Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comAs payments dry up, almost half of 11.6 million jobless don't receive help
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Those dumb A== Republicans better wake up; we are almost in a Depression, what the heck are they waiting for. The already made out on Wall Street, the Banks, the Insurance Co., and the Crooked CEO's. Wake up, the people are hurting and they need help...
I think you had better take a closer look. Good old Dem. Barney Frank is up on top of the list that has profited and President Obama is hiring an awful lot of the CEO's from Fannie and Freddie. That is why this stimulus bill needs to be looked at real close and only keep in the things that are going to provide those jobs and create new jobs. The bail out was rushed through and look at that mess. Gee no one knows where the money went and still no loans being made. Lets try to learn from that mistake and not do it again. Throwing money around to just anything won't solve the problem. Take a few days and make sure it is right.
Quit pointing fingers and try getting involved and let your reps in Washington know what you want done. Don't just vote them in and then walk away hoping they do the right thing. It is your tax dollar they are throwing around or should I say your grandkids tax dollars.
Thank you - finally someone else see Barney Frank for the scumbag he is. He and Chris Dodd both need to be IN JAIL....
Liberals think they are entitled to everything...including YOUR MONEY
You got that right. Guess what? This is all Bible prophecy. In the last days, there will be perious times. Earthquakes and wars and rumors of wars. This country needs to turn to God and then HE will hear us and heal our land.
Pauli -
1. the dems took over in January 2007
2. even most conservatives will acknowledge the spending was out of control by then - the dems may have added to it....but it had already begun
Paulie,,,u really need to pull your head out of that ass of ur's,,,Democrats did not control due to A/H's veto power
Also Paulie, Keep in mind that Republicant's, set a record number of filibusters, while the Dem's, supoosidly had control....
Liberals think they are entitled to everything...including YOUR MONEY Entitlements are NOT Welfare! AND IT'S MY MONEY TOO.......Just like SS, We paid (Not by choice I might add) into this fund, expecting something in return!!! Now our wonderful Polititians have spent it ALL on their "PORK Projects, and tell us there is nothing left? Just like unemployment, this is an entitlement, NOT Welfare!
Reality101 above, has it covered, Why do you REPUBLICANT's NOT get it???
Oh excuse me....It's the "ME" in you all!!!
Ah so very true. They run the economy into the ground with their borrow and spend scheme and now cry fiscal responsibilty. They are the laughing stock in America today. The should hide their head in shame/ Last night the second economist who has reviewed the bill said there is less than 2% in pork in it so their pork lie is out the window.
As of December 31,2008 the "welfare rate" in the state of Wisconsin is 0.0016% I suggest all the conservative scum who come here looking to call hard working people who've been laid off "welfare queens" to go Phuck themselves :)
Grab a hammer, shovel, lawnmower, etc. Start doing the "ODD" jobs for income. Welfare is not the answer either. Be responsible for yourselves. Yes, the work might be hard. There are survival techniques out there. Don't whine if you don't try.
When I was younger these concepts worked but I'm older now and the aches don't heal as well. But you better know if push comes to shove I will force myself to shine one more time.
Unemployment is not welfare for starters. And, a percentage like that means that no one is taking welfare in Wisconsin (you can't have a decimal point of a person). So... does this mean no one is taking welfare or you have less than 1% of people taking it? If so, then that's a good place to be working.
If people have not saved they are on "welfare" just like any other bum
I second your thought. I would expand it to all the greedy Republicans.
If this is the case, they can stop taking income tax out of my paychecks. I pay money every pay day and if I am unemployed, I expect my unemployment checks. I'm sick and tired of this gov't. These new bailouts Obama is insisting are going to work are NOT going to work. 4 more years of the same old BS
Not so secretly, the Republicans are cheering the collapse of state government funding and loss of payouts to deadbeats who lose their jobs. Even on national TV they have the never to say state governments are bloated with all kinds of wasteful programs that help worthless people.
How do Republicans explain to Governors that they would rather have states severley cut services, layoff workers, close schools, because they are thrilled that state governments will have to collapse, just as Grover Norquist has been praying for. That's why they joyfully cut 80 billion in aid to states that would have allowed states to work through the crisis without cutting services. They are delighted that unemployment applications are swamping the ability to process them. They gleefully laugh how that will save so much money. We are hearing same stupid and dangerous ideas that the GOP has been preaching since 1950. If times are good: cut taxes. If times are bad:cut taxes. How will we fix health care? Cut taxes. How will we fix education? Cut taxes. How will we stop climate warming? Cut taxes. How can we clean the environment? Cut taxes. How to cure cancer? Cut taxes.
