The employment picture has improved slightly. On Thursday, September 2, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that in the week ending Aug. 28, the advance figure for initial unemployment claims was 472,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 478,000. The 4-week moving average was 485,500, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week’s average of 488,000. Many economists consider the 4-week moving average to be a more accurate measurement of unemployment as it accounts for seasonal locations. Nonetheless, 4,554,010 workers who lost their job through no fault of their own are receiving unemployment insurance benefits through federal extensions which, unless Congress acts will expire on November 30, 2010
Hiring has slowed to a crawl in recent months. The claims report comes one day before the Labor Department is scheduled to issue the August employment report. That is expected to show that private businesses added a net total of only 41,000 jobs last month, the fourth straight month of anaemic hiring.
When government jobs are included, total payrolls are forecast to drop by 100,000 — based on about 115,000 temporary census jobs ending. The jobless rate is projected to rise to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent, according to Thomson Reuters.
Without more jobs, consumers will likely spend cautiously, making it harder for the economy to gain steam. Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity.
The pace of economic growth has slowed considerably from earlier this year, as the impact of the government’s stimulus package fades. Many economists are increasingly pessimistic that private companies will do enough hiring and spending to replace the impact of the stimulus.
The nation’s gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic output, grew at a 3.7 percent annual pace in the first quarter, but that slowed dramatically to 1.6 percent in the April-to-June period. That’s not fast enough growth to bring down unemployment.
Extended benefits were available in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin during the week ending Aug. 14.
States reported 4,546,010 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending Aug. 14. There were 3,081,750 claimants in the comparable week in 2009. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity.
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending Aug. 21 were in Florida (+1,906), Nevada (+503), Iowa (+297), Maryland (+250), and New York (+247), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,983), Ohio (-1,649), Michigan (-1,559), Wisconsin (-1,406), and Oregon (-1,356).
Also on September 2, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that worker Productivity in the spring fell by the largest amount in nearly four years while labor costs rose, signals that companies may have reached the limits of squeezing more work out of fewer workers. This is being interpreted as a sign that many companies have reached the point where more hiring may be required. Many economists had suspected that companies had reached the “irreducible minimum” in the sense that they had laid off as many workers as they could and remain functioning. The September 2 Labor Department report tends to confirm these suspicions.
Even with the slightly improved employment report issues today, millions of Americans are waiting on the Congress to both extend unemployment insurance and enact a Tier 5. If, as most economists believe, the unemployment rate will raise in the monthly report due to be released tomorrow, this need will become even more apparent.
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Off course it SEEMS like the economy is getting better… as unemployment number dropped! The MILLIONS of unemployed people “kicked out” of the unemployment benefits are not being counted! By the end of the year it could reach some 10 MILLION if not more. And these people are by all the means STILL UNEMPLOYED! There aren’t jobs out there to sustain those who are unemployed, short or long-term or not-counted-anymore unemployed people. NO, the economy is not getting better, it’s unfortunately getting WORSE! Do not believe in those liars. The reason why the gov is not wanting to extend more the unemployed benefits is not because they do not have the money, but it’s to cause an illusion that the economy is getting better by hiding the real unemployment number (if benefits get extended, those million that have been kicked out of the system will simply be re-added to the numbers. Simple as that). If the folks out there fall into this illusion (TRAP) they will spend blindly and although this will help move the economy, it’s going to be only temporarily, as those individuals will soon or later get into serious problems because their or anyone’s jobs or businesses are not secure and they could end up losing them. They will find themselves endebted with no means to pay their dues. Therefore, another bigger wave of bankruptcies and foreclosures! DO NOT BELIEVE those liars, the economy is not better and not getting better so soon, we haven’t reached the BOTTOM yet! Stay still and quite and do not buy! Save yourself and your loved ones by saving your money and buying only what you need. NOT a good time for any type of investment.
Jack
Thank you for your comment…
The article above only refers to new claims for unemployment insurance. While it probably is true during the week reported there were fewere people laid off, if my article gave you the impression that I thought the unemployment situation is improving, I regret that because that is not my intent or belief.
In fact, as I stated in the last section of the article, many believe that the economy is all but stalled – and I believe the data supports that view – and no one is expecting that when the actual report on unemployment comes out tomorrow there will be any significant improvement.
