Unemployment Extension Clears Senate

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A year out and still the complaints about Bush.... so hows that hope and change thing workin for ya?????

jim of FL 7:39AM November 06, 2009

I have been unemployed for over a year. I have 28 years of experience and a college degree and can't find a job. Jobs are rare and those of us who have lot their jobs are relying heavily on the unemployment benefits to help us through this hard time. Not only did I lose my job, but my so did two of my sons and they did not qualify for unemployment, so I have my two sons who aren't working, my youngest son who is, my three grandchildren, all under the age of seven living with me, so we can try to make it through these hard times. I appreciate President Obama making changes to improve our present situation. It will not get cleaned up overnight, it took us eight years to get in this situation, it will take some time and hard work to get us out of it. I look at some people who are complaining about the President and wonder why they are not supportive. If you are a football fan, you stand behind your team win or lose, unless you are a fly by night football fan, but the elected official that the majority of America put into office, they don't stand by because things are not happening overnight. C'mon now, we give our football teams time to get it right when they get a new coach, new quarterback, etc. I am in the same situation as many Americans, but I have the faith of a mustard seed and know that we will survive this. We, as Americans, are strong survivors and we always find a way. Instead of complaining, maybe those fortunate enough to be in a position to help, should look at their neighbors around them in need and lend a helping hand to get them through it. Even in my situation, I try to be their for my family members who are in the need, but do not live with me, and my neighbors when I can. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall", could not be a truer statement than at this time. We are great at stepping to the plate to help when there is a disaster, such as Katrina, but we are in a disaster now, their are people losing everything through no fault of their own, so as neighbors we should step to the plate and help those around us. Those lucky enough to have jobs or money could help a neighbor out here and there. I know many people who go to food pantries, but that does not take care of basic necessities such as toilet paper, laundry soap, soap etc. We are proud as Americans and we don't like to have to ask for help, so if you have a neighbor who is need, buy toilet paper and give it to them and let them know you know they would do the same for them if they needed it. This is a chance for us to change things and be their again for each other and start changing the way society thinks. I will tell you many that have been fortunate do not realize there but by the grace of God go they. Think how many of us are headed into the holidays without. Let's make a stand and show the world Americans will help it other through this crisis. That is why we are strong and will survive.

Angela of OH 11:57PM November 05, 2009

Let me explain something to those of you who like to call people names..I deal with this unemployment situation everyday. It's easy for people to point fingers and make fun of other people as long as its not themselves or their own family members. YOU don't have to listen to people crying about how they are going to buy food to feed their children or pay their rent, or hear about some unemployed who have felt so hopeless that they have taken their own life...I deal with this everyday because it's where I work. In addition to dealing with this at work, I deal with it in my personal life as well. My husband lost his job almost a year and a half ago and has not been able to find a job..his benefits ended in August...we have three children and are sinking faster and faster everyday. My paychecks are gone before I even get them and I don't qualify for any kind of help so even though we're not quite making it, I can't utililze any of the programs that my tax dollars help provide. This extension took entirely too long to pass but I am very grateful to those senators and representatives who voted unanimously for this extension because not only have they provided a way for parents to continue to feed their children and keep their homes, but they have aslo provided us with the reassurance that we did not make a mistake when we elected them to represent us working class citizens!

Cassie of MI 10:01PM November 05, 2009

God sent the President to clean up this mess??? This President doesn't even believe in GOD!

Myrna Martorell of NY 7:29PM November 05, 2009

I know God sent president to clean up this mess! this unemployment thing is ruin people lives, crime is getting ridiculous, if it was't for obama i really dont know what i would be doing to trying to make ends meet.
thank god for obama

veronica richie of MO 6:29PM November 05, 2009

who put acorn on this bill ? that was the problem when this was removed the bill passed maybe this was done for the reason ,because the need for funding the unenployed was top of the list , why put a bill about a company that maybe had questionable actions like acorn only thinking maybe some ones pet hummm. people have to be carefull we are not all stuped.
and also the goverment who were they actual thinking of when the bill was passed the poor americans that have no jobs, or maybe something else read between the lines americans please understand i love my country and i am thankfull for the unployement money

ralph of MI 5:38PM November 05, 2009

Thank God this has finally passed. My husband has been on lay off for one year. I am the only one working and things have been VERY strained at our house.

of 5:37PM November 05, 2009

I do not know if it was a typo, but writing "NObama" is so childdish. It was not him holding up the unemployment extension it was republicans!!! It amazes me how people are so quick to trash talk Obama, but didn't say Crap when Bush was in the Office and got relected, a second chance to screw up of Country even more. Obama has not been in office a year, give him a chance! It didn't take a year to mess up of country so why would you think it would take less than a year to fix it.
Thanks for all the senators who voted YAY to this Bill!!

Raya of PA 3:41PM November 05, 2009

Thank God they removed the House's discrimination against the unemployed of certain states. As soon as NObama signs this bill, it will take effect immediately. The handoff mechanism from fed to states is already in place as this is the 3rd extension, so no need to change anything, just notify people. However the states are ahead of the game now and in Oklahoma, filing for the extension is an online proceedure and immediately effective.
The stupid part of all this unemployment stuff is they make you run out of benefits completely before you can get the next extension. Consequently the last check of each extension is shorted and they never blend the upcoming extension with the end of the last payout. If they did that, the checks would continue in the full amount until someone completely ran out of extensions, and THEN there would be only one shorted check.

unemployed since 2008 of OK 2:22PM November 05, 2009

The house will be voting on the bill today at 3 pm. They will most likely pass the bill and send it to washington for The president to sign it. President Obama already promise to sign the bill immediately; however, because we are already at the end of the week everything will be finalized next week. Although the department of labor is required to send you a letter in the mail which can take a while. I suggest that you contact your Department of Labor next week so that they can proceed with your case faster.

Duke of NJ 12:59PM November 05, 2009