SATURDAY: Unemployment Extension 2010 Benefits Discussed Alongside Bush Tax Cuts

The 2010 unemployment extension benefits and the Bush era tax cuts are being discussed during a special Saturday session in Congress. The government is growing nearer and nearer to the end of the lame duck session, with very little accomplished. The Democrats and republicans are in a stalemate, which is rather disheartening considering that there are many things to accomplish before the new Congress convenes in January.

The Bush tax cuts expire at the end of 2010, and therefore taxes during the 2011 year will drastically increase across the board. The Democrats want to extend the cuts, but only for families above $250,000. The Republicans want ALL taxes increased, even for the wealthiest Americans.

However, the unemployment extension takes precedent - or at least it should. Consider this: couldn't Congress pass the extension, and then fund them using Bush Tax cut expirations for wealthy Americans? Of course, this is all too logical and that leads one to believe that it won't be part of a bipartisan compromise.

In the midst of the holiday season, millions of Americans are losing their unemployment benefits. This is not a good thing. Will the unemployment extension 2010 be situated by the end of the year? What about the Bush Tax Cuts?

Unemployment Extension and One Nation Rally Bring 99ers Tier 5 Hopes

Unemployment extension, one Nation Rally, and the hope of a 99ers tier 5 extension are the talks of liberal circles today. The extension of unemployment benefits currently in place will expire in about two months, which is horrific timing considering its proximity to the holiday season.

In addition, the Senate and House won't reconvene until after the mid-term elections, and if there are politicians who have been voted out of office, what are the chances they are going to try to pass legislation such as an unemployment extension?

Try as she may, Debbie Stabenow was unable to get the unemployment extension vote to the floor of the Senate before they left on Thursday. Senator LeMieux, a Republican from Florida, thwarted attempts to take a unanimous vote on the passage.

Yesterday, the one nation working together rally took place. It was a great rally and some estimates point the attendance at about 100,000. That's no small feat considering that there are many unemployed individuals who couldn't afford to attend the rally.

However, what the One Nation rally shows is this - there are those out there fighting for the cause. If the unemployment extension tier 5 99ers bill is passed, it's because of people like those who attended the One Nation Rally's continuous fight.

Unemployment Extension And 99ers Tier 5 One Nation Rally 2010

Unemployment extension? What unemployment extension? That's the problem we face right now. The Senate has already left to go home and campaign for the mid-term elections, and the 99ers are left without a hope for a tier 5. What's worse is that the benefits extension that was passed back in July after millions of Americans went months without benefits will expire again on November 30.

If the Republican party gets seats in the House and Senate as expected this November, chances for a Tier 5 extension are all but gone. The conservative party has been increasingly critical of the Democrats for their stimulus plans and "pay as you go" bills. If a tier 5 extension bill comes to Congress which has a clear cut and agreeable way for funding, it would likely get passed. However, no one wants to pay for the unemployment extension.

Ask any American and they'd tell you that they'd rather send their tax dollars to fellow Americans than overseas. Why are we giving aid to Pakistani flood victims when Pakistan harbors terrorists from time to time? What's wrong with that picture?

Hopefully the American 99ers Union and the hundreds of other liberal organizations gathering in DC today will be able make headway for the unemployment extension. A tier 5 is needed, and from what I see there aren't many politicians who seem to care.

Unemployment Extension Update Available: Tier 5 Bill for 99ers S.3706 Blocked By Senate

Breaking Tier 5 99ers unemployment extension bill updates are available. S.3706 the “Americans Want to Work” act has been blocked by the Senate. Yes, that’s right – Senator George Lemieux from Florida (a Republican) has blocked the vote on Senator Debbie Stabenow’s bill.

The Democratic Senator from Michigan, Debbie Stabenow, proposed the Americans Want to Work Act, which would add another 20 weeks of unemployment benefits to the current 99 week availability. However, the 99 weeks will expire starting on November 30, 2010 leaving millions of Americans in limbo.