We also have Democrats who are spend, spend, spend... on WASTEFUL projects. The Republicans right now are saying "Hey, let's cut out this wasteful spending first and pass actual stimulus first, then the programs."
And... not all Republicans are wealthy in as much as all Democrats are all "for the people" and "For change." Come on... this blame game is what got us into the mess in the first place - and when the Republicans are actually trying to do what Obama promises - the Democrats get in their faces about it.
I think people just want to blame the Republicans for everything, including El Nino, the Dodgers getting Manny, Michael Phelps' smoking a bong, etc. It's just getting THAT ridiculous.
I think it is hypocritical that the Republicans didn't say a word when George Bush ran up the debt by trillions and got into unnecessary wars. Now while we are facing a depression they want to be fiscally conservative.
I hope all of the voters that are losing their jobs and houses out there remember the Republican tactics the next time they have a chance to vote.
We need jobs, unemployment benefits, aide to states now.... Now! The voters will remember.
What's with all the talk of tax cuts in the stimulus by the Repugs?? Tax cuts typically benefit the wealthy and only come ONCE A YEAR. People need help now! Screw the tax cuts! We now know what 8 yrs of the Bush tax cuts have given us - GREED, GREED, GREED, and the rich feeling entitled to further tax cuts. C'mon - paying taxes IS patriotic! How else can Medicare/Medicaid, schools, social security, public parks, help for the disabled, public transportation, etc., continue???? These programs while not perfect, are necessary and we all pay into them and will benefit from them one way or another during our lifetime. The GOP needs to put party politics aside and do what's best for our country, citizens, and their constituents. Pass the dang bill already!!
They should be put on a terrorist list today and disbanded.
LOL. None of that matters. We will never be able to pay the unemployed, or remploy all of them. There are no jobs in this country, and there will not be enough unless we turn this ship around. It has not as much to do with the Republicans or Democrats as it has to do with us the American citizen. If we don't start buying American products things ARE going to get worse I assure you. But you don't have to believe me. You will find out soon enough. The government can create all the money they want, it won't do anything but devalue the dollar further. WE have to have manufacturing to produce jobs, which produces spending, which all make for taxes for the governemnt. End of story. If we don't change our habits chaos and anarchy will be coming along shortly. And people know it. Go to the next gun show in your area. They are packed with people buying arms. Prepare for some very rough times, or start supporting your country. And I mean it!!!
Wrong thread, Robert.
Robert - I am really struggling to figure out what you read thet got the old libido going to the point of placing a personal ad.
My wife said to get your phone number.
Robert all we have left are gold diggers only interested in your paycheck, you lose your job or some kind of hardship, they take off in a blink of an eye. Sorry Robert, i say trie another continent. Definately not here.
Robert....Have they run out of spaces at Myspace or Facebook? People talking about the economy are not really looking for dates.
I'm sorry I reread your post and you may be found at You Tube. I was going to recommend some hookers write you a line but you are looking for Christian values.
You know maybe writing about personal needs in tough economic times makes sense.
Hey ladies, I'm 53 happily married but am adventurous in a clandestine way. Wink, wink, any liberal ladies out there interested? I am short with extra baggage but I have plenty of money and a good sense of humor. I also am clean and have two jobs. Look me up at Myspace and mention Newsvine.
Let's not start a trend, now.
Robert Hillman, while users have found love on the Vine, this isn't the way to do it. Please don't advertise yourself in your comments. Fill out your bio and add a picture and don't stalk anyone if you use the contact form. Thanks.
Sorry Tyler...I was making a joke. And being stupid.
According to this article:
But some conservative-leaning analysts say extending unemployment benefits is the wrong way to go. "It does reduce the pressure and incentive to go out and search for a new job," said James Sherk, a labor policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
I am 57 years old and have been unemployed since the middle of February 2008. I have never stopped looking for work, as I don't want to be on unemployment. $300 per week doesn't help that much with the mortgage, utility bills and trying to keep food on the table. The pressure to keep up with these payments have not been reduced and my incentive to find a job has become greater. At least, if the unemployment payments are extended, we'll be able to keep up our piss-poor cost of living. This won't stop me from applying and interviewing for jobs at all.
