By Patricio Espinoza, Editorial, AlamoCityTimes.com Community News Blog

They helped the Banks, gave billions to Wall Street and the Auto Industry.  Sent a few more billions to Iraq, and more to Afghanistan, but now refuse benefits to the jobless voters who put them into office.  We are talking Congress... and these guys in particular:

Meet the guys who refuse to vote to help extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans.  Tax payers who worked and earned those benefits, NOT HANDOUTS! By the way.. each one of these guys takes home about $173,000 a year plus benefits, perks, expenses paid, and everything else that comes with the job.

As of April 3, 2010 millions of Americans whose only source of income, after losing their jobs, is unemployment, STOPPED receiving their BENEFITS.  Yes, let's not forget, this is a benefit hard working people earned out of every paycheck when they had a job.  But now that it's time to get help, these cronies in Congress refuse to vote for a much needed extension of their benefits. Instead they went on Spring break. 

"The fact is, an extension to help American families was passed   unanimously in the House before it was blocked by a handful of Senate   Republicans," said Nadeam   Elshami, a spokesman for Speaker   Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "The only point some Senate Republicans   have succeeded in making is that they are out of touch with the harsh   reality that some families all across America are facing today." [ source ] Her Salary $223,500/year

And here in Texas, meet the other guy who refuses to help those unemployed, and continues to turn away Federal funding.  Yes YOUR Federal money, YOUR Taxes.  Ready to head back to our state of Texas, but Governor Perry, stubbornly so, and not in the best interest of Texans, refuses to bring our tax money back into our state now that we need it the most.

Perry pays about $10k for his temp living quarters in Austin

Here's what Perry posted in his State site:

" After careful review of the federal government's stimulus package, Gov.  Perry opted against the required expansion of the state's unemployment  insurance program, due to its long-term negative impact on the Texas  economy." [ source ] His Salary $150,000/year.

Thank you Governor Perry...

Have you explained to Texas voters why you won't take Federal funding to help the unemployed, but you have no problem taking $11 million in Federal Stimulus money to fix the Governors mansion? This, while you also spent close to $10,000 a month from Texas taxpayers to pay for your temporary quarters? Including your Pet deposit of $1,800? [Associated Press Report]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - While Gov. Rick Perry is criticizing Washington  bailouts, state lawmakers are planning to use $11 million in federal  stimulus money to help rebuild the badly burned Texas Governor's Mansion.

Top budget negotiators said Thursday that a House-Senate  committee agreed on the expenditures late Wednesday night. Some $11  million in federal rescue dollars would be spent to refurbish the  mansion, which was badly burned in an arson fire last summer. [ source ]

So you go ahead Gov. Perry, Coburn, Alexander, Pelosi, and Bunning.  Keep living the high life on our tax money, while hardworking Americans who paid into the unemployment pool with their taxes, now get nothing.  Their benefits have stopped, because YOU continue to play politics with the daily struggles of American workers.  This, while they had no problem signing the 700 billion plus bail out for their wealthy bankers.

As of last month, more than 6.5 million Americans have been without a  job for at least six months, an all-time high, according  to Labor Department data. That's more than double the amount this  time last year. Of the more than 15 million unemployed Americans, nearly 44 percent   have been without a job for at least six months -- another all-time   high. [ source ]

Democrats point out that they easily moved an extension through the  House and were primed to do the same in the Senate before Republicans,  led by Sen.  Tom Coburn (Okla.), stood in the way.  His Salary $173,000/year

Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)

“If nothing else, Republicans have certainly been consistent. They’ve  consistently put party before country, politics before people. Here we  are in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, yet the  GOP refuses to help. Up to 1.2 million Americans stand to lose benefits" Her Salary $174,000/year

Tom Coburn (R) voted for the government’s $700 billion bailout of the  financial industry.  But now refuses to help the Jobless, while still getting his six figure tax-payers paid salary in Washington, plus all benefits. Here's his office number (202) 224-5754 His Salary $174,000/year [ more ]

Lamar Alexander (R) supported the $700 billion bank bailout in fall 2008, saying,  “This is a very serious, very unpleasant problem to deal with. … But we  must act next week to solve this situation. His office in DC (202) 224-4944 His Salary $174,000/year [ more ]

Jim Bunning (R) Despite seats on the Senate’s Budget, Finance, and Banking committees; where was he when this whole thing came down ?! Ok, so he voted against all Bail outs. Good, but not honoring the Jobless benefits? His office (202) 224-4343 His Salary $174,000/year [ more ]

So what are you going to do America?

Source US Government Salaries [link]

Public Officials Profiles [link]