Wednesday, July 14, 2010

2010 Unemployment Extension and Tier 5 Benefits Desires

The 2010 unemployment benefits extension will be brought to vote on July 19th.  The unemployment extension in 2010 would extend the time to file the tiers 1-4 unemployment benefits.  Currently, the time to file has been suspended as of June 2, 2010.  Many thought that the extension would have passed before the Memorial Day holiday.  Then, it was the July 4th holiday.  Now, we will be lucky to see it before August.

There is going to be a vote on July 19th for the unemployment extension.  If the replacement for Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia is sworn in by that time, then it is expected to pass.  The Democrats have 59 votes and 60 is needed to pass the measure.

Of the 59 votes, two of them are Republican Senators from Maine. As long as they don't flip and go back with the rest of their party, the measure should pass on the next vote.

Although the Republicans have in one way a valid claim - they don't want to pass the measure because it adds to deficit spending - their logic isn't sound.  If the government wasn't doling out billions of dollars to foreign entities and Wall Street bankers then it would be a valid claim. However, if money can be spent on those types of expenses it can be spent on Americans.

We will see July 19th whether or not the measure will pass.  Many are hoping and praying that the extension will pass but there's still that possibility as we have seen before that it won't.

131 comments:

  1. How will this help the people in Maryland who have exhausted their Tier 3? Will there be a Tier 4 for Maryland? Probably not, so we are right back where we were. I lost my job in January of 2009, have applied for hundreds of jobs, no luck. Had to move back home to Washington State to live with my family, could not afford to pay the apartment anymore. Stressed and losing hope.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is BS. It needs to be passed today, not the 19th. This is so unfair. Obama is letting his people go homeless and hungry. I live in GA and our Senators voted no, which I will remember in Nov, but there a no homeless shelters going up or soup lines, millons of people need these since our government cannot get it together. This is worse than the Great Depression, atleast there where shelters and food given to people. The 19th is to late, people wiil be evicted this week from their homes. They have no money for food, gas for their cars or car insurance and you expect them to look for a job, heck they cannot walk from starvation. This is a very sad America and hope you congress and cold hearted Americans have a good answer on judgement day for your cold words to other Americans.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shameful--That is the only word that I can find to explain it.I'm not unemployed so I'm not affected but what these poor people are going through!July 19 and how long before the check comes?Their are children involved here,Congress!!!Where are your morals,your scruples,your compassion and your heads?Cross the line,someone,and be the 60th vote because if you don't innocent people will be hurt even more.What is wrong with you?????

    ReplyDelete
  4. why were the big banks and business bailed out but the people that put these people in office can't get the help they need to keep their families fed and housed. Maybe the lawmakers should not get paid until they help the unemployed

    ReplyDelete
  5. I will be 55 years old in January and have been out of work for ten months. I have applied for jobs to no avail, only one interview. My home will soon be for sale and will be supporting my family with what going to be my retirement nest egg. I tried to get assistance from the Help For Homeowners program only to be advised to let my charge card debt go into default and let my home go into foreclosure, then they may be able to help me! Face it folks, its tough all over but if your middle aged or over your screwed. Barry Jones Saint Peters Mo.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with the post above. Why wait? Just giving the government more time to stall. They do not care about the people who are left out in the dark with no food, money, shelter. Since they are not adding more money to the extension, this is not going to help as many people as they are saying. I have not hit my 99 weeks, and yet I can not get an extension, unless they add more money in Maryland, I am confused.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great but what about the long term unemployed who have used up all their tiers. Why are we not getting help? We still have no jobs and now no money to pay for anything and are being forced into financial ruin daily. We are told to file for welfare. That is a senate cop-out and we do not want welfare we just want extensions to help us now. We need president to intervene for us but he is playing a game too. This is life and death for us and we are being thrown to the wolves to be forgotten about. We are being forced to live like 3rd world countries. Stop helping the world and help our own now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. If you were drowning these SOB's would let us drown......they way they are handling this will result in no one being safe in November....NO ONE!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Most of the people, like myself did not choose to be unemployed. I am 37 and have worked since I was 16. I have applied over and over for many jobs, even jobs at Walmart, Kmart, ect... and nothing. I have a great work history in Business Administration and Customer Service, and I can not find work. My unemployment has ended, I only get 200.00 a month in food stamps, I have zero money coming in. I am in the process of filing bankruptcy, and about to be kicked out of my fathers house, because he said he can't afford to have me here. I had to move from Maryland all the way across the US to move home. So now what do I do? Our government needs to quit helping other countries and help the people here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is just politics as usual in a political year.Shame on both parties for going on the 4th of July vacation before passing this bill.I've always known politicians are crooked,but now I know most of them are heartless too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. CUT OFF ALL FINANCIAL AID TO ISRAEL.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why wait until Friday at 5pm for the Governor of W.Virgina to name the interim Senator to take Bryds place. Just another scheme to stall the vote, OR is it because the Governor of W.Virgina is planning on running for Bryds Senate Seat himself come November so he made all us unemployed suffer that much longer while he selects the temporary Senator for Bryds place that he feels he can easily beat come election time. It is fairly obvious would'nt you say.
    Oh..but us unemployed have been critized for not being better prepared for a time like this..But Wait, should'nt that Governor of W.Virgina been better prepared for a temporary replacement for Mr.Bryd,(after-all, the man was over 90 years old)-so he could have named him right away on Monday July 12th when Congress returned from their 10 day July 4th vacation, then they could have voted on the extension on Tuesday or Today at the latest! All of these Politicans make me sick, they must think the general public is stupid enough to beleive anything! Futhermore, news reports are quoting this Hillbilly Fu-ck Governor of W.Virgina proclaiming he "will" name the temporary Senator for Bryds place at 5pm. Friday. Come on now..this is Wednesday..whats he going to do, what until 4pm. Friday and roll the dice then name Mr. Bryds successor? He already knows who he will name, do they really think we are all that stupid? Like I said, just another scheme to push the vote into next week.

    ReplyDelete
  13. In my opinion, an I'm unemployed currently and have been for about 9 months, we do need to get a job. I've been looking and have been on a couple of interviews, but no offers as of yet, but I'm hopeful. I am not someone that thinks I can live off of the government, like many do. The job I have interviewed for lately is a huge pay cut, by about 1/2 of what I normally make, but it's a job. Maybe if we spent more time trying to find a job and less complaining on these blogs, we would be more successful. Also, let's not forget, the Democrats had as much to do with our current economy as anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  14. In reference to the post about filing for welfare. I went there, I can not get any help for money or medical unless I have kids or over 65 and disabled. So what they are saying is we won't help you since you are by yourself, BUT if you get pregnant, we will give you money, food and medical..Yeah that will save the government money..That's Crap.

    ReplyDelete
  15. They are stalling as they will be leaving again for a month long vacation so this is their way to get back at the Democrats by stalling this matter. So this is a wake up call for all to re-think who they are going to vote for on re-elections. But in the mean time many are now in total financial ruin and will never recover from this. The 99er's have used up all tiers and are told we will not get any more help and to go apply for welfare and food stamps. This is their help for us. How sad that they even had the gaul to say that to us. we want jobs not welfare. All we are asking for is an extension not permanent welfare. Our government is really pathetic.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was told that you cannot vote if you do not have a "permanent" address (which means a post office box will not cut it) If this true, why would Republicans care about extending benefits to the unemployed they would not be able to vote in November anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am 27 years old and have worked and gone to school for the past 10 years! It makes me sick to think about the people who have been on unemployment for 2 years and have wasted there time bumming around, meanwhile I received my benefits for 6 months and then got cut off. Not only have I been searching for a job these past 6 months but I have been going to school to better myself.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is truly unbelievable! I cannot the believe that the Senate is taking there precious time while unemployed citizens are watching their vehicles being repoessed and kicked out of their homes having to live in homeless shelters! The Republicans should be ashamed of themselves! Their living good while we are struggling and trying to make ends meet! How do they sleep at night knowing innocent people are barely eating???!!! LET'S GET THIS DONE PEOPLE, ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I need a bailout!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was laid off last August, so it will now be 11 months since I have worked. All my benefits are tapped out...while there are people I know of that have been on unemployment for over 2 years and still get a check. There is not a job I haven't applied for and nobody is hiring. I will regret cashing out my 401k, but it had to be done. A poster on here told me I needed to 'start mowing lawns' or 'doing odd jobs for people.' Well, my neighbor moved, his house was foreclosed and Freddie Mac owns it now. Who else is going to pay money to have someone 'do odd jobs' when they're counting every penny of their own? I have had a job since I was 13 and I am SO tired of the lazy accusations. Looking back at my tax records I extimate I have paid about $260,000 in income taxes over the last 20 years. I HAVE done my part! Help me out when I need it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just wait until November, November, November, November ELECTIONS !!!! the AMERICAN PEOPLE will NEVER forget what you have done to US !!!!! THE REPUBLICANS WILL BE OUT!!!!! THIS IS THE REPUBLICANS FAULT !!!!!!!! YOU REPUBLICANS WILL CAUSE SNOWE AND COLLINS THEIR VOTES AS WELL YOU REPUBS ARE UNTAMED ANIMALS !!!! MANCHIN, REID AND THE "MR. PRESIDENT" PLEASE STEP UP FOR THE AMERICANS, PLEASE... STOP PLAYING GAMES WITH THE AMERICANS LIVES !!!!!!, PLEASE !!!!!! REPUBLICANS WILL BE THE MINORITY FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AS THIS WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE "WORST" REPUBLICANS REPRESENTATION EVER.... REPUBLICANS ARE DONE WITH THE MASS DESTRUCTION...DONE !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's all a result of voting red. I've always know better than that. The mentality is all wrong. The more I read of the right wing and it's morals and policies the more I'm convinced it's the one party throughout the course of history that's steered the nation backwards. It is imperative that unemployment benefits get into the hands of the people immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The point is that congress is too wealthy and they are only doing in Washington that will help them and their rich cronies to get richers so even if they are voted out they have plenty of money and whatnot that it won't even phase them. We who are struggling just to make ends meet are the ones who will continue to lose in this country. They will never be in our situations as they look out for each otehr in the rich man club and they will never know what it is like to have no money for food or shelter. Welfare makes you dependent on it for life as you are too poor to even have a car to for look for and get to jobs and it is a vicious cycle they are putting us in. You can't even get a start up loan for a business and there is just no way to get out of this mess. We are penniless now and had enough to pay this month mtg but now have nothing to pay all bills yet alone food. Next month we won't even be able to pay mtg. But they refuse to help us 99er's. Some country we live in. If we were illegals or from a foreign country we would get all the help we need. This is so pathetic. I am a cancer survivir and can't even afford my cancer drugs. By them not helping they are telling me too bad just go and die somewhere. We don't care and never did and never will.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Pennyless