My husband has a job, but with his salary and unemployment benefits, it's simply not enough. I recently had my car inspected and am driving on expired plates, because we can't afford $800 to get a new catalytic converter for my car. I don't know when I'll be able to get one.
I have been on numerous interviews, and my interviewing skills are excellent, only to be rejected for "better qualified" (younger and with a college degree - I don't have one)applicants or to have the position retracted due to budget considerations. I have tons of experience in IT as an application/software tester and using MS Office applications, but am looking for any position, and I do mean any position where I can make at least $25,000-30,000 a year with health benefits. I was making over $50,000.
Since I have no health benefits and was hospitalized recently for an emergency situation, I have all these overpriced hospital bills to contend with, as well. The emergency doctor charged $500 to talk to me for about 5-10 minutes! Ridiculous!
Believe me, I want a job very badly and don't want to be on the "dole". I want to be a productive worker, who has a lot to offer anyone who will hire me. I am not senile (yet) and am very computer savvy. I was very optimistic in the beginning of my job search, but after many interviews and still no job after almost a year, I'm not real hopeful and have been very depressed.
It's not easy for someone in their 50s, nowadays, to get a job. I tried to get a job as a customer service representative for UHG and had to take tests with a few people my age, but mostly younger ones. I made high scores on all these tests. This position was $26K a year. I got an interview after the first test and thought I had the job, as I was told about the training program and when it would start. I never got a call back. I can only suspect that it was due to my age and making over $50K a year. I'm guessing they used the "overqualified" excuse.
Anyway, I have several job interviews this week, so we'll see what happens. At this point, I am not overly optimistic, but don't want to lose our home and all we've worked for. I'll never stop trying, no matter what these pundits say.
One thing, since they haven't taken away my right to vote, is that I will NEVER vote Republican, ever! These people need to live in the "real" world!
Robert - Why doesn't GOD/Jesus help me find a fricking job????
Well Obamablahblah isn't the MESSIAH he thinks he is either. "THE ONE"isn't going to help you....get that through your heads...THE ONE wants a huge Gov't...so they can spend spend spend and tax you to death. (Waits for the big $255 death benefit to disappear to). Notice how he transferring positions to HIS power. He wants to CONTROL it all...and CONTROL YOU. If you can't see then..then you'd better take off your rose colored glasses. It's happening and the only way to stop it is VOTE THEM OUT in the election cycles. IT HAS TO START SOMEPLACE...
You guys don't think their are any Republicans out of jobs? This has hit everyone. There for the grace of God. Don't fool yourselves, you could be next. I pray that you aren't.
Chris - Check with Robert, he will set you straight on who the messiah is.
Robert Hillman, great points you have, we have been too self centered for too long, at least with this monster within us, we can now talk to our neighbors, deliver soup to them, meet and chat at the unemployment lines. People have been worshiping their McMansions and thinking that 2 car garages with counter tops brabra is a sign of "doing well". I have always despised the materialistic life style. Its a great time for the masses to reflect on whats really important, its not that Ipod, or that Plasma TV, or that 5 bedroom house in a corner lot, its the people around you that matter.
Chris, it's you d-bags who overwhelmingly refer to the President as the Messiah. Get over it. At least he's got the idea of trying to straighten things out unlike the last dry-drunk we had as a President living in la-la land.
Agreed! I can't believe Bush just before the elections had an inkling as to the severity of this situation. La La land would be correct...he wasn't living in our land.
Maybe it would be a good idea to take a phased approach. Maybe we could release funds for those out of jobs now, and then work on creating jobs! I don't think ACORN, Planned Parenthood, Dog Parks, or Museum renovations are going to provide us the long term jobs that we need.
Furthermore, just because we provide relief for people now doesn’t mean that we need to add that to the annual budget forever, does it? Let’s use common sense, let’s work on REAL JOBS. Like providing companies tax cuts for at least ten years, if they bring jobs back to America. This is an idea that Senator John Ensign from Nevada has purposed. I can tell you this, taxing companies more certainly isn’t going to motivate them to keep jobs here…..now way, no how.
In addition, high taxes will not motivate individuals to start new businesses. I know I wouldn’t even consider that…why? Why work that hard, if I am going to be taxes until I keep what an individual worker would get. Shoot, why sacrifices more time, energy, and money to get rewarded with heavy taxes??!! So there go any jobs that might be created from small businesses.
