Activists Demand Federal Action At "Senate Soup Kitchen" (VIDEO)
As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up a comprehensive bill to extend the deadline for unemployment benefits through the end of the year, anti-hunger and labor advocates in Chicago want lawmakers to remember just how intensely people are struggling here in the Midwest.
After days of Republican obstruction, the U.S. Senate approved legislation late last night that will extend temporarily the deadline for unemployment benefits. While the end to the stalemate is welcome news, anti-hunger and labor advocates in Chicago aren't entirely thrilled with the outcome. As the upper chamber prepares to take up a second bill to extend the deadline through the end of the year, these advocates want Senators to remember just how intensely people are struggling here in the Midwest.
This afternoon, Chicago Jobs With Justice (CJWJ) organized a "Senate Soup Kitchen" in Federal Plaza to dramatize the need for relief. Specifically, the group is demanding federal action to extend (and expand) eligibility for jobless benefits and fund a federal jobs program. "What's going on in Washington? They are so out of touch," said Diane Doherty of the Illinois Hunger Coalition. "They don't hear the voices of people in our communities." Watch it:
To learn more about CJWJ's work around the issue of unemployment -- or to get involved yourself -- contact Susan Hurley: susanh(at)jwj.org.
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I was able to hear it.
Thanks,
Must be my WiFi.
Hi, I'm like many on this board just trying to figure out all the rules of UI. I called UI office on Monday and confirmed I'm on Tier 3 and have nine weeks left. The REP that I spoke to said once the nine weeks is up I'm done because I had not started Tier 4 by end of Feb. This 30 day extension is that only for people whose benefits have expired? I'm like the rest of you I just want to get back to work. I had my first interview in months even made it to the second round and was told I was overqualified. I was willing to sign a contract to ensure them I would stay. How do others address this ? Should I change my job title and not let the current employer know my previous salary? I can't take staying at home anymore. I'm enrolled in WIA but school is not enough for me.
I read but never heard anyone talk about adding a 5th tier.
I do not even bother with the till the end of the year deal.Cause i tell you if they pass a bill till the end of the year with no tier added you might as well forget another tier cause it just will not happen
The EXTEND AND EXPAND if not in the new bill is a lost cause so the next 28 days will get a make it or break it IMO for the Really Long term unemployed.
http://senatus.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/democrats-introduce-the-american...
Democrats Introduce the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act
Looks like no more added tiers. This is will get very ugly in 2011 and beyond
Well you can read all 17 pages if you like i did and this is the page about unemployment and like i have been saying for WEEKS now if you are on tier 4 or like me going to be soon better start making plans cause there is NOTHING ABOUT ANOTHER TIER FOR THE REALLY LONG UNEMPLOYED.HERE IS THE PAGE IN THE BILL.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND COBRA EXTENSIONS
Unemployment Insurance Extension. Certain unemployment insurance benefits expired on February
28, 2010. Prior to expiration, an unemployed worker could receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment
benefits provided by the state in which they were employed. After the state‐provided benefits were
exhausted, the worker could qualify for 34 more weeks of benefits provided by the federal government.
If that person was unemployed in a state with an unemployment rate above 6 percent, they qualified for
an additional 13 weeks of benefits also provided by the federal government. Unemployed workers in
states with an unemployment level over 8.5 percent qualified for an additional six weeks of benefits also
provided by the federal government. In addition, the federal government paid 100 percent of the cost
of state Extended Benefits programs which provided up to 13 additional weeks of benefits for
unemployed workers who had exhausted regular state benefits or Emergency Unemployment
Compensation. Last year’s economic recovery bill increased weekly unemployment benefits by an
additional $25 per week. This proposal extends these provisions, including increased unemployment
benefits, retroactively to March 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. This proposal is estimated to cost
$70 billion over ten years.
Extension of COBRA Premium Assistance. This proposal extends the 65‐percent COBRA continuation
coverage subsidy for terminated workers through December 31, 2010 and also includes technical
clarifications to the program. The subsidy was originally enacted as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and was expanded later in 2009. The proposal is estimated to cost $11.1
billion over ten years.
So many people will just look at the headline of the bill where it says EXTENDED TILL THE END OF 2010 well by late june 40% of all unemployed will be off those tiers and will be getting nothing.
