Bill on jobless benefits, state financial help scaled back

[cap]

Source: Washington Post

But the ultimate fate of the package was unclear as Republicans stepped up efforts to paint it as irresponsible when the recession and its aftermath are driving the nation deeply into debt -- a concern many Democrats share. According to US Debt Clock.org, borrowing by the Treasury hit a milestone of $13 trillion Wednesday, or 90 percent of the overall economy.

"This is fiscal recklessness. And that's why even some Democrats are starting to revolt," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a speech on the Senate floor. "Far from doing anything about our own looming debt crisis, Democrats only seem interested in making it worse."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/26/AR2010052605148.html?hpid=topnews

---

Gotta love how this is going to impact folks on the Gulf of Mexico... They voted for these guys.

[lib2DaBone]

1. Plenty of Money for War and Wall Street...

.. nothing for people.

[WhiteTara]

3. my thought too

I am sick of these people who think of us only as numbers, but industry as the real deal.

[OhioChick]

10. As usual. n/t

[tonysam]

18. Congress is going to rue the day it gave handouts to Wall Street

People are FURIOUS out here because they are being disregarded while the elites get their goodies.

[quakerboy]

25. Not really

They already got theirs. It was already made worth their while. Even if we replaced 100% of our elected representatives in our next election, THEY ALREADY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED. They already did it, the payoffs and kickbacks and deals are already done.

The right isn't going to hold anyone responsible. The center isn't going to hold anyone responsible. And the left is not likely to make any big gains because the short term outlook sucks. So.. they already got theirs, plus there will be no accountability. How will they be ruing anything?

[defendandprotect]

26. Cut the budget for warmongering . . . bring the troops home . . . stop bankrupting Treasury!!

Americans have never gotten anything for their tax dollars other than a MIC!!

[proudohioan]

2. This is fiscal recklessness?????

WTF!!!!! Shit, these are the same freaken people that have been effectively dismantling jobs and the economy, leaving, what, 14 million unemployed? At least 14 million unemployed! And the how about those that can only find part-time work? How about those that have experienced the shock, after untold years of steady employment, that the majority of existing jobs out there pay so poorly that one can barely make ends meet? Fiscal recklessness my ass! You, Mitch McConnell, are a participating member of economic recklessness and devastation, and you have the NERVE to worry about fiscal 'responsibility'! What the fuck did you thing would eventually happen when you continue such policies as tax cuts for the rich and outsourcing???? Did you really think that this kind of stuff would just 'work itself out'????? No, cuz you and yours got theirs, and fuck everyone else! You and everyone else in the past 25 years that chanted the magic of the free market mantra of King Ronnie, that whole fucken trickle down shit (literally) and all is good in the name of 'competition' and 'flexibility' for the corporations!!!

Fuck you people! Do you have ANY IDEA of what it feels like to be 48 years old and jobless? Having to face the fact that you will probably NEVER WORK ANY KIND OF 'REAL JOB' AGAIN in your working lifetime? That you will probably NEVER BE SELF-SUFFICIENT AGAIN? That the rest of your life will be spent doubled up with friends/family? NO OF COURSE NOT, CUZ YOU AND YOURS ARE SET FOR LIFE, AND YOU'VE MADE SURE THAT YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS ARE SET AS WELL! Well, assholes, my kids don't have that kind of advantage; they just see their mother struggling to make ends meet on an 8 fucken dollar an hour job, having to first sell the albatross of a home, then having to do the 'trash-bag move' out of their apartment only a few steps ahead of eviction, and so on, and so on and so on......

I'm not the one who created these conditions, Mitch! It was YOU PEOPLE, not me! You see, I did all the 'right' things; I WENT to college, I BOUGHT a house, I DIDN'T use my house as an ATM, I DIDN'T fall into the debt trap! And when the economy started to tank, I TRIED going back to school to 'freshen my degree'.... and for someone so hell bent against accruing debt, I sure have the fucken student loan collections on my ass! I DID NOT create the conditions that find me in circumstances that I never dreamed I'd be in; I was 'told' by people like you that if I followed the 'script', played by 'the rules' that I'd be OK! YOU PEOPLE created the conditions that make me better off unemployed and have FOOD STAMPS as my only income, as my last so called job averaged $967 a month GROSS!!!! And you people have the fucken NERVE to wonder why housing prices aren't REBOUNDING???? The same folks that want to slash staff and salaries to the bone wonder why you can't pay top 'market' rates for that apartment?????? GIVE ME A FUCKEN BREAK, ASSHOLES!!!

