Matthews and McDermott agree: Republicans are Scrooges

Well of course. But then again the Democrats only seem to be generous with other people’s money. Oh wait. I forgot. They think it’s all their money. The issue is extending the unemployment benefits another 52 weeks or so … because … it’s Christmas time? Oh brother.

Chris Matthews seems to have quickly reverted from his one night shot as a fiscal conservative, back into his more comfortable lefty state with Washington State Congressman Jim McDermott (D). The two spend quite a bit of time talking tough on tax cuts (for the millionaires, of course) and talking nice about extending unemployment benefits for 2 million workers another anywhere from one month … to 26 weeks.

Republicans are blocking it until the Democrats can find a way to dig the dough up to cover the cost. But McDermott has promised to hold up all tax cuts, even for the middle class until this issue is addressed. It’s at this point he pulls out the Christmas time ploy. Matthews tells him to stand tough on those “Grinchy” Republicans.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wir1csMpV30

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Jim Vicevich

Jim is a veteran broadcaster and conservative/libertarian blogger with more than 25 years experience in TV and radio. Jim's was the long-term host of The Jim Vicevich Show on WTIC 1080 in Hartford from 2004 through 2019. Prior to radio, Jim worked as a business and financial reporter for NBC30 - the NBC owned TV station in Hartford - and as business editor at WFSB-TV in Hartford for 14 years while earning six Emmy nominations and three Telly Awards.

25 Comments

  1. dkortebein on December 3, 2010 at 4:54 am

    Jim Mcdermott trying to blame Wall Street because of a Washington problem.  I feel like I'm taking CRAZY PILLS.



  2. barnicle balls on December 3, 2010 at 5:00 am

    What does congress think unemployment pays??? Here in CT its around 500 a week then minus taxes. In NY max is 405a week Then minus taxes.  Im not a smart guy but I dont think thats alot to spend on items to fix any econamy. It may work for the food but I'm not spending that on a new DS or a big screen TV



  3. rperezwyd on December 3, 2010 at 5:11 am

    unfortunatly its a bad time of year but enough is enough I know to many people on unemployment that wont take a job and lose benefits expecting an extension especially if the job pays less, Look around there are a lot of help wanted signs out there its a crap job but its a job



  4. barnicle balls on December 3, 2010 at 5:31 am

    Can I say I hate Qanza? I love Christmas!! I say Marry Christmas to every one every day… Well during the Christamas seasan anyways.



  5. harpergal on December 3, 2010 at 7:08 am

    I think the unemployment issue is complex and at this point, because of all the people who have made the jobs go away, we are in a hard place. We can't let millions of people starve but we can't carry them forever either. After listening to the program today, I think it will take a plan that brings back jobs – not an over night process – and slowly decreases unemployment benefits. I also agree with Paul, I think it was, who said that we all will have to live differently than in the past and accept that it is going to be a poorer existence for many. The jobs available are not paying as much as the unemployment benefits are and people are unwilling to lower their expectations or standard of living but I think we are going to have to face that reality. I think we are paying for the big economic wave of the 80"s and we have to adjust our realities to what is real NOW – not what we wish it was. I am a single, older Mom who is struggling to live here (in CT) on $400-$500 a week plus help my daughter get through college. I can't save anything and have no retirement. My daughter can't find a job and I am paying for her car ins., gas, food etc. which she helps with when she can with baby sitting jobs and some house cleaning. It is much worse out here than many people seem to know or think. She and her boyfriend are looking into other states in which to live that are more friendly to young couples starting out in life. I am worried for them and for myself, too. The quality of my life, economically, has slowly declined over the years instead of getting better. Not what I thought life in America was supposed to be. I have worked very hard all of my life and have nothing to show for it. What a mess….



  6. winnie888 on December 3, 2010 at 7:15 am

    @harpergal…if we all have to accept living a poorer existence then the dems are truly getting what they want…equal poverty for all—the redistribution of wealth is going to finally be obvious to many who didn't think it'd ever come.