My apologies Michael, my comment is not really directed to you but at all those involved (politicians and related, such as media controlled by such, etc.) into this persistent “cover-up” of the real unemployment numbers. Your article is good and I know what your point is, I may have gone “out of focus” in my comment…Keep it up!
No worries, Jack…..this is a difficult time and people are rightly outraged by the lack of leadership – on all levels – in DC
I think the American people are tough – they can handle the truth and one hopes that this will be conveyed to the American people soon.
I am the son of expat parents.
If and when they cut my unemployment I will leave the country for good.
Fortunately I have some savings and my social security will be enough to get by on.
Not a penny more will I spend in this heartless country.
And yes, I have been offered an overseas job but nothing here.
I really do hate to see the coming election results the morning after. If as I predict and think is highly possible there will be a GOP landslide and if that happens there will be little if any chance to see a tier V coming anytime soon. I am expecting the worse, yet still hoping for the best if there is a best. I have to agree with Jack don’t spend a dime if you don’t have to for anything but the basics, food, clothes, shelter. Thats it nothing more. I know for some that is alot they simply do not have anyway. If the truth be told there are 30 million people on some form of assistance and its getting worse by the day. If those people stop spending in any form it will by anyones accounting bring the economy to its knees and that includes the gov’t and wall st. But if that is what it takes to get the needed attention then so be it. If the GOP is back in office in November the seperation will be even greater than it already is in this country. Can we as a nation simply ignore right now 10 million people losing benefits, well there are some in congress and the senate that think we can. And if elected that is exactly what will happen. Ten million strong, that is a very loud voice. As I have said before if the political machine has no will then the people must muster up the will to change it. I honestly didn’t think they would let it go on this long but I was so wrong. When Harry Reid dismissed the senate for this last vacation I know then just how much we really ment to the United States Senate….Zero is how much. They had the nerve to leave town in the middle of a crises like this and that shows just how they are connected. The democrats are in the majority who the hell are they afraid of ofending. The GOP. God that is pathetic. If we the people don’t take matters into our own hands and get the message out there we will get exactly what we deserve. Nothing. We already know what we will get from the party of NO and now we know what we will get from the party of NO GUTS. So its time to take matters into our own hands. Take it to the streets and scream it out loud and clearly. Do we really want a banana republic or do we want to change it. I think the choice is pretty clear. We are not asking for a hand out but rather a hand up for as long as it takes. We are Americans and Americans help one another in times like this or am I just blowing smoke up my own dress. For the sake of all of us I hope not.
Ray..
Well said…I agree with your sentiments and admire your passion
Unemployment is not getting better, people are just falling out of the count by exhausting benefits. The numbers of long-term unemployed is growing at an alarming rate and no one (congress or American working people) seems to care.
When will someone realize that we are in trouble? America is known for waiting until the sh*t hits the fan, before acting. We need to be more preventive and proactive instead of reactive, the signs are and were already there! They had to see this coming.
The 99ers are getting much more attention in the last few months and yet STILL no real response. When will they address our concerns, when will the president speak out about the long, long-term unemployed (99ers) specifically???
In his last speech, one day before the extension’s passage, the president refers to a man who was out of work for 2 years and needs this extension; however, that extension did not include this man. This is clear because he was out of work for 2 years making him a 99er.
Is the president really this misinformed? Does he really not know the difference in claiming unemployed and those who have exhausted benefits six months ago? And if so, shame on him for not knowing! How can he be so out of touch with what is going on, on Main Street???
If he is aware, shame on him! How dare he try to trick the American people into thinking that he didn’t understand or that he thought that the latest extension would cover all unemployed???
What is going on in Washington?? We need help and we need it now! There are no jobs!!!! Help create them, give effective and appealing incentives for hiring, and pass a Tier 5 for those who have been hit the hardest and the longest!!!!
Since when do we blame the victims, in this country? What happened to “We the people?” The government is made up of the people for the people!!!!!
Perhaps some clarification is needed
The information reported in the article is about NEW unemployment claims. All this report shows is that fewer people became unemployed. It has nothing to do with the millions and millions that are unemployed. This information will be released tomorrow (9/3) morning by the Department of Labor
If my article or the headline gave the impression that I was suggesting that the unemployment situation is improving that is not my intent, which I thought I made clear in the last paragraphs of the article.