And, Mitch, there are untold millions of folks out there with similar, and no doubt worse, situations out there. This was not OUR making, IT WAS PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND YOUR POLICIES! As you obviously don't get, we, the people don't have the luxury of 'choices' any more. It's all a matter of immediate survival! We don't even have the fucken luxury of planning for the long-term anymore, and for a whole lot of us, there is no more hope, either. WE DID NOT BRING THIS ON OURSELVES, YOU BROUGHT IN ON FOR US; YOU DID!

Sad that this isn't even a matter of right v. left anymore; it's all about class warfare, baby, and YOU PEOPLE are the ones that have declared it!

Go fuck yourself!!!!











:rant:

[timefortherevolution]

5. GREAT POST!

I couldn't have said it better!

Thanks for this.

[proudohioan]

7. Thank you...

I'm just in a bad mood today.

By the way, welcome to DU!
:hi:

[prolesunited]

13. Except for the young kids

I almost could be you. Mine still lives at home. He's 25 and working and attending school. He's almost done with his degree and will graduate debt free since he's paying as he goes. He pays all of his own bills, including food, and gives me a little bit each month.

I have resigned myself to the fact that my best option is to *NOT* work and collect the full unemployment until I exhaust it. I'm still actively doing my work searches and applying for jobs, but just hearing crickets. Yes, I know I'm applying for a $28,000 to $30,000 a year job even though I have 20+ years of experience and a bachelor's degree, but I am more that willing to do that at this point. Employers should be jumping at the bargain they would be getting for such a great worker with excellent references.

I found out that if I accept any temp or part-time work since I'm long-term unemployed that they will reset my benefits based on this lower rate. I'm at the highest level now, so by working if it isn't anything above $10 per hour at 40 hours per week, I will be screwing myself. You should NOT be penalized for doing the right thing and taking at least some work. That's the first thing they need to fix. I'm just biding my time and hoping to figure something out for when the well runs dry, which is very soon.

It's nice to hear the anger. Rationally, I know I did not do this to myself. Like you, I've always played by the rules and been fiscally responsible. My self confidence and self esteem are at the lowest level since I've been a teenager, and depression is always nipping at my heels. I feel broken and lost.

[proudohioan]

14. My heart goes out to you, prolesunited...

:hug:

And congratulations on your son going through college DEBT FREE! That's how I did it the first time around, and I understand these days it's damn near impossible.

Yes, I did the stupid thing and shot myself in the foot and accepted a really low paying job instead of UI (which I felt was the kiss of death at the time). I figured that it would pay at least as much as unemployment (HA) and "at least I'm working" (another trap I fell into), and that it would only be "temporary". Well, it wasn't, and it left me no time or energy to look elsewhere. I won't do that again, which is why I'm not working now. We are better off, believe me.

Yes, it's sad that we consider a $28,000 per year job a 'great job' these days. And like you, I got crickets. And there is really nothing out there. Maybe the politicians living in LaLa land need to live in OUR shoes for 6 months. My guess is that they could never do it, never in a million years.

I know how you feel. Here I sit, day four, on the computer, feeling depressed, broken and lost, and not feeling able to cope with the smallest thing. And while I wish you weren't feeling so bad, at the same time, it makes me feel better that it's not just me, and I'm not alone out there; thank you!

Oh, my kids aren't so young anymore; the oldest is living on her own (with roommates, I might add) and the other two are teenage eating machines. Neither are having any luck finding jobs. Never even heard back from McDonald's - I guess McDonald's would rather take advantage of this economy and exploit folks like us and older, you know, the mature, dependable types that need the work.

Hang in there, and great to hear from you!



:pals:

[prolesunited]

16. It does feel better to know you are not alone

I really thought the age discrimination thing didn't kick in until 50 or older and that I would be OK. But, I'm thinking it's more like 45 and they don't want to take on the health insurance liability of older workers. The few interviews I've done seemed very perfunctory, like they were filling a quota. I'm fit, trim and don't look my age and dressed quite well, so I don't know how I could put off such a bad vibe on first impression.