    what makes you think that unemployed people are bumming around...
    And why do you go to school for 10 years? If you have done that, means you must have a PHD or you are a doctor/lawyer. You should have a job being so educated.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Question? How are some people claiming unemployment for over 2 years? My brother-in-laws, sisters husband has been on unemployment for over 2 years? What am i doing wrong? He has not worked 1 day in those two years. I have been on unemployment since Feb 09 and now I am tapped out, with no more extensions..

    ReplyDelete
  26. the rich will always be rich, the poor will always get everything. the middle class will always suffer. soon there will be no middle class, we will all be poor, with no jobs and no help. all the banks that screwed people, giving them mortgages when they really could not afford them, have been bailed out. what about the PEOPLE of the U.S. this government should be ashamed of themselves. if people have no money to spend what happens to the economy. that we are trying to fix????????

    ReplyDelete
  27. YES THIS IS OUR GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE! OKAY UNEMPLOYED AMERICA CONSIDER YOURSELF PROPERLY CHASTISED AND WE COULD CARE LESS IF YOU STARVE TO DEATH ON THE STREET JUST PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND DIE WITHOUT CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEFICT

    ReplyDelete
  28. As a small child you are taught in school that we live in the greatest country in the world, I no longer believe this. We spend billions and billions of dollars helping other countries from their ruins but we can't help our own people. We help all of these other countries but who's come to help us because it certainly isn't our own government. The people of congress went on leave or vacation if you will for the 4th of July and I'm sure you had a lovely time buying food to bbq and fireworks to set off but you left people without food and money to even pay their electricity bill so the light from the city fireworks is the only light they saw that night. If It wasn't for the fact that I was raised better I would spit on the steps of congress in disgust that you use to walk up to work everyday. Let freedom ring, what little freedom there is left.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Not passing this bill is literally killing our own people. This should not be happening to any american citizen....who worked and paid their taxes for this benefit of unemployment. This economic nightmare is a shake down of the corrupt banking system that stole our retirements and killed our jobs here at home by sending out work overseas so banking fat cats can get fatter. Bring the jobs back to the US where they belong and put our US citizens back to work. It is time that each american take back america from the foreign markets tell your congressman or sentor just that. This is our country and pass this bill for our children you stupid stupid fools.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love my country very much, but I hate it's polotics. I am a so called 99er who is about to lose his house. My wife gets paid every two weeks but it's not enough to cover most of the bills. My mortgage company is trying to work with us but without a second income, your guess is right. I have 2 little boys who don't no what is going on only that mom and dad are without money right now and for a parent to have children in this game of monopoly whereas you are on the losing end, it hurts. My beloved countries priorities right now are a mess, we are Americans. I have never seen a country give more to foreigners than their own people. I guess a trillion $ bailout for big business, banks and foreigner aid (in which we should help) is more important than millions of $'s to help extend America's beloved people's unemployment benifits. Not everyone is out to abuse the system.

    ReplyDelete
  31. How sad is this? I hear Senators are telling long term unemployed to go on Welfare as they won't give them extensions or new tiers. They are forcing them to lose everything and this will now add to the worsening economy as everyone knows once you are on welfare you never get off as you basically are now considered 3rd world citizens and nobody cares about you. Sad that the President has the power to sign an executive order to get us the help but he won't do it. He is no better than them. It is a no win situation we are being forced into and we have no control over any of it. So much for the American dream.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Awesome by the 19th I'll be on the street with my 2 kids. this is sad

    ReplyDelete
  33. It will be passed. And perhaps passed again as another extension at a later date.

    There will be as much foot dragging as they think they can get away with until their handlers tell them to pass it.

    It is the slow bleed of unemployed to weed out those who will fail slowly in small spurts rather than all at once.

    If they do it all at once all the bailouts to save themselves will crash again resulting in some tough guys calling in their markers.

    So instead they will do it slowly. A little at a time. So only a few hundred thousand Americans go down the drain at a time. Less noticable. Easier to explain away with rubbish like expaning real estate sectors and contractions in development.

    So yeah they'll pass it. They really have no choice. To not do so crushes their own stock portfolios and bank earnings.

    You really want to get their attention. Stop paying your bills, stop working, tell em to foreclose, apply for Welfare.

    We do have power in numbers. A national labor strike can easily shut down most of the country. For every day labor strikes the companys stockpiling money to drive down your wages loses money. They start losing money they'll change their tune.

    IXLNXS

    ReplyDelete
  34. The best thing to do is just pass the bill. But those of us who have run out continue to flood your politicans offices with emails, letters, etc., even send them a copy of your bills and let them know we need that money. That is what I have been doing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am so sick of all these people making comments about the unemployed needing to find a job. Its easy for them to say that since they are not in our shoes. The longer we are unemployed the less likely we will get a job offer, the older we are the less likely we will get a job. I am only 40 and have applied for hundreds of jobs and have had many interviews with no luck. So to all you jerks out there with jobs that can only slam us and put us down, GROW UP. If your that great, offer us a job! I love earning my money and not have it handed to me.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Being over 50 is very difficult to convince a company to hire you.....I don't even get called for interviews. My unemployment is important and necessary to put gas in my car to get to an interview.
    The last job fair I attended had 1,200 people at it and only 39 booths of employers!!!
    I need this money today.....my car insurance is going to cancel for non-payment this Friday.
    Please vote today NOT on the 19th......

    ReplyDelete
  37. This process of byrds seat should of been done by now. It certainly wasn't a surprise. Not being prepared or stalling which one is it? Can not believe the extension hasn't been passed. There is no excuse to deny, delay, ignore and or manipulate an emergency spending bill such as unemployment. This is not a new bill or program this has been in place for decades and it is being treated as something new.
    Has there ever been a time, with the economic melt down such as now, with unemployment program in place and it was denied? Why now? How could this help their elections? Why do they under estimate the American people and only support the 2% richest Americans. Can you win an election today by doing this? So the vast majority of us, in the millions, who are very diverse in age, race, economically, and so, the politician doesn't see us as a concern? Unity can be there nightmare and demise. Show then in November what "We the People" really means. Do not vote republican no matter what, find representatives that will put the balance back into Washington and hear us. No more 2% population only.

    ReplyDelete
  38. We don't have to stop paying our bills we already are not paying our bills as we have no money to pay them. It still doesn't phase them because they just come up with other excuses not to help us out. The rich will just buy up all foreclosed house at rock bottom prices and then sell them to the foreign richies so eventually our country will be all foreigners and no Americans left. Our rich Americans will not be living here as they will be traveling the world so all of this is to their benefit so we lose no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I was layed off one year ago. 15 yrs with this company they outsourced 70% of the jobs to India. I have been looking for all this time for a job in my profession and as others Walmart, etc. no calls no interviews. Went back to school graduated in June with Honors, no JOBS. I am over 55 and they are not hiring professionals, I am willing to take much less. Now we are facing the little nothing we get in Florida on unemployment will be gone. The company I worked for told us in 2008 that they were closing our office. Don't blame the current admin. alot of jobs were lost when Bush was present.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Since the extension is Federal, what if you had to move from the state you filed your unemployment in because you had no place to live, you couldn't afford to pay rent, and moved to another state that had more Tiers. Can you get the extension in your new state? If the original state was out of Tiers?