I regret if the article was confusing or caused misunderstanding
Michael Colliss
Barbara
Perhaps I should have also said that I agree entirely with your sentiment, you may want to review the lengthy reply I made to Tom which appears below
Michael Colliss
Thanks, Michael! I see your point and thanks for clarifying, it has just been such a long and hard fight to get a job, get help while we continue to look, and at the same time defend ourselves from all of the false and slandering claims.
I know that you have been one of our (the 99ers) greatest advocates and I think I speak for all the 99ers when I say that we really appreciate your attention to our plight!
Thanks again, without people like you we would have no hope!!
Agree with Barbara.
Heartfull thanks Michael, for this passion in helping all those Americans the hardest hit, who have felt with nearly no means for survival, almost no hope, slowly losing faith in those they so once trusted or with even not a voice. Thank you and to a few others who chose to stand for them. God Bless America! This is the great example that there are still true Americans among us and that’s why that hope, although so weak in the lives of all the people in pain, has not yet died.
Obama is NOT misinformed! He chooses to just ignore us and hope for the best! That is what is going to hurt the Democrats in November! Their cowardness is going to catch up with them, but, they let it happen!
Thanks Barbara, I think you said it all
The information reported in the article is about NEW unemployment claims. All this report shows is that fewer people became unemployed. It has nothing to do with the millions and millions that are unemployed. This information will be released tomorrow (9/3) morning by the Department of Labor
If my article or the headline gave the impression that I was suggesting that the unemployment situation is improving that is not my intent, which I thought I made clear in the last paragraphs of the article.
Thank you too, Ray! I agree with you that we need to get up and stand up for ourselves. If we don’t do something more than silently vent on these web sites, I’m afraid we will not be heard nor receive any help and we are running out of time.
If the effort is minimal, the results will be minimal.
While I understand the discouragement and fear of the “99er” I think it should be pointed out that they have obviously at some time in the past adopted a dependent mindset which leads them to believe that a government check is the solution to their dilemma. If there was no government check they would have found another way of making money.
Unfortunately too many Americans have lost what was once referred to as our “rugged individualism” and become dependent on the state for their very bread. It will be a long hard road out of this mindset with much pain for all of us but it will be seen as another great lesson.
There has been a concept circulating around which seems to me should be addressed, but frankly, I do not have the time to prepare a full article. This is the concept that somehow unemployment benefits are entitlement programs.
“Entitlement Programs” as used in the context of government programs are basically programs which people are automatically entitled to. For example, when a person reaches 65 he is automatically entitled to Social Security. Thus almost 100% of people when they reach a certain age are entitled to Social Security.
Unemployment insurance benefits are most assuredly not “entitlement programs” as used in this context. For a person to get unemployment insurance, they have to prove that they have lost their job through no fault of their own and that they have a sufficient record of employment and earnings. Although the number change slightly from week to week, the usual number is that only about 45% of those that are unemployed get unemployment insurance benefits, hardly the features of an entitlement program.
I am well aware that this concept will be rejected. It has always been amusing to me that people fight like tigers to keep their Medicare benefits (which I believe to be a good program, incidentally), which is an entitlement program, but deride and ridicule people that get unemployment insurance calling it an entitlement program. No one in this nation is entitled to unemployment insurance. It has to be earned.
Perhaps this article is not the best place to share these comments, since I did not mention entitlement programs once in the article, but I keep seeing this bogus characterization of unemployment benefits coming up, on this and other sites, and I thought I would just try to introduce an element of reality here.
Michael Colliss
Michael,
I think we could all agree that at some point when people have to petition the government for money to live on they are in a state of dependence. That is my essential point.
If the “unemployment insurance” was private there would be a fund (a pool of money if you will) that was paid into that could then be drawn on by those that had lost their jobs. The fund would be metered to allow each person to withdraw a certain amount (most likely based on what they paid in) or the fund would go broke.
At some point, which I think we can all agree is long past for 99ers, the fund has run dry for those people’s “unemployment insurance”. Simply put there is no more money, measuring as an insurance company would, based on what was paid into the fund.
It can legitimately be called an entitlement program when laws are passed by the government, to extend payments to the unemployed beyond the metered amount (example the 99 weeks extension or more) which is simply added to the government deficit and can no longer be legitimately called “insurance”.
I can tell that you have done some research on the unemployment situation, however your article does not appear entirely objective on the larger issues of “unemployment insurance”.
Tom..
