Unemployment Insurance in the US comes in five distinct stages. The first is through the state, that's the account that was "paid into" and is funded by the former employer. Thereafter, there are four discrete stages of federal unemployment support provided for by various bits of federal legislation including the stimulus. At the end of this month, the laws providing for those programs expire. Congress would like to make some comprehensive adjustments to the federal unemployment system, but first they need to extend the current legislation for thirty days to prevent over a million people (including ME!) from losing their benefits.
Jim Bunning, the right-wing extremist wingnut bigot Senator from Kentucky and hall of fame pitcher has other ideas. You see, HE'S not suffering, he has a paycheck and a pension and thus, in the inhuman, compassionless manner of most so-called American 'Conservatives' can't understand the urgency. So he refuses to allow a vote.
In the meantime, of course, millions stand to lose even the minimal safety net the US grudgingly provides. Let's hope this doesn't last very long, shall we?
You see, HE'S not suffering
ReplyDeleteHe gave up the Wildcats game to do this. There is no greater sacrifice in the bluegrass state.