It’s past time to add Al Melvin to the unemployment rolls

by David Safier

The more they talk, the more they reveal who they are.

A quick  fix in the state legislature would allow about 20,000 Arizonans to continue receiving jobless aid. It wouldn't cost Arizona a dime. According to a House Democrats' media release, it would mean $4.5 million a week in federal dollars coming into Arizona, money that could be spent on goods and services to help keep businesses alive and people employed.

Since Republicans have yet to bring "Jobs, jobs, jobs" to Arizona as they promised, the fix just makes good, common, human sense. But not to them.

Here is Senate Commerce Committee chairman Al Melvin on why he thinks the fix is a bad idea:

"The shorter the period [of jobless aid], the faster people go back to work," Melvin said.

Where are the jobs you promised so they can go back to work, Al? What a heartless son of a bitch.

Other equally heartless Republicans used a bit more political tact — not Melvin's strong suit. They said there's just not enough time left in the session.

Republican leaders nearing adjournment of their regular session say there's little time left to consider legislation that would allow the benefits to continue through October, instead of their current end date in May.

They want to finish the session up tomorrow. I guess a few more days at the Capitol to keep food on the table for 20,000 Arizonans and their families, and a roof over their heads, is too much to ask of these Republicans.

I repeat. Heartless sons of bitches.