Hey Harry Reid - how are things at home in Nevada?
Nevada’s "actual" unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2010 increased to 22.3 percent from 21.5 percent in the second quarter, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Nevada is tops in the nation in the Labor Statistics report, followed by California at 22.1 percent and Michigan at 21.3 percent.
Nevada has the second highest suicide rate in the nation, and residents are more likely to die from a self-inflicted act than at the hands of another, a new study reports.
Nevada kept its No. 1 national ranking for foreclosure filings for the 43rd consecutive month.
One in four or five adults are unemployed in Nevada when you include workers who are too discouraged to seek employment and have given up searching, and workers employed part time for economic reasons.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans in the House on Thursday blocked a bill that would have extended jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed beyond the holiday season.
An extension of jobless benefits enacted this summer expires Dec. 1, and unless they are renewed, two million people will lose benefits averaging $310 a week nationwide by the end of December.
Merry Friggin Christmas!
I am, once again, going to tell the story of one individual.
Dennis Paul Abrams 10/25/1952 - 8/18/2010
And he is not the only one, far too many americans are making decisions to end their lives early as the desperation of the inability to find work, money and remain living in their homes becomes part of their daily lives.
After about 40 years as a dependable american factory worker Dennis found himself out of work in Reno, Nevada. He was 55, a journeyman pressman and skilled machine operator. He had decades of experience in the factories of this country and always went to work, never missed a day. He was proud. He was a democrat.
I wrote this the day after he hung himself:
He was a machine operator - a factory man. He spent his whole life employed in the factories that made business forms, water pumps, thermoplastic sheeting. After almost forty years as a dependable american worker he was tossed aside and discarded from our society. He managed two years unemployed and over a year with only food stamps to help out. It was obvious he had become very ill, lung cancer? We didn't know. But he was sick, out of money and out of time. Had he called we would have taken him in and helped. But he was a proud man. Yesterday he wrote a note to his children, tied a noose, stepped up on a chair, placed his neck in the noose and kicked the chair out from underneath his feet.
Our country isn't tracking the number of suicides related to unemployment. For his death certificate I was told it had to have his usual occupation, we could not list him as unemployed.
The government doesn't want to know, it is a dirty little secret. As unemployment rises and benefits run out suicide increases. But no one is looking, no one wants to have the data available. Are a few less over 50 folks looking for jobs better for this country?
I've been accused of making the story up.
I've been told that it was his decision.
I've been told he deserved it as he didn't bother to get retrained in a new skill.
I've been told he wouldn't have done it if his kids had taken care of him.
The thing is I don't think he is the only one, I think thousands of folks are making the same decision.
I contacted Harry Reid's office after it happened and I heard crickets
Why don't we ask Harry Reid what he plans to do for Nevada and other americans who are in the same situation as Dennis.
Washington DC
522 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans:
1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)
Why don't we ask the White House what they plan to do for folks like Dennis who are still alive?
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
Why don't we ask John Boehner what Dennis should have done different? Maybe John has a new plan for americans like Dennis. He can have the "free rope for unemployed folks over 50 program" to free up those jobs we are all waiting for and allow younger folks to get those jobs (if they ever show up). After all, less folks like Dennis means less people collecting social security and looking for work. Is this the republican plan?
Washington, D.C. Office
1011 Longworth H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6205
(202) 225-0704 fax
No more unemployment, no more jobs, no hope, foreclosure, Happy Holidays!
What has happened to this country? I really don't understand it anymore.