Either get with it now trying to get heard cause if you do not try you got no right to complain later when it is not in there.
150 billion for this package it would cost i am sure another 50 billion or more to add a tier in there just a guess.
But my heart goes out to those who do not read here and will find out the very hard way.
They are starting to vote on amendments on the HR4213 bill now...they have been debating all day on that bill and amendments. My thoughts is they want to get this wrapped up and get moved onto Healthcare. They want both bills done before the end of the month.
WRZ18, I have not had an opportunity to watch the debate -- based on what you have seen, what are the chances that additional weeks can be added to tier 4?
Or, is this the final bill?
no no mention of more weeks. they are voting on amendments to put into the final bill right now. but there has been no mention of taking out the unemployment extensions in this bill like somebody is saying on the forum on another page. they have been talking about it all day. I dont think they are going to spend a whole day on a bill and they scrap it specially since they are voting on amendments right now. Keep in mind there are A LOT of amendments on this bill so will probably take a while on it. ALL the senators are wanting this extension. just the repubs want it paid for by the end of the year.
i didnt catch the amendment they are voting on now it is to waive something but the dems have the vote in a big way whatever it is! LOL Sorry cant be help on the first vote...
Dean read the bill and its 17 pages i posted above.
Nothing about the tier's and added weeks at all.
they are now voting on bernie sanders amendment for 1 time $250 relief for seniors and disabled.
Let's pray that this passes for the seniors.
it didnt pass lost 47 to 50
That's too bad. Yet another stab for the seniors. Sad.
@Ralph, thanks for the post.
So, if they vote on the final bill tonight, does that close the bill from adding on any other extensions?
oh it will not get the final vote tonight i dont believe
Well the people who were on this board before the 30 day extension got passed would be able to tell you better but since the 30 day has been passed a lot of them have not been on today.
If i remember back in sept Nov area when they added tier's 3 and 4 it was added to a bill that was already in place i do believe not sure.
they are now voting on bunning amendment to pay for this bill out of the stimulus. and it is looking to pass the amendment.
I found an approved “letters to leaders” sent to Senator Schumer and posted on Congress. org. requesting additional tiers.
It’s a good start….
www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=402&letter_id=4628681891
EDIT: I apologize the letter was dated Feb 03, I thought it was Mar.03(today). Well at least we know schumer was asked for more Tiers.
amendment was tabled 57-41 vote
Anyone else also interested in only using one thread?
Lets all use the new "soup Kitchen" thread Josh just started.
Stay on this one!
I had two interviews today -- say a prayer for me -- I want to get off this merry-go-round.
I also contacted several senate offices today in regards to adding weeks to tier 4 -- Senator's Levin office said to FLOOD every senator's office with emails -- call every day -- don't get complacement.
AVA,
You are in my prayers tonight! Also, I truly wish you the best. Just landing an interview is a colossal achievement.
You should be proud of that alone.
Congrats..
Thank you, Say No More.
It has taken almost two years to get here. After witnessing all this chaos and foolishness by our politicians, I got down on my knees and prayed.
@Ava: The very BEST of luck to you! Oh gosh, I'd kill for two interviews right about now. Merry-go-round is RIGHT!
Good Luck Ava
I also contacted Chuck Schumer's office -- the person I spoke with directed me to this page -- she stated that this is the reference the only reference to "26 weeks" she was aware of:
Schumer, Hatch offer payroll tax break for new hires
Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) released a plan Wednesday to give tax breaks to companies that add new workers, a proposal that is likely to become a key component of the jobs bill Senate Democratic leaders are hoping to unveil this week.
"HIRE NOW TAX CUT ACT OF 2010"
February 3, 2010
For any qualifying worker hired under this incentive that the employer keeps on payroll for a continuous 52 weeks, that employer is eligible for an additional $1,000 tax credit after the 52-week threshold is reached, to be taken on their 2011 tax return. In order to be eligible, the employee's pay in the second 26-week period must be at least 80 percent of the pay in the first 26-week period.
For the retention bonus to be paid, the worker's wages during the second 26-week period must be at least 80 percent of the wages during the first 26-week period.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/02/schumer-hatch-offer-job-tax-...
