The House of Representatives sent a message to the jobless today. There is no need to rush out and find a job just yet. You can keep riding the federal gravy train for another three months. Yes, they have passed yet another 13 week extension of unemployment benefits, that the Senate and President are just chomping at the bit to sign.

"We must ... give displaced workers the peace of mind in knowing they have a little time in finding a job," said Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash., the bill's sponsor.

Adding a second slap in the face are the freakin' Democrats, who are whining that it doesn't do enough to help the "long term unemployed".

"You did absolutely the minimum you could do and keep a straight face and put out your press release that you did something for unemployment," said Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash.

The bill would extend the federal program to Dec. 31 at a cost of $6.5 billion.

You can bet that in December, the Christmas spirit will kick in again, and there will be yet another cry for an extension.

It is absolutely shameless that Congress will not pass a tax cut for those of us who do work, without having a gun put to their head, but when it comes to simply doling out dollars to those that sit around on their couch watching Oprah, it passes the House by a 409-19 vote.

When I lost my job in early December of last year, I was doing contracting work the very next week. It was only a temporary job, but the few weeks of pay were just enough to buy the computer I needed (to replace the one that work took away), and enough to allow me to still buy Christmas gifts for my family. In January, my job became finding a job, and by the end of March, I had two pretty good offers on the table. I never even considered filing for unemployment benefits.

I hate to sound heartless and mean spirited, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that the difference between the "long term unemployed" and me, is one of motivation and effort. Where did I get such values? From my parents.

When my father retired from the Navy, he found a new job and purchased a house. Shortly thereafter, he was laid off. With two children and wife to feed, and a new mortgage that he'd just spent most of his savings to assume, he didn't run down to the unemployment office and get in line. Instead he hit the pavement, and found another job.

When I took a spring semester off from college, I laid around my parent's house for a few weeks. During summers I had worked as a landscaper, but it was January and we were still on hiatus because of the seasons. At 7 AM, my mom busted down my bedroom door, ripped off the covers and kicked me in the ass. She told me to get the hell out and not come back until I had a job. I took the first job I was offered, and was back in bed by 7:45. It is all a question of motivation.

What federal legislators are doing is called coddling. Rather than kick these deadbeats in the pants, they are telling them that it is ok for them to lay around the house for another 3 months. Meanwhile, the message being sent to working stiffs who actually get out of bed and go to work everyday is that we don't "deserve" a tax cut.

If your congressman voted in favor of extending unemployment, and against a tax cut, you need to ask him where his priorities are!

UPDATE: As expected, the bill breezed through the Senate today, without so much as a roll call. Bush has already said he'll sign it into law.