I just visited the wall-street journal which we all know its a conservative news paper and website. We know republicans and conservatives read and even post on there, and I just read over 142 messages on this unemployment bill failing and sad state of what just happened has hit home for a lot of folks many of them are REPUBLICANS, and they know their party that they supported for decades has left them in the cold. No more benefits even for those republicans out of work. The folks on there are upset, angry, scared and out for blood. Its time for President Obama, Joe Biden and all the top democratic leadership to hold a national press conference and tell the American people who are out of work, that the republican party is not on their side and to rise up and take it to the streets. I think the democrats have a platform to run on because every single week 200,000 people will be dropped from the rolls. It's time to tap into that group.
Read the voices of the unemployed..... a lot of them REPUBLICANS!!
http://blogs.wsj.com/...
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o Steve wrote:
I’ve paid over 40% tax on over 100k of salary per year for 15 years without so much as wincing, thats over 600k in taxes in my lifetime so far and I’ve never asked for anything from the government . Now that I can’t find a job for the life of me, the republicans think that I am living high on the hog with such lavish unemployment benefits and would like to see it end before the economy has even recovered.
Thats fine, I’m not homeless yet, as I’m sure others will find themselves, but why? $33B to extend the UI benefits till the end of the year is a rounding error compared to the defense budget, a fraction of the subsidies and tax breaks doled out to corporations.
Republicans can try and portray themselves as fiscal hawks all they want, but there is a special place in hell for people like them
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* Pennsylvania Man wrote:
I too like Andy Thomas (who posted at 5:50 pm today) am a smart, articulate man that has sent our more resumes and cover letters than I can count. Dispite my "Ivy League" degree I have not been able to find employment. I have depended on the benefits offered by this country ( a country that I have helped to support with my taxes for the past 30 years) to get through this difficult situation. The Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for this filibuster. They may be positioning themselves to win in the interim elections in November but they will not have my vote. I will be changed my party affiliation to Democrat after 35 years as a Republican.
*
musability wrote:
Another reason for me to hate Republicans
* ayme_jayme wrote:
What the hell is wrong with these republicans? Many americans are struggling to find work with no luck.We need this extension! Starting next week I will no longer have any benefits. I have $2.00 to my name. I have sold half of my belongings. I owe taxes because I could not afford to survive with money taken out of my unemployment checks. I live in Michigan and have been looking for work for over a year. There are just too many people applying for the same job. Please, we need this!
* c walker wrote:
I have come to the conclusion, that being an AMERICAN, whose husband has worked everyday, since he was 15, and now has been unemployed since april 2009, cannot find a job. He is 58, has been putting in applications all over, and no one is hiring.( he is too old for the job market) We can pay for illegal immigrants, pay for every disaster, in someone elses back yard, but when it comes to helping, our own the government says NO! May God help us , because no one else is.
* Roy wrote:
After over 28 years as a Republican (since I was a high school senior) I’ve changed my party affiliation to Independent. Even though I am an educated professional, I’ve been unemployed for nearly a year and I just exhausted my Tier 1 benefits. Now I’m learning that the Republican are filibustering to squelch any further extension of unemployment benefits. Despite the many philosophical differences I have with the Democrat party, I will be voting Democrat this November. Like Tim Bragg stated, these out-of-touch millionaire senators don’t give a damn for the unemployed American people. All they care about is the rich and Corporate America. Let’s hope that all of the Republicans and blue-dog Democrats lose their seats this November. And Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and all of the other Republican hacks can go to hell!
* John wrote:
The republicans don’t care about the deficit. That is a red herring. All those tax cuts increased the size of the deficit. They have the cruel idea that those on unemployment are lazy and don’t really want to work. But there aren’t enough jobs. Do they expect the unemployed to create their own jobs? Watch the economy start to contract again once these benefits are cut off.
* Rich Clanton wrote:
I am ashamed to be a republican right now. I cannot believe that my party could be so hearless to leave so many americans heading for the streets. I was laid off a year and a half ago and have looked all day every day for work and have had only two responses that went nowhere. My party has got to face up to it THERE ARE NO JOBS you idiots. Take your cushy jobs and choke on them.
* Fed up wrote:
Like Roy, I too was a lifetime Republican. I emphasize, WAS. After working for 35 years, I have been out of work for 14 months, and when I need help the most, all I see happening in the Senate is fat cat Senators worrying about protecting the interests of big business. Never have I seen a bunch more out of touch with the people they say they represent than the Republicans, led by the biggest moron of all, Mitch McConnell. Their arrogance and contempt for the plight of the unemployed is disgraceful. I hope the Democratic leadership does not give up, because we do need their help. This November, for the first time, I vote Democratic.