    ReplyDelete
  41. How many of the unemployed are in their upper 50's, I'm 59 and at this age it is extremely difficult to get employed. Yesterday I fleetingly heard about extending the retirement age to 70. OMG there are not enough jobs out there now. I say lower the retirement age! Open the market to a younger work force. They are the ones needing the new houses, the cars, the appliances the big purchases that would stimulate the economy. It could even lower the usage of our fuel. Besides who wants to deal with 70 yr old drivers during rush hours. Also, there are many folks that work hard labor e.g. contruction, would their phyical strength be capable of handling this at age 70. Plus this would affect medicare cost due to job stresses. Hire the young and raise the S.S tax. This way they can reap the benefit later in life also.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am surprised to see so many people on here asking if the Government thinks we are stupid...Well Duh? Yes they do, thats why the pander to us and play off of our fears and take our civil liberties while saying its for our own good. They do think we are stupid. We come on these blogs and protest because no news outlets or very few are even covering this story. The media has been monopolized for years by people who only allow news that meets thier agendas is aired, FOX News, common, how can anyone watch that show and really think it is unbiased, same thing on the other side. Democrates and Republicans have and will continue to run this country into the ground. I myself am sick to death with both parties, they sew up politics so that the only people who can represent the people are people who are so out of touch with what the common man deals with on a daily basis that there is no way that they care, why are we surprised. We are nothing more than Day laborers to these fat cats, who use us for our votes and to clean their mansions, and run their companies and wash their cars and car for their children and balance their books. We are workers, they are indifferent to our suffering because we do not matter to them. We live in a society that allows politicians to take huge campaign contributions from special intrest groups and then we wonder why our representatives are corrupt? Really, they are right, as a whole Americans are stupid, they vote against their own best intrest, they let things like religion and race divide us, when we should be joining together to make change in this country instead of squabbling amoungst each other about things that are just personal and no body elses business. If politicians could only run with moneys that came from public funds set aside just for elections and they could not take contributions in excess of a reasonable amount of money from special interest and the general public. If there was an even playing field where the average american could serve their country, then our government would be very different. As it stands what is going on in Washington is going on as a direct result of the choices (or lack of choices) that we as Americans have made. When we set aside our petty differences and create a country that has room for every American, not just the ones who live exactly like you do, but all of us, and until we learn to respect each others right to be different and have different ideas, and lifestyles etc. As long as those lifestyles and ideas are not harmful to others in some tangable way. when we can do that, then maybe things can change. But as long as we are petty and selfish and hateful to one another, the politicians are always going to win. Havent you ever heard of the saying "Divide and conquer" ? Well divided we are and Conquered we are on the brink of. A true patriot is a person who stands up for his country, not some ideology, but his country and the principles that it was founded on. Our country was founded to be a place where every man had the right to pursue happiness, to be free to worship or not worship any god he saw fit, to speak his mind without fear of reprisal, to know that we are all equal, no one has more rights than anyone else, Black, White, Protestant, or Catholic, Gay or Straight, we are all Americans and this is all of our Country. And it is going to rise or fall because of us. Time to stand up for our Country and let these politicians know that it is FOR THE PEOPLE...BY THE PEOPLE.

    AMERICANS UNITE!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Like everyone is saying its not our fault we are unemployed. What is wrong with our government why will they not help there own. I have applied for jobs since June of 2008 and guess what no surprise I have found nothing. Only 1 interview and I am over qualified. At least 3 to 5 jobs a day for 2 years guess where my unemployment money went you guessed for gas to find work. I have no more unemployment even if this so called bill passes. Come on America time to wake up and see the whole picture. Help the world that is great but start at home first.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Let’s face it there will always be people who abuse the system. BUT THE MAJORITY AREN’T AND WE NEED HELP! Maybe the government can start hiring people to get that under control and not just for unemployment but all the social programs. There are people receiving free health care because they don’t want to pay premiums through their employers. People getting $ because they chose not to work and they are now old and need it.
    I too have applied for jobs and can’t get an interview. I too have applied at department stores, Targets, Wal-Mart’s, banks for teller positions but these people don’t want us either because they feel we will just leave – you are over qualified. It is frustrating.
    But what do we expect from our elected officials WHO VOTE FOR THEIR OWN RAISES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe they need to lose their jobs, pay, homes, cars, etc. and watch as no one cares. They are so out of touch with people (except the lobbyist) it is ridiculous. They have the best health care and perks and just think the rest of us are bums. Their benefits are nowhere comparable to the average person. They serve 1 term and will get more in pension than some people will make in years.
    Where is the concept of they work for us????? We all need to remember this in November!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I just don't understand why we the people don't stand up for OUR RIGHTS. We the people did not cause this crisis, we the people paid into the system for so long now that we the people are in need we can not get the help? Yet we fight a war that is not ours and our so called government thinks it is ok to spend a billion or so dollars a month on a war that is NO concern of ours. Yet we the people are going without food or shelter. We the people need to vote these people in office out. I know when I can not feed my babies I am going to have to find a way, since no one wants to give me a job and it will not be pretty sight. War is coming to our own backyard if the government does not stop this and help us survive with in our own borders. Shape up or get shipped out government!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Now this is the Republican Party that I remember. For a large part of this year I actually found myself on the side of the GOP, which as a life-long Democrat was very new to me! I didn't like all the bailouts using government money, and was totally against the health care bill that we by no means have the money to pay for and is going to make business even harder on small business owners (such as myself) and therefore harder for small businesses to hire more people. But now the GOP is really showing its colors again. We can't afford to extend unemployment (which not only should be extended but a tier 5 added) but we can afford not only to support the poor people overseas, but we can also give the upper class wealthy more tax breaks. Extending unemployment is "bad" because it adds to the deficit, but cutting taxes to the super rich is "good" because it adds to the deficit. Talk about normal GOP logic- talking straight out your a$$!! I am concerned about the good people I had to lay off, and concerned that with all the red tape and increased costs the health care bill is going to lay on me that I will have to lay more off- but this idea of "if we give the super rich more money they will spend it and hire more people" doesn't work!! What happens when the rich leaders of corporations get more tax breaks and more money- they farm the work overseas for pennies on the dollar and give themselves big bonuses!! The GOP's holly scripture: the "Trickle Down theory of Economics" - you give lots and lots of breaks and funding to super wealthy Americans hoping they will hire other Americans to do work for them. It just doesn't work because most of these wealthy pr*cks just horde the money they get, send the work over to a third world sh*t hole where they only have to pay workers a couple bucks a day and go buy another "get-away" home. I personally don't mind paying more taxes if (in this economy) it will help other Americans who have lost their jobs and now find themselves "over qualified" in our current job market. I think a much bigger "hump" to economic recovery is the health care bill. So in short- take away the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, rewrite the health care bill to at least remove some of the red tape, and for God sakes restore unemployment tiers 1-4 and fund tier 5 and probably 6 until the job market and economy recover. The economy is not supposed to recover before 2012, therfore the job market can't either- we have to extend unemployment until such time as there are jobs available. These Bush era tax cuts for the upper class and GOP ideologys got us into this mess now they have to pony up and instead of helping their "good 'ol boy" friends get even richer they will have to help the people that really need it.

    ReplyDelete
  47. People you have to remember these politicans don't have mortgages on their homes and they have plenty of money coming in from special interests groups and kick backs not to mention their paychecks. So why should they be in any hurry to pass unemployment extensions. None of them are going draw unemployment.So please quit bothering them.Its such an inconvience to be flooded with e-mails and faxes. If you don't stop they will have to hire extra people to answer them.They really don't have time for all of this they only have a few weeks left before they recess for the summer and they need that time to take care of their big contributors.So please stop bothering them.They have important deals to make before they go home for the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  48. July 19th? How on earth do they expect people to survive, kinda sick of tired or the losers in office, they all need to step up and make this happen TODAY, we can't survive in their ineptness any longer. So they best face the facts, and dig a deeper hole, we didn't do it they did, and shame on them, the future is slapping in the face now and they are stupid if they cant see that. My kids of the future would benefit more if my kids of now could have a running chance.

    ReplyDelete
  49. How are we suppose to find jobs when we have no money now to pay for anything. It takes money to buy gas to even get to an interview if you are lucky enough to get one. Senate doesn;t seem to realize that daily we are getting worse and worse into debt. We are struggling just to scrape by. Now we are being told to go apply for welfare? How is that helping us? we don't want welfare we want extensions so we can keep off welfare. why they would even say for us to get welfare is really telling us they do not care what happens to us. I am sure they can hardly wait to go on their month long vacation but the President needs to step it up and do something. he has power to sign for us all to get it so why doesn;t he step in and do something. It is so degrading that we all have to resort to begging.

