Amidst a job market that refuses to rebound, with near double digit unemployment, 8.4 million jobs lost from this economy since December 2007 and thousands more disappearing every month, the unemployed find themselves starving not only for action but also an advocate. A role that Congress has grossly avoided, fighting and posturing while sprinting toward the door without any progress being made. Indeed as the long term unemployed suffer the torture of one to two weeks without benefits, (or more if Congress can not effectively enact yet another stop gap extension when it returns from its Easter break) the President remains mostly silent on this issue. Refusing to utilize the power of his bully pulpit and publicly admonish those in the Capital building that have proven so derelict in their duties, behaving as children would in the absence of a strict parent.

It is through that absence of leadership that the lax attitude of Congress is allowed to grow, unchecked by a strong executive branch willing to risk capital and direct an agenda. Surely President Obama knows the risks of inaction. Increased reliance on welfare and Medicaid, and increases in homelessness, and crime while removing the inherent economic stimulus that comes from extending unemployment thus allowing this economic rebound to be strangled in its crib.

While opponents bemoan both the fiscal and societal cost of continuing to extend unemployment benefits it is important to remember that in contrast to prior and (potential) future stimulus measures, unemployment extensions cost little while delivering a true and lasting impact on the lives of its recipients. As well as its effect on the economy at large, propping up consumer spending numbers that are so vital to recovery. And while no one can be satisfied by the current unemployment certification system that values ease of use and lower operating costs over oversight. The tools are available for a mild overhaul following the model of the Extended Benefits (EB) program that demands more stringent reporting with regard to the company name, job title, and result of at least 3 employment attempts each week. An overhaul that could help trim the unemployment rolls of scam artists and abusers while still providing a safety net to the long term unemployed during a time such as these when those out of work for more then 6 months make up more then 40% of those out of work, nearly twice the number from a year ago as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke pointed out to Congress at the end of February.

Sadly though as Congress returns from its break no fresh ideas seem poised to debut. Another short term extension seems likely with little movement expected on a long term bill and those who have already expired all of their benefits will likely be left out in the cold and dismissed by Congress as either collateral damage or people looking for a handout. This will all likely occur with little more then a blurb from President Obama, taking a hands off approach and once again seeming as though he were still a junior Senator answering to Harry Reid.

Is this the consequence of electing a U.S. Senator to be President for the first time in 48 years? After all Senators are not exactly known for decisive leadership but rather saber rattling, long winded debate, and ultimately capitulation or obstructionism. Recent President’s have oafishly tried to bludgeon Congress into submission, waving the veto pen at them and using the stump to prop up or push down legislators that they favored or were displeased by. Crude and even a little far from the spirit of our founding documents but effective nonetheless.

President Obama seems to shy away from such displays. Somewhat quick to threaten a Republican and remind them who won the Presidency (a public parlor trick repeated too often). But has the President really taken Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to task? Has he been that rare vision of a bold and true authority, always willing to shirk the burdens of politics for the sake of the people? A picture he painted for us all in 2008 and presented as truth. The unemployment issue as well as fiscal reform and countless other necessary reforms that rot away in the leaderships pocket seem to present an opening for that Barack Obama to re-emerge and show himself to be real, a man of action, not just description. Without such a leader I fear that Democrats and Republicans in Congress will continue heading in the only direction known to them, toward each other with sticks and clubs as the country watches and withers helplessly.