Rewriting the Script of Joblessness

Not too long ago it seemed, everyone in Washington was all about job creation. Now it seems, it's not a lack of jobs it's a lack of motivation from the unemployed.

It's been a full three weeks since lawmakers failed to reauthorize extended unemployment benefits, to prevent a 21 percent pay cut to doctors who see Medicare patients and to provide states with $24 billion in Medicaid assistance. The House passed a bill at the end of May, but the Senate adjourned for its Memorial Day recess without acting. Since then, Senate Democrats have been unable muster the 60 vote supermajority needed to get the legislation done.
Meanwhile, 903,000 people jobless through no fault of their own have missed unemployment checks and doctors are getting shorted for taking care of old folks. It's been a full three weeks since lawmakers failed to reauthorize extended unemployment benefits, to prevent a 21 percent pay cut to doctors who see Medicare patients and to provide states with $24 billion in Medicaid assistance. The House passed a bill at the end of May, but the Senate adjourned for its Memorial Day recess without acting. Since then, Senate Democrats have been unable muster the 60 vote supermajority needed to get the legislation done.

Meanwhile, 903,000 people jobless through no fault of their own have missed unemployment checks and doctors are getting shorted for taking care of old folks.

Snowe said she would not insist that the unemployment benefits -- which will cost more than $30 billion -- be paid for. "I think the economy has not demonstrated the capacity to create jobs," she said, "so I think it's our burden to turn that around, not to foist that on those who are unemployed and dependent on unemployment benefits."

Some Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate have said they believe it is, in fact, time to foist that burden onto the unemployed, who they suspect aren't finding jobs because they'd rather collect benefits than look for work. GOP Senator Orrin Hatch takes it a step farther, with a plan to drug test people receiving unemployment benefits.

"A lot of people are saying, 'Hey, it's about time. Why do we keep giving money to people who are going to go use it on drugs instead of their families?'" Hatch said.