Left In Lowell

Kudos on Senator Brown for voting for the (meager, filled with Republican pork aka useless tax cuts) jobs bill that came up for a vote recently. Of course, he wasn’t the swing vote, since several Senate Republicans voted for it, so it hardly shows a pattern of bucking Republican directives, but it’s worth noting.

However, I wonder where Senator Brown stands on the unemployment and COBRA extension bills now being filibustered by his colleague, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY)? Bunning is insisting that existing stimulus funding go toward the benefits, which expire Sunday unless Congress extends them. Get that? People on unemployment will go without, and the jobs stimulus money which might be able to put them to work would be stolen for their benefits. This time, the Dems are making Bunning stand and actually filibuster. (Thank goodness, they found a spine somewhere!) As John says (bold mine),

This idiot wants us to use the stimulus funds that haven’t yet been spent, but are about to be spent. By CBO’s estimate, up to 3.5 million jobs are depending on the stimulus for their existence this coming year. This moron wants to wipe that out. The economy isn’t out of trouble yet. A lot of economist worry that the economy may contract again the fall. Taking back the remaining stimulus funds while the economy is still teetering, i.e., decreasing demand, is insane.

So, when cloture comes up, Senator Brown, are you voting with the people of Massachusetts depending on both jobs growth and unemployment to hold them over until they get there? Or are you a Republican?

Update: Sigh. I take it back. It’s not a “real” filibuster, though the Dems are reportedly going to repeatedly ask for “unanimous consensus” to try to pass the bill. I say, keep the Senate open all weekend, and again, MAKE the guy ACTUALLY filibuster. I really do hate the Dems sometimes.

Update II: Oh my lord. This is a quote from Bunning:

And at one point during the debate, which dragged on till nearly midnight, Bunning complained of missing a basketball game.

“I have missed the Kentucky-South Carolina game that started at 9:00,” he said,
“and it’s the only redeeming chance we had to beat South Carolina since they’re the only team that has beat Kentucky this year.

Screw you unemployed, and can we have a break? I need to go potty and watch some basketball. God damn.

Update III: I take it back. I really. Really. Really hate Democrats. WAKE UP YOU PANSIES! Gah. I hope none of my readers are on extended unemployment, because there’s a good chance you’ll lose it come Sunday, if this impasse is not broken.