Since I have retired I have worked full time as a volunteer with a community action agency in Massachusetts on unemployment issue and unemployment advocacy. So, I think you are right when you say I have done “some” research
You comparison with private insurance is interesting but I believe flawed. If you had, for example, fire insurance on your house and if, God forbid you had a fire, I do not think you would find it acceptable if the insurance company said “Sorry we cannot pay your claim because we, for some reason, have had a lot of claims for fires this year.” This is really what you are saying.
As to your observation that I am not entirely objective about the need for unemployment insurance, this is not entirely a news flash as my 30 or so previous articles have demonstrated. I plead guilty to that accusation. I do believe that people who have lost their job through no fault of their own do deserve help until this the greatest recession since the Great Depression shows signs of improvement which it clearly is not. Also, it may come as a suprise to you to learn only about 42-45% (depending on which study your read actually are approved for benefits. So, this is, as I said not a vast entitlement program
Also every single job market expert has clearly confirmed on a national level there are at least 5 applicants for every job, some job markets are multiples of that figure. Unemployment benefits may be a disincentive for people looking or accepting work, but only when the job market has about a 5.2% unemployment. This figure has been confirmed time and time again by the Congressional Budget Office as well as numerous respected academic studies. So, the cannard that people are simply lazy is without merit.
Finally, I am not sure we want to have a system with over 7 million households without any support at all (remember, unemployed get on the average 48% of previous earnings as benefits). Unemployment benefits are taxed, welfare payments are not
Finally, this is neither the time (too late on the east coast) for me to get into the whole debate on the stimulus act, but even the conservative Dr. Mark Zandi, economic advisor when John McCain ran for President has said that unemployment insurance benefits, which are spent almost immediately upon receipt have proven to be the single best stimulation for the economic activity that is so vital for growth which will equal jobs.
No one – least of all me – suggest that unemployment benefits are the answer to any isssue. But they are desperately needed right now. The alternative in desitution, depair and homelessness that will befall people whose only “fault” (if you want to use that unfeeling and inaccurate term) is that they lost their job through no fault of their own.
I do respect your viewpoint and thanks for sharing it with me.
Michael,
As has been the case many times, if enough people’s houses burn down and they try to collect insurance the insurance company goes broke. The government could go broke as well if it keeps spending at its current rate compared to what it is bringing in.
Both the unemployment insurance situation and the “houses on fire” scenario are still subject to cause and effect. In other words, fiscal responsibility.
Time will tell what happens but it will most likely get worse before it gets better. How much worse, is the big question. This is why I advocate a person learning skills such as trades to take care of themselves rather than having a potentially fatal false sense of security given them by the government.
Tom and Michael, really good exchange, .. best on this site so far.
Spoken from the mouth of someone who still has his job! Bravo!! Easier said than done, my friend! Are you forgetting that these people did not leave their jobs they were let go? Do you realize that these people ARE LOOKING FOR WORK AND CANNOT FIND IT? Did you forget that the government is the reason why these people have lost their jobs? Do you not think that after someone loses his or her house, car, savings, and children because they cannot afford to feed them due to no one giving them a chance to work, should at least be able to go to the government (who caused the problem by allowing outsourcing, etc.) to help them until more jobs are created?????
What the hell happened to “We the people”, huh? It’s when we lost site of we the people (self-serving government creating legislation from bribes of special interest groups that was harmful to the economy and the working class people) is when America began spiralling downhill at an alarming rate?
It is your same lack of compassion for fellow Americans that got us into this very trouble!!!! You can’t seem to feel for those who have done everything to stand on their own feet and proved this through their educational and work history, to have their means for living ripped out from under them, to be just tossed aside while they and their children are destitute??????
I hope you choke on your dinner tonight, YOU SWINE!!! You pig, who doesn’t give a damn about starving people, knowing the number of jobs is not equal to the number of applicants, and still screams get a job!!!!!!!!!
How dare you???????????????? You should find some compassion because you may soon suffer the fate of the 99ers, you fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara…who are you directing your comemnts to Michael or Tom?
S C R E W the republic!!!
Sorry Michael! I was speaking to Tom who is so consumed with 99ers becoming dependent on the government (expecting handouts) and hasn’t a clue to the fact that we are diligently looking for work! He can’t seem to recognize that statistics show that there aren’t enough jobs so how can he and others keep saying things like if the government weren’t available to us, we would find a way to make money???
