Strange perspective

I was more than a little surprised the other day when I heard and read about Sen. Bunning's one-man embargo of a much-needed funding legislation. The appropriation from that legislation was earmarked to cover, among other things, unemployment benefits and COBRA benefits to those in need. Bunning's issue with the legislation was not because he was being a heartless curmudgeon, but rather because he was unhappy with the way the legislation would be funded -- per Standard Operation Procedure, the funding was to be added to the deficit. Bunning and supporters wanted the bill to be funded by unused stimulus dollars. The POTUS would have no part of that option because that's his own special fund that is to be applied to, in my opinon, "hero"-like matching appropriations, natch. Previous discussions between political party teams were met with very little net progress, and in the end, they were at an impasse. The consensus was that the POTUS administration and/or Senate majority was expecting the Senator from Kentucky to blink, yet he stared them down until they did. In the interim, certain mechanisms ground to a halt, and many Federal employees were furloughed because of the loss of appropriated funds expected to be there from the legislation.
The perception from the average citizen was that of another crusty old Republican Senator that has no clue how average America lives -- another elitest reigning high from his ivory tower. Dems pounced at the opportunity to show Bunning as a modern-day Potter, insensitive to the needs of thousands of Americans who cannot make ends meet because they will not be receiving their unemployment checks. As one that has personally experienced the anxiousness and stress involved with living paycheck to paycheck (and even unemployment check to unemployment check), this is not a pleasant feeling to experience. One wonders if Bunning has ever been in those shoes -- if he had, he would not have forgotten the feeling and would have a different perspective on how his actions affect the welfare of thousands. I appreciate his strong convictions to stand his ground to make his case, but I object to him doing it at the expense of those much less fortunate than he. Surely there must be a better way to make his point. Surely there must be a better way to conduct the business of America's fiscal management. Surely there must be a way to present the issues to the people for all to understand and accept -- most of us who are living on a budget while trying to provide as parents of teenage children can relate (albeit on a much smaller scale) -- we understand how easy it can lead to trouble if we "rob Peter to pay Paul", and how it would be so much easier to swallow if we decided we would pay the bill by using the "rainy day" money we've already set aside instead of ringing up more debt. Tell us ahead of time, let us know what's going on, tell us your frustrations, and most likely we'll change our perspective on the issue.