Dear Kenny,

Just imagine. You have worked hard, giving your best to get ahead. The company you are working for doesn't make the sharpest decisions to prepare for this recession and has asked you to leave. Your position is cut. You go home, take what little severance they give you and start looking for work. It's not easy.

Your wife doesn't quite get it. You have never been in this position before. So she continues to spend like you still had a job, ignoring the problem.

You decide too late, after the severance is gone, that you need to file for unemployment. You were sure you were going to have a job by now but you don't and the money has run out. Your first shock is the waiting period. You didn't know about that. So you have a couple of weeks 'til money comes in. Got to use the credit cards for a loan. Your second shock is the amount. No where near what you used to make. She's still not getting it. Credit card use is higher than unemployment benefits. The arguments begin. Tension is high and the kids are walking around on eggshells.

Then the unemployment benefits run out. No job. Credit cards are full. Bill collectors calling. And you don't know where your family's next meal is coming from.

You turn on your TV and you find out that every Republican and that bastard Nelson in Nebraska believe that if they extend your benefits you are going to enjoy this good life and not go out and find a job. You are going to become part of the national problem.

Finally, the Democrats break the Senate's minority filibuster and you could be on your way to finding food for your family. But no! Filibuster rules provide that the Senate can take no action until 30 hours after cloture. Of course that is not commonly adhered to anymore, but in this case, the Republicans want their 30 hours. Why? Because they can. You can't get more mean spirited than that.

Ya gotta love you conservatives!

Your sad brother