This week, Republicans (joined by a few conservative Democrats), are blocking the extension of unemployment payments to those who have lost their jobs for over six months, due to Bush’s Depression (or, Great Depression II). The reason being, it will cost 12 billion dollars. And their stated belief that the unemployed are simply lazy for not finding jobs (which, ahem, don’t exist — or more to the point, have been shipped overseas).

Unemployment payments have been proven to be the most effective current economic stimulus program, as those receiving that money, spend it straight back out into the U.S. economy, plus is helping to prop up the weak housing market, as cutting off such funds could trigger a new round of home foreclosures, re-collapsing the housing market.

Also this week, is discussion of eliminating the home mortgage tax deduction — which would be sure to also trigger home foreclosures/increased homelessness, amongst those Poor and Middle Class, who are barely keeping ahead.

Simultaneous to denying unemployment payments because it costs too much (12 billion dollars), Republicans are insisting that the U.S. borrow 700 billion dollars, to give tax breaks to the wealthy (those earning more than a quarter million dollars a year after their deductions/expenses). That 700 billion would have to be paid back later (probably to communist China), with interest, by future generations — but not 100% by the same quarter-millionaires who receive it! In a deliberate reverse-Robin Hood transfer of wealth — the Middle Class and the Poor will be expected to pay back (with interest) the money given to the Rich. This Bush tax break to the Rich, is a part of why the U.S. has as much debt as it has, and has been around long enough to determine that it has near-zero economic stimulus value, as most of this money is merely socked away (instead of being spent), or, is used to invest not in the U.S., but overseas, paying for the transfer of still more jobs from the U.S. to foreign countries.

In this vein, pictured above is Merry Christmas for the Masses, by artist E.W. Kemble, depicting the Wealthy Wall Street Monopolies/Trusts (and their trusty guard-dog, the U.S. Senate), placing the bare necessities of life out of reach from the masses, on a Christmas Tree crowned by the almighty dollar symbol. From the December 25, 2025 issue of Life magazine.

To find postings on other gifts to the Rich at the expense of the Middle Class and Poor, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Doug Wheeler

financial reform NYLife Christmas Comics