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The Senate is abandoning the unemployed
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Three days after Christmas, 1.3 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits. And, another two million will stop receiving assistance if Congress doesn't extend long-term benefits by June. Our nation is barely pulling out of the worst recession since the Great Depression, and we're abandoning those who are out of work because of this economy. The unemployment rate is officially sever percent, but there are still at least three unemployed workers applying for every open job.
 
People on long-term unemployment aren't sitting around collecting checks - they're fighting like hell to be given a chance to get back to work, but the competition they face is intense. Rather than our government stepping up to be the employer of last resort, Republicans in Congress make the absurd argument that cutting off this economic lifeline will somehow help out-of-work Americans suddenly find that nonexistent job.
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that the Senate will vote in early January on a temporary extension of unemployment benefits, and that it's "just the first step" toward addressing income inequality in our nation. But, that date means that - even in the best case scenario - more than a million Americans will see a delay in unemployment benefits, which could be much longer if Republicans hold up or block the upcoming vote.
 
It is utterly un-American to abandon those who need our help. Our nation learned from history, and recognized the importance of keeping people from falling through the cracks, yet here we are, repeating those mistakes once again. We shouldn't be cutting unemployment benefits, we should be investing and creating jobs, which are the only real ways to help Americans get back to work.
 
-Thom
 
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Special Everything You Know Is Wrong: Myths & Legends of Christmas
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Hour One: Boeing vs. the Machinists' Union
- Connie Kelliher, IAM 751 Twitter
 
The Big Picture
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Article: "The GOP Is a Cult Worthy of Jim Jones" by Thom Hartmann.
 
Should cell phones be allowed on airplanes?
Quote: "Ideally, you'd have every plant you own on a barge to move with currencies and changes in the economy." -- Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric.
Movie: Full Signal.
Article: "John Podesta apologizes for Jonestown quote" by Jonathan Allen.

Hour Two: Christians, Atheists and...Satanists?! Oh My!
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Article: "Florida To Satanists: Oh Hell No" by Tim Kephart.
 
Article: "Ea" by Encyclop�dia Britannica.
Article: "Lucifer" by Wikipedia.
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Article: "Obama Commutes Sentences of 8 Jailed on Cocaine Charges" by Jared A. Favole and Devlin Barrett.
Article: "NRA Raised $256 Million Last Year" by Julie Bykowicz.
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Article: "TRNS News Notes- 12/19" by Victoria Jones.
Article: "TRNS News Notes 12/20" by Victoria Jones.
Article: "Senate Bill Would Allow US to Resume Egypt Aid" by Bradley Klapper.
Article: "Senators Ready Iran Sanctions Bill" by Geoff Holtzman.

Hour Three: Prosperity works for poverty now
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Quote: "The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries" by James Madison.
 
Geeky Science - How is climate change affecting evolution?
 
Book: Orality and Literacy by Walter J. Ong.
 
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Here's the Jim Jones Kool-Aid the GOP is Serving...
Here's the Jim Jones Kool-Aid the GOP is Serving...

Let's protect the future of caterpillars, caribou & mankind
Let's protect the future of caterpillars, caribou & mankind

Thom Confronts The Grand Wizard of the KKK
Thom Confronts The Grand Wizard of the KKK

Can the Economy Survive the Fed Taper?
Can the Economy Survive the Fed Taper?

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Full Show 12/19/13: Don't Drink the Republican Kool-Aid!

Thom talks with NSA whistleblower Bill Binney about the review panel's recommendations, Economics Professor Dr. Stephanie Kelton about what the Fed tapering means for the economy and Maryland Imperial Wizard Richard Preston about why the KKK wants to impeach President Obama. Thom takes viewer video questions and phone calls in "Your Take, My Take Live" and in tonight's "Daily Take" Thom explains why the Republicans Kool-Aid is tainted.


The Thom Hartmann Program December 19, 2013
The Thom Hartmann Program December 19, 2013

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Geeky Science: Global Warming and Evolution

Prosperity Works for Poverty Now
Prosperity Works for Poverty Now

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Should Cell Phones be Allowed on Airplanes?

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Christians, Atheists and...Satanists?! Oh My!
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