He is completely disregarding the whole point that we are looking for work and there are not enough jobs! So what does he mean when he says that we will find a way to make money if there weren’t any unemployment extensions? Is he insuating that we should break the law?
I don’t understand why people keep overlooking the facts!!!!
Barbara…
First of all thank you for your kind words…they mean more then I can say. This is a national crisis and one that we all need to work together in the search for answers. May I presume to offer a few observations?
People are desperate and feeling that no one understands and cares. In many ways my articles are – at their best, I hope – a way to empower people that are feeling pretty powerless right now.
I understand more than perhaps you realize the desperate situation in which you find yourself. I see it many times a week at the community action agency that I volunteer at. It is truly the worse economic times since the Great Depression, in my opinion. And, alas there are no quick answers. Wish there were but there aren’t. Hell, if I had the all answers and could persuade everyone I would be sitting in an oval office in a white building in DC right now. (By the way I do not think the guy actually in that office has all the answers either.
I think one of the real uses of the comments section of these articles is for an exchange of opinions with people that may not agree with me or with the people that take the time to offer their opinion. Reasonable people can disagree and I have found, over a rather long life that sometimes debate between disagreeing people tends to come up with a better solution – not always but it happens.
With the greatest or respect your eloquent expression of the plight of those who lost their job through no fault of their own (and I agree with many of the points you have raised) is somewhat diminished by accusing those who may honestly disagree as being Swine or hoping they suffer physical harm by chocking on their meal. Come on, Barbara, you know you are better then that.
I do disagree with what Tom has to say, but I also recognize that he has the right to say it. Freedom of speech does not only extend to those that we agree with. I am not here to defend Tom’s position – which as I say I disagree with almost completely – but I am here to defend his right to say it.
Only a reasoned dialogue, one that extends (and I know how hard this is) respect to the people that offer honest opinions (even if we utterly disagree with them) is, as I see it the only way to go. Of course there are those that are simply trolls that like to feel better about themselves by looking down on others, but reasoned opposing arguments should be treated with respect, in my humble opinion, even if you and I utterly disagree with them.
Just a thought…
Michael Colliss
Thank you, Michael. Point well taken and I will keep this in mind for future posting. I do not really want to fight or offend, just as I do not like being called names. It has been so frustrating these last two years, but that is no excuse.
Please accept my apologies. I apologize to Tom as well. I find your articles extremely enlightening and helpful as well as this web site necessary for finding credible information and a means for sharing thoughts with other less fortunate people/99ers.
Please continue with your work; contrary to how it might seem, we do really appreciate your help! Please don’t give up on the 99ers as so many others have already.
Barbara, I don’t find your comments offensive at all !
You know what’s going on.
Tom,
Many of us are going back to school or getting new skills, but that takes time (sometimes years). When I lost my job, I immediately transferred my college credits to an online college (so I could continue my job search during the day) and don’t have long before obtaining a Bachelors Degree. However, I still have to provide food for my family while I continue looking for work and furthering my education, so what do you suppose I do?
This is the plight of the 99ers. They are looking for work and they have lost their homes, cars, savings, and now internet, cell phone, etc. How do you suppose they look for work and be contacted for work if they cannot pay their bills to keep their services on to look continue their search and build their skills??????
What part of “We don’t have a job, so we don’t have any money; we don’t have any money so we can’t get a job!” don’t you understand???? We need something to live off, we are that destitute. Our (99ers) last help was six months ago. Don’t you get it?
Do you really believe that millions of working class people have up and decided to be lazy at the expense of their homes, cars, valuables, savings, and families to wait on a unemployment check instead of working??????
Can you be less naive??? Open your eyes and see the “Big Picture” will you?
Ma’am I have been in the position you describe two years ago with a family to support, and worse. I will not go into detail but I am here to tell you that it is possible to survive and indeed prosper in the good old capitalist system that the US was founded on but it will not come easily with an entitlement mindset. I am not accusing or blaming anyone here but attempting to share my experience that you can supply your and your family’s needs by providing what others need (legally, since you ask) simply by paying attention to what is needed and supply it. This is the proven way to success. This is not the easy road in the short term but I believe it is in the long term.
Tom…
The last line in your comment is rather chilling – “his is not the easy road in the short term but I believe it is in the long term.”