  7. harpergal on December 3, 2010 at 7:46 am

    Hi winnie888 – Unless someone comes up with a plan to put millions of people back to work very soon and implements it, I don't see another future for us all. It depresses me greatly….



  8. sammy22 on December 3, 2010 at 9:14 am

    Somehow I think that people on unemployment have ALREADY lowered their standard of living.



  9. GdavidH on December 3, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Well I'll be,

    Sammy…..I absolutely agree, and I'll take it one step further, speaking from experience.

    When a person who was making say, 15-16 dollars an hour is laid off, their unemployment compensation is based on a % of what they made the previous 2 quarters. I don't know what that compensation is off hand but it approaches the state maximum. When a person who made roughly 18-19 dollars an hour is laid off the formula maxes out and they receive the state maximum. When a person who made 30 dollars an hour plus benefits is laid off, they receive the same as the one who was making18-19 dollars an hour.

     Now… considering all these examples were living within their means with proportional mortgages, car payments, etc. and etc. Who is closer to losing their home, their health insurance, their car and their overall credit rating and lifestyle? AND… who has a better chance, in this economy, to return to the lifestyle they previously enjoyed when they can finally find new employment?

     For some, unemployment benefits are only postponing the inevitable as savings and retirement funds are burned through trying to hang on and save their investment, hoping the economy improves.

     Regardless of the debate about extensions or the existance of unemployment benefits, some are beyond lowering their standard of living and approaching total loss of everything.

    Right or wrong, unemployment is the crutch. Prosperity and job creation are the cure.



  10. David R on December 3, 2010 at 10:36 am

    Re. unemployment compensation: There's no perfect solution, and it's a question of on which side we want to err. Do we continue benefits, risking that some lazy bumbs will eat for a few more months? Or do we pull the plug and risk that some deserving folks won't get to pay their rent and dine on hamburger helper? Clearly the decision is based on competing values that are at the core of our identity. One problem as I see it is that none of us know who, or how many fit into each camp. My guess is that many of those who will be hurt are from working families that have been derailed by an economy hammered by people who made milliions/billions on bad mortgages and mortgage backed securities. Many of those folks still want a tax break. Let's give it to them.



  11. Dimsdale on December 3, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Wasn't McDermott once a human shield for Saddam Hussein? Are the Dems now using him as a political human shield, figuring he has nothing to lose?



  12. Lynn on December 3, 2010 at 10:57 am

    I have never been accused of being a Scrooge, but here goes. How about we fire half the IRS, half the Federal Dept of Education half the Federal Dept. of Energy and ALL the Czars plus staff! Then we might begin to breathe and get the economy moving again.



  13. GdavidH on December 3, 2010 at 11:11 am

    Lynn,

    Why only half?

    Flat tax or fair tax the IRS, fire 75%

    Eliminate the dept. of education. Maybe some of the ex fed workers could work in the new state depts.

    Dept of energy consists mostly of sub-departments

    Homeland security. the largest gov't expansion in recent history.

    The csars were always a method to govern outside the cabinet posts.

    I'm sure an entire thread could be made suggesting other cuts



  14. Lynn on December 3, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    GdavidH, I know I led us off the subject, but I'll go along with your plan. Also, to stay on track, I'm afraid I say that we have to stop the benefits. Bah Humbug! But I wish all who need jobs and truly care  to work will march on down or up to Washington Dc and sit in Obama's lap and tell him your Christmas wish!



  15. Gary J on December 3, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Ok ok questiontime——————————–is the Senate and Congress taking the 10% pay cut? Because if they are  I will rejoice in my non SS check increase. Oh that's right the legislators are exempt from any laws and or rules……………………  Sad very sad



  16. sammy22 on December 3, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    All this wishful thinking about cutting this, abolishing that does nothing to solve the actual problem of people running out of resources NOW! I suppose the daydreamers also believe in Santa. And in the great new things that the Republican House will bring forth, while the people who can actually do something sit on their collective hands.