    ReplyDelete
  50. lay the washington republican's off, hell they don't do shit anyway, except play politics, these self rightious, pompus ass lyers, spend there entire lives living a lie, most are dumb rednecks clueless on how our american econimic system even breaths, those that do manipulate the shit out of it for thier benifit. They have become masters at telling the feeble, uneducated, superstitious, ignorant people what they want to hear to get elected and then they ram it to these poor people. they count on them not to see them for who they are, they simply play to the "dum"b that vote, then they laugh their ass off all the way to the bank. these people have no shame, it does not exist for them, basically they are shame. they prove everyday that some people are educated way above there level of intelligents. yet i must say i believe these people are beyond just selfish, if there is a word to decribe them it is "evil" they enjoy seeing folks suffer, it gives them a sense of superority, It gives them relief from there self. So don't ever try to apply common good sence to these people, it will not fit, apply evil and it does, so I say over-throw them and then give them some of their own treatment, water board them for months and months, they deserve it as much as anyone who has ever been. then kick them real hard in their tight ass, onto the streets, with their families.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I laugh when people write comments about abusing the system for staying on unemployment for too long. I've been working since I was 11 years old (now 46), have a post graduate level of education and only received 2 interviews with no offers in close to 700 resumes I've sent out. Unemployment pays 20% of the salary I was making prior to being laid-off. Yea, I'm living high on the hog on that 20%!!!!
    This F-upped gov't should stop bailing out big banks and spending billions on sending rockets into space.

    ReplyDelete
  52. don't blaim obama, knuckleheads!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Politics just aren't my thing - they bore me - I avoid conversations pertaining to them and I extremely hate them in the workplace. Even though they aren't my cup of tea I have always done my part. I have always paid my taxes and showed up to vote. I have always considered myself grateful to live in America. When the Senate left for its "vacation" and left the benefits extension unsolved that was cruel. They left for beach houses, beautiful resorts, and stress-free living. Simultaneously over that two week "vacation" life changed quickly for many. Thousands quickly rose to two million Americans with no income. Presidents can order people back - call special sessions - how many times have we heard that on the news? Did we hear that this time? Yes, I am one of those who lost my job. And I definitely will vote this time around with my "eyes wide open".

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have worked for thirty years and got laid off last October. I am still not old enough to retire nor do I have the funds to do so. I have sent out many resumes to no avail. I am not one to ask my government for much and consider myself a model citizen. With the governemnt bail-outs, Afgan war Still going on and Senators and Congressman making a ton of $$$ and seemingly never retiring, you would think that extending unemployment compensation for American citizens would be first on their list to do. God help us if compassion is gone for Americans who have worked, voted and supported their government.

    ReplyDelete
  55. "And There Shall Be Such A Cry Throughout The Land"

    ReplyDelete
  56. Millions of votes definitely make a difference when elections come around. I encourage you to vote. Remember who voted "no" and cut your benefits. Remember who voted "no" over and over stalling the passing of the extension. Millions of votes do make a difference. I can't see where causing people to become homeless and hungry looks too great for a political campaign. Everyone this affects needs to know who let them down. Each and every elected official that voted "no" needs to be forever tagged with how they truly feel about those who elected them in the first place. We need to stand with signs that they support "homelessness" as those voting days become near. Ordinarily I am against negative campaigning - I just would hate to see those who allowed people to go hungry be re-elected.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Don't you just love the Capitalist system? In America we are Free, (Free To Starve). Land of the free home of the brave, what a joke. More like land of the money grubbing bastard home of the sheep. Lets see now, our financial leaders steal trillions of dollars which causes our government to declare that our country is on the edge of complete and utter collapse unless we give those same financial criminals another trillion doillars so that they can pay out christmas bonuses which then causes the Great Recession which causes millions to lose their jobs through none of their own doing. Through the first year and a half of the Great Recession our economy has continued to decline with job losses not job gains, the only saving grace for millions and millions of American citizens has been unemployment benefits to allow families to maybe stay in their homes and put some food on the table. Here we are a year and a half later with "NO" job growth and unemployment benefits running out for millions of American families, and I guess as a nation we are telling those families to just find a place in the woods somewhere where the people who do have jobs don't have to see you and just curl up and die. There are no benefits and there are no jobs, but here in America like I said you are Free, Free To Starve.

    ReplyDelete
  58. "In my opinion, an I'm unemployed currently and have been for about 9 months, we do need to get a job. I've been looking and have been on a couple of interviews, but no offers as of yet, but I'm hopeful. I am not someone that thinks I can live off of the government, like many do. The job I have interviewed for lately is a huge pay cut, by about 1/2 of what I normally make, but it's a job. Maybe if we spent more time trying to find a job and less complaining on these blogs, we would be more successful. Also, let's not forget, the Democrats had as much to do with our current economy as anyone."

    Whoever said this is an idiot. What do you think most unemployed people are doing? And "You're not someone who think you can live off the goverment like most people do"? You think many unemployed people actually LIKE living off of any type of assistance? You're saying alot of things, but you're in the SAME boat as we are, so get your head out of your a$$. You're not the only one who is seeking enployment. And come to Nevada, the the state with the HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN AMERICA. You think YOU have it bad? It's MUCH WORSE in this state, so STFU! You have no right to have the snooty attitude of a republician, ESPECIALLY since you are in the SAME BOAT as 16 million people who are out of work!

    ReplyDelete
  59. HEY: How can one push a new bill?
    Civics class was ages ago....but I say:
    WHEN the jobs return, why not push for a BILL allowing everyone who has a JOB to have a paid HOLIDAY , by LAW, EVERY TIME THE SENATE DOES. It's only fair ! Doesn't our DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE STATE that ..."WE hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.."????
    Think about it. Even greedy businesses could benefit--if the government is paying OUR REPRESENTATIVES to take some time off, then they can REIMBURSE our EMPLOYERS , if need be, to GIVE US TIME OFF when we are working. Think about it. A little more incentive for them to ACTUALLY WORK and for US TO ACTUALLY ENJOY OUR LIVES AS MUCH AS THE NEXT MAN.

    ReplyDelete
  60. So what happened to Tier 5? Extending Tiers 1-4 doesn't do anything to help me. I don't have money to pay my health insurance when it is due, or my bills over the next few months. But obviously that doesn't matter. I don't think I'm going to bother to vote any more. Why bother? We are supposed to be voting for people that are working for the American people and by holding back on extensions for people who have been unemployed by now fault of their own and can't even get a job because there just aren't that many out there, it's obvious the Senate and Congress are just working for their own agenda and the hell with the people. Hey, as long as they don't have to live out in the street what do they care? Apparently the citizens of the US aren't important enough to worry about and no one on the "hill" cares if the people lose everything they worked hard for, just as long as the immigrants get taken care of. As a lot of peaple that I know and talk with I'm pretty disgusted with how this country is being run. We got change alright, it's just change for the worse!

    ReplyDelete
  61. The Republicans are out...PEOPLE remember that voting for PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION is not ONLY the most important aspect....PEOPLE need to get out here and vote for SENATOR, CONGRESS,MAYOR....I watched the number it shows that85% percent general vote for prseidentail and only 48% percent vote for congress, senate, mayor, etc take the other ELECTIONS SERIOUSLY WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN VOTE THESE REPUBLICANS OUT OF OFFICE...REMEBER WHEN NOV COMES DEMO..ALL THE WAY!!!! REPUBLICANS WILL ROT IN HELL FOR THIS YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I keep hearing talk that we are coming out of this recession - BULL!! People say the unemployed are sitting on their laurels collecting unemployment and not looking for a job - BULL!! We are looking and applying but there just are not any jobs out there to be had - if you find one it is by pure luck!! Obama claims millions are being spent to create new jobs....where are the jobs then??? Its easy for him to feed his family - he made 5 million last year - what about the rest of us?? Stop the game....extend unemployment benefits for the American People!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. We shall see said someone from history. The answer is simple unity.

