Happy Fourth of July weekend! To help you celebrate Independence Day, which includes independence from the government dole, a Senate filibuster has successfully prevented unemployment benefits from being extended for 1.3 million out of work citizens.

Passed 270-153 in the House, the measure is two votes shy in the Senate of the 60 it would need to overcome the filibuster. Reps will try again after their week-long Independence Day break, and a replacement is named for the recently departed Sen. Byrd, D-W. Va.

I’m torn on this one. My gal, who works part-time, was counting on those benefits and it’s not really a good time for them to vaporize with our upcoming nuptials and all. On the other hand, I have a cousin who sits on the porch all day drinking beer because he says why bother, I’m gettin’ my gummnit check. Can’t we modify the measure so that unemployment benefits just get extended to people who aren’t lazy? I think that would get bipartisan support.

1.3 million unemployed won’t get benefits restored [AP]

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