I didn't hear back yet from Schumer's Syracuse office. I'm not giving up on this thing.
@Brian (from the previous thread). Thanks for posting that link to the NYS DOL Facebook wall. That one's with me 24/7. LOL
Ugh...I need a break. My head is just pounding. BBL.
MsAnonymous222,
hang-in there! we're getting Sunny & 50 degee temps this weekend here in IL. I'm sure its headed your way(PA)soon after. You can take long walks and stetch your legs and eyeballs.
@snm: I'm not in PA. That's my former home. I'm a Chicagoan.
Oh, I thought I read somewhere that you’re in Philadelphia, PA and, committed that to memory for some strange reason! I'm sorry. Well at least you'll enjoy the nice temps even sooner now. LOL.
I guess I'm showing the early stages of corporate atrophy.
SNM,
LOL my eyeballs are already stretched at looking at RITA,
I hope winter is over
post from other thread.
GW IN IL
7:22pm
Wed Mar 3 Josh,
I am going to run this by you.
Is it possible to add a feature to show the registered users logged in and show how may "guests" are on?
I know it can be done but i dont know if you want to do that.
Just a thought.
I know they do that at various sites.
Excellent suggestion, I'm for that.
Josh,
As long as you are looking into GW’s request for including user verification like the old web site offered, I’d like to add a few things on your “things to do” list regarding some outstanding software issues.
Replies to removed comments do not get removed when three registered users report that original comment.
Vulgarities are still making their way past the PI filter. We’ve been pretty good at “poofing” them immediately during the day but, they could sit on the board overnight.
The filter simply isn’t recognizing the “George Carlin” (RIP) seven banned words by the FCC.
Occasional the edit feature disappears without ever having used it. BTW, how many minutes, hours or days is the edit feature available? I was able to go back three days at one point in time.
GSC,
Tabled explained.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_(verb)
SNM -
I think I get why Josh kept the other thread open and wanted the conversation to remain there -
1) The other specifically in it's title is dealing with the extension
2) This is a great story looking forward to getting incontact with them but it's a short-lived story in the bigger picture
So now when the next article worth reporting ex. Today's bill he would close the other and now he's going to have to close two and when searched on the internet people would gravitate to the other article over this one regarding unemployment.
We've had two articles open at once before in fact just recently in the last week under employment. You may not have realized it though. While I get why you wanted to move it the other article is searchable and "relevant". I get that this article touches on expansion of benefits and that is great but compare the old headline to this headline.
If you're looking for talk, news and information on the extension you'd click on this headline last.
Sorry my opinion and it could be terribly wrong in yours and others opinions
Your opinion matters
Rita,
Of course your opinion matters! I was just being lazy and looking for simplicity. No sleep last night for me.
I hope until Josh closes that one we all go and visit it so that if people still write questions we can answer them.
I know we left a "we've just moved card" but since the post office is contemplating cutting service not all will "get it".
:)
Bueller, Bueller, Bueller
My opinion killed the board.
Oh my.
@Rita: HAHAHAHA Thread killer.
Seriously? My brain is fried. I can't take this "should we go here, should we go there" stuff today. I figured since whomever (and I'm not going to go back and look) said we were over here, I moved over.
I know nothing anymore. ;-)
Are they still doing anything on these amendments this late at night on CSPAN? I'm afraid to look.
*note to Josh...
I agree that 'filters' should be put in place in the software here as late at night the trolls go wild on here. If filters cannot be put on, then perhaps close the page/thread at midnight and reopen the next a.m. at 6 a.m.
I have no idea if you have been in touch with Agust (at AGS), but he DID mention to me (2 years ago),that he had worked out filters on one of his software pacs where he could not only filter out WORDS (all forbidden words) but ENTIRE PHRASES...
I could send you his email where he discusses that software, (his software's filters), or just have your programers just call him. Agust is one of the nicest, most professional men that I have ever met so I doubt he will mind your calling him. His dot-com site, is:
He is such an interesting guy, you will enjoy talking with him, I know...
Anyway, we do need filters on here, and that 'feature' that GW In IL mentioned, would be nice also, (the feature that allows us to 'view' Registered Users names/handles when they are on board/page).
RRCH
Why are you out to get me?
