GOP: the poor, the unemployed, and veterans can kiss our collective a$$es

posted by Bill Arnett @ 1:12 PM Permalink

The senate legislation to provide relief for the above groups was narrowly stopped by 1 vote in another bizarre Republican filibuster in order to not actually help Americans in need.

From todays Washington Post.com:

A $158 billion economic stimulus plan drafted by Senate Democrats that included relief for low-income seniors, disabled veterans and the unemployed was blocked by a Republican filibuster last night when the Senate fell a single vote short of the 60 needed to consider the measure.[…]

"Given a chance to act as recession looms, more than 40 Republicans today said no to helping 20 million seniors and no to 250,000 disabled veterans. They said no to those who have lost their jobs and no to small business," Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said after the vote.

The House package would provide $600 payments for individuals -- $1,200 for couples -- plus $300 for each child. It would begin to phase out eligibility at $75,000 in adjusted gross income for individuals and at $150,000 for couples. Workers who can show $3,000 in earned income last year would be eligible for checks of $300.

Businesses would be offered tax incentives to invest in new plants and equipment, while the Federal Housing Administration and federally chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be authorized to insure larger mortgages.

The Senate version would provide $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples, but it would double the size of the eligibility caps. The working poor, some of whom may not pay any income taxes, would be eligible for the same checks, as would seniors and disabled veterans with $3,000 in Social Security or veterans benefits. Businesses would be offered investment tax incentives and would be allowed to write off more losses, which drew the support of large corporations.

I have never claimed to be an economist, but I do know that just because I have checks left doesn't mean I have any money in the bank, and I also know I can't borrow and spend even more money to once again not be broke.

America has finally reached the "guns or butter" stage of a failing empire, and has obviously embraced the gun route, when it's plain as day that if we stopped spending more money for guns than all the other countries in the world combined, we'd actually have the money for not just butter, but health care, education, stopping global warming, rebuilding our decaying infrastructure, developing alternative fuels to gasoline, programs to enlighten us, cheer us, and make life better for all of us and all the world.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword," is every bit as applicable to our penchant for ever more powerful weapons with which to continue attacking and destroying entire societies (See: Iraq) for their natural resources.

And I'm also not so stupid as to think all the businesses and corporation that get tax breaks won't once again use that money to move their companies overseas for cheaper labor and the ability to dodge paying taxes to the American Treasury.

The flood of red ink has finally reached our nostrils as we stand on a footstool with our heads turned upwards to keep from drowning. When these damned Republican finish kicking that footstool out from beneath us I hope there will at least be a sale on life jackets and flotation devices.