~Unemployed Friends Letter for the 99ers & All Exhaustees~ Updates and suggestions ~

First topic message reminder :

#99ers #HR589 Two years is long enough, we need jobs, we need benefits not drug tests. Pass HR589 for the #99ers

We, the Unemployed-Friends are writing today to ask you to please hear us.
Many of us are without benefits since March 2010. Most of us are without jobs since the 1st quarter of 2008. We need your help.

We are an organization that has kept each other strong, lobbied for extensions and most importantly lobbied for jobs. For the best part of 2-1/2 years we have applied, emailed, faxed and pounded pavements looking for work. We have joined organizations, registered with temporary and permanent employment agencies, registered with on line job searches as well as the states unemployment-jobs agencies. We have not stopped actively searching for work as we hear on an almost constant basis. Our resumes, applications and phone calls for all intents and purposes have disappeared into thin air. The reason for that is companies large and small are not hiring. You can and will draw your own conclusions, however, we are looking actively, we have no choice. Sadly, so many jobs have gone overseas. Why?

Many of you have indicated you need our support to get legislation passed to extend benefits to what we now know as the "99ers". You have also indicated that you need our help to get the Small Business Bill passed. Well ladies and gentlemen, we are here and reporting for duty. What is it you need us to do. We are ready, willing and able to do it.

Let me explain a little about us all in a general fashion. We met on the Unemployed-Friends forum. We have shared employment histories, interview results, resume writing techniques, "how to survive" stories and ways to shop and save on unemployment. We have lobbied for benefits extensions and bills for jobs. We are from every state no matter what the unemployment rate. We range in age from 18 to over 63. We are receptionists, secretaries, lawyers, teachers, real estate agents, financial managers, mechanics, machinists, contractors, carpenters, electricians and plumbers. We are a true representation from all classes. What we have in common is the desire to be gainfully employed again and enjoy raising our families. Not one of us here is looking to make a fast buck on the back of someone else. We are a "family" of people who have never personally met, but are closer than most blood relatives. We have worked together, supported one another in our every day lives. If someone needs a car fixed, a ride, prescriptions filled, resume advice, interview advice, help with homelessness and sadly suicide, we have been there for each other. It used to be the American Way. Most importantly, we are together and not leaving until we get the help we are entitled to. I realize entitled is a dirty word, however, we did our jobs and did our parts for over 30 years. We are not asking for a lifetime of income, but for a lifeline until an effective jobs program is created and we are all working again.

We are a talented bunch. We write, sing, play instruments and as I mentioned above have many enviable job skills. We have a fantastic work ethic, if we didn't this forum would have died three weeks after it started. Take advantage of our talents. What do we need to do to prove to all of you we need jobs and we need benefits as well?
Who do you want us to contact?

Those of us who exhausted our benefits worked tirelessly to get H.R. 4213 passed knowing it would not benefit us. Those that benefitted from 4213 are still working with the 99ers to get this bill passed.

Most importantly, we need jobs created. Real jobs. It is very disheartening to hear many of you give your dailly sound bite telling us that jobs are available. I am here to tell you, they are not. Certainly, there are a few. I am registered on 11 different agencies and internet sites. I have had three interviews out of 1241 applications sent. Bloomberg reports this morning that Walmart and Home Depot are keeping ahead for two reasons: they don't bonus out their managers at any level and they are keeping their current work force of full time and part time employees. No additional hiring this year as well as last. Minimum wage jobs are not readily available, as some have said and a minimum wage part time job will help, however, for most families it continues them on TANF, Food Stamps and Medicaid. How does that help cut spending?

We have suffered through most of the summerof 2010 without incomes and benefits while you have taken two vacations with no help to those who need it. Now you are gearing up for the fall campaigns. Do you not think advertising $22 million dollars for ad buys is a slap in the face to people who have no income. Do you think we won't remember?

