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February  27th Senator Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) would not vote to extend federal unemployment for millions of U.S. citizens. His main concern seemed to be where the money to pay for this extension would be coming from. He blocked the Senate from approving to extend unemployment benefits that are set to expire today, Feb. 28th. He insisted the $10 billion needed be offset by other savings rather than added to the deficit.

In doing so he basically screwed state governments because the programs for unemployment will be shut down. When these programs are reinstated it will mean unnecessary administrative costs which most states can ill afford.

Democrats blamed Republicans for not standing up and stopping Bunning from refusing to vote on the bill. Barbara Boxer (D-California) said, “Unemployment insurance is a lifeline to the long term unemployed whose families have been hit very hard by this recession.” The Democrats said the safety net funds are classified as an “emergency” and therefore don’t need to be offset. Unemployment is an emergency and included in the safety net funds.

The Senate will not be back to vote on this again until Tuesday. On March 1st no one who is currently unemployed will be able to file for their federal unemployment benefits. Families are on the losing end of this and Bunning doesn’t seem to be concerned.

While a bomb threat was called into Bunning’s office in Hazard, Kentucky, Bunning said he’s just trying to make a point to the people of the United States. And that point is what? That the government can once again disappoint citizens? Does Bunning have any clue whatsoever what he is doing to millions of people by refusing to vote yes on the extension? He has voted for previous extensions, so why not now? What is the holdup?

Perhaps we, as voters, need to look a bit further into who we vote for when the time comes. While Bunning is not running again, there are other men and women who may seem to be qualified for office who need to make things right for the citizens of their states. Age may be a benefit or a deficit when it comes to having Senators and Representatives in office. With age comes many health concerns, including dementia. Perhaps some of the people who are in “power” in Washington need to have a test to make sure they have all their marbles. We need good people who will do their job, not mess around with things that will hurt the citizens of our great nation, and who will be honest and fair. Make sure you know who you are voting for when it’s time to vote in your state. And by all means, VOTE!