Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . . . . . . . .

Just to prove that The Gadfly is an equal opportunity assailant when it comes to pointing out the self-serving assholery of certain politicians:

Because if you're not struggling enough with chronic unemployment, Sen Mark Pryor (D-AR) has an idea that he thinks will make you appreciate a work ethic:

Sen. Mark Pryor is floating the idea of requiring community service or public service in exchange for receiving extended unemployment benefits.

The Arkansas Democrat filed the proposal last week as an amendment to the jobless benefits extension measure pending on the Senate floor. The Pryor amendment would require individuals to perform public service each week in order to maintain their unemployment benefits, with several exceptions including those for illnesses and the need to care for children.

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/01/want-ui-benefits-you-gotta-work-em


Hmm - so a sitting U.S. senator wants to put people on roadside cleanup and  parks & recreation public toilet scrubbing crews as a condition of them receiving their weekly unemployment insurance payments?

Speaking from personal experience, The Gadfly knows all too well the trials and tribulations associated with being unwillingly without work.

It is not uncommon to spend 40 or more hours per week just searching for jobs, filling out applications and submitting them, taking employment assessment exams, driving to interviews, making phone calls, networking, etc.... It also needs to be noted that people receiving UI benefits are only receiving them because they were employed at one time, but then suddenly, because of layoffs, plant closings, outsourcing, Congressional failure to govern, etc.. they find themselves without a job.  And for that reason, they have had money deducted from their wages over time to fund their state's unemployment insurance benefits pool.  Some people go their entire lives without ever having to use those benefits.  The bottom line though is, they paid in to the system and it is their right to utilize it when the time and circumstances dictate the need for it.

Now - back to our friend who wants us to grovel for the benefits we paid for.  Mark Pryor is a Democratic Senator from Arkansas.  He is what is known as a Bluedog Democrat - which if The Gadfly's interpretation is to be trusted - means he calls himself a Democrat, but quite frequently votes with Republicans.  It appears he is also a major league fucking asshole.

As a sitting U.S. Senator, Mark Pryor earns a base salary on the taxpayer's dime of $174,000 a year.  He receives a Cadillac health care plan also subsidized with taxpayer money.

Some other perks/benefits that Mark Pryor is privy to, also funded by taxpayers, include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Free flying between their home districts and Washington, D.C.
* Free airport parking
* Free gym membership
* Lax Wall Street insider trading rules
* A premium retirement plan
* Free death benefits
* An approximately $3 million dollar allowance for staff, office expenses and "official" travel

And not to put too fine of a point on it, Mark Pryor also only works at his job of U.S. Senator an average of 150 days per year, days when the Senate has working sessions on the docket.  Which means that Senator Pryor, based on his $174,000 salary, earns approximately $1,160 for every day he performs actual work on behalf of the American tax paying public -- his employer.

I can't speak for you dear readers, but if The Gadfly had a job where he earned $1,160 per day, and if he worked 5 days a week, would be $5800, you wouldn't hear The Gadfly bitching and moaning about the piddly average of $295 per week in UI benefits that the average Joe Schmuck receives when they lose their job.

It truly takes a special kind of conceited prick to want to force a form of indentured servitude on people who are, in most cases, already struggling to survive in dire economic straits, and usually through no fault of their own.

Therefore, The Gadfly extends a hearty FUCK YOU! to Democrat Mark Pryor.  May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your pubic region Senator Pryor, and here's hoping that the good people of Arkansas see fit to send your lame ass packing in your next election - even if it means electing a Republican - nobody would notice the difference anyway.  Oh - and since you have over 200 days of off the senate clock time that you are getting paid for you sonofabitch, why don't you pick up a set of trash tongs and and a litter bag, and find a nice hot dusty back road somewhere and get your worthless freeloading ass to doing some real work?



----TFG