Pauli, now you're treading on a real slippery slope advocating that sort of thing. Newsvine is going to turn your sorry a_— in for making a threat like that. Is there a knock on your door yet?
#8.1 deleted, hopefully sarcastic 'let's bomb DC' trolling.
Pauli-347308 suspended for a week, second 'kill the folks in charge' post.
Stop doing that.
Thank you Tyler.
Is there intelligent life in the U.S. of A.? If there is, we have to ask ourselves what is our goal in dealing with this economic problem. Is finding a reasonable solution that will minimise the suffering and restore our economy as soon as possible our priority or is justifying ourselves while trying to prove the other guys are the bad guys our priority. Are you willing to let the U.S. go down in flames just to prove a point? Does cutting off your nose to spite your face ring a bell?
SpiritMatter, you seem not to grasp the problem here, you are assuming that something can be done. No there isnt, recession is taking place as a result of choices that have been made foolishly for years. Recession is a medicine. You never stop medicine from doing its part in this case curing and cleanising the economy. The government is our worst enemy, all they have to do is get out of the way. There is no way around it, there must be pain, if govt intervenes, we will expect to bite a bigger bullet and even more pain for many years to come.
Shaka Zulu, read the medicine bottle. In some cases the side effects are worse that what the medicine is supposed to treat.
before as Rep. and Dem. we go trying to kill one another, we should as one look at the following and do the research. I was up almost all night reading this after following a link on another post. That link led me to other links but this one alone should make you start thinking.
http://polidics.com/
http://polidics.com/ethics/congress-addresses-the-eminent-marshal-law-plan-in-private.html
http://polidics.com/category/irs
Secret meeting in Congress to discuss the imminent martial law. This happened March 13th of 2008. WHY? Congress is expecting the imminent collapse of the U.S. economy sometime in late 2008 and the possibility of “Civil War” in the United States due to the economic collapse. Possibly the most disturbing, “The advance round up of insurgent U.S. citizens that are likely to move against the U.S. Government.” It goes on to project the necessary and unavoidable merger between the U.S. , Canada and Mexico to save the U.S. economy. If this doesn’t motivate you into action then nothing will…. If nothing else watch CSPAN video of Dennis Kucinich asking for the reasons for secret meeting. That video is a MUST SEE….
Here is what was revealed:
* The imminent collapse of the U.S. Economy to occur sometime in late 2008
* The imminent collapse of the U.S. Government finances sometime in mid 2009
* The possibility of Civil War inside the United States as a result of the collapse
* The advance round-ups of “insurgent U.S. Citizens” likely to move against the government
* The detention of those rounded up at The REX 84 Camps constructed throughout the United States
* The possibility of public retaliation against members of Congress for the collapses
* The location of safe facilities for members of Congress and their families to reside during massive civil unrest
* The necessary and unavoidable merger of The U.S. with Canada and Mexico establishing The North American Union
* The issuance of a new currency called the AMERO for all three nations as an economic solution.
Except for a few hundred thousand U.S. Patriots, most Americans have no clue what has really been going on within The United States over the past 100 years, and the sad thing is that most do not want to know the truth. The further you look into the rabbit hole, the deeper it gets. Go to any currency conversion site and convert U.S. dollars to Euros so you can see for yourself the massive decline of the dollar. Look at how much money is and has been spent on the Iraq War to date, ($12 billion per month). Look at our currency and when it stopped being backed by gold.
Thank you for posting this..
Yes they are right... I to have seen these links and yes i agree people in the Untited States really have no idea that it is going on...
I am going to quote the Army times artical from sept 24.
U.S. Troops In Homeland “Crowd Control” Patrols From October 1st
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
U.S. troops returning from duty in Iraq will be carrying out homeland patrols in America from October 1st in complete violation of Posse Comitatus for the purposes of helping with “civil unrest and crowd control” - which could include dealing with unruly Americans after a complete economic collapse.
This shocking admission was calmly reported on September 8th by the Army Times website, which reports that from the beginning of next month the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team “Will be under the day-to-day control of U.S. Army North, the Army service component of Northern Command, as an on-call federal response force for natural or manmade emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks.”( Note they did add a correction and said it was not on us soil.. They do not want us to know what they are doing...)
The article notes that the deployment “marks the first time an active unit has been given a dedicated assignment to NorthCom, a joint command established in 2002 to provide command and control for federal homeland defense efforts and coordinate defense support of civil authorities.”