    ReplyDelete
  64. The president needs to votes to pass certain bills, of course if he didn't the extensions would have been PASSED! When we the American people don't go out and vote as we did the presidential election it makes his job much difficult dealing with these REPUB ASS HOLES!!! GOD is WATCHING OVER US PEOPLE ..THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!! WE ARE ENTITLED TO WHAT WE PUT IN...TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT THAT MEANS YOU HAD TO WORK TO BE ENTITLED TO IT..SO WHY ARE WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NOT GETTING WHAT WE ARE ENTITLED...WAKE UP AMERICANS WE HAVE THE NEXT ELECTION ALL THE WAY DEMO....IN CONGRESS, MAYOR, GOVERNOR, SENATE,ALL AROUND THE BOARD GET THESE LIARS REPUB OUT OF OFFICE ...THERE HEARTLESS, UNEDUCATED , and IGNORANT.....YOUR OUT....YOUR OUT....IF I GOT TO GO GET EVERY HOMELESS PERSON MYSELF TO VOTE I WILLLL....AND PROVIDE THEM WITH AND ADDRESS !!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. This does not make any sense what so ever. Im 23 years of age, taking care of my child alone. I have bills on top of bills!!!! Im stressed 24-7, Im crying almost every night!!!! I lost my job 8/26/09 and has ran out of unemployement benefits. Like everyone else, WE REALLY NEED THIS BILL TO BE PASSED LIKE TODAY!!!! IT KILLS ME how this is one of the richest countries but is always talking bout budgeting!!! This mess is beyond crazy!!! The July 4th holiday has came and went, and These MFers still havent made a vote on this very important BILL!!!!! God Bless us all..... A better day is coming for us, we need to keep our faith high, and just keep pressing on.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I hope our government is proud! They all sit up their in their ivory towers while the rest of us rot. A lot of people say that they had to tap into their saving or cash in their 401k but what about those of us who were living from pay check to pay check?? I am 56 years old and am leagally blind in one eye because of a retinal detachment I had soon after being laid off 19 months ago. My cobra expired in January - not that would have the money to pay it anyway. I'm running up doctor bills that I will never be able to pay. Can't get disability because I sill have "one good eye." What kind of chance do I have of getting a job at my age, not to mention the limitations I have with my eye. There are young people waiting in line for jobs that can't get them!!! If our government had bailed out the people instead of the banks the economy would have fixed itself. Instead, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. By the time I get old enough for social security their won't be any. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. The Americans have supported the politicians all these years and they talk about the people living off the government, how about the government living off the people? We are the ones that voted them into office where they are getting rich only to have them turn their backs on us. You don't see them getting pay cuts, yet we can't make our mortage payments or buy food to eat. How can they sleep at night - I know that I can't. All I can do is lay awake wondering whether or not I will have a place to sleep tomorrow. We never filed bankrupcy ten years ago when my finances went sour, instead we fought our way back until we got all my past debts paid off and for what? We the people are fed up with our government. They have compassion for everyone in the world except their own people. What is going to happen to all of us? Lord help us because no one else will.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am one of the unemployed 99’ers (that we have affectionally been dubbed). I am going on 56 years old, (have worked over half my life) have diabetes (which now I cannot get the medication I need because of no funds and haven’t since April), my home is in foreclosure and now living between homes. I cannot get food stamps or other assistance because I do not have a permanent address anymore. To make a long story short, what is going on within this country? We can allocate BILLIONS for a war effort, which will never be resolved; we can give millions immediately for disaster relief efforts without a second thought where the money will be allocated from. We can bailout Wall Street for the second time in two and a half years. They look at the statistics and say well unemployment is decreasing. When people deplete their unemployment benefits it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that with fewer claims filed each week because their isn’t any more benefits available to us, it appears that the rate is going down but in fact it is increasing. I love this country with all my heart and I use to have faith in this country, when I was young my father always talked of job security and the American dream, and prayed no one would ever have to live through another ‘Great’ depression like he did but we are on the path of that happening again. There is no such thing as job security now. People who have managed to hold on to their jobs always have that fear in the back of their mind everyday now, am I going to be next to stand in the unemployment line, are their going to be chains on the doors when I report to work the next day? I have never witnessed anything like what is going on in Washington as bad as it is now. It is like watching a group of second grade kids squabbling and turning on each other because they do not like each other, and don’t want to give up what they can gain by others losses. The politicians who say no more Tier 5 of unemployment for the long term unemployed need to walk in our shoes for a few months, see how they like wondering where the next meal is coming from or when the gas and electric will be shut off in the middle of night. They need to wonder how it feels when the sheriff knocks at your door and gives you a summons you must vacate your property due to foreclosure, or how you turn around and see everything you have worked and strived for now gone, or how you are going to get a few dollars for gas to go look for a job. The bottom line it is time the government of this great country needs to stand up and put the American people first for once, we the AMERICAN people voted you in these offices, we believed in you to be our voices in this country, and to fight for what is right for us the people. All I have to say to you that turned your back on the millions of unemployed people, IS SHAME ON YOU and we won’t forget come November.

    ReplyDelete
  68. They wait because the Republicans have been blocking the measure (including a Democrat from Nebraska mind you) and they were banking on the Democrats not getting enough votes to pass. There are two Republicans from Maine that have changed their votes to yes. Hopefully, they will not sway in their decision. Obama cannot do anything about it or he would have already. He is for the unemployment extension from day one. However, the Republicans also knew that he cannot do a damn thing about it...another thing they were banking on. Governor Manchin will appoint someone hopefully by Friday the latest. The Senate CAN stay in session throughout the weekend until this is done, so watch to see what their decision is on that. If they do stay in session over the weekend, they can have Byrd's replacement seated by Sunday, and vote on Monday, the latest, Tuesday. If this is the case, the unemployment should be reactivated by Wednesday, the latest, Thursday, and your claims will be paid retroactively. Unfortunately, as good as that seems, for many, it's a little too little, a little too late. And of course, this is the best case scenario for passing this bill. Go to Opencongress.org and follow their updates daily. Fellow Americans, get involved. The Politicians bank on you being too tired by the end of the day to care about what they're doing. It's time you follow them and know what they're up to and VOTE accordingly. Never forget the days that they forgot about the American people!

    ReplyDelete
  69. this has been going on since before Memorial day! nothing has changed-people were hurting then and they are hurting more now!! what are they waiting on-a country with an crisis gets help overnight,car companies get help overnight,banks get help overnight. are the american people any less important??

    ReplyDelete
  70. Let's say they pass extended unemployment benefits next week. They will probably only pass an extension for 3 months at best. What happens after 3 months of extended benefits? Will the job market be so good so that all people on unemployment will have jobs in 3 months? We are in a long term economic crisis in this country. Like it or not, people are going to need extended benefits for years I'm afraid.

    So, what happens 3 months from now regarding benefit extensions and our congress and senate?

    ReplyDelete
  71. This is unbelievable! Lost my job in 2009. Been on numerous interviews and no luck. the government are looking to cut the budget in the wrong areas. The assistance that we need to get back on our feet is being taken away. Is there any shame? There are alot of overqualified people looking for work in other areas. I have tried a serious of different careers in order to stay on my feet. Including atteneding classes at a local university . Still with the job market today, Business owners are reluctant to hire. It is beyond the the point of comprimised there own worth for an ordinary salary. Even that is extremely difficult. That is our problem that we can cater to any other country besides our own. Is there any consideration for us unemployed U.S. citizens.

    ReplyDelete
  72. OK AMERICA HERE WE GO!!!!!!! THIS IS HOW ITS GONNA BE. NO WE CANT WAIT FOR JULY 19TH 2010. AND NO ITS BULLSHIT THAT OUR GOVERMENT CANT GET THERE HEAD OUT OF THERE ASS. AND DO YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE DRAWING A HUMONGUS PAY CHECK.EATING LIKE FAT RATS THAT THEY ARE.LETS BE HONEST ONLY ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THEM REALLY GIVE A SHIT WHAT HAPPENS TO US ALL.THE OTHER 90 PERCENT DONT BELIEVE IT WILL HAPPEN.PEOPLE WILL GET DESPERATE HOMELESS HUNGRY AT WITS END AND THEN THE SHIT WILL HIT THE FAN. PROBALLY RIOTS CRIME UNLIKE YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. THIS IS NO SHIT.IM AFRAID TO ONLY GUESS WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.WAKE UP AMERICA. GOD BLESS US ALL THAT BELIEVE IN GOD.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I wish people would stop blaming Obama and read the actual articles. "Of the 59 votes, two of them are Republican Senators from Maine. As long as they don't flip and go back with the rest of their party, the measure should pass on the next vote." This means that REPUBLICANS are squashing the bill not DEMOCRATS. The President can only do so much. Google the flowchart that shows how a bill becomes a law. The President can only sign something that passes the SENATE!! So don't blame him...blame the REPUBLICAN'S that are fillibustering the proposal. My boyfriend works Union and has been unemployed since November 2009. His benefits ran out last week. I have been reading up on this everyday, reading articles from the Blue and the Red side. Bottom line is it might cause a bigger deficit to pass the bill. But doesn't thousands of people going from unemployment to welfare and food stamps cause the US a deficit too?