I have defended you when you were right and others havent.
Your off topic long winded comments are entertaining but sometimes way off.
We dont mind SHORT winded comments that are off topic but the long ones have no merit at all.
We encourage your input.
You do have good info at times.
OOPS my very very bad,
I should have read better,
I thought you said that GW IN IL should be filtered
I am very sorry
P.S. to Josh, (and your software programmers), if you talk to Agust, please DO tell him that I said "Hi".
Seriously, Agust could really help with any 'filter' problems you guys are facing.
As long as those UNfiltered POOF words get through then people may not be finding these pages.
Thanks too Josh, for leaving the Soup Kitchen link. I am going to try to DOWNLOAD the video and watch it, With Dial up, it takes about 45-50 minutes to even load in or download a video that size, so usually I do not bother loading in videos but I really would like to see that one, as I might see/recognize some people that I know.
Thanks again for the link (Soup Kitchen) and the info... Chicago is known for its activists, thats for sure...
added comment to my 9:27pm post -
If you have your programers do all that changing, and have all the Registered users/handles/names along side of the page or at the top of the page, (where ever?), why not program the software to also show our City and STATE location... That would really ZOOM in on people that are using Proxys to post here. In fact, why not have a 'finger' option, (such as Unix has?), that way we could 'Finger' any poster and SEE ALL info about them except their IP Address..., where they're from, what city, State etc.
Yes, a 'Finger' option would be great!
Also, this REPORT/Flag option leave much to be desired also, why not a 'list' of options such as:
Report - Click below:
1- Racial slur
2- Foul language
3- Personal attack (of another user)
4- Posing as Gov. Office or Gov. Official
5- etc.,etc.,etc.
Of course that is just an example and could be added to with many other choices...
In any case, please DO consider the 'finger' option as that would really come in handy to use to see info on all users on this site/page. The Finger Option would do away with a lot of problems.
no reason to watch right now a year long extension will get done and those on tier 1 and 2 and eb will be fine but the really long term unemployed are in for a shock when there tier 4 run out.I estimate it will be june-August when the number of people off tier 4 start to get heard and by then i doubt anything happends.There is no push for the really long term there are no durbin's out there saying what about the really long term unemployed.
JOSSSHHHHH
Help us please contain us in one place.
You don't want us to spread!!!
Or do you? ;)
To RRCH
I sincerely apologize.
I simply mis-read
All I can do is apologize because if i deleted it people would wonder.
Feel free everyone to Poof it.
BUT i did make a statement.
To GWinIL; This is not your fault!
You did not (mis-read) RRCH’s comment. You never seriously read it at all and, no-one would blame you! You scanned and glanced through her comment anticipating combative antics. She has built -up a reputation for being LONG-WINDED, OFF-TOPIC and at times, BEDLAMITE! This is what happens when a member mis-uses the forum as RRCH has. Her/His comments have no sustaining value.
To - GW IN IL regarding your mistake in reading my post....
Its OK, don't sweat the small stuff....
Misreading is small stuff!!!
Behaving like complete IDIOTS is a different matter but I really am NOT going to hold my breath about some in this room/page. they are IDIOTS, pure and simple and if they think I gave a tinder's d@mn, they are WRONG. WHy should *I* care if THEY make fools of themselves?
Like I said a couple of months ago, the more 'fools' object to me, the more FLATTERED I am....
Apology accepted from ya...
RRCH
Southern Taiwan jolted by 6.4-magnitude quake
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/03/taiwan.quake/index.html?hpt=T2
RE: To: - say no more at 10:26pm
WHY do you always sound like you are doing a NEW Commercial for TV ads...?
"Help, help me..., I've fallen and CAN'T SHUT UP...!!!"
OH GOD here we go again
You cannot edit your reputation no matter how hard you try!
Quit trying to keep us all busy due to your illness!
Josh has more important things to focus on then; RRCH,Cybil and Zelda.
This is a public service announcement not a commercial
RRCH are you off your meds or just sexually frustrated?
Some times you are really good but go in streaks.
Dont look at me to fulfill your needs. I have enough on the plate.
RRCH...Another superflous post and a very lame & dated attempt at humor.
Give IT a BREAK!!!
