Unemployment Benefits Expire

I am saddened by the increasing hostility and lack of common decency Americans display to their fellow citizens. While I assign some of this to the hyper partisanship of predominent media, I fear other things are at work here. I've often ranted a belief that the ugly cultish cabal that is American Evangelicalism is playing a central role, with "ministers" preaching hate from their pulpits. I see it apitomized in the crassness, opportunism and proud anti-intellectualism of Sarah Palin. Compare her to the past, where exists a treasure trove of courageous, brilliant giants like Harriot Beecher Stowe or Eleanor Roosevelt, who knew the power of the mind and a well-crafted phrase and used their gifts to challenge and enlighten, to lift up humanity, rather then debase it.

Additionally, as I mentioned offlist to another poster, I think anonymity on the Internet is fostering incivility. To use an analogy, when we drive about in our cars, ensconsed in our one anonymous ton fortresses of tempered glass and metal, we find it so easy to act with hostility to the most minor of even unintentional driving infractions of others. Yet, had the same person inadvertently brushed us on the street or entering an elevator, we'd likely reflexively and amicably blurt out, "Excuse me!" Such is the power of direct face-to-face human contact. The anonymity of the Internet is dehumanizing and desensitizing us. Couple that with the constant drumbeat in the media that pits us against each other, and we care becoming tribalized, Balkanized. I dare say if our real names were used here, we'd all have more respect and sympathy.

Fortunately, I had the honor of attending a grant-writing workshop in DC a few weeks back, where I encountered several dozen fearless folks battling substantial odds and devoting themselves to lift others, so I know all is not dead in the hearts of Americans.

Originally posted by Tennysonbass
reply to post by Kryties

 

If my body gives out because I worked hard 15 years from now it would be unfortunate but also highly unlikely.

I'm just speaking from experience mate, I've seen it happen to 3 of my mates, a family member and countless other acquaintances. It's just a friendly warning is all

reply to post by MarcMandrake


Bravo, we need more people like you to speak up. These are PEOPLE we are talking about, FAMILIES.

What happened to these Family values we kept hearing about during Campaign season? Only the big Coporations get the Family Values treatment, cause they create jobs?

This is the Insanity of the Corporate State. Screw the people, let them eat cake!

Careful, Maerie, careful.

Thanks for shining some light and perspective to this. And good luck with your endeavours, shows alot about your character when Life throws you a challenge, and you have the strength to rebound.

And I shudder to think of your story, by the Millions!! During the Holidays!! In America!

reply to post by Kryties


Appreciated for sure, and I am enjoying the back and forth for sure, definitely no hostility coming form my end, I just can be a stubborn mule for sure and enjoy a debate.

The US military budget for the up-coming year is going to be $900 billion, Airforce ONE costs 180,000.00 an HOUR to operate and thats not in flight hours either, thats the cost anytime Obama goes anywhere and the unemployment extension,that was shot down, was budgeted at 34 billion.
If you people were worried so much about where your tax dollars were going, then complain about the ridiculously high price of shuttling that useless puppet around.
Otherwise, you just sound selfish and whiny.

reply to post by Tennysonbass


One thing many people forget is that unemployment benefits stiumulate local economies. For instance, if Town A has a population of 20,000 lower class people living in it, with a high unemployment rate, and the government checks are cut off - how does local business keep paying the bills if nobody can afford to buy anything from them? They don't. They fail, go out of business and an already downward-spiralling local economy takes a nose-dive off a cliff.

Not only do the unemployed starve, but the people who actually HAVE jobs are converted into more unemployed, compounding the problem.

While thing are looking bleak for many, there is one silver lining for many in this economy. The benefits for the 60,000 anchor babies born in Texas alone last year, will not expire for 18 more years. Isn't that grand, merry Christmas, what a country !

Here is a question for those who think that unemployment benefits should not expire. How long should people be allowed to collect unemployment benefits before you say enough?

2 years? 5 years? 10 years? Forever?

When do you cut them off? At some point is just becomes welfare right.

If you can't find a job after being unemployed for 99 weeks then maybe it's time to move to another location where the job market is better. Yes it would be difficult to pickup and move your life and nobody really wants to go through that. I think it is a better alternative then living in your current location unable to find a job and living a meager existence on government assistance.

Originally posted by Erasurehead

If you can't find a job after being unemployed for 99 weeks then maybe it's time to move to another location where the job market is better. Yes it would be difficult to pickup and move your life and nobody really wants to go through that. I think it is a better alternative then living in your current location unable to find a job and living a meager existence on government assistance.

How is one supposed to 'pick up and move' when they are living on such 'meager wages'?

How are they to pay for the move? Rob a bank?

reply to post by Erasurehead

If you can't find a job after being unemployed for 99 weeks then maybe it's time to move to another location where the job market is better.

Oh wow, you mean its just that simple for them? Why didnt they think of that to begin with.
Ohhh, wait a minute. Im sure they did, then realized that relocating to a different city actually costs A LOT.
Moving vans, not sure on the cost but charges by the mile im sure.
New apartment; first and last months rent as deposit.. at least 2-3 thousand, depending on your family size.
Electricity deposit; not sure.. Couple hundred maybe?
With other minor, miscellaneous expenses, youre looking at between 3-4 thousand to move to a "better market"

Theyre already broke or they wouldnt be on un-employment living check to check, so how do you propose they pay to relocate?

reply to post by SaturnFX


Oh, no. Does this mean that Americans will have to go back to work again? This could be a major problem on the roadways of America. I mean, all the traffic jams.

reply to post by Animatrix


Yeah, just read Grapes of Wrath for a reminder of when all the Okies moved to California during the Dust Bowl of the 30s............or watch the HBO series Carnivale to get an idea what happened during the great migration of migrants looking for work.

