URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

ATTENTION CONGRESS: UNEMPLOYMENT FACTS

• The unemployment rate crept back up to 9.1%, Unemployment is higher now than it was during the great depression.
• 5 or more job seekers for every 1 job that becomes available.
• It has been reported that there are 3 million jobs available for more than 15+ million unemployed.
• There are approximately 3-8 million who have exhausted all benefits available and are still unable to find work. This number varies depending on the source. This number grows every day. 
• Countless families have lost their homes, foreclosures are at an all time high.
• There are approx. 44 million families on food stamps. This number is the result of the economy and joblessness and was only half that before the recession started.
• The Wall Street bail out cost trillions and did NOTHING to help the economy. In fact, more than 10 million people became unemployed as a direct result of this. Go to this website  http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Portal:Financial_Crisis for details about how this effected the economy and jobs.
• Suicide among the long term unemployed has risen dramatically.
• Families have used their life savings to try and weather unemployment, only to realize that they may never get it back. 
• For every dollar of unemployment benefits given, 1.91 gets put right back into the economy. 
• Homeless shelters are full and turning people away, tent cities are popping up everywhere.
• Food banks are empty everywhere, there is no where left to turn for some.
• Several Economists have said that unemployment benefits is one of the most effective ways to stimulate the economy. 

There are many, many more facts I could list but I think you all already know what they are. Knowing this, how could you possibly ignore or deny people the help they so desperately need? It is extremely disturbing to us that our lives depend on Congress for so many things. You are suppose to be doing whats best for ALL Americans, not just a select few who fall into the elitist category!

The facts I listed above, are more than enough proof that we need more assistance and FAST. There are more reasons to add more benefits for exhaustees than there are not. So whats the issue?

Reps Barbara Lee and Scott have created a bill which has 82 cosponsors, all of them democrats. HR 589 needs to be brought out of committee and needs to be supported by ALL of congress. Your procrastination and negligence is shameful at best. How can you call yourselves public servants when you constantly hurt the public?

While we all agree we need to make drastic changes to get the economy back on track, it should not be at the expense of human lives. Where is your moral compass?

Providing more unemployment benefits to exhaustees will benefit communities. Millions of people would be contributing to the economy again and even possibly create a few jobs. For example, all unemployed have to pay state and federal taxes on benefits they receive, they will be able to go into small businesses to purchase necessities, pay utilities mortgages and rent, walk into grocery stores and buy food, purchase gas for job interviews, more benefits would also allow for some to be able to afford expenses to go back to school. All of these things are essential to the small business community.

Act now, or face losing YOUR job come election time. We have had enough! People are truly suffering and its time to get serious and pass legislation that will create jobs and help those that are still unable to find work after 99 weeks. I fear if you do not do something soon, there will be civil unrest. People are frightened and not for the same reasons you keep speaking of in your news clips. We care about how we are going to eat and pay our rent NOW. We care about how this is effecting our children NOW and in the near future.

DO THE RIGHT THING, SUPPORT AND PASS HR 589

Sincerly,

Concerned Citizen

Member of The American 99ers Union

Advocate for the unemployed and job creation
http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/

"Unemployed Friends Letter for 99ers" created by moderator/advocate MaryKay Coyne
http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t199p315-unemployed-friends-letter-for-99er-s#29812


PLEASE watch this video!
ConcernedInKY, founder of  UE support forum Displaced American Workers United, did a fabulous job making this video!
http://dawu.forumotion.com/

 

January 2011 Marked The First Time That A Kennedy Has Not Been In Congress

For years, A Kennedy held some form of congressional seat until this past January which marked the first time in 58 years that a Kennedy is not in Congress.


This has me thinking, do we need another "Kennedy" in congress? Is it coincidence that things have gone down hill dramatically since Ted Kennedy passed away, and Patrick Kennedy left Washington? It really makes me wonder.... How much clout did the Kennedys have and will we ever see another in Congress?