Tonight brings us to the State of the Union 2011. For the 99ers the State of the Union sadly brings us a new year with no help. Not one of us is asking for anymore than the Banks, the Auto Industry and the Mortgage Industry has asked for, far less actually. We need your help until jobs open up at a greater rate than they are currently. We all wait every single day for phone calls and emails that never come. Over 14 million people are not lazy, untalented, untrained individuals who couldn't hold down a job. Many of us were employed for over 30 years. What we need is your help and for the truth to be told about just how many unemployed Americans there are. On a weekly basis, the 99er numbers grow and the unemployment numbers decline. Mainly these numbers decline due to the number of people who are no longer counted among the unemployed because they have in fact exhausted all benefits, not because we have become disinterested in seeking employment. We cannot afford to do that.

This morning at 9:45 AM Rep. Lee and Rep. Scott held a Press Conference to introduce the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. This would give a much needed 14 weeks of benefits to the 99ers who have exhausted all benefits. Today is February 9, 2011, some members will "celebrate" their one year anniversary next month with NO benefits. H.R. 589 is a lifeline and hope for exhaustees and should not be ignored. Your support for this legislation is very important and the moral thing to do. As of today, we see very slow job creation. Although any job creation is a great thing, we need massive efforts to get ALL the unemployed back to work in jobs that will pay a living wage and afford people the ability to obtain healthcare, shelter and food; a wage that would enable them to be removed from all programs the Federal Government and the States Government funds.

If American companies want to hire dedicated workers who will give it their all, retrain for positions out of their field, keep open minds and remain loyal to companies, they have to look no further than the 99ers of the United States. Through the worst of times that can be described only by those who are living it, we have stayed together and kept each other going with nothing more than posted words, but two and one-half years in, we are still together doing just that.

Living in a country such as ours, for all of us it is unthinkable that we would not help countries like Haiti who are so in need. How is it that you can forget people who until 2008 helped our country help others and yet, not even kind words are lent to the American 99ers. We now need your help and have needed it for well over eight months.

We are all here now waiting for you to tell us what help you need. The ball is in your court. I think at this time you are aware that there are more unemployed than the numbers truly reflect. That is a great deal of votes. We are asking you now to help us secure employment.

You asked for our help, we are here waiting for your response. What do you need us to do? You cannot keep telling us NO!!! We need a plan of action and we need it now. Winter is too cold to have families without heat and food and benefits and the 99ers are families not just individuals.

Here we sit in June 2011, still searching for that job that will get us the financial help we need for ourselves and our families, while bills sit in committee and our lives hang in the balance. We aren't disappearing, our numbers are growing. You can't ignore us forever.

Today, July 6, 2011 well over a year with no benefits for most 99ers, the President held a twitter town hall. Not one mention of the unemployed directly or the 99ers. We are invisible, not counted. Can you afford to lose the votes of the unemployed and 99ers for ignoring us? We are part of this country, a major part of the unemployment picture and our missing tax dollars do add up. Our deficit grows daily, revenues don't. Can you afford to continue ignoring us?

Tell us, what will you do, a jobs bill, a real one this time, in the meantime, benefits are necessary. What help can we give you? We are willing, but now it's time for you to act responsibly. Actions not words are needed.

This weekend, Labor Day Weekend 2011, the second summer ends for most of us who are living with no benefits and no job prospects. Thursday, a really poor jobs report and a Congress who is more interested in sound bites, a Republican Debate, fourteen months before an election and a squabble with the President over dates to hold a joint session of Congress. You set a wonderful example for children who will study this in the future. You behavior is horrible and quite frankly in poor taste. You have American Citizens, Voters who are starving and desperate and you worry about budgets. Should you, of course, but not at the expense of human lives. We need your help, we have needed it for two years and now it's time for all of you to roll up your sleeves, get to work and make something happen for us. We are more than willing to help, but you MUST help us. We can't sit by and patiently request your help any longer, you MUST HELP US.