This post sounds crazy its so far out there but all the facts are supporting that our government is moving towards the "North American Union" I fear that sometime during the past few years there was a silent "Coup De Ta" in the US Government and these people will not stop until they have accomplished their goal. You also forgot to mention that the FBI is adding massive amounts of agents and Technical support personnel to its roles! And just this weekend it was quietly announced that the NSA would be given more power abroad and domestically!!
The Government of this country is no longer representative of its citizens. Look at the first stimulus package that was passed in Washington by a vast majority of politicians, even though their constituents were screaming "NO BAILOUT" by a 10-1 margin. This is TREASON and should be dealt with accordingly!!!
I feel sorry for the poor men and women in the armed forces. They are the ones that will be caught in the middle, when the orders come from Washington to start firing on Americans. I just hope they remember where their true allegiance lies.
now more than ever americans have to realize that they are responsible for saving and preparing themselves for economic downturns. clean all the junk out of your garages that you bought with credit cards and put it on ebay. only an idiot would pay 19% interest on a credit card balance! unemployment insurance was only designed to be an aid for 6 months NOT something to live on! same with social security, get it in your head!
Now we need the money Bush spent on his war; why is that never brought up by the media? The unemployment benefits would be amply supplemented with the money we spent "fighting terrorism" in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. WAKE UP AMERICA!!! It's time to stop spending our tax dollars on corrupt financial institutions and a war that has gone nowhere.
How many of you realize that unemploument benefuts are taxed by the IRS just like regular wage? Does this make sense, or is it lunacy?
They are taxed at income tax time. It is silly, but I'm not surprised.
It's one way to try and find a full-time job faster, but it's like with withholdings in checks, people don't seem to realize that you do have to pay it back sometime.
I was added to the list of the unemployed a month ago. When you sign up for unemployment, they ever-so-graciously give you the choice of having your taxes deducted now OR when you file your 2009 taxes. It's a slap in the face having to pay taxes on the little bit you get to begin with. Not enough to pay your bills. And no, I am not materialistic and therefore do not live "high on the hog." I am a simple person, living a simple life. I just wish this Shrek person from the Heritage Foundation would lose his job and not be able to find another one. Let him deplete his savings, 401K, etc. and try to find a job. I bet once he runs out of unemployment money he would love to see unemployment extended. Easy for him to talk nonsense when he has a job! Oh, and by the way, I am looking for a job every single day and am not sitting on my duff. I am signed up with six recruiters who, by the way, offer the same jobs at the same few companies. But my faith and trust in God helps me from going completely crazy. May God Bless Us All.
Shore it up with bailout money! No one batted an eyelash at corporate welfare a couple of months ago!
I did..I spoke out loud and clear against the 700 billion dollar bailout of Wall Street. I spoke out both here on Newsvine and other blogs and wherever else I could... including letters to my Rep and my Senator.
Sneilarreal,
I agree with you! I sent dozens of e-mails to Congress and the Senate opposing the bailouts but they would not listen! Many times the various websites were crashing because there was so many people trying to voice their opposition! The opposition was something Like 85 to 1 against. The Congress and Senate are out of control!!
As did I. The fact that Washington chose not to listen, just proves how out of control our government is. The fact that many of the politicians that voted for the bailout were re-elected, just proves how stupid the average American is!!!
Another loophole is for the self employed whot because of conditions can no longer find someone to employ their surfaces. As such one does pay income and payroll taxes aplenty but are not qualified for unemployment when the work well runs dry.
I started receiving unemployment in late Nov. This is the first time I have ever had to file for unemployment. I went from taking home $363.00 a week to getting $134 a week in unemployment. Even though my husband has a good paying job it still hurts when we were already on a budget. It just doesn't seem right to me that I am only receiving a small potion of what I have paid in over the past 16 years. And like some have said I think it is BS that we have paid in all this money and our former employers have paid in to the unemployment benefits, yet the unemployment offices are running out of money???? This confuses me. I am not a political person, but all it takes is common sense to know that anyone on unemployment is getting screwed in one way or another. In my state the max weekly benefit is $250.00. Now how is that fair. If my husband were to get laid off right now it would take 5 weeks of unemployment to make 1 pay check (he is paid twice a month). We would never survive. How can the government justify paying someone $250.00 per week when they have worked all their life and when laid off were making 5 x's that amount. And then the government wants to give us stimulus payments (last year) and then we have to claim them on our taxes this year??? That makes no sense either. And now they are talking about giving everyone a $7000.00 payment. For what so we can try to pay it back too. We don't have 7K to pay back. What point does that make. The only thing I can say is we all need to stick together and keep our faith and pray to our God that He will see us through this and will make someone who has the authority do the right thin for the people of this country and stop worrying about sending our money over seas to help other people all the time. Lets worry about the homeless and starving people in our own country and then worry about everyone else. I don't see any other country sending money over here to help us.
