Why do Republicans hate unemployed Americans?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

First it was Arizona's embarrassment, Senator Obstruction, Jon Kyl, who blocked the extension of unemployment benefits last fall because he wanted the Paris Hilton Tax (estate tax) for idle rich kids to inherit their parents' fortune to be dealt with first.

Then it was Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) who blocked the extension of unemployment benefits earlier this year in a one man filibuster over the insincere claim that the benefits were not paid for by Congress (Bunning had two weeks earlier voted against the Pay-Go rules that he now claimed the Senate was violating).

Now "Doctor Evil," Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has promised that he'd be the next Sen. Jim Bunning if he had to be, and last night, he made good on his threat. Coburn Blocks Unemployment Extension – And His Party Backs Him Up

Yep, here we go again. Party before country, temper tantrums before the country's business:

Coburn is blocking unanimous consent on extension of unemployment benefits, just as Bunning did a few weeks ago. Only this time, Coburn's not alone — the Republican caucus has joined with Coburn, promising to block billions in unemployment benefits just as the Senate is set to leave on a two-week recess.

Due to the timing of the blockade, benefits could expire on April 5, a situation that would not be remedied for a week while the Senate is out of town. Senators will return from their Easter break on April 12.

When Bunning blocked the benefits extension in early March, government programs funded by the money — which includes everything from construction work, unemployment payments and doctor's fees — were only shut down for a matter of hours. This time, with the expiration coming on April 5 while the Senate is in recess, the shutdown could last for days.

Coburn and the Republicans are making the same argument this time that Bunning made back on March 1: if Democrats want to extend the benefits, they need to find a way to pay for them. On the Senate floor, Coburn said he was blocking the benefits on behalf that old political standby, the average Joe.

The average Joe, Doctor Evil, is that man or woman standing in the unemployment line desperate to find gainful employment to feed their family and to keep a roof over their head. That unemployment check may make all the difference from going into foreclosure and bankruptcy and living in a homeless shelter and feeding their family in soup kitchens.

Over the past decade, Republican economic policies failed to create a single net new job. Republican economic policies did, however, create the worst economic calamity since the Great Depression. You would think Republicans bear some sense of responsibility and shame for their failed economic policies, and some sense of compassion towards their fellow American citizens in desperate circumstances (don't they all claim to be good Christians?). You would be wrong.

It was Sen. Jon Kyl who suggested several weeks ago that the unemployed are just lazy and living off unemployment benefits. They should get a job (that doesn't exist). Bah-Humbug!

And who could ever forget the cold lack of compassion Doctor Evil showed for this desperate woman to recite his GOP talking points. (Keep in mind Coburn was a doctor. I pity his patients.)