Now we find ourselves in October of 2011. We have Presidential Candidates, OccupyWallStreet, Debates and still no Jobs Plan. Are you starting to see what we mean now. This letter will get longer and longer and yet still no real plan of action. There will be a test vote tonight on the Senate Floor. Will you vote to bring the American Jobs Act to the people who elected you and really need this legislation, if not, will be present a similar plan of action that will help the PEOPLE? I think you know by now, we are NOT going away. Why can't we all work together on this? Let us help, start by listening, then tell us what you need for us to do. We can't wait much longer. If things don't change soon, you all may be part of our group. We have nothing left to lose, you still have much to lose. Please, hear the messages, work together, get a plan of action.

Here we sit Monday, November 21, 2011, three days before Thanksgiving. Many families have NOTHING to be thankful for. The Super Committee has proven to be a failure and with a downgrade, a shakey economy and no Jobs Bill, those without benefits for almost two years are hopeless. Just how long do you think people can depend on the kindness of friends and families before their money gives out. A thought that apparently doesn't occur to most of you. If you don't want class warfare, don't continue to add to it. People need your help and they need to believe in the people who they elected. What will it take? We have many times offered our help and very few have responded, so again we ask, what do you need us to do? We are waiting.

In addition, do you truly not believe that November 2012 is an election year not only for the President, but for many of you as well. Right now, it's not Democrat or Republican, it's about cleaning house. Party will not matter to many, they will vote for whoever will help them, many will vote just to clean house. The people are waiting for leadership, help and a government that works for the Country, not for your particular needs and wants, they will vote for theirs.

