Comments on: Obama’s Stimulus To Extend Unemployment, Health Benefits http://donklephant.com/2009/01/04/obamas-stimulus-to-extend-unemployment-health-benefits/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:05:09 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lisa Anderson http://donklephant.com/2009/01/04/obamas-stimulus-to-extend-unemployment-health-benefits/comment-page-1/#comment-441434 Lisa Anderson Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:24:43 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=12507#comment-441434 I was wondering the same thing Rob Wolfe asked. My benefits are about to run out from the Bush extension. I have been applying for as many jobs were posted on careerbuilder, monster, and the local paper. Since I lost my house after my job, my daughter and I moved into my mothers, then we moved to Boston with family in the hopes that the Boston job market is better. Now, I seem to have many more interviews, but with no results. Many of my responses are like the one I received today "Unfortunately, at this time, our client has decided to postpone their candidate search." I have a Bacholer's degree in Molecular Biology and experience in Chemistry. I am beginning to get really concerned about the career gap that is now on my resume. I suppose I will be going back to school for my Masters, since my education seems to be the only thing I have control over - or at least is obtainable. I am beginning to wonder if it is me and I just do not interview well, the economy, or the competition on the job market. -Lisa I was wondering the same thing Rob Wolfe asked. My benefits are about to run out from the Bush extension. I have been applying for as many jobs were posted on careerbuilder, monster, and the local paper. Since I lost my house after my job, my daughter and I moved into my mothers, then we moved to Boston with family in the hopes that the Boston job market is better. Now, I seem to have many more interviews, but with no results. Many of my responses are like the one I received today “Unfortunately, at this time, our client has decided to postpone their candidate search.” I have a Bacholer’s degree in Molecular Biology and experience in Chemistry. I am beginning to get really concerned about the career gap that is now on my resume. I suppose I will be going back to school for my Masters, since my education seems to be the only thing I have control over – or at least is obtainable. I am beginning to wonder if it is me and I just do not interview well, the economy, or the competition on the job market.

-Lisa

]]> By: Rob Wolfe http://donklephant.com/2009/01/04/obamas-stimulus-to-extend-unemployment-health-benefits/comment-page-1/#comment-436138 Rob Wolfe Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:06:30 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=12507#comment-436138 Obama, Do you plan to extend the unemployment benifits? I have been unemployeed for over 7 months and am about to run out of beifits even with the Bush extention. I need help. I apply for over 40 jobs per week with nothing to show for it. PLEASE help us. We are sinking! Like so many americans. I find it hard to beleive that my case would be looked at. I just need some help..Just like so benifits or am I going to sink? and die?many americans. Are you going to extend the unemployment benifits or am I going to sink and die? HELP ME! Obama,
Do you plan to extend the unemployment benifits? I have been unemployeed for over 7 months and am about to run out of beifits even with the Bush extention. I need help. I apply for over 40 jobs per week with nothing to show for it.
PLEASE help us. We are sinking! Like so many americans. I find it hard to beleive that my case would be looked at. I just need some help..Just like so benifits or am I going to sink? and die?many americans.
Are you going to extend the unemployment benifits or am I going to sink and die? HELP ME!

]]> By: kranky kritter http://donklephant.com/2009/01/04/obamas-stimulus-to-extend-unemployment-health-benefits/comment-page-1/#comment-434560 kranky kritter Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:26:18 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=12507#comment-434560 A little back of the envelope us gov't math: <blockquote> 2008: total receipts: 2.66 trillion 2008: total expenditures: 2.9 trillion + 0.7 trillion bailout = 3.6 trillion 2009: total receipts: _?_ 2008: total expenditures: _?_ + 0.75 trillion bailout = _?_ trillion</blockquote> Suppose for the sake of argument we simply concede the highly suspect contention that because we're in a serious recession, the government therefore MUST spend way more money than it collects in receipts. That allows us to move on to a far more troubling question: <blockquote>For how long do we think the government can sustain a practice of spending roughly 4 dollars for every 3 it collects, without •devaluing the dollar to the point where it is no longer Earth's preferred currency •triggering (quite possibly debilitating) inflation?</blockquote> I don't know what the answer to this question is. But I do know two answers that are definitely insufficient: <blockquote> • We can't worry about that right now • I'm sure it will be fine </blockquote> Fact is, we can't afford NOT to worry about spending way more money than we have. Both individually and collectively. A little back of the envelope us gov’t math:

2008: total receipts: 2.66 trillion
2008: total expenditures: 2.9 trillion + 0.7 trillion bailout = 3.6 trillion

2009: total receipts: _?_
2008: total expenditures: _?_ + 0.75 trillion bailout = _?_ trillion

Suppose for the sake of argument we simply concede the highly suspect contention that because we’re in a serious recession, the government therefore MUST spend way more money than it collects in receipts.

That allows us to move on to a far more troubling question:

For how long do we think the government can sustain a practice of spending roughly 4 dollars for every 3 it collects, without

•devaluing the dollar to the point where it is no longer Earth’s preferred currency

•triggering (quite possibly debilitating) inflation?

I don’t know what the answer to this question is. But I do know two answers that are definitely insufficient:

• We can’t worry about that right now
• I’m sure it will be fine

Fact is, we can’t afford NOT to worry about spending way more money than we have. Both individually and collectively.

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