Hi, I'm like many on this board just trying to figure out all the rules of UI. I called UI office on Monday and confirmed I'm on Tier 3 and have nine weeks left. The REP that I spoke to said once the nine weeks is up I'm done because I had not started Tier 4 by end of Feb. This 30 day extension is that only for people whose benefits have expired? I'm like the rest of you I just want to get back to work. I had my first interview in months even made it to the second round and was told I was overqualified. I was willing to sign a contract to ensure them I would stay. How do others address this ? Should I change my job title and not let the current employer know my previous salary? I can't take staying at home anymore. I'm enrolled in WIA but school is not enough for me.
Angie,
Qualifying for tier 4 is related to the UI rate of your State...not filing before 2/28. I would make a trip to your local DOL office for better information.
Good Luck!
@Thirsty: For right now, everything hinges on the extension deadline. One may be "eligible" because of the state unemployment rate, but the date (in this case, an end date of April 5 in the new short-term bill that was signed into law) would preclude a move to Tier IV, timing-wise.
@Angie: Keep a close watch on what's going on with this long-term bill. If it passes, and it gives a longer-term date (as they're trying to get--Dec. 31), then you'll be able to move on to Tier IV as long as the total unemployment rate in this state is at 8.5% or higher when you're ending Tier III.
As for the other, I'm in the same boat. I've dumbed down, been truthful, and everything in between. The end result has been no job, no recent interviews, no nothing. I wish you the best. We're all suffering.
@Thirsty: For right now, everything hinges on the extension deadline. One may be "eligible" because of the state unemployment rate, but the date (in this case, an end date of April 5 in the new short-term bill that was signed into law) would preclude a move to Tier IV, timing-wise.
@Angie: Keep a close watch on what's going on with this long-term bill. If it passes, and it gives a longer-term date (as they're trying to get--Dec. 31), then you'll be able to move on to Tier IV as long as the total unemployment rate in this state is at 8.5% or higher when you're ending Tier III.
As for the other, I'm in the same boat. I've dumbed down, been truthful, and everything in between. The end result has been no job, no recent interviews, no nothing. I wish you the best. We're all suffering.
Angie, the last extension they passed was for only 30 days, so you would still be done when that exhausts, unless they pass another extension. You would have to exhaust your Tier 3 prior to Apr 5, to move on to the Tier 4.
As for your interview, best of luck to you. On your job title, was that on your resume? Personally, I would be honest since chances are that they will find out.
Hi ... Thank for the reply I live in IL. My previous title was Sr Project Manager. My job consisted of variety of duties so I feel a qualify for most any type of ADMIN, Cust Service type jobs but know one wants to hire me because they think I will leave. In my past project mgmt job I had no resp for budgets and cost control so I don't feel confident or qualified for a true proj mgmt role.
I think my Tier 3 will expire end of April so I guess that means if they don't pass another extension I'm done. I have already downsized my life (Had to short sale my house, sell my car). I know it could be worse I'm thankful for what I have and that I don't have little kids to see this mess we are in. And to all those mean people that say unemployed people are lazy walk in our shoes. I did save 6mths (That wasn't long enough to substain me for 1 plus years with no job). Heres to hoping things will get better ! :)
Hi Angie. I, too, am in Illinois and have applied for many, many, many admin/clerical type jobs with NO calls. I have 30+ years experience. I prefer to think the no calls are due to so many people out of work and not due to being a seasoned employee. ;) I live in the Joliet area.
I feel your pain. I lost my job in 09/07 and went through all of my savings, 401K, and resorted to taking a part time job at Walmart to help make ends meet. My backround also consists of PM and IT. I recently found a full time job working for a small IT company that provides services to small businesses. I am working as the owner's assistant and am happy to have the opportunity. The pay is low, but I am gaining alot in experience and the commute is 5 minutes away! How I got that job was just looking around at my local businesses and sending them my resume. When he called me to interview, I sold myself and was hired on the spot. Out of the tons of resumes I submitted through Careerbuilder and Monster, I only managed to get 2 interviews.
Hope all goes well with you and please let us know how your interview goes. Good luck!
