Issa, can you spare a dime?

On Thursday, Nov. 18, our Congressman, Darrell Issa, and his fellow Republicans, voted to reject an extension of benefits for unemployed workers, bristling over the proposal’s $12.5 billion cost.

The federal government has never in history failed to extend additional unemployment benefits with the jobless rate over 7.2 percent. The current rate is 9.6 percent. The vote was 258 to 154 in favor of extending benefits, falling short of the 2/3 majority required for passage, or $12.5 billion.

If it’s such an outrageous sum, why do these same Republicans propose, and insist on, doling out $700 billi...