    ReplyDelete
  74. pass the bill dont let american die and stop helping other countries help ussssss hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    ReplyDelete
  75. Here's a challenge to all who have vote down this bill:
    #1-spend all your bank accounts
    #2-max out all your credit cards
    #3-tap out all the unemployment benefits tha govt is currently giving
    #4-sell everything you possible can to survive
    Then go to a Social Service building 3 weeks after your off UI in your area. Try to get get help from the agency thats suppose to help people.
    This is the response i got yesterday (of coarse with an attitude from the worker) :
    "Sorry you don't qualify, oh and by the way there was no way we would have help to pay your mortgage anyway with TA.How are you going to pay your mortgage?"
    My response: " Not your problem but mine .I think it will move my family to a tent on your front lawn.Thanks for wasting 2 days of my time which could have been used to be more productive."

    It's great to see taxpayers dollars at work.NOT!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Kathy from KentuckyJuly 14, 2010 at 11:16 AM

    I am 54 and have been unemployed since July '09. Like everyone here, I have been employed for the majority of my adult life. I search for jobs daily, and have been on 6 interviews. I am getting nervous, as my tier 2 benefits are scheduled to run out 8/21. The one thing I was able to do to help "extend" my benefits, is find a part-time job for $8 and hour.

    I can't put the entire blame on the current administration, as this actually started when Bush was in office. He actually started the federal extensions, and scheduled them to expire after the next administration took office.

    Who I can blame are the Republicans who constantly vote NO to extend out benefits. Don't they realize that our economy will go NOWHERE OR GET WORSE if they DON"T approve the extension? Like other posts on here, it seems they are more interested in their own personal agenda's than the plight of the American people.

    PEOPLE, PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE BEING PUT THROUGH COME NOVEMBER. OUR VOICES NEED TO HEARD

    ReplyDelete
  77. Money for un-necessary wars and nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan, tax cuts for wealthy people and corporations, tax payer money for bank bailouts, tax payer money for automotive company bailouts, money for people around the world that have economies in crisis like Mexico,Korea,Greece etc., money for military bases in Germany and Japan, money for the United Nations, money for illegal aliens, money for space exploration, money for Haliburton, money for new health care for insurance companies, but when it comes to money for desperate Americans on the edge of disaster, our elected representitives reply is to Go F__k Yourself. I'm afraid it will take bloodshed for things to get right in this country.

    ReplyDelete
  78. My fuckin pot smokin-paroit could have done a better job running the fuckin country than that fuckin monkey george bush. kids dead, country broke, hey but good ole george got to be president! woop-fuckin -eeee....if you blame obama, you are as dumb as that fuckin nut scratchin cross-eyed george bush

    ReplyDelete
  79. I am saddened by the way we are being treated. I lay awake at night because I don't know I will have a roof over my head tomorrow. Waiting on my landlord to hand my lease over to magistrate court and I'll get kicked out. Don't know how I'll feed my four children. I was widowed 13 years ago. I've worked for the last 13 years of my life and never received any financial assistance from the government. I have a Bachelor's in Accounting and I have gone on several interviews but still no job. I'm worried that people will start a riot. I am worried for the safety of my kids. I am trying to figure out how I can send my kids back to school after the summer is over. They are all growing teenagers and they don't fit into any of their clothes anymore. Oh, I know, the government want me to go on welfare and become a statistic!! LOL!

    One thing I do know is that there is power in prayer. We need to pray that God helps us out of this situation.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Maybe if some of these CEO's and VP's of the companie's that took bail out money were made to pay back the money they received in bonuses, the Government could afford to extend benefits. This is crazy! As several have mentioned, by not extending benefits, the economy will only get worse and more foreclosures are sure to happen! Sad, very sad!

    ReplyDelete
  81. pray hell, get off your damn knees and stand up to these sorry ass crooked bastards, i am ready to pray alright, pray to have the balls to stop prayin and take some a fuckin action, its sounds like bushe's great pholosophy, talk to god, and rationalize your evil.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Does anyone know if you are allowed to live in a tent in a public park or state game land? If it is illegal, where are homeless people allowed to live besides bridge underpasses?

    ReplyDelete
  83. This shit makes me so sick!! Those of you who are so convinced that people are 'living off the government' please pry open the steel doors of your closed little minds. Unemployment even at full pay levels is NOT anything that can be lived off of. Everything in this country has gone up in some cases over 100% while wages have tanked. Food, Gas, Insurance etc all UP UP UP.. starting pay for most entry level jobs is back to MINIMUM WAGE..Minimum wage is meant to be for a 16 year old with no experience but is not the norm for many jobs that used to pay $12-16 per hour to start. Meanwhile more millionaires were added to the ranks last year than almost any other time in recorded history. See a trend here? I have 10 years commercial airline customer service/supervisor experience, i am experienced in logistics with a chaufeur license. Ive marketed in the nightclub industry for multiple years and started a company that was the track layer in the mobile technology industry..all of this yet ive been out of work since Oct of 08!!! had 6 interviews in all of that time, applying or submitting resumes to over 1000 jobs, all well below where i feel i could be.. to say that i cant wait to live off the $1000 per month i made from unemployment is rediculous..i would however love to have a tier 5 since i havent had a penny come my way since Feb of this year thanks to no extensions. Oh and btw, i am having trouble getting hired because now companies are JUDGING you by your CREDIT HISTORY and your driving record, for which i have four minor infractions (no left on yellow etc) in 6 years

    ReplyDelete
  84. just pass the bill if jobs dont come back soon the peoples bail out, the bank bail out,wall street bail out, wont matter any way. wall street will crash forget about 70 and retiring.America has gambled and lost we gambled that jobs would be back with the bush stimulus we lost obamas first stimulus lost they have put to much money to stop now go ahead and gamble again. at this point if something dont change our deficit wont change

    ReplyDelete
  85. We the people don't get any help, but the goverment gives billions away everyday to every one else in the world. Oh that's right we do get something, the dam bill for all the give aways. It's about time that we take care of our people?

    ReplyDelete
  86. Over 50 years old and unemployed with children.
    With three straight years of young college graduates not being able to find entry level work, what are my chances of finding employment in this economic environment?

    ReplyDelete
  87. I hear Canada, South Korea and Russia are doing great.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Those crazy Canadians and their social programs.
    Americans would never want to live life with that level of security, we are a rugged individualism type of cowboyish people.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Mr. Byrd plays with his bird. All of these anal holes will pay....karma is strong. I hope Byrd is prepared for his judgement day. And those two republicans who voted against. This country is not going to hell...it is hell, and its all because of these dirty politicians who could care less about children that are hungry and have no place to sleep. I hope all of you rot in hell!

    ReplyDelete
  90. Unfortunately, it's true that although praying might help your soul and calm your senses, but it's not going to help you win this war. In order to make things right, hopefully now and in the future, is to get involved. The polititians bank on you being too tired at the end of the day to care about what they're doing. Therefore, they do what they want with your tax dollars and the majority of the people let them. How many of us were truly involved with politics before this. How much did you know then and how much do you know now. Big difference, right? Stay involved and never forget what they did to the American people. It is time to make a stand. Money is powerful, but power in numbers is what they fear most. Remember Braveheart! Fight for what's yours!

    ReplyDelete
  91. I hate the darn blame game. BOTH sides are to blame. Republicans voted no on the democratic bill and democrats voted no on the republican alternative. They are playing politics, pure and simple. One side wants to use unused stimulus money, the other wants to add to the deficit. But it's BOTH sides doing it, not just one.

    ReplyDelete
  92. The problem with getting involved by voting is that come November, your voting options will be to vote for Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum, and things in Washington will be just the same with special interest money calling the shots.
    Viva the Revolution!
    To arms to arms!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Along with all of these on-line comments, it is suggested that everyone bombard their respective local government as well as their respective Senate and House of Representative members with all of these comments. It is doubtable that these politicians are reading these on-line comments.

    ReplyDelete
  94. ok ,now we wait till july 19 just to be told we have to wait till august something. I don"t know pick a date

    ReplyDelete
  95. This is getting rougher. How many ways can an individual eat bread and butter. I worked for my entire working life and I am now sitting waiting for a decision. I became unemployed at the beginning of the recession. I have exhausted tiers 1-4. I am providing care for a severely ill adult daughter. My husband works at a Walmart and the hours vary. We also have an adult son who can't afford to live on his own living with us. What are we to do. Everytime I submit a resume and the prospective employer sees the word 'UNEMPLOYED' and that ends the conversation and the possibile job/interview process ends right there. I am now trying to help the other individuals that I know who are being transitioned/layed off due to corporate buyout and downsizing. I am trying to help them get things together. I am even looking towards a major change in employment. I need money to pay the bills.
    I am even looking for jobs outside the city/state and even region. I am even offering a rate that is amazing and still no response.

    Those individuals who are in elected office need to take a look at those on the other side of the road. Obviously they are not unemployed and the savings and checking have been exhausted. They couldn't just call for food to be dellivered or for the servants to whip something up. I think that they would think differently if they were to experience the lifestyle of their respective state voting residents. They would definitely come away with a totally different outlook. We all know that will never happen. It would definitely bring them down to earth. I also know that they don't read these comments, but it gives me a chance to vent my frustrations and anger.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Tax the hell out of the companies that shipped jobs overseas to help pay for the unemployment or bring the jobs back. Seems fair to me. My job went to India. All these politicians need a good swift kick in the ashtabula or nutter-butters!!! How dare they wait until the 19th to vote. My family needs food now. I will remember this in November!! Actually, I am going to remember this for the rest of my life.