My plan B was to go back to school and get a teaching license, but they are laying off masses of teachers around here, so that's no good either. The only thing that's keeping me sane is my garden. I've doubled it and last year learned how to can, so it's something useful to keep me busy.

BTW, you're better off if the kids don't get a job because it will mess with your food stamp eligibility. I can't qualify for any kind of aid because of my son's income since it's figured as part of the household income. Their wages might push you over the limit and you'll come out behind.

Oh, and I have multiple pre-existing health conditions and have exhausted my COBRA, so I'm just hoping nothing happens until I can buy into the high-risk pool later this year. But, knowing my luck, there will be some reason why I can't get insurance. Yeah, I would love to trade lives with some of these people so they could walk a mile in my shoes. I've always worked hard and paid my way -- never had money, but not this constant state of worry that what's left of my life is going to crumble any minute. I'm sure you know the feeling all too well.

Feel free to PM me any time.

[proudohioan]

17. Yes, I would like that!

I think it helps to keep from getting isolated (which I have done). We should try to keep in touch!

T.

[tonysam]

20. Not really true about UI

You can work part-time or temporary work and still get it on the old benefit, and the money will last that much longer. You still have to conduct a search for a full-time job. The rule is UI would deduct your pay dollar for dollar after the first ten hours of work.

Actually you wind up with more money a week. I did that for over a year in the early 1980s with a mere 26 weeks of UI.

[prolesunited]

28. Not true in the current market

If you are long-term unemployed, which I am.

"Many people who have been out of work for a year are picking up work as temps or part-timers, unaware that state agencies will recalculate their unemployment benefits after a year – and use their most recent work history and pay level to do it.

"Mr. Wentworth cites the example of a Massachusetts woman who had been getting $540 a week in unemployment benefits and, when returned to state benefits, saw her weekly benefit cut to $103. To make matters worse, her husband, also unemployed, saw his benefit drop from $600 a week to $199 a week. Each cut came as a result of having taken a short-term job."

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0329/Is-any-work-better-than-no-work-Not-for-unemployment-benefits

[Roland99]

6. +eleventy!

[Berry Cool]

8. That was a righteous rant. It deserves to be an OP.

It will only be buried here. Seriously, OP it.

I too am an unemployed 48-year-old Ohioan who played by the rules--got the education, kept trying (and is still trying) to keep educating myself, and I don't even HAVE a house to use as an ATM--but still cannot keep a job in this economy.

[closeupready]

12. Fully agree.

+2

[proudohioan]

15. I don't know how to OP it....

I've never OP'd before.

Help???

Oh, and by the way, thank you for the compliment! Don't you agree that this should be called 'gotcha capitalism'? It sure sucks!

[Dappleganger]

23. Don't ever be silent.

SHOUT it from the rooftops if you have to!

[Zenlitened]

9. K&R for shouting out some tough truths.

:(

[tonysam]

19. They are planning on a double-dip recession in order to help their political fortunes

The "deficit" claim is a load of horseshit, especially coming from those who helped create it during the Bush years.

[proudohioan]

21. A load of horseshit indeed!

Fuck them and the horse they rode in on!

[Dappleganger]

22. You're my hero!

You tell 'em!!!!!!

:toast:

[defendandprotect]

27. Agree -- but $11 billion for fencing for the borders to keep out Mexicans . . .

but we can't afford MEDICARE FOR ALL -- !!!

When is the American public going to wake up and begin to protest????

[proudohioan]

29. Right! And those seemingly never ending wars....

are funded. Why isn't the unemployment crisis met with the same kind of urgency as the bank bailouts?

We really need to start waking up and protesting, that's for DAMN sure!

Maybe we should do what the folks during the Depression did, and all march on Washington.

[notadmblnd]

4. any word on cutting back on spending for our wars?

I didn't think so. I guess as long as we go into debt for wars, everything is A-Okay:shrug:

[Dappleganger]

24. +1000

[and-justice-for-all]

11. Fuck the national debt and the pukes!!

The debt at this junction is irrelevant.