* Gary Bouldin wrote:
It helps me sleep better at night knowing that the Republican "fat cats" have a job . It would be ever-so disturbing to me, personally, should any of these elected officials lose their elite positions and end up at the Emoloyment Office or better yet, at a Temp Service only to be told their over qualified or that the position was "just filled." It would be ever-so unerving to me to watch them leave after being turned down, heads hanging with the thoughts of, "How am I going to pay the rent? How am I going to keep the lights turned on? What can I pawn so I can get a handful of groceries?" So, thank God for the ones in office who don’t give a rat’s ass, that with a stroke of a pen or the twist of a lever who are able to shoot down the hopes of the millions that are unemployed who are NEEDING a simple leg-up, just to keep them going until they can at least get a toe-hold and not have to be dependant on what some of these lawmakers deem as charity. Someday, perhaps, your lack of compassion and consideration will come home to you AND your families.
* Smittys_Girl wrote:
I was cutoff from unemployment 2-1/2 weeks ago without warning. I then found out that the Senate was again playing games with people’s lives. They are now set to wreak further havoc on an already weak economy by voting "No" to this legislation. Haven’t they listened to all of the economists who are supporting this extension? So all of the folks with their "holier than thou" comments better beware, it’s not just the unemployed that are going to suffer as a result of this Congressional craziness. It’s everyone. I am 56 years old and lost my job in April of ‘08 when my position was eliminated due to the deteriorating economy. I had been with the company 24 years, had an exemplary record and a 4-year IT degree. I have had a total of 5 interviews in the past 2 years after applying to 100’s of jobs. The only job I have found so far was working temporarily for the US Census Bureau for $12.25 an hour; before I was making $76K a year. I suggest the individuals who are criticiziing the unemployed ask themselves if this the way they would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. They may very well be some day; no one is immune!
* Rosalba wrote:
My unemployment benefits are about to expire and I am so scared. I have a liberal and fine arts degree and have not found a job in almost 10 months. I am freaking out! I try not to think about it as much because I dont have kids or married so things should be easier for me? What about my student loans? my car? other debts. Sometimes I feel selffish for feeling despread for a job because I live at my parents but things cant be like this forever!! I am used to working for everything or the little that I have....but where are the jobs?
* Sorry wrote:
I am so sorry I so stupidly wasted my vote on Scott Brown In Massachusettes. I promise not to make that mistake next election and will FOREVER be more careful with my vote
* An Unemployed Kentuckian wrote:
Dear Senator Mitch McConnell,
Thank you for turning my American Dream into the American Nightmare! By leading the Grand Old Party of No to block the extension of unemployment benefits for 15 million Americans that have been victims of the Great Recession you have harmed our future generations greatly. You believe you are protecting those generations, but how can that be when their parents aren’t able to provide them a decent meal or a roof over their heads, yet alone a good education. You state that deficit spending is unsustainable and I agree, but don’t try making your political point on the backs of hurting Americans. You also fail to mention that cutting off the only income for over 10% of the population will also increase the deficit through lower tax receipts. I played by all the rules, getting my Bachelor and Master degrees from top tier schools while working two jobs at times to pay for it. I have worked since I was 16 and have never had a need to take the Unemployment Insurance I have earned, but now it is the only thing keeping my family afloat. Historically our government has always extended the protection unemployment insurance provides during times of high unemployment. It is a short term fix to protect Americans until the job creation engine revs up again. I don’t seem to remember your fiscal discipline during the Bush years. (Lest you forget the surplus at the beginning of his term, the tax cuts you put through Congress and the two unfunded wars you put us in.) In case you have not looked out of your Ivory Tower lately, REAL AMERICANS ARE HURTING! There are five unemployed workers for every job out there. I have applied for over 100 jobs during my time on unemployment, tapped my network for any assistance available, and attended numerous job fairs. I have certainly realized that I won’t be able to find a job that pays nearly what I made before, but have been told numerous times I am overqualified and the company does not want to hire someone they think will move on to a better paying position as soon as the market improves. I think you have been in Washington too long and have forgotten who you represent. You are forcing me to leave the great state I love and pursue opportunities in states that are growing. I thought we were trying to keep the best and brightest in our state. You either want me to throw my education away or give it to another state. How is that representing the best for Kentucky? It’s a shame you are not up for re-election this year because by the time we will finally be able to Ditch Mitch, I will most likely be living in a new state. Thanks again Senator McConnell.