God Bless All of us and Good Luck
Unemployment is a safety net. Not life support. It is not suppose to be comfortable. It is to keep you fed till you get work. Not to be a paycheck in lieu of work.
A $7000 payment? Can you explain that one to me? I'm in the dark on that one.
Last I heard it was 500.00 for each person filing taxes....or 1000.00 jointly....nothing for the children though.....what's 500 going to do....I'll bank that or buy gold - I'm not stimulating anything until CONGRESS gets their act together..and does something that is really needed..not just pages of a pork ridden bill.
Chris5209
I've only read what you've heard. I don't have a clue where Tammy in AZ got the 7k. If it were so, we would be hearing about it all day. The politicians would mention it over and over to get people to back this plan.
As for the unemployment not being a paycheck I understand this, however what is the current min. wage right now? What I'm getting at is that with what I am getting on unemployment it is not even min wage. The government wants us to go out and look for jobs every week in order to keep receiving benefits and that s fine I think we all need to work and earn our own keep, the problem is a lot of people can't afford to drive around all week and look for jobs. I do have the Internet so it's easier for me to look for work, but I have applied to over 50 jobs in the last 4 weeks and have only had 4 interviews. I have talked to the employers and they are getting applications and resumes from people with degrees (bach and assoc) who are applying for cashiers, CSR's, etc. That is upsetting to know that people who paid tons of money for college are out looking for part time barley min wage jobs to try and support their families. And for the 7k I haven't actually seen it for myself I have heard it from 4 different people from 3 different states. I don't know how true it is but I haven't even heard what you all are saying about 500 either. All I know is that if we receive any kind of money that we are going to be required to claim or pay back, we are just going to sign it over and send it back to the IRS. Don't they understand that's why no one is out buying anything (getting loans) because we can't afford to pay it back.
Minimum wage is $6.55. Have you taken the time to read a summary on the stimulus? It would take a long time to read through the whole thing. There is a $500 per person, $1000 per couple, tax break or call it rebate, which will be paid back. No $7000. I feel for people like yourself trying to survive on the peanut income you get from unemployment. Have you looked into substitute teaching? I am in real estate and to supplement my income I am a floater in the high school. It doesn't pay a lot but it helps and it's rewarding to make a contribution to the public school system and in a kid's life.
Everyone complains about the government not doing anything to create jobs in this country, but how many of you are driving forgeign cars, or watching a big screen TV made in China?!! The vast majority of people in this country, are the reason companies have taken jobs overseas. Like it or not, you are the problem.
My wife and I refuse to buy anything that is not made in America (and by made in America, I don't care where the home office is, as long as the company employs Americans to produce the product here.) It is very hard and in most cases, it means we go without. My wife has started making a lot of our clothes, rather than support the economy of China or Bangladesh. I would even consider buying a Honda made in Ohio, before buying a GM made in Mexico or China...
Americas problems will not start getting better, until people buy American made products ONLY. Our Government needs to impose huge taxes on anything that is imported, so that American made products can compete with the cheap labor overseas. Why our government allows such a huge trade deficit to exist, only shows the vast stupidity in Washington. Wake up America!!!!
Actually, the max rate in AZ is $240 per week before taxes. I was making 4X's that when let go. The rate won't even pay rent and car payment. Not to mention insurance (auto,home,medical). But I'm trying to find work. Kinda tough with no insurance or gas in your vehicle to go job hunting or make it to interviews.
Max rate for unemployment in Michigan is $362/wk. I was grossing nearly $1400/wk when I was let go, paying over $150/wk in Child Support for my oldest son and supporting my wife and 3 younger kids. Now nearly 8 months later, trying to support a family of 5 on unemployment and FOC still hasn't lowered my Child Support, even though I have been to court 3 times to get it lowered!!!
