Unemployment and depression

A 13-month extension on unemployment benefits. That's on top of the 99-weeks of approximately $300-per-week the unemployed get now. Obama argues that it will stimulate the economy because those people will spend the money. That's liberal logic for you.

The truth that has emerged is that the unemployed no longer look for work because they now get 3 years of benefits. That means it's 3 years of people not trying to get work, and probably aren't counted in the 9.8% unemployment numbers that are killing Obama's presidency.

The cost of unemployment is a HUGE drag on the economy because it adds mightily to the federal deficit, and therefore the debt. But the real cost of increased unemployment is the human cost - loss of pride in doing anything productive. And, the complacency and loss of skills in that time frame make people lose their competiveness, and make them complacent. A policy of the government paying you not to work is just bad policy. It leads to nothing good, certainly nothing in the American ethos.

So once again, Democratic leadership constitute what Jimmy Carter called a "national malaise." Only this time, they not just contribute to it, they cause it.

Where's my Prozac.

Obama Announces 'Framework' for Deal With Congress to Extend Bush-Era Tax Cuts - FoxNews.com: "