I agree with you that the long term resut we need is an environment where private sector hiring is improving. No one – at least no one I know – even pretends unemployment insurance is a good solution but until such time as there is the hiring needed to replace the almost 9 million jobs that have dissapeared, it is the best solution.
I honetly hope you are not saying by the last line in this comemnt that some must suffer for the good of the rest of us. I hope not….surely you cannot believe that?
Michael
Barbara:
You’re sadly misinformed. The government didn’t cause your job loss.
The government doesn’t – yet, thank goodness – have unfettered control of our free-market capitalist economy. Jobs were outsourced simply because someone else could do the same work for less money. A result of globalization. What authority does government have to tell a business that they can’t find the least-cost way to produce their product or service for less so they can turn a profit? The answer is, fortunately, very little. Businesses are in business to turn a profit. If they don’ turn a profit then they’re – in short order – OUT OF BUSINESS. Get it?
You mention “bribes” to the government. Please enlighten us with some specific, verifiable instances of the government being bribed to outsource US jobs. We’ll wait.
You speak of “no compassion” for the non-working by the (vast majority) who are working and of being “tossed aside”. This is nonsense. Quite frankly, I think that the unprecedented 73 weeks of income support provided so far from the general fund of the US in the form of extended UE benefits is nothing short of generous and shows a great deal of compassion from your working neighbors. Since this income support has not been “paid for” by offsetting other expenses this support has simply gone on the federal credit card, which is maxed out.
Honestly, how long do you think this can continue? The unemployment “insurance policy” that your previous employers paid 100% for ran out after 26 weeks.
No doubt, it’s awful to be long-term unemployed but the accusations that people are starving are also nonsense. No one “starves” in the US. Food stamps are available and yes, it is possible to purchase sufficient nutrition to sustain yourself with them. Go get some.
first off the government can control out sourcing by taxing imports or tarfs and is responsible for it, its called NAFTA look it up.
Secondly when your government calls you worthless uneducated drug addicts and says they shouldn’t feed us because we will breed! ya there’s your compassion.
and lastly food stamps last for 3 months then you cant get them again for a year. well that ended in June because my last UE check was in march. so no money since march umm still no job, living here and there, nowhere to call home and no check or income for going on 6 months so how the hell can i be dependent on something i don’t even get. THERE ARE NO JOBS!! God!! how can you even imagine going that long with out any income and believe it to be a choice! you people just don’t get it and never will until you walk in my shoes.
Thanks,Bob, for responding to TchofGrey. I just got back and checked and found his response to me, but I think you explained it well, already.
It’s true, we are being called every name in the book and that is probably why I got upset last night in regards to Tom’s posts, but as Michael says it is not necessary so I will not stoop to this name calling. Thanks for the reality check, Michael.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and Lord knows people have been frequenting sites set up for 99ers to share information and vent for sanity purposes, to attack us. However, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Bob, the 99ers totally understand your struggle even if the working Americans still do not. Something has to happen and soon because too many lives are at stake.
These people who say what is available to people, have no understanding of requirements and stipulations of these programs; therefore, are not qualified to tell someone to just go get food stamps as if it were that simple. You need a place of residence and bills in your name to provide proof of who and where you are and many 99ers do not have this. Others are trying to keep DYFYS from taking their children through these hard times so they are trying to avoid telling the truth about how dire it is for them and their families.
Additionally, many 99ers have moved in with others who have lost their jobs or are on the system and do not wish to mess up their circumstances and help, or eat up their food, etc.
Also, food pantries have run out of food in many locations and the food that is available consists of about 5 cans of sodium filled 5 year old goods and if you are lucky maybe some cheese or bread once in while.
The food that you see on television in the food banks, are not what the public is getting so either people are stealing the good (healthy) food or they are reporting false information in the first place.
They also seem to forget that many of us 99ers are older and have health conditions that require medications, which we have been without for some time.
And for the person who questioned bribes, there are too many incidents where republicans have created legislation or voted to pass legislation after some hefty persuasion of lobbyists with special interests, so stop acting so high and mightly, and clueless!
The politicians are and have been corrupt, this is nothing new nor do I need to say something incriminating to suit your fancy and get myself into trouble. So good try, but not good enough!! You do the math!!
NAFTA – The NORTH AMERICAN Free Trade Agreement covers only the US, Canada and Mexico – North America. It has nothing to do with and no impact on trade with or outsourcing to China, India and a number of other countries – where most of the jobs that have left the US have gone.