  17. JollyRoger on December 3, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Maybe employment numbers would improve if we freed up all of those jobs that Americans won't do- the ones being done by illegals!  We could give them all free flights home- for the holidays!  Oh, and there's a new surcharge on your CL&P bills to help pay CT's budget deficit- Merry Christmas, add some water to the soup, turn the thermostat down, and visit the Governor's Mansion if you want a nice-holiday-escape-from-reality!



  18. gillie28 on December 4, 2010 at 3:44 am

    Harpargal. I'm really sorry for your situation.  Life can be really tough, but you seem to have an attitude to keep going and trying to do what is right.  How loving of you to help your daughter, while you are suffering economically.  From a practical point of view, CT IS a very expensive state.  There are other states that certainly have better outlooks for jobs and living expenses – for example Utah and Texas.  My opinion is that, as a nation, we have moved so far off of His standards and truths that He is finding it harder and harder to bless and protect the United States. 

    My opinion is that, as a nation, we have moved so far off of God's standards and truths that He is finding it harder and harder to bless and protect the United States.  But, as individuals, the Scripture teaches that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and that all things work together for good to those who love Him.  So komehow, some way, we need to keep the faith, even under the most challenging of times 🙂



  19. gillie28 on December 4, 2010 at 3:46 am

    sorry for the errors!



  20. gillie28 on December 4, 2010 at 3:51 am

    By the way, what happened to all those "shovel-ready" projects???  There were literally thousands of proposals submitted (I read many of them) to the govt. for fed aid when the so-called "stimulas" was announced.  Now we hear that Bernanks (ok fed reserve) has been secretly giving billions to Europe which kept the dollar low vs. the euro.  If that doesn't smack of collusion and corruption, don't know what does.  Where's the accountability for all that stimulus money????  Inquiring minds – and millions of unemployed – want to know.



  21. David R on December 4, 2010 at 10:47 am

    gillie28: I agree we should always be looking for collusion and corruption. Problem is we always get sidetracked by the same hot button talking points that tend to confuse rather than enlighten. Here we are arguing about whether formerly working but now unemployed Americans, deserve a UC extension. I don't know about Bernanke and European banks, but I do know that too frequently contracts/money flow to those who wine, dine and contribute to elected/appointed officials. Some of it is corrupt, but I think most of it serves two purposes: rewarding friends while bringing bucks and jobs to the home state. ( I'd bet Chertoff's role in the body scanner debacle is a case in point.) The bottom line is those that have get a free pass while those that don't get kicked when they're down.



  22. SeeingRed on December 6, 2010 at 3:43 am

    So now it's OK to reference the upcoming legal holiday by name (the holiday previously know as CHRISTMAS)?  These Dems are just great.  They would purge the birthdate of that 'baby Jesus and other stuff' from ANY public view but invoke its name in order to throw a spear at Republicans?

    Whacky.  Shallow.  Vapid.



  23. mynoc3 on December 6, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Harpergal,

    I agree, this unemployment issue is complex, but getting it passed does not sound like it has to be.  Isn't the only thing the GOP is holding out for is a way to pay for it (by using unspent stimulus)?  CT is expensive to live in.  I work in the state, but have moved up to MA where the housing costs are a little less.  There are suggestions on how to get people back to work from both sides, but most of those ideas never make it out of committee.  That's why we need a more limitted government, so we don't have to depend on them to get us out of the mess they create.



  24. harpergal on December 7, 2010 at 4:16 am

    Thanks for the kind words and suggestions from you all. I really wasn't complaining – well, maybe a tiny bit 🙂 I have a house cleaning business of one employee (me) so I can't really leave – for now. I was born in MO and spent years in N.C. so I do know there are other more economically friendly places to live. And helping my daughter is the right thing to do until she can stand on her own. I just think the waste and spending in gov, which would indeed free up much $, is not going to stop unless something cataclysmic happens. I keep coming back to the only solution I can see for the future and that is creating lots and lots of jobs, while cutting back on benefits. Changing Gov will be a long slow process unless a real maverick (or plural), let's go of their fear of going against the grain and wanting to get along and just simply cuts to the chase. Either way, it will all be years down the road for this recovery to make a big difference in the economy, one of MY fears….



Grinch

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