George LeMeiux cited concerns about whether or not the bill would add to the nation’s looming deficit. However, the GOP has no qualms about extending Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy which will cost our economy billions of dollars over the next 10 years.

Job creation is paramount to turning our economy around. Without the creation of steady jobs, Americans stand little hope of recovering from this economic downturn.

Who is to blame for this mess? Democrats love to blame the Bush Administration, and Republicans love to blame the Obama Administration’s unprecedented stimulus packages. However, it’s the failure of the system created for the people by the people to do what it was meant to do.

November 2nd is right around the corner, and millions will be heading to the polls. The Tier 5 unemployment extension benefits bill S.3706 Americans Want to Work Act is paramount to turning the country’s situation around. Why not pass the bill and let honest American workers head back to work? Be sure to vote for those who support an unemployment extension.

99ers and Tier 5 Benefits Unemployment Extension After One Nation Rally Possible?

A 99ers and Tier 5 benefits unemployment extension is still desired.  The “One Nation” rally planned for this weekend is said to call for a laundry list of liberal wishes.  Will the rally help the 99ers get the unemployment extension they need and deserve? Perhaps better than a tier 5 extension would be measures to create long-term sustainable jobs.  This year, unemployment figures have been skewed because many unemployed workers accepted jobs with the US Census Bureau.  As those jobs go away, all those people will once again be without work. Debbie Stabenow’s Americans Want to Work Act  S3706 would bring at least some incentives that could create jobs.  In addition, Obama’s recent Small Business bill that was signed could bring some creation as well. Still yet, there are millions who have been without work, through no fault of their own. Millions that haven’t already hit 99 weeks of benefits will once again lose their lifeline beginning on November 30. The tier 5 extension still hasn’t been discussed or passed. Ed Schultz is said to have “ensured” that the Tier 5 bill would be discussed this week on the Senate floor, and says that Stabenow is going to ensure discussions happen.  However, today doesn’t appear to be that day.  The Senate Web site reveals "Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010  10:00 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.Following morning business, resume consideration of the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3816, the Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act." At least the measures being discussed relate to job creation! Hopefully S.3706 will get some serious face time on the floor this week, and if not – hopefully the One Nation rally will help the Tier 5 unemployment extension cause for the 99ers.

Could Unemployment Extension Benefit Small Business Bill?

Could the Unemployment Extension proposed by Debbie Stabenow in S3706 Americans Want to Work Act help the Small Business Bill? After all, congress just passed the act, claiming that the incentives will make it easier for businesses to borrow money, free up capital through lucrative tax breaks for capital projects, and hopefully get them to hire new workers. 


Of course, I really don't think that even if the Small Business Act does help the unemployed, it will help bring down the 9.6% unemployment rate (national average) by the mid-term elections.  You know that's what politicians are concerned with right now. 


A blog post in the Huffington Post had some big figures:  "Since the recession began, the black unemployment rate has climbed 7.3 percentage points (9.0% in December 2007 to 16.3% today) White unemployment has risen 4.5% and today sits below the pre-recession black unemployment rate (4.4% in December 2007 to 8.9% today) Latino unemployment has nearly doubled during the recession (6.3% in December 2007 to 12.0% today) While white and Latino unemployment has dropped or stabilized since May, black unemployment is actually on the rise (15.5% in May 2010 to 16.3% today)"


It goes on to say that "The community-level consequences of this spike in poverty are stark and dire. Families are facing tight food budgets. Laid-off workers are losing their homes to foreclosure. Fragile community cohesion is fraying. And the vital infrastructure investments that were ignored during the Bush Administration remain bottled up in partisan politics - and millions of job-seekers suffer as a result."


In addition, over 1 in 7 Americans is living below the poverty line - which is an annual income of under $22,000.  Senator Mitch McConnell, the House Minority Leader, claims that those making $250,000 or more have been the hardest hit by the recession, but in all actuality it's the people on main street that have lost the most. 


Sure, those making $250,000 may have seen a bigger decrease in wealth - but they still have homes, food, cars, and money to buy clothing.  The little guy may only lose a little, but when it's all you have it's the world.  It's those who have lost their careers, their homes, and their way of life are those who are struggling the most. 