Sorry to give you such news TchofGrey, as you do not seem to be too accurately informed on how the dirt gets stirred in the background…The government is indeed accountable for this major unemployment crisis! The government and its smart and corrupt politicians did ALLOW and are still allowing the American people’s jobs to be outsourced (yes, agree) for cheaper labor. True. Because it started at some point, all other businesses had to follow in order to be able to compete and survive. Still not the right thing to do! Still not agreeable. Nobody comes and tell us those so hardly affected that no, it’s not our gov’s fault that we lost our jobs. Worst than this statement, it’s our greedy and corrupt politicians’ fault that the hardest hit (so called “Lazy”) Americans presently CAN’T FIND or GET a job! Because jobs were all allowed to go. Across our border. Nobody comes and tell the hardest hit Americans to “go and get a job” because darn it, There ain’t any out there to even get! Nobody comes and tell the hardest hit American to “find ways to make money instead of complaining…” because those ways have been totally exhausted as of today’s day, any better idea? Is anyone who affirms that suggesting ways to make money that are not in the books of the “good and righteous citizen” such as selling one-self, stealing or scamming the neighbor? How about following the footsteps of a corrupt politician? Maybe that will work… Is this what those who so easily criticize are suggesting? It’s easy to criticize. It’s easy to give dum ideas when it’s not me who is being raped, or my spouse, or my children. It’s easy to not understand other people’s pain when I am strong and life is good for me, when I am healthy and my life and future are backed by wealthy or secure influences. My suggestion, as an educated and intelligent American, is that if anyone of you that doesn’t have anything good to say to alleviate other less fortunate brothers and sisters pain, just do not say anything. Be quite! In case needed to be rude,… just SHUT UP!
Yes, honestly how long do you think the unemployed can manage without work ?
You’ve written much but have said little.
Answers, get some, then report back to us.
All these new numbers only proved to me that they are NEW ADDITIONS to the ranks of the unemoployed, what about the MILLIONS that had already fell of the UNEMPLOYED ROSTERS?
Those numbers are being released today. An article on that and the people that are not on the unemployed rolls should be appearing shortly
I go looking for unemployment numbers news and I come across this.
What a bunch of hate filled, unthankful, whiners that have been on the taxpayer’s dime for 99 weeks and want more! Amazing!
I have read through most of the comments here and while there are a few that are close to the truth such as tchofgrey and Tom, I am amazed at the attitude of being a helpless victim that is portrayed here and I would venture to say fostered by either the author this site. This is not what America is about. Time to buck up people.
Forget about financial markets, this country is in a world of hurt because of a bunch of whining sheep with no backbone. WoW! Where is the spirit of the settling of this country, I doubt they had unemployment. This country cannot survive long with much of this attitude.
Are these people the party of “Yes We Can” that Obama rages on about? I willing to bet so. Lets stop this shameful display of weakness to the world and once again become the strong leaders that built this country.
God Bless what is left of the real American Spirit.
Jason,
you are such a sad soul! It seems like all the truth you saw here (except from the two people you mentioned) really got you straight into the chest, hu? Hey, I wish you could be man enough to say what you just said right on my face, personally. I mean it, I really would! I bet you are not even an American, because a true American wouldn’t be able to think or feel like you do. Where are you from, dude, really? At least originally? I want to be honest with you, I do feel bad for you, you are a lost soul. If you do not put some love in your heart soon, you will definitely see your karma working against you. Then, you will remember what you have been doing wrong. It’s the law of the Universe, it’s inevitable. You can run, but you can’t hide…Be a decent human being, will ya? I assure you, you will be happier if you decide to become a better person. And those around you will as well be happier people because you will be better as a person. God Bless the American People. The true American people!
You crybabies need to stop whining and blaming others for your own failures in life.
I read somewhere that there will be another march or protest by the 99ers, in Chicago on September 15, 2010. I am hoping this one is large enough and gets enough media attention to make a difference.
Congress will be off vacation for this one, so let’s pray for a miracle, 99ers! I feel all of your pain and I hope and pray that change is in the works and soon for the sake of America, not just the 99ers!
Good luck and God bless everyone!
The candidates who have been threatening to hurt seniors are about to get a very rude awakening ! These so -called polls on tv are wrong. They haven’t counted the seniors and we will not vote for any politician planning on gambling with our retirement !
