GOP turns deaf ear to jobless Virginians

With nearly 300,000 Virginians out of work, every elected leader should be working tirelessly and together to help constituents endure the worst recession since the 1930s. Instead, on Wednesday, Virginia's Republican legislators wasted hours at the Capitol in obstructionism and showmanship.

By the end of the day, Republican lawmakers had voted to reject $125 million in federal aid for the unemployed, jeopardizing the financial stability and survival of families in every neighborhood of the commonwealth.

All Virginia had to do was make modest expansions in its benefits, now some of the most miserly in America. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine proposed two changes: Workers laid off from declining industries such as textile manufacturing would collect benefits longer while they received training. More idled part-time workers would be eligible for aid. Those changes would cost less than $20 million.

For that, Virginia would have received $125 million from Washington to provide expanded jobless benefits to hurting Virginians, money that those families would've turned right around and spent on the necessities of life.

Republicans, with nearly one voice, said no. The excuses they provided were both spurious and embarrassing.

GOP leaders contended the expanded benefits would cripple businesses with new taxes during an economic downturn. In actuality, businesses would not be affected until 2011, and the tax would peak at less than 2 cents per worker per day in 2012 before declining.

Even so, legislators could have rolled back the eligibility rules and that tax once the economy recovers. Senior Republicans baldly stated that they did not trust themselves or their colleagues to do so.

Which begs a simple and devastating question: If GOP leaders have no faith in their own ability to change laws to adapt to circumstances, why should Virginians?

Worse, the vote was a transparent attempt to mask a larger political agenda at the expense of struggling Virginians. Kaine now splits his time between the governor's mansion and his responsibilities as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Many Republicans viewed this critical vote on unemployment benefits instead as a trivial opportunity to embarrass Kaine and President Barack Obama.

Sen. Ken Cuccinelli's attitude was all too clear when he complained that "our constituents who are now unemployed are being used by this administration to hold a gun to the head of this General Assembly with the assistance of the governor to force through a bad bill."

By thumbing their noses at a man because he has two jobs, Republicans like Cuccinelli showed an inexplicable disregard for the thousands of Virginians who have none at all.

Virginia's lawmakers are elected to show mercy to those in need, to show judgment in response to changing conditions, and to show leadership when faced with difficult and complex decisions. If they can't handle those responsibilities, voters this fall should look for leaders who can.