That's what's wrong in America today. The politicians aren't thinking about the unemployment extension logically. If they were, I guarantee you they would pass it, hands down. 

A 99ers Unemployment Extension and Tier 5 Not Discussed by President Obama

A Tier 5 unemployment extension and benefits for jobless Americans is necessary to stimulate the economy, yet when Obama delivered his economic address yesterday he made no indication that he was ready, willing, or even able to extend unemployment.

Of course, there was lots of talk about keeping taxes low for the middle class, and also plenty of blame put on the previous Republican administration.  However, we have been under the Obama administration for nearly two years, and things aren’t yet looking up.

That’s not to say that the president doesn’t care about the unemployed – I think he does. However, with the mid-term elections coming up, he cannot afford to lose many democrats.  John Boehner, the Republican Minority Leader, has even spoke out saying that Obama needs to FIRE his economic advisors.

If the Republicans gain control of the house, Boehner will likely be the speaker of the House, the post held by Nancy Pelosi. This means that Obama needs to make an attractive agenda – and fast.

It’s sad, but the Tier 5 unemployment extension isn’t really on the forefront of politicians minds. They don’t really seem to care about the issues on main street, they care about keeping their golden parachutes and cushy jobs.  Without the unemployment extension, many Americans are out of luck in a time where help isneeded more than ever.

An Unemployment Extension Tier 5, 99er Rally for Benefits

The 2010 unemployment extension with Tier 5 benefits for 99ers is in S3706. A rally of unemployed workers for extension of benefits is underway, as many are hoping that the bill, introduced by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will eventually make its way through Congress.

By eventually that means sooner than later, as many of the long term unemployed are having to deal with a lot right now. There is even another $3 billion initiative from the Obama administration that gives certain long-term unemployed homeowners a bridge loan to meet their obligations such as mortgage, interest, and insurance payments. This won't go very far, and is only a drop in the bucket for the financial hardships that the long term unemployed face.

Many of the 99ers are rallying in support of the legislation, hoping that its passage will bring them the relief that they need. There's a lot of the blame game going on. According to NBC, some are not blaming the Republicans, rather the Obama administration for not living up to their promises.

Tier 5, 99ers Update: Unemployment Extension and Benefits Needed Amid Unemployment Rise

Tier 5 unemployment extension updates are needed by the millions of 99ers who are praying for benefits to roll out their way. The recent Jobless report indicated what so many on main street already knew - an extension isn't only needed, it's downright necessary.

The Tier 5 unemployment extension bill has been introduced by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and is known under its moniker of S3706. There are a lot of controversial elements to the bill, which would bring 20 weeks of benefits on top of the 99 available to those in the worst hit states.

The one thing that is great about S3706 is that it provides businesses with an incentive to hire people who have been unemployed during the long term. Certain tax credits available to businesses may make them decide to hire extra help, and hire those who have been unemployed.

There are many questions that need to be answered. How will we pay for the measure? Will it help the economy? Will it provide for economic and job growth?

The politics as usual will play a role in when or if this bill will pass. Keep an eye on this legislation and also the jobless reports as they roll out every week and month.

Could Tier 5 Unemployment Extension Reduce Social Security Expenditures from 99ers?

Could a Tier 5 unemployment extension for 99ers via S3706 from Debbie Stabenow reduce Social Security payments for 99ers? The Tier 5 unemployment extension bill has finally been introduced, and as such there is massive relief felt from 99ers. Finally, someone is listening.

Of course, there's still a lot to be discussed. How will the bill be funded? Will it benefit the economy? One Harvard economist threw a monkey wrench in the whole deal by claiming that the benefits extension would give displaced workers a disincentive to find work. Is that the case? So many things and angles will be argued before the bill is ultimately passed or thrown out.

There is one thing that might be beneficial -the Tier 5 benefits extension could bring down the record numbers of early retirement figures for Social Security.

