Breaking news stories this week over lawmakers' votes on extending unemployment payments – set to expire as part of the federal stimulus package – have set records for reader comments posted on The Skanner News website.
Almost every single comment expresses hostility towards Republican representatives and senators who voted three times to kill the extension.
An estimated 1.3 million Americans will be observing July 4th without any source of financial support, as lawmakers return home to their constituents for apple pie and barbeque.
Here is a sample of the comments. Read the original stories and all comments here (Republican Radicals Reject Unemployment Fund Extension) and here (House Rejects Extention of Unemployment Benefits)
I only hope you can sleep at night...after your mortgage has been paid and your family fed..others can not...the stress is great and then to have your expected money suddenly stopped without notice is beyond belief....How can you do this to the average American...we need this money to live...the jobs out there are awful, if you can get one... please Rebublicans...extend the unemployment emergency fund... it is needed by thousands. And then you can sleep at night.

The community of people wants you to pass the employment extension before the millions lose their ability to even look for a job because their too busy putting up tents. Pass the bill already, you are only making things worse, did you see the stock market drop because people are scared!

I'm wondering how those unemployed republican voters feel about those republicans they put in office. How does it feel to have your needs ignored and refused? It will be a sad 4th of July huh?

I was barly hanging on... my mortgage was due today but no unemployment money came. So next it will be my house that is taken. I am sure I am not the only one that has been relying on this way of life that is sickning, but now hundreds of thousands will default on their mortgages.

Once again the Republicans show they are the party of big business and nothing for the common working men and women. Billions for the banking industry but nothing for unemployed workers.

To the republicans who voted against it, enjoy your occupations now because we will take a vested interest to see that you are NOT RE-ELECTED. Maybe that will bring you down to the "real world" with the rest of us. How do your own children and families look at you in the eyes. They must be heartless too. I think pepole should start robbing banks.

ATTENTION UNEMPLOYEED ALABAMA PEOPLE, JEFF SESSIONS, VOTED NO, HE THINKS HE HAS A LIFT TIME JOB AS A SENATOR, LETS VOTE THE SCUM OUT IN NOVEMBER

As a recent ender of unemployment benefits I would like to tell a tale of looking for a job for three years but....I have a masters degree, I'm white, jewish, and 61 years old. I really hate the republicans who think they are better than everyone. I have always loved this country but I deplore the way it is heading. No one cares about anyone. No one bothers to talk. Make a mistake and go to jail for years... when a did we become as puritan as our forefathers.. haven't we learned that we need each other. doing it alone is not good. I really hate being on food stamps but living off of $600 a month is easy. Oh, I also don't have heath insurance for the first time in my life.. not by choice. Chaya
I have been unemployed since 07/2008 i have tried to find a job filled out applications on line and in person and did the call backs to companies and sent out resumes and went on interviews and still no job. I'm 55 years old and its hard for us to find a job i'm two months behind on my bills and i don't have any money since may 9th. this isn't a resession its a depression. were is our bailouts the banks and aig and fanny may freddy mac and etc were bailed out we need help now

Republicans are against adding to the federal deficit? Then let's stop giving other countries free money, starting with Israel. Let's keep the billions earmarked for assistance to other countries here. When this country gets back on it's feet, then think about giving taxpayer dollars overseas again

I have no money to buy food or take care of my kids and know one is hiring

These banks knew they were writing bad loans. They also knew that the government could not let them fail. Like clockwork the banks were bailed out at a huge cost to the taxpayer. The banks caused a major job layoff. Where is the bailout for the little guy who was screwed by the bank? I can completely understand these tea party people who want to tar and feather the washington politician and ride him out of town on a rail

We have enough money for two pointless wars. I have two sons there. We have enough money for the criminals on wall street. We have enough money for drug tests on the needy but not enough for the criminals on wall street. Its obvious that we have bought politions. The white wing of the republican party is showing what it really is.........tea crackers.

I am a registered Republican for years, but I am changing my party status. I think it is awful that they have taken away unemployment compensation. Do they think we are getting rich off of this; fat chance!

TO REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED NO NO NO I have been out of a job for one and a half years,since the business closed. i also have a problem getting a job because of my age. i apply daily in person for a position, with no results for employment. i have excellent credit, but that is about to change. i will be facing mortgage forclosure, and be defaulting on 40,000 dollors worth of credit card dept. without going on and on, my message to republicans is that i will be changing my party vote. for whatever their reason, you should be taking care of the people who put you in office. take care of americans first then other countries where there is rampant fraud going on. HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH YOUR LAVISH BARBICUES. UNEMPLOYED PITTSBURGH, PENNA.

yeah dont worry about the people that are goin to loose every thing just worry about bailimg out wall street . my twin sister is going to end up on the streets because she cant find a job in adalanto calif she is all ready i month behind on her rent because she chose to buy grocerys. shes been living on potatoes and hot dogs . so she bought food instead . she has put applications in every fast food every store now some one creepy mechanic ripped her off for the new motor her mom bought for her car and put a wrong one in her car now she wont even have a car to live in. this is un real all these fat cats only care about them selves and now there taking a nice break for this week end to go on their lavished vacation . my sister is going to be on the streets again she just got her place a year ago after living in her motor home in fields all where she could park which she sold to get that apartment . she can come here but she has no car to get here and mine broke down this is wrong and i want every body to vote against all these creeps that are stopping this . there is no change no promises kept my this is my sisters last check she has a bad heart this is killing her no insurance so now what happens to all these people ???? sure all these rep. and dems have money go on nice vacations and have 3 meals a day im sick to death of all of them deals deals thats all they care about give me this and ill pass the unemployment thats just blackmail its wrong . so some body tell me what? are these people like my sister suppose to do thank you for this chance to tell her story she cant get food stamps no medical for her heart or her slipped disks i want e-mails addresses to these congress and senaters so i can tell them what i think of every one of them sighned lorin diaz yes you can use my name thank you again