Ok I have a question or maybe asking advise. I have an oppertunity to go back to school full time. the classes are 12 hours a week. I can still job hunt I can still work if a job comes up. also this course is a year and a half long but the last 6 months are internships. I am guessing unpaid. Does anybody have any thoughts on internships and if they really can lead to good jobs? It is in HVAC/R technologies. anyhow also would I be better off entering the WIA program I am qualified as a dislocated worker. Or should I just go to school and not report it since it will not come between me looking or getting work?
Also does anybody know what the rules of a dislocated worker, means for unemployment and schooling?
I don't know anything about WIA. I looked it up online, but how does this work in Illinois. Has anyone utilized this program in Illinois?
I can tell you this I went threw worknet to locate this course and it is on the approved course list. But I am worried what internship would do to unemployment benefits.
By the way I have it on cspan 2 they are still voting on amendments for the extension bill and also says that they will be debating into next week on it.
does anyone know why they don't want to use the unused stimulus money for the extensions?
cause then it would make it look like the stimulus failed.
I hate to agree with bunning Gosh i hate to even type this but he has a point.
IF giving money to the unemployed puts more stimulus into the economy then anything else why not use it?
BUT they can't cause it would make the bill look stupid and would make the Pres mad
BUT THEY SHOULD USE IT.If the Dems are going to say unemployment money is the best stimulus for us then USE IT.
Yup but sadly reading the net people have either given up trying to get them to add a 5th tier or they just do not understand it.
I read people on tier 4 say THEY ARE EXTENDING IT FOR 99 WEEKS well we already have 99 weeks.The problem is 2 fold....there are not many off tier 4 yet.There are many on the last part of tier 3 or in tier 3 and some on tier 4 but it will be till june/August till millions get done with tier 4.
So unless the Media takes this up we will not be heard.
Also the unemployment rate is not going down soon.If jobs were created the people who are unemployed and have given up looking will start looking for jobs then they get counted into the numbers.
But washington just wants to get this long term extension done with but sadly it does not add anything past tier 4.
Ralph you are on point with everything. I am not giving up contacting, senators, media and anyone....get the word out that this bill DOES NOT address benefit capped long term unemployed,which is who they keep using in constituent stories. Durbin even sited that others will continue to "roll off" - if 30 day extension wasn't passed - The same will happen with tier IV.
I agree. It's time to take a long walk off a short pier.
@Angie - Your resilience is so commendable! Any firm should be glad to have you, not only for your work experience, but added personal management in a circumstance, through no fault of your own. To let you know my circumstance is similar, as are so many. May I make a suggestion that you take your frustraiton and awesome skill and send your story to senators (in IL and all other states, President O'Bama, and news media). Adding to this the request for additional weeks be added to the new bill. Your "face" is the face of so many that congress needs to keep hearing about. Blessing to you.
why is this? are you hiring 400,000 people today? you tell US where are all the jobs? I will gladly go get one. In the meantime if you have no answers then keep your opinion to yourself.
@Barb - Thank you for your reply and story. You have renewed a bit of my spirit to go back to local companies. Go going on your part to land a job, that "works" for now. I would recommend to you the same as I did to @Angie. They need to keep hearing WE WANT TO WORK, we need support until there are jobs. The benefit capped long term unemployed are not being addressed in the next bill, they are currently debating. So many of us have gone through our savings, 401K, everything to make ends meet.
@Ralph, thanks for making that comment about the stimulus money.
Someone asked that question earlier about why it was not used to extend benefits and got blasted for asking the question.
The point is, if the EXISTING STIMULUS money would be used to fund this latest extension, then the "long-term" unemployed would have a stronger case to either lengthen tier 4 or create a tier 5.
As it stands now, because the democrats chose to use new money that increases the debt, it makes a harder case for the long-term to ask for MORE money.
@AnthonyR, I agree.
Maybe the UNUSED Stimulus money can be used to lengthen tier 4 or create a new tier 5?
Maybe the long-term unemployed have a better chance of extendng or creating a new tier with money that the government already has?
Anyone else agree?
everyone chant and shout
NEED TIER FIVE
TO SURVIVE
NEED TIER FIVE
TO SURVIVE
@Adam & Anthony, I am also in agreement with you.
EXISTING money should be used to extend tier 4 or create tier 5. Otherwise, the long-term unemployed's request will come across as "adding to the US's already mounting debt" - (which we had nothing to do with by the way).
