Senator Jim Bunning (R), the 2nd term junior Senator from Kentucky, has been roundly criticized by the Democratic candidate for the Senate, Daniel Mongiardo, for blocking additional deficit spending.   What the main stream media does not point out is that Bunning has suggested the use of Stimulus Funds to cover the extension of benefits rather than reaching into tax-payers’ pockets for an additional $10 billion.  Other candidates have weighed in on this issue:

• “I support Senator Jim Bunning.  Frankly, unemployment benefits are currently 99 weeks or almost two years. While I support extending the benefits for a short period of time longer, we must find a way to pay for those benefits.  I do not support extending unemployment benefits beyond two years.  Even Germany limits unemployment benefits to one year.  Benefits here in America are exceeding those offered in the most liberal countries of Europe.  Two years of government support is not a safety net. It is an entitlement program. I am tired of paying for entitlement programs that continue well beyond a compassionate need.”  (Bill Johnson, Press Release, 3.2.10)
• “Jim Bunning is being unfairly attacked for saying we should spend money already set aside for benefits rather than borrowing more.   He deserves our support and he is going to get it.” (Rand Paul)
• “I would proudly stand up to ensure that programs are paid for and think that this is further evidence of mismanagement of the Senate by Harry Reid.  If we had not wasted time debating and passing a pet bill for Reid, we would not have been in the situation that led to the delay.  I agree with Senators Bunning and McConnell that the government has a responsibility to pay for its programs and a good place to start would be to cut funding from the stimulus in order to pay for the extension of unemployment benefits.  If the stimulus had created jobs as promised, then we would not need more unemployment insurance.” (Trey Grayson)

Editor’s note:  Thanks to these candidates for swiftly stepping out and supporting Senator Bunning in what has been a career-long quest to support fiscal responsibility.