    ReplyDelete
  97. I have sent many messages to the government concerning the unemployment extension. I feel so helpless, scared and angry. As many of you can relate, I can't even begin to tell you how many jobs I applied for, how few interviews I have received and how I am always turned down for being over-qualified. I apply for jobs that pay LESS than the already low unemployment wages. Without these benefits, I am so broke. I try to freelance in my field of work, but even at my lowest rates people don't have extra money to spend. It is very scary. I worry for everyone in the same boat. It brings me to tears. I can't imagine how families with children are surviving. What a sad situation, and how disgusting that they are waiting even longer to vote on this. My thoughts go out to everyone; I hope we all find some form of relief soon. I wish that even for one moment people in our Government could understand what our lives have become. Maybe then, when they have no homes, no food and are sticken with fear, can they sympathize to our plight.

    ReplyDelete
  98. In complete honesty people why would we think that these people in Congress would really give a shit about the millions of people that are not able to pay their bills. We all know that they are all sitting very pretty in their million dollar homes, driving $50,000 cars and their kids are all spoiled stuck up little snots that get everything they want. I have worked since I was 16 years old and when I lost my job last year I didn't know what I was going to do, thank god I have family that gave me a place to live, but as far as keeping my car, I couldn't do it. I had to let it get reposessed because I couldn't afford it. Then when I went to apply for County Assistance I was denied, saying that I made to much on unemployment. How can one person say that, or anyone for that matter. I was living from week to week praying that I was going to be able to eat and hoping that I was not going to need to see a doctor or be hospitalized. When are these political assholes going to realize that the little people are the ones that put them where they are and we are the ones that are begging for the help. If we hadn't sent money and aid to other countries like Hati maybe there would be enough to support our American people. Where was the aid from other countries when we had that big earth quake in CA many years ago??? Maybe it wasn't as bad as Hati, but when is it going to stop? These other countries don't help us and look they are doing just fine, but we have to get involved in everything that goes on in this world in every other country and we are the ones that are suffering. Maybe one of the Senators should be made to live a day in the life of one of these people that is unemployed and see just how it feels.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Theose greedy bastards didn't delay on voting for a raise for themselves!!! They created this mess and all they have done is bail out the banks and foreign countries to protect their own interests here and abroad!

    I read in one article that there are almost 30 million Americans that are unemployed with families to support!!!

    SHAME ON THEM...SHAME ON THE PRESIDENT!

    ADD A TIER 5 AND PASS THE DAMN BILL ALREADY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  100. If what the Republicans who are against the extension bill are right, that the extension is being used by lazy people as an excuse to not find jobs then the number of those working should have already risen. For those who are supposedly rejecting available jobs not extending unemployment would have already found jobs in the 6 weeks their benefits have expired. That is such a bogus extrapolation. Why hasn't the number of those who have lost unemployment and gone back to work risen?

    ReplyDelete
  101. is this vote for extension tier 5?

    ReplyDelete
  102. does anyone know if there will be a vote on tier 5 extension bill?

    ReplyDelete
  103. Not yet. We 99rs are SOL

    ReplyDelete
  104. To who made the comment @2:09.....You are exactly right, excellent point made!!
    The Dumb-as-es saying we are lazy and just sitting around living comfy on unemployment money....yeah right, like you said, if there were really any jobs of substance out there then the millions of people who have lost their benefits would have easily been able to have found a job by now. Either these Senators are Truely Stupid or they think we are all stupid enough to believe anything they say. What is really sad and concerning is these Dumbas- Bast-ards are who Us Americans count on everyday to make the right decisions to keep this Country Safe from Terroism and such. I believe we are in for some VERY BAD TIMES AHEAD!

    ReplyDelete
  105. I am 59 years old and have worked in a factory since age of 19 and have never drawed unemployment benefits in my life until now. My benefits expired 6/11/10. Politicans keep saying that we are not looking for work...this is a bunch of marlarky! I have applied every week for every job I can find. Even jobs that pay $8.50 per hour. I have a bachelor degree in Business Management and have taken college courses my whole life. Republicans need to understand the urgent need to pass the extension bill immediately and help families that do not have the income the politicans have.

    Thank you,

    ReplyDelete
  106. When a man falls overboard of a ship the people on deck do not waste time arguing if throwing him a lifeline will be beneficial to all or not, they throw the lifeline because that is the humane thing to do. Well millions of Americans need a lifeline before they sink economically. I lost my job of ten years due to the recession. My unemployment benefits have run out. I served six years in the military. I have worked and paid taxes all my life. Now that I need a helping hand from my country I am being told "NO" by certain lawmakers who have very good paying jobs and are not in dire need of help. If these lawmakers had to endure the next several months with no money to live on or to pay bills with they would have a very different viewpoint. What they are doing is shameful. These are Americans denying fellow Americans the very basic needs of life. They have the nerve to go on vacation and live the good life we will worry about losing our cars and our homes with no money for gas to look for work. The job market is still terrible. We need that extension, our lives depend on it. Somebody has got to do something or this is no longer the America we Vets fought for.

    ReplyDelete
  107. I have been following this closely as I have stopped receiving a payment with the June 5 cut-off in Illinois. I have been fortunate enough to be able to maintain living expeses for myself and my daughter for the last 7 months I have been unemployed, but now 3 weeks into no income the stuff is 'hitting the fan'. I have been looking for a job for what feels like an eternity. I have a competitive skill set and have even ventured outside of Illinois seeking employment, with nothing to show for it. Im so tired of this political bs thats keeping people who are normally economically viable citizens, in a constant state of desparity. Let me also mention that I have managed to keep myself off any state support the entire time I've been unemployed....as I was never eligible for it while working. I will continue to maintain that integrity and hold my head high even through this bs voting process. I also continue to pray for a career with stabilty and financial growth, as I dont ever want to have to depend on our countries elected officials to dictate to me what I am entitled to and when.

    ReplyDelete
  108. White House
    Comments: 202-456-1111
    Switchboard: 202-456-1414
    FAX: 202-456-2461
    http://whitehouse.gov/contact

    It's time to go straight to the top. Contact the President.

    ReplyDelete
  109. How many more of us legal Americans will become homeless? We are losing everything and going hungry. Our bills are getting further behind, and further tearing our credit down. Assistance is needed now. These legislators, senators (all of government), just do not care. Thy are not affected, hurting or going without every neccesity in life!

    ReplyDelete
  110. I'm a wealthy American. I feel bad for ALL you Americans who make under $200,000. The Republicans won't vote for unemployment to help you but they will always help people like me. Keep voting Republican and blame Obama..I'll keep getting richer..HHHHAAA!

    ReplyDelete
  111. THATS ALLRIGHT WEALTHY AMERICAN.ITS OK TO HAVE MONEY I HOPE THAT YOU EARNED IT.OR WAS IT LAID IN YOURE HANDS.NOT ASKING FOR A HAND OUT JUST WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT.BUT APPARENTLY YOU DONT KNOW WHAT THAT IS.FOR EVERY FINGER YOU POINT THERES FOUR MORE POINTING BACK AT YOU.YOURE CLUELESS FEEL SORRY FOR YOURESELF.OH BY THE WAY YOU SPELL IT HAAAAAAAA HA!!!!!!!!!!! CANT EVEN SPELL PLEASE...................................

    ReplyDelete
  112. SORRY TO SAY IT BUT OBAMA AND ALOT OF OTHERS WHERE PUT IN THERE POSITION TO DO US IN. IT IS THE MASTER PLAN. THE BIBLE WILL TELL YOU SO

    ReplyDelete
  113. I think we are doing ourselves in because we keep voting these a-holes into office. I personally don't trust any politicians, rarely trust people anymore (sorry to say). They told me my job was safe and secure and wasn't going anywhere. My job is now in India.

