are going to be hurt over this.:(

[dgibby]

14. Agreed.

It's a no win situation. While there may be immediate relief for those whose UI is running out this week, they and everyone else will suffer when SSI and medicare are cut to pay for this.

I hate that this is happening, but it's a trap that's been laid by those who want to destroy SSI and Medicare. There is no way to bargain with the Repubs and win anything, and I'm not sure Obama is bargaining in good faith, anyway, considering who he appointed to the Catfood Commission.

[CakeGrrl]

3. You'll take a hit for the greater good - or so the prevailing attitude seems to be here.

For putting your UI benefits back in play when Republicans tried to stop them, people call the President a "wimp", a "capitulator", a "small, pathetic" man.

The PRINCIPLE is the thing here to a lot of posters...not your well-being.

[RockaFowler]

4. And this makes me sad

Again fucking with my life and the lives of every other person Unemployed is for the good of the country. I don't get it. My husband just wants a job!! Where the hell are these jobs??

[Dappleganger]

17. And that's what everyone should be asking

every. single. damned. day.

Nobody WANTS to be unemployed--JOBS are the answer!

[Dappleganger]

9. The 99'ers are fucked either way.

This bill doesn't save them.

[JoePhilly]

12. So fuck the OP too?

Welcome to the moral dilemma game ... where if you can't save them all, you save none ... its an interesting approach to the moral dilemma.

[Dappleganger]

16. I didn't say fuck the OP.

Stop putting words into my mouth.

I am just stating that THIS bill does nothing for the 99'ers, in addition to all the other irresponsible things it does. The president shows poor leadership skills by negotiating THIS solution w/out the input of democratic politicians who deserved to not be shut out in the process before he went on stage in front of cameras announcing this "deal."

And one year ago MY family was a 99'er, so we know what it's like and what they face.

[JoePhilly]

18. I guess my point is that the 99ers are already getting fucked.

... I would like them to also get help.

But given the OP's point ... that we need a UE extension ... what is your point ... should Obama have switched, saved the 99ers, or what exactly?

As I have said in other posts in this thread ... Obama is presented with a moral dilemma. He can try to save some. But he can't save all.

Up above, some one claim its a Catch-22, I reject that.

Obama is trying to save those he can save given the current situation. What should he do, nothing and give up both the 99ers and the UE extension for 13 months?

As for the poor leadership meme ... THAT is BS. Obama pressed the House and Senate to take this up PRIOR to the mid-terms. Those COWARDS decided not to, and got CRUSHED in the mid-terms.

Thus leaving Obama a lame-duck Congress with a very loud clock ticking.

[Dappleganger]

20. Well, he's certainly saving all the RICH, isn't he?

I think he's proven where his loyalties lie.

[JoePhilly]

21. You did not answer me ...

And I am not surprised.

Given where we are politically, Obama can not force the GOP to do everything you want. But he can do what he can to help as many as he can.

And you don't care. You would clearly rather he do nothing.

In case you missed it, the GOP, and many on the left are holding the unemployed hostage. The GOP will shoot them if the tax cuts for the rich expire, and the left will shoot the same unemployed if they don't expire.

Great plan.

[leftstreet]

5. The ones currently getting benefits, or the ones who've exhausted them?

:shrug:

[Swamp Rat]

6. Let them eat cake.

[MineralMan]

7. Some care. Some understand. Others have only a principle

to follow, and don't really care about you and your situation. That group may have enough income to be OK, and that makes your problem seem less important to them. I'm sorry. I hope this goes well for you.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

8. I think it's more of a case of people starting these threads don't read...

...the counter argument.

[kctim]

11. Apparently

helping those in need, such as yourself, is not as high of a principle as making people pay more in taxes.

The next two years are going to be VERY interesting. Who will the people blame for the lack of help or that pay cut? President Obama and those who tried to give some help and prevent a pay cut OR those who said tough shit, this is what we think is best for you?

[JoePhilly]

13. The media will hang it around Obama's neck.

[girl gone mad]

19. You mean the 99ers? And the millions of unemployed who don't qualify for any benefits?

Good questions.

Why the fuck did Obama negotiate a deal that did absolutely nothing for these people?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

22. Some people care, especially me K&R