* Unemployed Angel wrote:
I have sent out resumes or applied to every viable job I could do. I will vote against everyone one that has voted against me. That’s the way I see it. Republicans beware... there’s a feeling, a hatred that is coming you’re way and the feeling is tangible. We hate your political, money grubbing butts. Trust me, whether it passes or not, I will remember in November how much stress you added to people who are already stressed from not having a job. I will take my unemployed self and specially volunteer to defeat you. We now hate your party. I have vote Republican many times - Never again.
* Sheri wrote:
It amazes me that the Senate can not put the interests of the people first. I guess I have to realize they have a home, food on the table and health insurance and even if they are voted out in November, they will still have health insurance and retirement to keep food on their table. 3 weeks or more now for some of no unemployment benefits - when they were counting on this - is a rug pulled out from under them. My husband was out of work for 8 months back in 2006, the stress caused a breakdown and he and our family fought our way back, even though we lost our home and went into bankruptcy. That was then - this is now. Now, is very different. We have a landlord that, due to our past credit history (which was so good before the job loss), informed us that if we are one day late with the rent we will be evicted. If we can’t pay our rent, we can’t pay our COBRA which is at 35% until September. So, basically, now, we face eviction, homelessness and what? We can’t put our dauaghter in a shelter. We do not qualify for the Medicaid or food stamps because my husband has a small Social Security pension which he took to survive. But, this small amount, which doesn’t even pay our rent, puts us over the limit for help.
These senators are not seeing the real picture and so what if we rant and carry on, in a few weeks we will be doing it from a street corner. My husband is 63 and would work if he could, he has medical issues and I have a heart condition. Do they care? They have no statistics they can use to see how many have died as a result of their inaction, lack of compassion and basically, selfishness. What goes around does come around and I will leave it at that...
* Betty J wrote:
I have never been unemployed before. I have been
working for 18 years, until last year when my employer
went belly up.
I’ve been getting unemployment checks since being laid
off 1yr ago in Nevada... They stopped 3 weeks ago... I
have no way of paying my electric bill, which dosen’t
matter, because I will be getting thrown out of my apt
in six days anyway. If this unemployment bill dosen’t
pass, can some of these senators loan me some rent
money til they make up their minds so i won’t have to
live in my car with my 7 yr old?
PLEASE HELP!
Betty J. Nv
* formerrepub wrote:
I cant wait for things to come back on handout and I promise you they certainly will. Having voted a straight republican ticket my whole life I can assure you that will change. I also warn everyone to not vote for tea party nutjobs because they are even further right than the yahoo’s retards in Congress right now. Very ashamed of myself because I had a hand in voting Voinovich in office. No more republicans from me. Handout be man enough to show your face when us unemployed take to the streets and throw you obese repubs from your homes. It is coming my friend because I refuse to sleep under a bridge in the hood.
* K gm wrote:
You can rest assured I am thru being rebulican–i will vote democratic no matter who they are
* Fran wrote:
How dare these Republicans do this to us? I have been out of work for nearly a year and a half and cannot find any kind of work whatsoever. I have worked for over 25 years and have never asked for any assistance from the government. It’s shameful what America is becoming with their own people. The only thing that kept my hopes up was the fact that I was still getting some money from my unemployment benefits. Now this is ending and my family and I are going to suffer greatly from lack of money. What do the Republicans care anyways, with their mansions and million dollar salaries. I wish upon them the same misfortune that millions of Americans have had, including myself. May they rot in hell
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* Andy Thomas wrote:
I am an unemployed American that has been literally sending out hundreds of individually tailored resumes and cover letters. I am smart and articulate but have not received one opportunity to even interview! The unemployment funds that I’ve been receiving keep food on the table for my wife and I. I can only imagine what things would be like if we had kids.
I have voted Republican since I was 18 and I can assure you that because of their current stance on passing unemployment legislation, I will never again vote for the Republican party. I am going to use every ounce of influence that I have (550 facebook friends, college connections, friend, etc) to get the message out about what has happened in the Senate. (And yes, before you ask, I’ve exhausted all of these resources looking for a job). The Republican party is going down, you can take that to the bank!...facepumpers!
* DavidTexas wrote:
I have been unemployed since June 09. I have posted over 200 resumes in my field and filled out applications in every other possible opening, from convenience store clerk to pizza delivery.
I have lost my home and am living with family. I have lost all self pride and nearly all hope.
I have three children, the oldest of wich is serving in Afganastan. He joined the military because I advised him to serve his country, wich we both love..... wich I am currently ashamed.
After 26 years of working, and paying taxes, and serving my country, and doing all that I am expected to do, I am left out in the cold. My benefits expired May 29th and I’m scared.
