If you're unemployed, just fuck off and die already

[Hugabear]

That's the attitude I get from many conservative types. They act like the unemployed are content to sit on their ass all day collecting their meager unemployment checks. There's a local rethug here in Central Florida, Todd Long, who is hoping to unseat Alan Grayson this year. I happened to see a book he wrote, where he talks about unemployed. He relates some scenario where an unemployed person is asking a politician about extending benefits. Mr. Long then wonders what would happen if that person had asked the same question to the Founding Fathers. He then takes the liberty of deciding what the Founding Fathers would say: (paraphrased) "You're not working, but you feel that it's okay for you to take money from somebody else that you did not earn?"

When you see how these conservatives treat the unemployed and uninsured, you really do get the feeling that they wish that we would just hurry up and fucking die already.

[Amonester]

1. Same as theiR "If you get sick, die quickly." healthcare plan.

No surprise there.

[Electric Monk]

7. "Useless eaters" - GHWB nt.

[KingFlorez]

2. The Founding Fathers arguments are asinine

For one, they never lived in the modern era and secondly, you can't speak for people who haven't been around for centuries. That aside, it does take money to find work, you've got to fill up your tank or have fare for the bus or train in order to get to interviews. You've got to keep your phone on so potential employers can contact you. Republicans don't get the real world.

[Hugabear]

4. Not to mention the fact that their political views were about as varied as our own

For instance, Alexander Hamilton thought we should have a monarchy. There were a few enlightened folks back then, but plenty of racist fuckwads as well.

[sandnsea]

3. Ben Franklin co-founded the PA Hospital in 1751

"to care for the sick-poor and insane who were wandering the streets of Philadelphia."

They have no clue who the Founding Fathers were.

[Orrex]

5. Their attitude isn't what surprises me, sadly.

What surprises (and horrifies) me is that plenty of unemployed people in this country will still vote Republican in November, despite the fact that Repubs are working very hard to destroy them.

[dkf]

6. Why aren't we mad that Obama isn't doing more to create jobs?

Since when is super long employment benefits the pathway to success? Damn we don't expect much.

[Swamp Rat]

8. Die quickly!

[Naturyl]

9. You're not being hyperbolic or silly, sadly

Wish you were - but this is exactly their inner attitude - and sometimes their outer one as well.

[old mark]

10. Same for the older people - die now and get out of the way.nt

[HughBeaumont]

12. Another section of the voting public that luuuuuurves them some Republicans, for whatever reason.

The S & L disaster and Corporate America's "Never Retire"ment plan taught them nothing, apparently.

[progressoid]

11. "You're not looking hard enough"

That's one I heard recently. Apparently there are just tons of jobs out there. The unemployed just need to look harder to find them. :eyes: