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Thom's blog
Cutting unemployment is NOT the answer
One point three million people have lost their unemployment benefits. Americans who have been out of work for six months or longer are suddenly without the vital lifeline that kept them from ending up homeless and hungry. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that extending these benefits will be a priority when Congress returns on January 6th, but some Republicans are already indicating they may try to block an extension.
If those on the Right keep long-term unemployment from being reauthorized, another 850,000 Americans will find themselves without financial support within the next three months. The current unemployment cuts alone may cost our economy as much as 0.4 percent of our GDP, and that number will only get larger as more Americans loose their financial assistance. And, these cuts won't save taxpayers any money, as our government will have to dramatically increase spending on programs like food stamps and housing assistance as more people have no where else to turn. If Congress doesn't act fast, more Americans will soon find themselves without any income, and many could wind up on the street.
As if that wasn't bad enough, without this meager financial assistance, out-of-work Americans will no longer be able to contribute anything to their local economies. That, in turn, can pose a serious risk to our modest economic recovery. Allowing unemployment benefits to expire isn't just immoral and un-American, it's also a bad idea for our nation as a whole. We shouldn't be imposing more austerity – we should be investing in our nation. And, our government should step in as the employer of last resort. If Republicans really want to lower spending on unemployment benefits – the answer is not slashing aid – it's helping out-of-work Americans find a job.
-Thom
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 7pm and 9pm... What good is 1.3 million unemployed? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Watch the video 'Last Hours' narrated by Thom Hartmann about the "time bomb" that is ticking underground, underwater and under ice… frozen methane that is now escaping and could trigger runaway climate change. www.lasthours.org
Have a question or comment for Thom? Grab your phone, hit record and send your video to YourTakeMyTake@gmail.com and we may air it on "The Big Picture."
Need to Know: What good is 1.3 million unemployed?
The Best of the Rest...
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Everything You Know Is Wrong: Mega Church...where your money goes- Pastor David Lee, Sunday Morning Stickup: What Your Pastor Doesn't Want You To Know About Tithes.
Daily Take: Follow the French on the millionaire tax
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Friday's Daily Stack 
Quote: "There must be more to life than having everything" -- Maurice Sendak, author-Where the Wild Things Are (...who also coined the best holiday quote ever: “And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!")
Hour One: KKK wants to impeach Obama- Richard Preston, Confederate White Knights.
Anything Goes Friday
Hour Two: The REAL scandal of Duck Dynasty- Rev. Bill Keller, Live Prayer.com
Hour Three: If it's Friday, it's "Brunch With Bernie" (Special late edition!!) ... the honorable Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joins Thom with all the news from our nation's capitol and as always he'll be spending the hour taking your calls and answering your questions too... Follow Bernie:    campaign site.
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Monday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Hour Three: Follow the French on the millionaire tax...
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...
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Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Great debates, more stimulating talk radio topics plus all the news and information you won't hear from the corporate owned news media...
Check in with us while you're on the go...we've got some GREAT programs in store for you and you won't want to miss a minute!!
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From all of us at The Thom Hartmann Program...may you have a happy and healthy New Year...
And don't forget...Democracy is NOT a spectator sport...it begins with you...
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Thom's Poll
Will Republicans block extending unemployment benefits?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Watch the Full "Big Picture" Show...
Full Show 12/20/13: 2013: Obama's Worst Year in Office?
Tonight's extended edition of "The Big Picture Rumble" discusses the dangers of gangsta capitalism, the new and positive Obamacare numbers, how 1.3 million unemployed will lose their benefits next week and how Canada has struck down their anti-prostitution laws. In tonight's "Everything You Know Is Wrong" segment Thom discusses the origins of Santa Claus with Psychologist and author Stephen Larsen.
The Thom Hartmann Program - December 20, 2013
How President Sanders Would Handle Inequality
KKK Wants to Impeach Obama
The REAL Scandal of Duck Dynasty
Brunch with Bernie: December 20, 2013
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Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
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