There was talk of Vicki Kennedy possibly running for her husband Ted's Senate seat, but she declined. There was also talk of their son, Edward Kennedy Jr. running but he also declined. Is Americas version of "The Royal Family" done for? I may be grasping at straws here out of desperation for the want of a better Congress, but it does seem to me that since the Kennedy's departure things have spiraled out of control.

Regardless of what some may think about the Kennedy's, they have always stood up for middle class and less fortunate. They knew the importance of main street and always fought for ALL Americans, not just the rich or a selected few.

Being from Massachusetts, I am a bit nostalgic and smitten by the family, but I am interested in what others have to say about this...Tell me what you think! Do you think Congress is lost with out the presence of a "Kennedy"?

(All views are welcome)

Unemployed Friends 2.0 - H.R. 589

Come join our family and share your story!! I am currently one of the Administrators of Unemployed Friends 2.0 which offers support and advocacy for the unemployed. We also offer the latest news updates pertaining to unemployment as well as other current events. http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/

If we all come together as one voice Congress will listen. Come advocate with us for HR 589 and job creation. 

HR 589 could add 14 weeks of unemployment benefits to Tier I of Federal Unemployment Benefits. This bill would save many 99ers from further despair and provide income to continue job searches and buy necessities. We need to demand that GOP Leaders bring this bill out of committee and onto the house floor for a vote. We want to work, but until jobs are created we need HR 589.

As a nation, how can we leave millions of people to suffer for something they had no control over? This happened because of poor choices made by our government and big corps. 

Long term unemployment is a disaster which requires emergency spending. 3 million jobs available nation wide for more than 15 million unemployed IS a disaster and I'd say qualifies as an emergency. More and more people join the ranks of the 99ers every day. By next year there will be approximately 10 million 99ers. Thats a lot of people who will no longer be able to contribute to the economy and pay taxes. 

Its time they start working for ALL of us and not just for the rich. They need to get their priorities straight and we need to help them do that by reminding them everyday that we exist. 

Misconceptions

After becoming interested in politics last summer, I have to admit it has been one wild roller coaster ride! Is it all an act? Do they really believe what they are trying to sell? How can we actually trust these people?

I never realized until last summer that they hold all of our lives in their hands. What a revolting thought, really. We are at the mercy of Congress who have shown time and time again that big business and wall street is their main concern. Not the elderly, not our children, certainly not the unemployed who are now starting to make up a big portion of the population here in the USA. 

I hate to single out one party, but hey, they deserve it! The GOP has gone way too far. They seem to forget what this country was built on. If it weren't for the middle class AND poor the big corporations and big banks they cater to would be out of business. Even the elderly, poor and middle class who receive entitlements contribute to the economy. I'm certainly no expert on the subject, but it seems to me if you take those away we will see the economy take a turn for the worse. 

Unemployment benefits

One of the biggest misconceptions about unemployment benefits is that people who receive them are somehow living lavish lifestyles beyond your wildest dreams. This couldn't be further from the truth. Most people who receive these benefits get less than half of what they earned while working. The average unemployed person receives $300 or less per week. Most have had to move in with family or friends (if their lucky) and have lost everything. 

Another misconception is that unemployment benefits recipients can find a job if they really wanted to. Let me start by saying how absolutely untrue this is...There are currently 3 million jobs available in the USA for more than 15 million unemployed. (15 million does not include the 99ers or underemployed). The jobs that are available today are menial at best. Who can raise a family on UI benefits or minimum wage? NO ONE! 

Misconception #3 is that the Bush Era Tax Cuts were necessary to create jobs. These tax cuts for the wealthy  have been in place for 10 yrs. If this were true we wouldn't be discussing unemployment right now because we would all be gainfully employed. All these tax cuts have done is make the rich richer and left the US with a deficit. 

Fact - People who receive UI benefits put money right back into the economy. In fact they stimulate the economy. For every dollar of UI issued, 1.90 gets put back into the economy...basic math...seems to be lacking in congress. 

This is my first post so please bear with me until I get a feel for this new venture! Im still learning how this all works. Thank you for reading my first post!! Critiques are welcome