No work in my field in Michigan, so I've been trying to look for work outside of Michigan. Unfortunately with housing such as it is, we can't sell our house. Not sure what we will do when the Federal extensions run out. May have to turn to a life of crime (Robin Hood style).
Yeah! Where are all these countries we've been helping all these years?
We're in trouble and they are no where to be found.
If you are self employed and the people that have been using your services are no longer able you become unemployed. Yet as a selfemployed individual you are not elgible for unemployment. This despite the fact you have paid plenty of income and payroll taxes.
When you use taxpayer money to keep a cancerous corpse like Merril Lynch alive to stagger on, how can a profitable well managed smaller firm expand and hire the laid off ML worker? We tax and restrict the strong while rewarding the inept.
We should let the market work to weed out the losers.
They tried that,,, It didn't work out so hot, we got blamed for economic failures in many other countries as a result ---------- The Market was a big part of the problem
Trusting in a man made & manipulated market is like trusting 7/11 to give you bargain prices
Didn't see a Republican balk at giving out all that money to the Banks and wall st people,,,,,,,,,,but listen to them now when the talk is about giving to the adverage citizen. All they want is to give tax cuts to the person whom has nothing to tax anymore,,,,,,,,ah,,,i bet they meant the upper class tax cuts! That would make sense is their warped mind,,,give me a break!!!
USA - Ultimately Slipping Away
And who's fault is that, maybe if people here in America cared about the quality of the products that they make more companies would keep their manufacturing here and Americans like me that work hard for that money and refuses to spend it on junk because some idiot didn't give a sh_t and only was concerned about the next paycheck America would still be the BEST that it once was, don't you think we can tell that US products don't have the Pride in Workmanship it once had, you need to get back to reality for a moment and take a serious look at where we are today, it's not about how well we can make it but how fast, you need to watch this movie called Gung Ho that was about Japanese Auto manufacturing, until take pride in what we make again we will keep losing ground and there is no one to blame but our selves, not our purchasing of rubbish products made here, I remember when I was a kid and we used to tease someone that had something made in Japan and look where their manufacturing quality is today because they take pride in what they produce and America has to step up to the bar and stop this denial fantasy and wake the hell up, I just bought a pair of JBL studio monitors and I paid $1800.00 and guess what It was made in China, did you think I was aware of where it was made before it arrived, hell no, I was one pissed of consumer but after a close examination of the product I was impressed by the quality of workmanship and performance, what this should tell you is We Americans better get our ducks in a row because we are going down that hill a lot faster than anyone realizes with no brakes, (Made in America) should stand for what it once was The Best that you could possibly buy ......
Richie,
I agree with part of what you are saying, but you are off a little bit. When I was in college years ago, I did see the movie you mentioned. You are correct, the Japanese Automakers did surpass the quality standards that we had in this country. For the most part, this was the fault of the American Unions. Unions were a good thing at one point in America's history. Unfortunately they too have been corrupted by greed. When you pay a high school dropout, $30/hr to sweep floors and 95% of that pay to sit home during slow downs, something is drastically wrong!!
You are comparing American quality with that of the Japanese. The Japanese are not the biggest threat to our economy. Countries like China, Mexico, and the 3rd world areas that pay their people for a whole month, on what Americans used to make in a single day, are. But you are correct, Quality overseas is no better or worse than the quality in America is now. It just costs a lot less.
I have an engineering background, but was working in the quality arena until being downsized. I had been complaining for a long time that our quality has been slipping. Unfortunately when you are competing for price, quality is the first area that companies cut back on. This is why I said that our Government needs to impose hefty taxes on all imports. This would allow American companies to spend the extra money to make a superior product. I would much rather buy a Toyota built in Kentucky or a Honda built in Ohio, by non UAW employees, than to buy a GM product built in Mexico or China!! The quality is the same, but at least Americans are working!
The system is still set up for 1930 are so. WE need to really up date this, and Obama. It is time to take charge and do what you said you would do. TIME FOR A CHANGE!
I know you can not do it over night!~ But you can start now. Put America Back To Work!!!!
America will go back to work, when Americans refuse to buy imports!!!
One of the reasons some people are not collecting extended (more than 26 weeks) benefits
is because of an insane law (at least in Illinois where I live) that says your benefit year wages, which is a year consisting of 4 calendar quarters that they figure your weekly benefit on, must be greater than 1 1/2 times your highest quarter of earnings. This means that a person who earned most of their money in one calendar quarter often will not qualify
for extended benefits, whereas a person who had their earnings fairly well distributed over
the 4 calendar quarters used to figure benefits, will qualify. They ought to axe that rule.
