Jim Bunning’s Blockade

What did Jim Bunning object to, and why is the media in a frenzy about it? Let me explain.

Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning was voting against an extension of expiring stimulus programs that would cost 10 billion dollar. He was the only Senator standing against it because all of the other Senators are seeking re-election (votes) or simply believe in unemployment aid amongst other temporary stimulus measures to be the right thing to do. If Congress fails to pass an extension, the National Employment Law Project estimates that 1.2 million people will lose their benefits in March.

Perhaps Jim Bunning was wrong in taking such a stance, and maybe his intentions and motives were not in the right place, yet eventually our leadership must stand up against more spending. Of course 10 billion dollars spent locally seems more wisely spent than what we are spending overseas – it’s about the same cost as paying for one month of the Iraq war. Additionally as others have explained unemployment money goes directly back into the economy, as those that are unemployed usually need the money to buy necessities while looking for work. Apparently another addition to the stimulus is paying for satellite television through the ‘broadband stimulus package’.

If you’re interested in a visual explanation of what happened, view below:


[This article is in its beginning stages and may change as more details come out]

Here is a small clip of Senator Cornyn from Texas supporting Bunning’s reasoning.