Good luck to those looking for work.
Barbara,
Again you have hit it right out of the field. YOu are so right in your passion. The problem is with some of the folks here is that they just don’t get it. There is nothing more sad than a man or woman who just won’t see. And what they don’t truly understand is that most dangerous animal on the planet is a man or woman who has nothing left to lose. I fear the worse is yet to come. But God bless your passion for the stiuation this whole nation will have to deal with one way or another. Mr. Colliss is also simply providing a forum for so many to vent frustration with this mess and God bless him for that. I am sure there are those out there who like nothing better than to shut this down too.
Ray..
I am seriously wondering if my articles are worth the time and effort because I am sick and tired of the hatred and venom that I am seeing here…more and more I am wondering if it is worth it
You are right, Michael. The long-term unemployment issue has turned into an us against them issue. This is not how it started out and it is not profitable, either.
I am afraid that I have been guilty of this as well and just as I said in another post “I apologize” but please don’t give up. We need your articles to find trustworthy information and we need a place to gather for our sanity in these incredibly trying times.
Please continue with your work, on a positive note it has helped so many long-term unemployed people and I can only see this continuing as long as you keep advocating for us and sharing credible information as you have done for quite a while now.
Thank you!
Thanks, RayT!!!
I totally agree with your commentary!!!
Off course it SEEMS like the economy is getting better… as unemployment number dropped! The MILLIONS of unemployed people “kicked out” of the unemployment benefits are not being counted! By the end of the year it could reach some 10 MILLION if not more. And these people are by all the means STILL UNEMPLOYED! There aren’t jobs out there to sustain those who are unemployed, short or long-term or not-counted-anymore unemployed people. NO, the economy is not getting better, it’s unfortunately getting WORSE! JACK RIGHT
Where are you reporters getting your facts havard? come to Detroit Michigan come see what Bush did empty factioers buildings offices the malls and those hole in the bars. There’s gotta be a millon people in Michigan on unjoinment. I guess we would get something after jan 17 when americans vote out the repulicans in nov
Hi Eric in macomb,
You are right, but Michael posted many responses to posters that he was not insinuating that unemployment was getting better rather he was reporting a fact about new claims. He is aware of the uncounted 99ers and has also suffered the trials of being unemployed and understands our hardship. As a matter of fact, he advocates for the long-term unemployed; thus, he understands the plight of the 99ers.
For the record, I am a 99er as well and I completely understand your struggle and the struggle of millions who have suffered the same fate. However, we can not attack the ones who are trying to help us. If you research a bit, you will see that Michael has posted many articles in our defense.
Thanks for sharing your information and points well taken. The anger and frustration is at times understandable as I myself have been guilty of lashing out, but we probably would be better off if we channeled our anger into positive and productive energy toward finding a solution for job creation and getting help for the 99ers in the meantime.
I wish you all the best in your search for employment just as I do the rest of the suffering, long-term unemployed. It is time for change, including a change in the attitudes of all Americans if we want to get something accomplished for the betterment of our society as a whole.
Good luck and God bless!!!
Eric in Macomb…
If my article gave you the impression that I thought thta unemployment was decling that was not my intention nor do I thinki that this article said that. It only referred to new claims which declined. In fact sometime tonight there will be poste by the editoris of this aricle which I show that in fact it is not getting better.
Again my article showed the new unemployment claims. An important indicator. Maybe – just maybe – less are being laid off, though I doubt it but there is no evidence that I can see that unemployment is decling – in fact it is increasing
“Hope and Change”. What did you all expect. Not much to grab ahold of there. Time to get back to reality.
Hello again, Eric!
For the record, I did not see how my anger and frustration was consuming me and harming others much less how ineffective it really was until someone pointed this out to me. Michael was the one who pointed it out and rightfully so.
This is when I chose to take heed to the commentary and take a good look at myself and what it was that I was trying to accomplish. I only hope that what I have learned and through my actions I can help others by explaining in a respectful manner just as Michael has done for me.
Now, let’s figure out a plan to make change occur since it will not just happen on its own! I have been writing the Obama administration, my senator and house rep, signed petitions, and share thoughts on sites like these….is there anything else that I can do to help?
Keep in mind that I (as many others) am not in a position to travel to protest and this is where I have become stagnate. Any suggestions? All are welcomed!