~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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cheri
Julia Lowen-Pittsburgh,P.A
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Ryan S. - Neptune, NJ
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Jennifer Culp Schenectady,NY
Paul Larrabee Schenectady NY.
MarianG - California

I'm also a 99er.

I hope all goes well with your dad, family!

Thanks so much pitchforks. He's on day 7 of his 3 chemo treatment, his counts are low and he's feeling pretty sick. Spent the day, put up his tree and a few decorations and he was happy. Made him beef stew for dinner and he's a happy boy. Sound asleep for the night now. So all is good for now.

I will be emailing tomorrow, trying to keep the pressure up.

Thanks to all for the prayers, and retweets.

I have started the emails. I am hoping. Frustrating as hell that the conversation on every station is Newt Gingrich and not unemployment, the lack of it and Jobs. I think we need to change that conversation.

The conversation will change soon. They want to leave town by the end of next week. They could care less about leaving us in suspense over the weekend.

Sorry to hear about your dad. I will pray for him.

So happy you can bring him some joy :-)

Hey pitchforks, thank you. You are so kind.

I actually have some decent news. I have been emailing and phone all day using the list. I had some very positive feed back from the Speakers office with regards to HR589.

Tomorrow, when I get home, I am going to start a twitter campaign of our own for the 99ers. Get HR589 to the floor and passed. We will not be forgotten, 2 years is too long. We need jobs and benefits until we get them. No more excuses, we have not stopped looking. We want the real unemployment numbers, not the food processed nonsense you feed us every Thursday. Every month, hundreds of thousand lose benefits, they exhaust all weeks, it's time to do the right thing. Total the jobs created vs. the total jobs lost since June 2008, doesn't add up, we are looking, there are no jobs. Pass HR589.

Hoping you will all join me, we have to do it and get many more followers in twitter land to join us. We can't afford to march on Washington, we can still do this. If you don't tweet, send me your message. Spkr. Boehner will hear from me every day from now on.

doreenb it's great to see you. I am heading home today, Dad seems pretty good so I am ok leaving him. My sister will be home tonight and she will look in as will be brother.

The closer it gets to the holiday, I love seeing members that haven't be able to be around much, feels like the family is coming home for the holidays.


Once I am back in nj (the dirty jerz) and settled, I am starting, like I said a tweet campaign, all weekend and all next week. I am tweeting the town of dc if I have to, anything and everything JOBS, HR589, 99ers. They are NOT getting away with NOT LISTENING this time. Plus, I think it will easier for many people to tweet as well. I am going to post up some hashtags and tweets we can all use and just keep pounding. Particularly Ways and Means Committee.

Should be home by 4pm and will start then. Hope you will join me.

Stay warm all, it dropped 30 degree here in the last two days. Why oh why do I feel like the mid atlantic states are going to pay for all this great weather we've had? I can see us now, merrily, merrily shoveling our rear-ends off next week, lol.

See you tonight. And, to all of you I can't thank you enough for your help with the 99ers, and support and prayers for Dad and for me. Something has enabled me to help get him though this, and just when I think I won't have the money to even cross the bridge, something great happens and it works out. I like to think it's all my "angels" from here that make it happen. Couldn't do it without all of you, I hope you know how much you are appreciated. Much love, mk

Hi friends, sorry, Friday took a turn for the worse. Hoping all is going to be okay now, but not really sure. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, as always. It helps.

Let the tweeting begin. I am on it now.

I am having issues with tweet deck and getting the letter through, anyone else having problems today?

I am getting the shorter tweets through and I will keep trying.

Sorry for the absence. Stomach bug took hold and won't let go. Making some calls though. Hopefully I will be back to work tomorrow and tweeting and emailing.

Restore American Dream introduced today. Not the time to stop screaming. Not the time for a stomach bug either, lol. Promise, I am still working, just not as much.

Keep your emails and tweets going. Can't give up now.

Hope you're feeling better. The same happened to me and I almost went to the hospital on Saturday.

Feel better both of you!

I called my senator and sent President Obama an email. We might all want to consider that this next year is election time... If Obama wants to be reelected, he will not ignore us and he will help us!

woodhorse, hopefully you are feeling better now. Really walloped me, for sure. Hit out of nowhere and other than shakey from not eating, I feel okay today. Thanks. I will keep my fingers crossed for you too. Hopefully the cold weather knocks some of these viruses out before the holidays set in. Everyone I know has some type of cold, sinus thing that started around Thanksgiving and is still hanging on. We need a vat of chicken soup and my nana's honey, lemon and whiskey tonic.