It's the end of January 2012, we are still here. You have collectively done nothing to help us. For many this is the start of their fourth year. Another election campaign is upon us. It would be wise to start working on issues that people care about. It's a disgrace that after this long, many, many reports, many, many months, nothing, NOTHING has been done. Please remember, we VOTE.

~~~May 29, 2012 Update~~~

Okay, so apparently the game of chicken is scaring both parties. Please remember, you are playing chicken with the lives of millions of American Voters. We may not be able to find suitable employment, we may be down but we will never give up this fight. You can continue to ignore us and things will get worse until, once again it blows up. Europe is close. We refuse to give up, help us so we can help get this country back to where we should be. Help us to get jobs so we can contribute to taxes, benefits, social security. Help us so we can pay bills, buy goods, get proper medical attention. Stop playing chicken with peoples lives. We remember and we vote.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mary Kay C - Sewell, NJ
Jason D. - Pittsburgh, PA
Janet S. from California
Jim S.-Latrobe, PA
Ron M CT.
Brenda H. Springfield, Mo.
Admin, Unemployed-Friends.com;C in Cali(Admin)- CA
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wausau, don't lose heart. I do think most times, that what is printed or used as sound bites are done so to get the most "reaction". What I am about to say may annoy some people, but it is my opinion and not fact.

I have to agree that as adults over the age of 45, we are left to flounder. If you have no children in most cases, unless you have a state with a "heart", you are given no medical coverage. If you state has a heart, you get coverage for Dr. appts only, no prescription help, no hospitalization, just a pat on the back and "don't get seriously ill. The Dr. coverage is at best a joke, though in NJ I am at least grateful to get it so I can get my bloodwork done every three months for my thyroid problems and get the proper medication. I have to drive an hour or better to get to the appts, they are no where near where I live, they are actually in a vacation town in South Jersey, so for most Medicaid recipients, it's almost impossible to get to. For the really sick and elderly, it's a damn disgrace.

Through all my working years, as a manager, I always tried to be fair to all employees, but when it came to Christmas and Halloween, Easter etc, I always had a meeting with everyone and asked for those with no children, like myself, to cover the holidays that parents need to be at home. It was the right thing to do. However, it was always a kick in the gut, when at busy times, these parents would call out due to children's illnesses, without ever giving a thought to having a plan in place for these emergencies. I am not talking about a child's serious illness or hospitalizations or surgeries, just routine illnesses that children get. As a manager I had to have a Plan B,C and D, sometime even an E. Being fair, I sometimes had to rotate. On certain holidays, I worked a 16 hour shift so parent could be home. It was the right thing to do, however, there HAS to be give and take. When it comes to children's coverage, it should be there, but adults should be covered as well. If you are over 45, single or a childless person or couple you receive 1/8 of what you need and it's not fair at all. It has nothing to do with discrimination against families or children, it just shouldn't be looked at as an either/or. It never should have been. So members who are parents, do not become angry. I am not saying you are not entitled to help, but so are the childless couples and singles.

When States and the Federal Gov't put programs in place, they wait and hope for funding that may or may not come. For me, it's like paying your monthly bills, you don't get a mortgage and then decide that if your money doesn't come through, you don't pay the bill, you plan and put aside so it can be done. The States and Government constantly budget and plan in the hopes of receiving enough money through revenue and the hope of Federal money. They need to do what they are constantly asking others to do, live within your means. If you have over a million unemployed, state funded extensions, a growning need for medical and food assistance, you have to budget properly for it. You don't send money elsewhere in the hopes of getting a larger chunk of federal money, you pay your bills first and then the extras can be done. It really is that simple. Same with pensions, you don't leave them underfunded, year after year and hope the money falls from the sky, it's one of your bills, you pay them first and then use the extra where needed. The federal money should be the extra, not the bill money as you never know what you are getting.

Don't feel explosive wausau, we are all tired of the lack of action in DC, they quite honestly have no ideas what really will get the economy moving or get people re-employed, they have no ideas what will work to move us forward because they are all too concerned with their own images and re-elections. Not to agree with Republicans, but this two month extension is ridiculous. We are people, not balance sheets, I don't care how little they think of us, we deserve better. Until this economy tanked thanks to their lack of intelligence, laws and regulations that could have prevented this, WE the unemployed, paid for their services and we are not getting anything but pushback from a party who is bent on not just ruining the lives of the unemployed, the lives of people making less than a million, but the entire country. Think about this for a second, we have accounting firms, payroll firms, many companies with their own accounting depts. As of today, they are still sitting and waiting for a clear cut path for taxation for the next year, not to mention the federal and state agencies, the IRS etc. Anyone have any idea what a nightmare this is for people who have to correctly do this job and may have to change programs and payrolls within a 24 hour period. Social security employs how many people, same with any government entity, banks, large corporations. They are screwing so many because they hate this President. At this point, they are screwing the people they claim they want to help.