* roble Solved wrote:
Stop voting for politicians who take campaign contributions from buisnesses. Stop buying goods from companies that shipped our jobs out of the country. Buy american made products only only only. Do not buy products from companies that buy senators without morals. We Vote..We purchase...we are in control. Why are we laying down and playing dead? Let us Vote out these criminals and take back our country 1 election at a time until we are back in control. Do not let them pass the unemployment bill with a bill tacked on that ships out more jobs. with 15 million or more people out of work...who’s going to pay back the ILLEGAL syndicate called ‘fed’?
I worked from age 16 to 44. paid taxes every year.
Wife lost her job after 15 yrs of service.....we lost the house
I lost my job after 14 years of service and really don’t have much to lose.
Being on Unemployment I got to make new decisions....food or rent.....food or car payment....food or electricity......food or medical insurance for family of 5....tough decisions....collectivly this family of 5 is down more than 100lbs in 6 months....And now you stop the unemployment completely! after only a few short months!
Now I get to make new decisions like live or die.......live or die......live or die....I’m sooooo hungry!
Finding a job now should be easier now too! After the car gets reposessed and the phone gets shut off and I get booted out of my apt just after getting throw out of my own house by thieving group of government bankers "fannie"
Mcdonalds said no...I can’t even apply. "I would leave during training if offered another job" they said
Supermarket......gas station....pizza delivery.....all said they do not hire people my age for that reason.
Can’t believe how hungry I am...
* Iredell Sanders wrote:
I must retain a home and a legal income on order to get custody of my kids. The 15 month dead line is coming up and after that the state can put my kids up for aboption. Just give me a job! What are we going to do? The system notes that I am a good fit parent. I just need a job. Most often even if there is a hireing sign they say no applications or the positins been filled. I ask for a job at a store and they say "NOT HIREING", but then I see new workers as time goes by. One of the new workers had her arm in a sling tring to bag groceries. One has to know some one in order to get a job. One has to fit a profile of gender and race. I just hate that. I hate that card altogether. Family tends to bond together. None of my family has the means to production or a job to give, or money to spare. Just give me two mules and some seads then put me on a boat back home.
* bigoldb wrote:
I have worked for 18 years and never been on unemployment.I was laid off 3 times from 3 separate jobs in one year in Arizona.I have 250 applications I have filled out and had response back from 20 employers who all declined me a position.Now unemployment says I have to wait to find out if I get an extension like the government promised until they decide on this bill.This is garbage to say the least and I expect more from the United States of America.I am a stay home dad now with a 4 year old boy and a 9 year old daughter home for the summer break.I try to teach them the best and encourage them about being good people.It gets hard sometimes to teach them these things when we have an economic system that has failed.There is supposed to be a future for Americans and something called an American dream.We can fund a war to chase a ghost Named Bin Laden and spend years not finding him.If you or I were him would our government wage war for us ??? I don’t believe they would.....Lets face it if we brought home the troops and spent a quarter of that money securing our country we would be safer not to mention be able to provide unemployment and strengthen businesses to return a profit and and be able to hire employees again.This is sad !!! I feel for all of you fellow Americans who are like me and just seek opportunity.As a white American I can stand behind Martin Luther Kings statement...................I have a dream !!!!!
* bready wrote:
I live in Virginia and I am a 56 year old woman and have been out of work since December 2007 and I been looking for work and have not found anything. I have been working since I was 16 year old and I did not even thank that it would be this hard to find a job. Most jobs are looking for younger people and I have been everywhere. I have received my last unemployment check Januarty 2010 and I had to move in with my daughter because I could not afford to stay where I was because I did not have any money coming in. Right now I only getting food stamps. I do not even have money to get my medicine that the unemployment check I was receiving was helping me to get my medicine and was helping me to pay my light bill. Now I have to rely on my daughter to pay for my medicine and she cannot even can’t do this because she have to girls she is raising and it is very depressing depending on her and this have reallyt affert me mentallly and physically. Virginia only have tiers 1 through 3 and I ran out in January 2010. So Virginia need more weeks added onto tier 3 or we need to move to tier 4.
If we don't stand up and take this to the streets, then this bill will not pass. President Obama needs all those who have just lost their benefits to start screaming and making phone calls and demanding that they pass this bill. We need progressive tv shows like Keith Olberman, Rachel Maddow, Ed Shultz to keep pounding this over and over again until something is done. If you haven' fought before now is the time to fight. 200,000 people per week are about to drop off the rolls. That is close a million folks per month until November.