Republican family values

General Assembly Republicans, with cheerleading from Bob McDonnell, rejected changes in Virginia law that would have expanded unemployment benefits to be paid for by $125 million in federal stimulus funds. Their argument that the costs would be passed on to small business rings hollow - when the federal funds ended, the Commonwealth could have reverted to the current law.

The proposal passed the Senate along party lines, but was rejected in the House of Delegates with 53 Republicans lining up against it. Governor Kaine called the House vote a "huge mistake" and, his voice shaking with anger said,

"There are an awful lot of people who are hurting in Virginia... and the message to them seems to be, just, 'We don't care; we don't care. Fend for yourselves.' "

The governor hinted the fight isn't over, noting the mistake could be corrected. Just how isn't clear as the governor didn't specify any steps that his office may take.

So, we are passing up money that would help stimulate local economies across Virginia. Will this $125 million now go to unemployed in other states, thereby pumping up their economies? More importantly, many Virginia families will have a little less for food, a little less for kids' clothes, a little less for school supplies.

So much for Republican family values.