    P.S. - I think the "wealthy" person's comment above was to prove a point and it wasn't actually a wealthy person. Why would any wealthy person be on this site...I'm sure they could care less about this issue. :(

    ReplyDelete
  114. Its nice to see people that are not suffering like a lot of us supporting and understanding the peoples dilemma . From what i read if something is not done soon we are going to have riots in our cities

    ReplyDelete
  115. I currently HAVE a job, but my husband does not. We have 2 children and are not making it, because his unemployment benefits expired this week. The reality is this, Congress does NOT care- why should they? Congress continues to receive a salary for the rest of their life whether they serve one term or multiple terms. Personally, I have never been FIRED from a job, but not being reelected is similar to being fired. What job do we have that would continue to pay us AFTER we were fired? I don't know any, except Congress.
    Also, they will never understand what "working middle class" families endure, because you have to have a large amount of money in the bank in order to run in the election. Most of us do not have that kind of cash flow.
    As a side note to all of the people that think that foreclosures were only a result of bad loans, and unemployed people are lazy - I say, OPEN YOUR EYES. Many foreclosures have happened on appropriate loans, because people lost thei job. The weekly benefit amount of unemployment is NO WHERE near what you can earn working. Maybe you should try living on a third of your salary to see how frustrated you become.
    Best of luck to all of the unemployed.
    Christy

    ReplyDelete
  116. It is unbelievable how these politicians are playing around with so many of our lives. We trusted them and put them in office, but now that we are in need, they don't care. As for the Republicans they are trying so hard to vote against everything that Obama does to help get the economy back on track, and they could care less who doesn't have a job, or who is losing their homes. Their only concern is for the President to fail, and to all the American's that have to suffer as a result of their NO votes on EVERYTHING, what do they care. We have the most cold hearted, arrogant, immoral politicians who are going to destroy the well being of this country, just because they want to get back in office so they can F__K it up some more just like the last one did.

    ReplyDelete
  117. I am an unemployed worker and was cut off of my unemploymernt on June 2nd. I do not have an income and now living strictly on my saving and soon will have to go to my retirement funds. It really makes me mad to hear the politicians say we don't want to work. Any one who is not unemployed does not understand what we are going through. How can you sleep at night worrying about how long your unemployment checks will keep coming, and counting down the weeks to it running out. Then to try to find work when jobs are just are not available. The few jobs hiring have so many people applying what are your odds. Then there are the many interviews you go on, which are so disappointing when you never here anything from them. Anyone who thinks we are finding any enjoyment in this can gladly walk in my shoes. We are drowning and that extention is our life buoy, and while all of the unemployed Americans are in the water begging for the Republicans to throw us a life buoy, they are standing on the boat looking down at us watching us fight the water to survive, but not one on them will throw us a life line. Their theory is to just let us drown because they have a point to prove.

    ReplyDelete
  118. I tried to use wisdom with the little unemployment I was getting. I was even smart enough to put a little aside. That's whats carried me this far. I have a disability and permanent restrictions which means I can't do every job. I have raised two children and owned a home. The government gave me nothing.Now at 50 years old and a touchy back I have no hope. Vote Democratic and lets get rid of some the rich arrogant dead lumber in Washington. They give billions to people who don't need money. So the poor can starve and go homeless. Maybe Ford and Chrysler should pay back their loans to cover unemployment. That's right their Republican friends will take care of them. The Republicans are making so many enemies they may become extinct. Watch this country go back to the people.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Wait til December when the group that is looking into suggestions on the budget deficit give their results to President Obama.

    1.) Social Security needs to start at age 72 for
    those born from 1955 to present.
    2.) Medicare needs to be cut by 40%.
    3.) Social Security benefits need to be reduced
    30%.
    4.) Social Security taxes need to be increased
    25%
    5.) Eliminate child tax credits.

    I believe the suggestions that will come in December will be something like those listed above.

    ReplyDelete
  120. For those people that are running out of unemployment you will probably be getting a letter in the mail soon requiring you and your family to report to an annihilation chamber like on Star Trek.

    I mean if there are no jobs what are these people supposed to do? Rob, Steal, loot, pillage, kill, jail. I'm sure society does not want to have all that going on in this country. So better that people just quietly report to their local chamber so that we can have a better America for tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  121. First of all, Obama has done all that he can legally do to get Congress to pass the extensions. With democracy came checks and balances. This is all Congress, namely the ones that either vote it down or refuse to come to a compromise. I'm really not understanding how Obama keeps getting the blame for this. Have so many forgotten that we had a serious SURPLUS when Bush took office, then he puts us in an unnecessary war ILLEGALLY??? I don't recall where I read it, but i understood that our country has paid 9 billion dollars+ PER MONTH to fund said war. Whereas Obama has been trying to end it.
    As for all the dumbasses out there spewing about how the unemployed need to get off their rears and find a job...Karma is a bitch, and when you lose your job THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN (See, that's how one is eligible for unemployment benefits), whether it's due to outsourcing, lack of work, etc. I will honestly say that "Guess what? I'm tired of supporting YOU"...

    ReplyDelete
  122. Can the Republican Senators be brought to court
    on criminal charges when unemployed people start dying or committing suicide?

    ReplyDelete
  123. Don't let the guy who says he's a wealthy American get to you. All of the other Amway distributors pretend to be wealthy too.

    ReplyDelete
  124. I wish they would stop calling it an extension when it is really not. It is a way to lie to the American Public. We are not being fooled. The Republican claims they do not want to add to the deficit but they want to extend the Bush's Tax Cut to the rich which will increase it even more. Please remember this in Nov. Vote them out or we are in for another four years of Bush's policies.

    ReplyDelete
  125. BILLIONS SPENT ON STIMULUS AND I DON'T SEE ONE PENNEY SPENT HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. EVERYBODY I KNOW IS UNEMPLOYED IN ENGINEERING BECAUSE THEY ARE OUTSOURCING THEIR PROJECTS TO INDIA NOW. THIS BAILOUT OF BANKS AND AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES IS PURE SHIT BECAUSE THE BANKS ARE KEEPING THE STIMULUS BAILOUT MONEY AND THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS HAD 50 YEARS TO GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER WHEN JAPAN STARTED PUTTING TOGETHER A BETTER AUTO. IN OTHER WORDS, JAPAN LISTENED. THANKS, FROM A MAD, UPSET, HUNGRY, PENNYLESS DESIGNER WHO USED TO MAKE EXCELLENT MONEY AND NOW IS PISS POOR BROKE BECAUSE OF THE MORTGAGE GREED THAT CAUSED ALL THIS. YOU SONS OF BITCHES OUT TO BE HUNG ON A TREE! SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.

    ReplyDelete
  126. "He" is planning a 2nd term... America, you better hurry if you are going to save yourselves!
    What are you going to do after TIER 5 runs out and NO JOBS? Unbelievable. Mass panic in the streets. Wall street collapse. Our National debt cant be paid back & the lending countries will OWN America!

    ReplyDelete
  127. I wonder if marches would work...hmmm? Since the government is not listening or helping, my thought was maybe middle class and low income people would listen and help because this is affecting them as well. I think we need to ask middle class and low income people join us in this issue because chances are they know a family member, friend, or neighbor who is unemployed and struggling. If we could get these people not to go to work for two weeks (not to steal their jobs!!) it would hit the politicians and the businesses that are not listening. Think about it, managers and employees of all the Walmarts, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, etc. would not be there and now one would be there shopping (if they have money). Maybe the government would realize that middle class and low income people are the same people that built this country and we are the backbone of this country. This country belongs to us and they WILL listen to us.

    Just an idea. Maybe through all the sleepless nights, worrying about feeding my kids, buying my daughter's insulin and steroids that are necessary for her to live, and paying bills and the stress that has come along with all that for the last year I've hit crazy. Don't blast me...just a thought. Gotta admit though, wouldn't it feel great to hit them in the pocket book like they've hit ours??

    ReplyDelete
  128. The only way to solve the problem is to vote out all those who voted NAY to the unemployment extention. Make no mistake, if we allow them to gain the majority in the house, then we can kiss good bye to most of the social services that help people like us, especially the unemployment benefits!

    ReplyDelete
  129. I sent Senator Schumer an email about 6 to 8 weeks ago and to paraphrase his response " We will work on a Tier 5 AFTER we have passed a bill that would extend unemployment to 99 weeks for all unemployed Americans". As it looks right now the extensions that are up for a vote have a snowballs chance in hell of passing due to the Republicans. We need unemployment to continue for all Americans regardless of Weeks until such time as the economy is turned around and companies are hiring. Then again the unemployed are facing companies that state "Unemployed need not Apply"
    Therefore Congress needs to get off their butts and do something about these companies. We can find ways of spending 4.5 billion/month on a wars and bail out other countries, but the government refuse to help its own people. Now is the time to march on Washington and shut the city down.

    ReplyDelete
  130. SORRY TO SAY THIS PEOPLE STOP GETTING ON THESE BLOGS AND WASTING TIME...THE MAN ON THE HILL DOES NOT READ THEM

    GET ON OTHER BLOGS AND LET IT BE KNOW

    CALL YOUR HOUS REP OR THE WHITE HOUSE PROTEST PROTEST

    HIT THEM NOW HIT THEM HARD

    LET THE PHONES RING

    THE 4 TIER IS ONLY FUR WEEKS


    FIGHT FOR LONG TERM MONEY/HELP

    DO IT NOW DO IT TODAY

    LESS YOU WILL PERISH!!!!!!!

    AGAIN GET ON BLOGS AND LET IT BE KNOWN...CALL YOUR LOCAL TV STATIONS !!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails