More American insanity

[Pineapple Shortcake]

The US House just passed a bill to extend UI benefits to millions of Americans.

The US Senate just voted 58 in FAVOUR of the bill, and it LOST.

I have a glimmer of what happened but maybe others here can 'splain this lunacy in some detail?:shock:

 

[Quan Le]

This the one Bear?.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5540600/2010_unemployment_extension_house_could.html

2010 Unemployment Extension - The House of Representatives failed to pass HR 5618, the "Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010", under expedited rules yesterday, leaving millions of jobless Americans........

 

[digitalcameras]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38021290/ns/business-us_business/

And it answers much of my own question. "FILIBUSTER", the fucking evil Republicans
just kept yapping.:slap:

However, I was under the impression that a resolution to a filibuster was just to fight it out? Let the assholes stand talking for days at a time with limited water, food and few bathroom breaks?:neutral:

 

[The INFORMER]

Glad to be on Canadian soil. Sometimes we take many things for granted. The USA shot themselves on the foot, going to be hard on them to be tops in the world in a few years.

 

[HELP!]

The unemployment bill would have provided up to a total of 99 weekly unemployment checks averaging $335 to people whose 26 weeks of state-paid benefits have run out. The benefits would be available through the end of November, at a cost of $33.9 billion.

High price to pay but the economy needs people to start spending to get out of this recession. Catch 22 drama.

 

[MnM]

But seriously, as many wise folks have pointed out-

a) The $ are UTTERLY trivial in context of the size of i)the USA economy ii) the total USA debt iii)the USA deficit iv) the USA LONG term debt v) the insane $ the USA spends on other boondoggles (subsidizing sugar beet farmers, ethanol:, NO death taxes in 2010, blah, blah blah)

b) Unemployment benefits are one of the BEST ways to stimulate an economy at ANY time. Unlike the rich who sit on tax rebates, the poor are great for the velocity of $. They immediately spend on rent, mortgage arrears, health, food, car repairs, clothing etc etc and there are vast more subtle spin off benefits.

Aside from all THAT. My OP was focused on the lunacy of the USA Senate:666: procedures regardless of the issue being voted.

 

[royboy]

It's like this....there is no one in the upper levels of American government, in any party, who cares about anything but three things: lining both their personal and party pockets, protecting the interests of the many factions who pay for that protection, and undercutting their political opponents at every opportunity always with an eye toward the next election.

They don't care about the overall good of their own country, or anyone else's. They certainly don't care about Joe Schmoe staring at the ceiling at 2am wondering how he's gonna keep his house for another month. Joe can't afford to buy their care.

 

[CLIFF G]

Why do you think the USA is so active in wars. They have to fill the pockets of their friends that make guns and bullets.

 

[dividedselfhood]

Bear, where abouts in the States are you from?.

 

[Lionel]

Unless you count my mother's side. UEL who left in the 1780s.

 

[Pat M]

Call me stupid, what is UEL?.

 

[Kamal]

It used to be a BIG deal in English Canada up to several decades ago.

United Empire Loyalists