"It does reduce the pressure and incentive to go out and search for a new job," said James Sherk, a labor policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
Well, I think Mr. Sherk ought to be laid off, and in a state like Arizona where you don't get a percentage of what you made - no matter what you had been paid the top amount you can get for unemployment is $240 a week. I think perhaps Mr. Sherk would have problems living on that amount of money, I certainly do. His insensitve remark is a slap in the face to all of the hard working people in this country who have been laid off due to no fault of their own and I think the Heritage Foundation can certainly find a labor policy analyst who is a bit more in touch with the times.
This why to Rep party is in the state that it is end. Why does Rush, Hannity ,Coulter and all the other Reps who are always talking about socialism and welfare and handouts to people in trouble. They seem to think that if you work part time and are struggling then you mean nothing and deseve to rot. I mean does Fox News Channel ever take a day off. Like today which is Sunday and all day showing reruns of Beck, Hannity and other things relate to right wing things. At least MSNBC takes a break and shows other programs. The Reps. better rethink about people and their struggles.
Oh well, look on the bright side, Mc Donalds is hiring & you get free food with that. So when Obama fixes this foreclosure problem by making it illegal to do that you'll be fine, till you hit 400 lbs.
Just remember guys and gals, "I am from the government, and I am here to help you".
Missouri's unemployment is $320 per week. $320 times 6,000,000 unemployed workers = $1,920,000,000 times 10 weeks = $19,200,000,000. Therefore the bonuses that Wall Street stole would have helped 6,000,000 workers for 10 weeks.
Stealing is taking something that doesn't belong to you or accepting something under false pretenses. Wall Street accepted bonuses for something they did not provide: performance!! They are thieves and should be treated as such.
Well, City's, Counties, States and the Feds, HAVE NEVER PERFORMED,.................But come April 15, Their hand is out also!
Maybe we should all quit paying our taxes until Washington turns things around. They can't throw us all in Debtors Prison!!
Comment is posted above
Martvol's idea (further up in the blog) of helping with volunteer projects or taking odd jobs is a good one.
Here's our plan for surviving:
Or be a "farmer" and "construction worker" or "woodsman" or "auto mechanic" at your own home. This is what I have told my 19 and 20 y.o. sons who are in college (but not for long) and will soon be looking for work that I doubt very much is going to be available.
They will be farmers in our own large garden, construction workers for any home repair project for which we need help, woodsmen to chop, slpit, and stack wood for next winter, and auto mechanics to work on the cars we cannot afford to send to the shop. My husband will worry about the job income for now, since our sons' help on these other things is invaluable to us and will yield more than their having to pay for gas to get to a part time or full time job that pays little -if they can get one at all.
Will this hurt them? No, it will help them. But it will be difficult for their generation (and ours) for a long time.
Also, I keep seeing families who have lost jobs and are on unemplyment and ALL they are doing is looking for another job. Well, that may be the biggest part of the equation, but they are missing some very helpful opportunities to make their lives better and to allow them to help themselves -which is what we will all be doing anyway when the "government's" money runs out completely.
The other day I saw a story on tv about a family with three kids and job loss. They had bought take-out pizza and a boxed pie for dessert from Costco. Or a single mom out of work with two kids but perfectly groomed salon "nail tips". Or there was the single mom with a $2800 mortgage and two kids who was taking off her expensive jewelry and leaving her designer handbag at home when she visited the food bank.
I am always left shaking my head at what these people are thinking. They are continuing to live the same kind of life and waiting for a lifeline but not helping themselves as they should.
Everyone can plant a garden. Everyone can save electricity and lower their bills in a myriad of ways (hang out clothes to dry, turn off unneeded lights, turn off the porch light...), make your own meals from SCRATCH. Buying ready prepared food or even ready prepared ingredients sucks the money out of your food budget. Nobody NEEDS to go to the hair or nail salon -especially when FOOD is the primary concern.
People need to seek out books that can instruct them how former generations got through dismal economic times. They need to move off the couch and away from the computer and not only pass out those resumes but get to work on the garden, the repairs needed, the sewing and mending, the cooking -whatever needs to be done to provide for themselves and to take the burden off the rest of us.