And how about those signs California put up along the border. The signs that said, "If you don't have a job, don't come into this state." Boy, could you imagine Ahnuld putting up signs like that along the Mexican border?

Could we be seeing wars between American migrant workers versus Mexican migrant workers. Migrant workers fighting around the apple tree to see who gets to pick the fruit?

Could be calamity ahead. Like Carnivale??

I don't know my true opinions on this.

One one hand i'm sad for these people who need it.

On the other, i am glad.

Many people who get these benefits are just bums. Seriously, I live in the US, in a country hick town on top of that, where it is harder to get a job, and trust me, there is a way. There are always jobs, people just don't try. Why don't these people go to a fast food restaurant? Because they are "too good" for it.

A prime real life example is this guy i know. He gets social security and disability for.... Anxiety. Yeah that's right, a 21 year old #head who has never worked gets over a thousand dollars a month to sit on his ass, drink, and smoke weed all day. And he gets foodstamps.

Originally posted by doom27
A prime real life example is this guy i know. He gets social security and disability for.... Anxiety. Yeah that's right, a 21 year old #head who has never worked gets over a thousand dollars a month to sit on his ass, drink, and smoke weed all day. And he gets foodstamps.

I suffer from clinical anxiety. How DARE you claim that he is just 'sitting on his ass'. Have you ever had an anxiety attack? It is like having a heart attack - the symptoms are basically the same. I have particular problems in public - I can't walk out the door without setting off another attack some days.

Try walking a mile in HIS shoes. I guarantee it'll wipe that smug smile off your arrogant face.

Originally posted by SaturnFX

Unemployment Benefits Expire

slatest.slate.com

Millions of jobless Americans will lose their benefits on Thursday after Congress failed to extend help for the long-term unemployed on Tuesday, reports ABC. Democrats pushing for the bill argued that unemployment benefits are a better way to spur the economy than tax cuts for the rich. Republicans countered that Democrats were trying to rush the bill at the last minute. "We should have spent time working on this," said Republican Sen. Scott Brown at the Senate debate. "But we need to work on food safety?" He said, referring to time spent embroiled in the food safety bill earlier this week

(visit the link for the full news article)



Another reason to not vote republican guys. I mean, sheesh, the wars, the wars, they are too important to be left unpaid for.

edit on 12/1/2010 by 12m8keall2c because: title to same as source

reply to post by Kryties


Trust me, this guy has no problems, and even boasts about it all the time.

And yes i know what its like, this guy doesn't thus why i made my post. You don't know the story, sorry if you took offense, but it doesn't change my opinion of someone cheating the thousands of dollars i pay every year to benefit themselves.

reply to post by doom27


That's different then. I saw your post and assumed you were making snide remarks about sufferers of anxiety. My apologies.

Originally posted by Kryties

Originally posted by Erasurehead

If you can't find a job after being unemployed for 99 weeks then maybe it's time to move to another location where the job market is better. Yes it would be difficult to pickup and move your life and nobody really wants to go through that. I think it is a better alternative then living in your current location unable to find a job and living a meager existence on government assistance.

How is one supposed to 'pick up and move' when they are living on such 'meager wages'?

How are they to pay for the move? Rob a bank?

I never said it would be easy. How do you do it?
To start with, look for job postings in other cities on the internet. There are plenty of sites that post job openings. Send your resume when you find something that suits you. If they call you for an interview make travel arrangements to get to that city. You can use some unemployment money to purchase a bus ticket. If you don't have the money for a bus ticket borrow it or put it on a credit card. Stay at a low priced hotel in the city while you go through the interview process. If you get the job, then you will have the money to relocate. If not, you hop back on the bus to go home and try again.

It's not easy but it can be done if you are willing to make an effort. What is there to lose? You can't find a job where you are. So why not at least try.

So, anyone want to answer my question? How long should someone be allowed to be on unemployment benefits? When do you cut them off? Anyone....anyone...

reply to post by Animatrix


No its not simple but it is possible if you are willing to make the effort. I would much rather move then live on government assistance in a place that there are no jobs for me.

Originally posted by Erasurehead

To start with, look for job postings in other cities on the internet.

The internet they cannot afford because they are on welfare? That internet?

There are plenty of sites that post job openings. Send your resume when you find something that suits you. If they call you for an interview make travel arrangements to get to that city. You can use some unemployment money to purchase a bus ticket. If you don't have the money for a bus ticket borrow it or put it on a credit card.

What about those many unemployed people WITHOUT access to someone else with money or a credit card?

Stay at a low priced hotel in the city while you go through the interview process. If you get the job, then you will have the money to relocate. If not, you hop back on the bus to go home and try again.

And when you get home you will have to starve for 2 weeks because you spent all your money on a bus ticket and a room for the night.

So, anyone want to answer my question? How long should someone be allowed to be on unemployment benefits? When do you cut them off? Anyone....anyone...

Actually someone else asked me the same question and I answered it - but here it is for you again since you cannot seem to figure out the search function: You give them as long as necessary. You also make special efforts to provide training centers and specialised job-hunting centers that cater for getting the long-term unemployed back in the workforce (assuming there is no disability or injury to the person).

It's really really really simple when you put your mind to it - thing is one blames the other and nobody works together so therefore the unemployed get screwed.