I am urging all members, please, today, pickup your phones, skip the emails and skip the tweets, social media is great, but staffers are the people who get them, not the Senate, not Congress, make the calls, I am, all day, like I did on Friday, put your voice on the record. We pay them to do a job, they think the unemployed are lazy, pass this extension, pass the tax breaks, include the 99ers and do it for a year. This economy isn't going to be fixed in a 2 month time frame and we are tired of waiting.

And, while I am on a roll, the next time we all vote, use your heads and not your anger. November 2010 really showed them didn't it, people were angry, we showed them. Now the gridlock and bizarre throught process in Congress is worse than ever and we have gone from being unemployed and needing help and jobs to being lazier than before, required to be drug tested like we are on parole, what's next??? A cattle train to the middle of the country so we can build a cross country rail system. My dignity isn't taking this anymore. When I was working my salary and bonuses were paid for doing a job, doing it well and continuing to make strides to improve the overall business climate. Our fearless leaders a guaranteed a salary until they lose an election, regardless of performance. Sorry, I think it's time for us to be on the record, 2 months does nothing but risk a further downgrade, a shakey two months on the stock market, which as ridiculous as it is, drives a huge part of the economy and recovery. Uncertainty kills recovery, uncertainty destroys business and families and lives. It has to end.

Every member needs to get on the bandwagon. The unemployed and the 99ers need to be united in one cause, fairness for all the unemployed. I can continue to write, call, email, fax and tweet. I am being heard, but I am one voice. I think we are all worth fighting for, I think our future is worth fighting for, I hope all members do as well. I know many of you are working tirelessly with me and I thank you, I need all our members to do the same, WE ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR, SO ARE OUR FAMILIES.

I know we all get down, trust me, I have no immunity to it, but we are worth fighting for. I know it's busy, I can't spend all day doing this either, I can spend some time and that's what I need us all to do. Hope you will all join in.

Thank you Marykay...I cannot express how much I appreciate your taking the time to write such a detailed and heartfelt message. I feel like you read between the lines and picked up on stuff I was not even clear headed enough to express.

I feel disappointed in myself for letting myself get to feeling so down and frustrated. I also have things to be grateful for, and need to recognize that while having more than enough food can be a double edged sword, it is a blessing that some do not have. Also, I am still current on my mortgage even when at the end of March I will not have have full-time work for 3 years.

I have to be honest, I am scared as I only have 2 weeks left of unemployment and really do not know if there will be an extension to replenish my unemployment, but I will get through it. Maybe one of the jobs will come through just in time.

Thanks is not enough to say, but I am thankful for your kindness and honesty.

Merry Christmas to all and especially a hope of a Merry Christmas for those who have uncertainty and fear on their hearts, I think we are the ones that Jesus would have been advocating for us. Please do not take offense if you have different religious views, please change my statement to however it will make you feel comfortable.

WE will get through this.

J

Yes, we will get through this, wausauguy. Thank you for your words of encouragement!

Based on the many phone calls yesterday, this is far from over, our best hope is they do get the Senate back and work out an arrangement for taxes, UE and the 99ers in one package for a minimum of one year and we don't have to suffer through this again in two months. Of the contacts I made, it does not appear the two month will pass unless something happens (like a miracle) over night. A few indicated, it was done purposely to make them all meet and arrive at a larger deal, some just feel it has no chance at all of passing for 2 months. Hard to tell.

Please keep screaming. We can't give up.

I sure hope that you are right, MaryKay!

Giving this a bump for Marykay...

Please Don't forget to keep advocating everyone, tweet this letter, email it, fax it.

Thanks!

Happy New Year and good morning to all.

I apologize for the absense. I will make this as short as possible:

1: Dad developed some complications, swelling of feet and legs with the chemo.
2: My brother who suffered a massive stroke 6 years ago, is also having complications, not unusual with paralization and has an infection which may lead to the loss of two toes. Unfortunately he is 2-1/2 hrs away so that also adds to the process.
3: Dad fell last Thursday, broke his left wrist and may need surgery, also has 19 stitches in his right hand and only has two available fingers to use for gripping etc.

It's been a wild holiday to say the least. I am home and Dad is with us here. Rich took last week and he and my brother went to Delaware for my brother. We will know more on that in the next two weeks. Right now, I am just waiting on the ortho appt for stitch removal, surgery, if necessary and then of course, the follow ups on chemo as needed, if we can do it with all the other issues. I am alot calmer to be honest that he is with us, at least we have "eyes" on him all day and night. I wish we could get my brother up here as well, but he is stubborn and won't come.