I contacted Durbin's office regarding using the exisiting stimulus money to fund extending tier 4 -- the response from the staffer was, "had not heard that one - will pass your message along to the senator.
My hope is this, the hoopla from getting the 30 day extension is beginning to die down -- and people like Ralph are realizing that the Democrats did not give a good explanation as to why the exisiting stimulus money was not used.
Maybe the republicans can use the same tactic the Democrats used on them -- let them say that the long-term unemployed did not benefit from "your" extension, so we (republicans) propose that we do "care" about the long-term unemployed, so we are requesting that the "exisiting" stimulus money be used to further extend tier 4. Since you (democrats) care so much about helping the "long-term" unemployed, I am sure there will be no objections, right?
This strategy would definitely put some of the repubs who are up for re-election in a better light.
@AdamK - Like your idea - it' brilliant - what if send it to all Republican Senators starting with Bunning (ha) --- stranger things have happened. After watching the whole CSPAN2 action play out two nights ago with Dem pulling the move on Bunning after all his time had run out.
Thanks, cm -- it's not so much as brillance as it is just wanting to get out of this mess.
Also, I am open to any other ideas that others may have.
for the mentally challenged. It's common knowledge that the unemployed have been holding back this economy by not taking all those extra jobs out there. In my community alone there are 1,000 jobs and 6,000 people who want those jobs. As a result, there are jobs out there for everyone in the community. The logic above is an example of the special kind of stupidity it takes to argue against deadline extensions of existing benefits and creation of new layers of benefits such as a Tier V. PROVIDE JOBS FOR US ALL TO FILL, OR PROVIDE MORE BENEFITS.
You guys are right but as of today there are not yet enough people rolling off tier 4 for them to worry.
They are not getting tons of letters like when the deadline of feb 28th came.So until there are many rolling off tier 4 they may wait.
How about this.They get a 1 year passed till december without paying for it then in another month or 2 when millions roll off tier 4 they can comeback and say we need to use the stimulus money now that has not been spent?
Might be a ace in the whole for down the road a few months when they can gather steam for a new tier.Cause right now they only worry about 1 thing and that is getting this passed till the end of the year.
@Ralph - I get your point.
My strategy is to get the point across before everyone exhaust tier 4.
That was one of the comments made by staffers earlier this year, "why do the unemployed wait until a tier has ended to call?"
I just contacted the Michigan senators -- there staffers were receptive to the idea because Michigan has NO economic turnaround on the horizon.
I missed out on 2 interviews -- one in Dallas & the other in Houston (I am in Cleveland) because I didn't have the means to get there. If I had $$, I could have flown there and slept in the airport if I had to.
I am tired of being unemployed and playing these cat & mouse games.
I'm going to keep calling.
By that time it will be June and I won't have an address because I'll be living in a tent.
@Ralph, while I respect your point of view -- waiting until a tier is exhausted is the reason why some people almost had a nervous breakdown this past week.
I want to try and do something about it now also. I missed an opportunity to interview in DC for a company that contracts with Lockheed. I am in Columbus Ohio and I didn't have any money to travel.
Just like Michigan, Ohio has a long way to go too. I am not saying that this country won't turn around economically, but it won't be in the next 60 days that's for sure.
@AdamK -- you can count me in, I will make phone calls also.
I am sure there are many people who could have potential job opportunities in other states -- and could take advantage of them if they had the means to fly or take a bus to get there.
because the luxury is about to end. I've been found out. Rather than choosing a good livable wage I have been gladly accepting $14,000 a year from government because I enjoy living in financial hardship. And I'm told there are more millions like me out there.
@AdamK, Dean & Brian...you can count me in too.
I will begin calling this afternoon.
Thanks everyone for the support.
Let's try and be PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE.
I have begun calling. I mentioned yesterday I want off this merry-go-round.
@to all -- who wished me good luck on my interviews. I will keep you posted.
@angie - you are indeed an inspiration, congratulations.
New post here, folks:
http://progressillinois.com/news/content/2010/03/04/ides-no-break-unempl...
Will be closing down this thread shortly.
Am I the only one experiencing difficulty with the audio from the soup kitchen clip?