#5 On Change.org Means Nothing If Congress Isn't Listening

Reading the latest article from Mike Rheaume, Gather, inspires me to keep pressing forward on the cause for a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension.  Congress knows for certain we are here and ignoring the longest-term unemployed is not a solution for any political party.  Democrats may have perhaps made the political miscalculation that since the Republican majority does not see the need for any additional unemployment extensions (seeing they voted "Nay" to even extend the dates of the already approved tiers), they will have no repercussions by not addressing this issue. 

Both parties need to think again if this is their thought.  Yes, Wall Street Reform is important.  Yes, we must have a Supreme Court but not until October.  Yes, immigration reform is important but that issue has waited this many years...

PEOPLE ARE STARVING AND LOSING THEIR HOMES AND NEED ASSISTANCE NOW
The point is simple and there is no cause greater at this current moment than job creation.  If the jobs cannot be created fast enough, the American people deserve to at least receive the fraction of their prior salaries from unemployment insurance.  In some states, the worker has actually paid into this system directly.  In all other states, the employee has paid into the system indirectly.  This isn't a handout - it's a hand up.  It's an honest Main Street Bailout that one would think would be much more politically popular.

No one out there is choosing this 11 MILLION JOB shortfall our country has.  I have complete and total optimism that a million jobs can be created this year.  Even with that optimistic and over-reaching opinion, that still leaves 10 MILLION JOBS short.  Most, if not all, are gone forever.  Persons are re-training and learning trades they never imagined they would need. 

The whole situation is frustrating and it has nothing to do with political affiliation.  When one loses his/her job or safety net the absolute last thought on that person's mind is if they are Republican or Democrat or Independent.  The first thing on your mind is, "How can I make ends meet?".  "How will I pay my mortgage and keep food on the table?".  "How will I provide for my children?"  These questions are much more important than which political party is up or down and Congress needs to reflect that. 

Everyone, please keep your spirits up and keep urging Congress to assist.  Continue to take part in the initiatives such as the Change.org petition, the "Unemployed Will Be Heard" call Congress campaign, and the upcoming "MAYDAY" campaign.  Don't like any of these campaigns?  Make your own!  If it is something everyone can do, this blog will promote it - just let US Unemployed Blogsite know. 

The cause may be #5 at Change.org for now.  http://politics.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978202781

Please help us push this cause to the top.  Number one isn't necessarily the goal - the goal is getting a Tier 5 passed through Congress and your Representatives need to know where you stand.  Unless of course, you have an idea that would create 11 million jobs overnight that is feasible and would not uproot the economy. 

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?"

It's Time For Miracles

For those who have exhausted all 99 available weeks, this week may set the stage for what might come ahead.  The reason there have not been any posts during the Congressional break is the simple fact that there is no news of substance for those who have exhausted benefits.  After careful consideration of all of the news outlets that are reporting on the issue, there are only a few notable sources that are willing to take on the cause for a Tier 5 unemployment extension. 

As some may know, news sources such as World News Vine, Gather, MLive, and the Red, White, & Blue press blog have been the only sources to yet take up the cause for the need for an additional tier of benefits for those who have exhausted all available weeks.  US Unemployed Blogsite applauds these sources for taking up this cause for the unemployed.  If Congress is reading the content from these sources and this blog, those who have exhausted all benefits may have hope. 

The Associated Press and other larger news outlets seem to be identifying the extension which is likely to happen this week as the one and only action needed from Congress.  By definition, what Congress is doing this week is an extension but it is only an extension for those who have not exhausted the current maximum amount of benefits of 99 weeks.  Perhaps these other news outlets are not aware of the needs for creating a Tier 5 or they are too focused on week-by-week politics to address the longstanding issue - but the reports that we have all read during the Easter recess have only addressed the current battle in Congress to extend the current tiers until the end of the year.

We will all be continuing our efforts to petition to Congress, telephone and write our representatives and the news media so that our message is heard. 

Hopefully a brave member of Congress will step forward this week and address the needs of those who still cannot find work and have exhausted all available weeks of benefits.  We cannot make this happen unless we remain relentless in our efforts to make our voices heard now that Congress has returned from their break. 

We must not be discouraged from those who do not understand or feel that they are immune to not having a job and not being able to find a job.  Over the Easter break, we have all been witnesses to those who would call this effort "new welfare" or socialism or call the unemployed "lazy bums".  Those persons simply do not know what it is to be in this situation and they seemingly do not care at all about their fellow citizens who have lost employment through no fault of their own. 

The unemployed need to know that there are millions of others who have their backs on this issue and we will fight until the bitter end to ensure that every person who wants a job can get a job.  Until that time, we will advocate for extensions of unemployment benefits so that a laid off worker in 2008 can continue to collect 1/3 or less of what he or she made when employed so that the basic necessities can be met for those hit hardest in the Great Recession. 

It is time for a miracle for the longest-term unemployed.  Once again, all eyes on Congress and all voices letting them know that the unemployed will be heard.

Please take a brief moment to thank the editor at World News Vine.  We all need to be reading more stories in the news such as this:  http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/04/unemployed-without-extensions-99ers-rally-to-be-heard-by-congress-monday/

Also, Gather is also helping those who seek a Tier 5 by reporting on the grassroots effort that began a month ago.  http://politics.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978166780