I promise to be more available, but I will be limited in time. I still have a cell phone and have been using it I promise.

They assigned bill numbers to the help for the 99ers and I think it's a good thing.

I have calls and emails out to all. My twitter time has been non-existent, but I will get on later and start again.

Thanks to all for you thoughts and prayers. We need them.

The 99ers need them as well. Also, let's not forget, they only signed a two month extension of regular UE benefits.

I am hoping you all had a great holiday. I was thinking of you all. Just couldn't get to you.

Really been missing you MaryKay!! My prayers are with you and your family!!!!

MaryKay, I am sorry to hear about your Dad and Brother.

You are an inpiration.

Take care of youself and know that you are cared for.

J

Good Morning all friends. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers and nice messages, we do need them. Just to update, Dad has another week before the decided on surgery or not, at his age they don't want to completly take it off the table and then hit him with it again, it would just crush him. Stitches come out next wed. and they will re-xray and make a call on surgery. His cast is lighter and tighter to hold the break. They are giving him a 6 week break on chemo, which I am so glad for, he needs a break (and not a castable one). So far he is holding his own, but it makes you feel so damn bad.

I have on our subject of the 99ers sent lettters to Sandy Levin, Ways and Means, Whip Hoyer Lloyd Dogget, Rep Clyburn and Barbara Lee. They can't let the conversation die on the 99ers and unemployment. I explained that they know the real reason that UE rate is dropping because more and more are 99ers and we need help now, unless they want millions on food stamps and rioting in the streets. Let's see where the conversation goes. Also, sent emails to the msm, informing them that we are all NOT totally interested in the primaries and caucuses, so let's get the conversation going on jobs, since the candidates won't.

Please all, keep your voices heard, they would like nothing more than to be distracted from unemployment and jobs until February and have the focus be on the election, but let's not give them the break they want.

Good Morning all Friends. Just wanted to say thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. Things are slowly getting back to chaotic, but for us that's normal. Dad is doing better, but the chemo continues. He should be getting his cast off on 2/8 (he turns 84 on 2/7. He may need a brace for a month, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. The stitched hand is healing nicely and he is at least able to get dressed and do a few things that he couldn't do before, so he's feeling a little more secure. It scared him alot and he's doubting his footsteps and really is very cautious, which makes me sad. But, all in all, we are moving forward.

I will be back as much as I can, at least one day a week I will be up there and we start chemo on Thursday again. It's going to be a wait and see there, we don't know how he will handle more treatments, or if in fact, the treatment was the reason he fell. We'll handle it, now that we know what else we need to look out for.

As for the 99er family. I am still committed. I will be blasting emails and tweets today and most of the week when I can. "They" are all very willing to let the tax and UE situation go to the wire and keep campaigning with no mention of this, so I think now that there nice long vacation is over, we remind them, we are still here, and I am updating the letter to include the new year and again, no help, no answers and no ideas, mostly, NO JOBS!!!. Hope you take a minute to review the additions and let me know what you think or what you would like added. In June of 2012, it will be 4 years for me of unemployment and no real quality interviews and by that I mean anything I could live on, that's unacceptable to me and they are going to know it, loud and clear.

Good morning all. I am happy to report I was able to get about 60 emails done yesterday. I am still setting up the new computer and sorry to say nothing was salvagable in the old one, so I am recreating everything. You know me, go big or go home, well I guess that applies to the old computer as well.

I am still having trouble with tweet deck, but twitter is working fine, so I will work on that today.

Just so you all know, Thursday, Dad starts chemo again and I will be absent. I should have a better idea by next Wednesday of exactly what is going on, we have the ortho appt and supposedly the cast is coming off and hopefully just a brace, but he will need physical therapy, no every day, but I will be able to get a schedule and let you know when I will and will not be here.

Today my goal is to get the msm contacted and once again ask them to turn the conversation back to JOBS, HR589, the Unemployed, Underemployed and the UE Extension.

#99ers #HR589 #JOBS. If you want to know what's important for the next election talk to the Unemployed.

#99ers #HR589 #Jobs - NO ONE CARES IF MITT BASHES NEWT, WE NEED JOBS AND HELP!!!

jUST SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR TWEETERS.

Started some tweeting. Still getting my lists and addresses recreated.

Hoping you are all well and things are as good as can be expected.

The stuff on your old computer should still be on there unless the hard drive itself died on you. Would you computer just not start, or would it start and not boot?

Hi ranbrow, how are you, hoping well. Yes, the hard drive died and dumped everything. We tried to fix, took it to have fixed and it's deader than dead. Getting caught up nicely though.

