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)