H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently.

This issue is now more than just about an unemployment extension and a Medicare adjustment. This issue is now about: Do you stand with the American workers who have fallen on a rough job market or do you stand over in a corner somehwere silent about the issue chanting with big business proud to have defeated the hardest hit persons in the Great Recession?

H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently.

Eve Of Tier 5 Petition Delivery - Michael Thornton, Rochester Unemployment Examiner Helps As Always Reporting Where This Effort Is

This article sums up where we are at this point:  Tier 5: Sen. Reid’s office: will explore long term unemployed policies after passage of H.R. 4213  (Michael Thornton, Rochester Unemployment Examiner). 

The direction that seems to be most likely is the passage of HR 4213 first so that the persons unemployed on current tiers get their extension through the end of the year.  And I'm glad of that.  After thinking about it, if this bill were to get ping-ponged back and forth to add weeks for those who have exhausted weeks, it might slow down the process for those who have benefits expiring on June 2nd.  We must be mindful of that group of unemployed persons as well because so many in that group who have not exhausted benefits yet are helping those who have exhausted benefits with our cause to get a Tier 5!

Congress might not have met the deadline and left many more expiring their benefits if HR 4213 was held up even longer.

With that said, just like the rest of you out there.  I hope that Senator Reid takes up the need for a Tier 5 or extending the weeks on current tiers immediately after HR 4213 is law.  We are continuing to send our messages and contact our elected representatives.  Until there is a bill introduced, Congress will not see any relief from the jobless who have exhausted benefits and who are advocating for a Tier 5. 

No matter what Tier 5 campaign that exists - it is still alive and well and participation is much appreciated.

We are still waiting for the results of the meeting this Thursday (tomorrow) at 2PM that Issa Decker and Robert Grone are having with Mr. Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader.  Everyone in the cause for a Tier 5 is hoping to get some type of statement on the record and most importantly, get a bill on the floor!

More information as it is known will be posted and the continuation of the Jobless In America series of articles for all of the states will be continued.  Also, everyone should be aware that the efforts of so many advocates for Tier 5 was noted in the Huffington Post.  HuffPo can bring us more media coverage if they continue to cover the story.  Here is that article also released today:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/19/website-raises-1000-to-br_n_581676.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Tier 5 - Daily Examiner Update

Today's update from the Examiner:  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-27052-Rochester-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m4d27-Tier-5-why-its-needed-and-where-it-stands-today-update-April-27-2010?cid=sharing_twitter:27052

For those who did not see this article, it is the best of the smallest recent glimmers of hope that are out there on the Internet today.  The meat of the article comes from the testimony of the readers of Rochester Unemployment Examiner, Michael Thornton.  Mr. Thornton's journalism on this issue has been impressive and much to the benefit of the longest-term unemployed seeking action from government for a Tier 5 extension. 

He also is certain to always mention the efforts of Tier 5 activists by mentioning the campaigns: "MAYDAY SOS Fax Attack", the Change.org petition, and giving readers the access to contact their elected representatives which echoes the "Unemployed Will Be Heard" campaign. 

For example, one of his readers submitted the testimony: 

"From C: Last Friday, I called Senator Sherrod Brown's, Reid's and Senator Durbin's offices. I was told by all of their aides that they are all highly aware of the long termed unemployed and that they were all pushing for a Tier V….

I personally feel that because they have received so many calls, emails, faxes that they don't want to leak anything out in the media of what they’re doing regarding this. I think they don't want people to catch wind of it so then they'll get even more pressure and questions."

There's A Need To Believe In Tier 5

In case you missed today's Internet blog talk radio program, hosted by "Mr. G",  along with his guests Len M. Allen, Author of "Unemployed: Life in the Wilderness", and Paladinette, the focus of the show was believing that Tier 5 can happen with determination and a peaceful protest asking Congress to act.  Please click the play button on the player to listen in if you wish.  (Or pause if the player auto-plays until you want to listen).  

The show is certainly faith-based, however, one does not have to be a Christian to appreciate the value of the information.  The information helps everyone who is frustrated with their personal situation and the inaction of government and how a positive attitude can change the effectiveness of your message.  Be that in a job interview, contacting a member of Congress, or even in daily communication with your fellow citizens. 

Paladinette also mentioned the effort which is going to begin on April 30, 2010 and May 3, 2010.  The M-A-Y-D-A-Y S.O.S Fax Attack and On The Record are additional actions your fellow unemployed will be participating in very soon.  The "On The Record" campaign is absolutely brilliant.  At JoblessUnite.com there are step-by-step instructions to get your message, yes, your message directly on the record of the Senate Finance Committee.  Please be professional and courteous when submitting this by US Mail.  Remember, the message that you send will be on the record in the United States Senate forever. 

With these efforts to get Congress to muster the "political will" to act in addition to all of the calls, emails, and online petitioning so many have done, hopefully we can all make a difference for the 500,000 (there has to be more than that number) who have lost all assistance from UI.  According to articles released today by the Examiner and Gather, those who have exhausted all benefits from Unemployment Insurance need as many persons taking action as possible. 

Both of these articles mention a Congressional staffer stating:

"It's not that they don't want to help," said the staffer. "But there is that calculation that you can only juggle so many legislative balls at one time. And while unemployment is important, is it more important than the Supreme Court or financial reform or immigration?"