Today, still working the phone and the emails. Will tweet this afternoon and a little this evening.

Need to make sure that they know we are still here, looking for help, looking for jobs and we really aren't all that interested in the early primaries, we need jobs and we need help.

MaryKay wrote:Hi ranbrow, how are you, hoping well. Yes, the hard drive died and dumped everything. We tried to fix, took it to have fixed and it's deader than dead. Getting caught up nicely though.

Today, still working the phone and the emails. Will tweet this afternoon and a little this evening.

Need to make sure that they know we are still here, looking for help, looking for jobs and we really aren't all that interested in the early primaries, we need jobs and we need help.

Ah yeah if the hard drive went, then nothing can be done. I was just asking because sometimes it turns out to be a problem with the motherboard and you can just throw the hard drive in a new computer.

I am emailing. Please all, February, not just a short month, but the last month for UE if we don't make noise. Those still eligible, please join us in asking for a bill that includes extensions and the 99ers. As someone soon to be a 99er for 2 years, it's not a good existence. I cannot stress enough to all members, we need to be louder than they are. They will get loud and fight against any help for any of us on the floor of the house and the senate, we need to be LOUDER!!!

Good day. I was able to get about 50 emails sent and about 22 phone calls.

Just to update you all, I have to take Dad to chemo tomorrow, won't be back until friday, sometime in the afternoon. Not leaving, will work the phones though.

MaryKay...THANK YOU for all you do!
You have been more than instrumental to so many on this forum & I hope that your Dad is feeling better:)
As you & others have said, we will not give up & need to be heard until we get the results we need...thank you again:)

Made some additions and am emailing as we I post. I am calling and emailing. I may go back to twitter, but had some real problems for a while with tweeting and the ugliness it can bring.

Whatever anyone thinks we should add or any new ideas, please pm me or post them here so we can kick all the ideas around.

Also, locally, it's important -- contact you Commissioners, Governors, Mayors and State Reps.

Made about 50 calls and sent 25 emails. Hoping to really accomplish more tomorrow.

If you all think of anything else we can do, let me know. Thanks as always.

mk

I had a very interesting back and forth with several members of Congress yesterday and last night.

Bottom line, if we want to keep the unemployment crisis, and it is a crisis in the headlines, where is it nothing but a soundbite these days, we need to get the unemployed, underemployed and the 99ers on the same page and scream loudly. Those who would love to help us hit as many brick walls as we do. This needs to be the main event for the upcoming election, JOBS, Benefits and help. We need employment to be on the lips of every members of the House, Senate and the Presidential candidates as well. Giving up now for us is not an option, if we don't do this, NO ONE will. It really is that simple.

Please post your suggestions or join me and many others on the forum in contacting everyone you can think of to help get up the help and the JOBS we need.

I have updated the title to include all UE Exhaustees.

I hope that our newest members will join us in emails, tweeting and calling on Congress to Act on a jobs bill or overdue legislation for additional help for the exhaustees because it's the right thing to do.

If you wish, please add you name, city and state and I will update the signatures.

I have been emailing since my return. My twitter/tweetdeck does not appear to be functioning properly, so I have not been tweeting this out. I am working on this today.

I would urge all members to read the post by Desperate In RI in the History of the 99ers, Now What Do We Do thread.

Once again, thanks to all who participate and have for the past several years.

As of yesterday, I updated this to include all the Exhaustees. Since about 8am I have been copying, pasting and emailing. Congress, Senate, President (although I have to leave the signatures off)

I still can't get tweetdeck operational, but when I do, I will be tweeting it our. If anyone is using tweetdeck, just copy and paste and send.

We will get the list of Congressional/Senate contacts posted as soon as we can so no one has to look them up.

Hoping all members are well and ready to fight, scream, call, tweet and email!!!!

MaryKay say: "As of yesterday, I updated this to include all the Exhaustees."

I agree every needs to get together and harness our collective power. I am surprised at how far I have gotten just on my own. Jobs must be created, we need a REAL PROGRAM, like the WPA from the Depression, BUT we also MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE EMERGENCY DESIGNATED FUNDS TO HELP THE JOBLESS ARE IMPLEMENTED AND PAID CORRECTLY, SO THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS ACCURATE. STATE EXTENDED BENEFITS MIGHT NOT HAVE ENDED SO EARLY (EXTEND HELP FOR THE 99 AND RE-EXTEND THE PREVIOUS AID FOR EVERYONE ELSE THIS YEAR AS THINGS GET WORSE AGAIN).

One specific WEDGE "issue", to use to GET ACTION, IS the REPAIR of the Incorrect Emergency Unemployment Compensation Determinations, Payments and Adjudications. This "could" help bring about change, and do it before the election to help ALL Exhaustees and the Economy in general.

Just one idea to unite us against a specific issue that can help the cause all around, from a similar thread today (mods feel free to put it where it helps best).

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t4638-history-of-the-99ers-now-what-can-we-do#55377