On December 3, 2013 Speaker of the House John Boehner declared in a 57 second speech that,
“Republicans continue to stay focused on the economy. And the fact is that the American people want us to do everything we can to strengthen the economy so there will be more jobs and higher wages available. This week we’ll take further steps to strengthen our economy.”
Then he launched into an attack on the Affordable Care Act.
So, here is the question for you: Can you name a single thing that the Republicans in Congress have proposed or done since January 20, 2009 that has been aimed at creating more jobs or higher wages?
They spent lots of energy and money to fight the Jobs Bill and they defeated it. They fought and then were at last shamed into allowing the Jobs for Veterans Bill to pass. Okay, we’ll give them credit for that and do so with the same enthusiasm as they displayed to support our veterans. Then they spent all the rest of their time on anything but more jobs and higher wages.
They spent much of the past five years proudly battling against gay rights, immigration reform and voting rights. Not much of a connection with more jobs and higher wages there.
There was some truly google-eyed work done by Republicans in the House on the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare. It is essentially the program recommended years ago by the very conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation. It is also essentially the same as the program enacted into law in Massachusetts under Republican Governor Mitt Romney. But today’s Republicans – the ones for whom John Boehner speaks – have spent their time trying to repeal Obamacare 43 times. And, speaking of healthcare, they have hissy fits over defunding Planned Parenthood, too. It is unclear how any of that helps to alleviate the suffering or improve the opportunities of our under- and unemployed.
They also made sure that we don’t have sensible control over the sale of firearms. No connection there to jobs or wages either.
Gotta give the R’s credit, though, as over the years they have boldly managed to give congressional endorsement to the naming of several post offices. Check that box as Mission Accomplished. Still, where is the action toward more jobs and higher wages?
Boehner was right in what he said – Americans want Congress to do something to create more jobs and higher wages. Republicans, though, have done nothing to help that. Too bad for us that all Boehner and the Republicans offer is lip service to what is most important to Americans.
Do you want Congress to behave differently? Do you want our problems solved instead of being left to get worse? Then you better get active, get involved and send to Washington people who will get this country headed in the right direction. If you don’t, I promise you that our self-paralyzed Congress will do nothing to help you or anyone you care about with the opportunity for a job or higher wages.
One more thing: With about 3 applicants for every job opening, it is a mathematical certainty that two out of three unemployed people can’t and won’t find work any time soon, leaving them unemployed. Meanwhile, the Republicans in Congress want to cut unemployment benefits, lest we teach the unemployed to be dependent on government. That is the reasoning expressed by Republican presidential wannabe Rand Paul. His plan is that on December 28 we’ll just set the unemployed adrift, hungry.
And Happy Holidays to all of them.
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Ed. note: There is much in America that needs fixing and we are on a path to continually fail to make things better. It is my goal to make a difference – perhaps to be a catalyst for things to get better. That is the reason for these posts. To accomplish the goal requires reaching many thousands of people and a robust dialogue. Please help by passing this along and encouraging others to do the same. Thanks. JA
Copyright 2024 by Jack Altschuler
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