The Associated Press reports that more and more Americans are opting for early retirement via Social Security. Many of these people are unemployed and ran out of benefits. Maybe with an extra 20 weeks of benefits, these people will wait until their full retirement age. This will keep them more financially secure through their retirement years, and could help keep the Social Security program going.

On the other hand using this argument could amount to just robbing Peter to pay Paul. The money is coming from the same coffers - the pockets of taxpayers.

Although the Tier 5 extension is needed by many, legislators and bill supporters will need to compel the critics of the bill that the legislation is mutually beneficial for the entire country.

Tier 5, 99er Update: Does Another Unemployment Extension Bill Discourage Job Searching?

Tier 5 and 99ers have been in the news. The unemployment extension bill recently introduced by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) provides another 20 weeks of unemployment benefits for states with unemployment rates 7.5% or greater.  There are many questions looming after this, such as does another unemployment extension actually discourage job searchers?

A Harvard economist named Jeff Miron believes just that. He thinks that claims that the extensions stimulate the economy are ridiculous, saying “That money came from the taxpayers, so others in the economy have less money to spend now or in the future.” He goes on to say that the extensions should be stressed because of compassion, not because of any impact that they may or may not have on the economy.

This will make the political fight for a Tier 5 extension all the more difficult. We already know from experience from the original unemployment extension that gaining GOP support will be challenging, given resistance to further deficit spending. Experts claiming that the extension will do little to benefit the economy will negate some of the strongest arguments of the bill’s supporters.

Still, the pleadings for a Tier 5 extension continue. The long term unemployed are fighting for their lives. The question is this: should we throw them a rope or leave them behind?

References: Fox News Politics Blog

99er, Tier 5 Unemployment Extension: 99ers Desire Benefits Bill

The 99er Tier 5 unemployment extension is desired by the 99ers who have exhausted all the jobless benefits available to them. Congress is going on Summer Recess in two days and there are many who are very upset that no legislation has been brought on to the floor.

Senator Debbie Stabenow has said "I wish that the bill we passed helped those who have been looking for work the longest – the so-called "99ers." I'm working on a bill to help them because, when there are five people out of work for every one job opening, it's the right thing to do." We are still waiting for Stabenow's bill that she claims she's working on.

Senator Chuck Schumer from New York is also one who has claimed to be for the 99ers, yet has done very little to sponsor a Tier 5 extension bill.  He has said "There are a number of people who have maxed out, they've been looking and looking for work but haven't found it, and there is a separate act that would extend those benefits to them,. Extending this was really important. There are some people who go beyond the 99 weeks and we're gonna try to do that next." Oh really, Mr, Schumer. When exactly do you plan on doing that? 


In short, there are only two more days - one if you don't count today since it's half gone - before the Senate breaks for recess. After then, a Tier 5 bill won't be brought up for at least a few weeks.  Then, we will be getting close to the mid-term election, and it's questionable if such legislation will be brought up before the election.

99er Unemployment Legislation: Stabenow Among Those Desiring Another Extension Bill

99er unemployment legislation could be in the works.  Debbie Stabenow, the Democratic Senator from Michigan is said to be one of the handful of Senators who are ready to get some help to 99ers in need of a benefits extension.  This comes as little surprise as she is the representative for the state with the second highest unemployment rate, which sits well into the double digits.

99er legislation would make jobless benefits available for longer than...99 weeks. This is the current time frame allowed under the bill that was signed into law last week.

Stabenow has also indicated that job creation is crucial to the success of the economy. It's true that the only way to truly solve the unemployment issue is to get people back to work.  Perhaps this should be the focus now, alongside a measure to help extend benefit to the long term unemployed.

In a letter to the public, Stabenow said the following regarding her support of Tier 5 legislation for the 99ers:

I wish that the bill we passed helped those who have been looking for work the longest – the so-called "99ers." I'm working on a bill to help them because, when there are five people out of work for every one job opening, it's the right thing to do.


Hopefully more politicians feel the same, so that a comprehensive measure can be brought to the floor to discuss.


Source: American Chronicle