1 Jar of Honey
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
1 shot of whiskey

mix it all together and just pour it back in the honey jar. Note: do not refrigerate, it gets like glue. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cold, sorethroat, etc. It's only 1 shot, so it really doesn't hit you even as hard a Nyquil.

Thanks Marian. I am starting the tweets now. With the introduction of the Restore Act yesterday, now is the time to push, yell, scream, email and tweet. (For those with one of the bugs running around, we'll do it for you, just tell us what you want to say).

There will be no ba-humbugging in DC this Christmas. We won't let it happen. :4157:

Thanks MK. Still feel shakey though. I was really hit hard. I fell as I
got out of bed this morning about 5 am and woke my husband. He said
you have to sit at the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you get
up and walk. I'm still waiting for the doctors report as he took blood on
Monday.

Well, woodhorse, you just take it easy. I started tweeting and am hoping for some word today. I made a lot of calls yesterday and got a little more confident with each call. I asked for calls back with answers to my questions. Basically, I asked, if you won't help the #99ers, why won't you address them, acknowledge that we exist and work on a program for them. I asked for a call back from every member of Ways and Means and from Speaker Boehner's office. Mr. Cantor's office informed me they don't return calls unless you are from his home state. Interesting, I asked why does he get to vote on issues that directly impact all people from all states, if he won't respond to anyone out of his district. They took my name and number. I am holding my breath by the phone (I am now blue).

Marykay Be careful you don;t want to turn into a Smurf!

Wow, I am so impressed by all that you do.

I was feeling ok about things for a couple of days... then today I feel like I am crashing. Nothing happened but just feel so wiped out and have to admit I have been feeling so physically in pain today that it is hard not to feel sorry for myself. But... I am not gonna let it get me down.

J

Wausauguy....hope you are feeling better today! I know the feeling you speak of, as we have our good and bad days.
And....if you want to feel sorry for yourself, you should...it may give you some much needed strength to fight again..you can do it!
Have you heard anything about the interview you had earlier?
Keep us posted!
DD

Good Morning all. wausau, take a day or two and relax if you can. Need to get away, everyone does. Turn off the news and just check in and let us know how you are.

I wound up the the ER yesterday, this stomach thing is an inflammation and infection in the colon. So I have to get IV fluid for the next 7 days and take the lovely meds for this, which pretty much make you feel like you have the stomach flu.

I worked the phones yesterday, I did get up to Michigan. It appears that DC is in a frenzy, every aide reports that they are will be taking up everything before they leave. the additional weeks for 99ers is included in that. I found yesterday, that for the first time, calling was getting more responses than tweeting and emailing. I am going to continue to call today. I will be in and out a bit, they didn't have an appt time for me today, so I am being fit in and don't know when I am leaving. Sorry.

Hopefully this is good news for us. Several aides reported that the mood of DC is worried regarding social policies and fearing a worse than 13% approval rating. Note: only one office would not take a message, Eric Cantor. what a shock huh??

woodhorse, hoping you are feeling better. DD, thank you for being so nice to all who need a lift. You are most definitely a friend and our Christmas elf. Thanks.

If they do not get it done today, they will be in session next week. That's the word I am getting. Looks to me like this will be all one big bill. Payroll tax, ue and the additional 14.

BTW, Barbara Lee was on with Chris Jansing yesterday. She spoke for the 99ers.

Amen sista!

I have been working the phones all afternoon. It is very tense in DC at the moment. Most of the aides are expecting to be in DC and working through at least next Thursday. If you all remember last year it was a Wednesday night. Right up to the end. I doubt any money will be out for the 99ers prior to Christmas, but I'll take January as long as we get recognized and get help. I can't decide what I want more, don't get me wrong I need the money as we all do, but I would like them to recognize the sheer volume of our numbers, admit that they left us suffer with nothing for two plus years and finally recognize how many total unemployed there are in this country. Then maybe they will think twice about their callous, unchristian statements and comments.

There is so much confusion about what they are doing with this two month CR and UE extension and what they are doing next week with regard to a budget, let's all be patient and see what happens, if anything happens. I made calls all day on Friday, indicating they are working next week and specifically on a long term budget, UE, the 99ers etc.

Marykay...you are such a great hero.

I must admit, I am not feeling well about the job hunt and the politics here in Wisc are making me angry or frustrated (neither word really describes it).

We are having to do fundraisers just to save bus service to communities outside the immediate city, just to convince these communities who have cut all funding for bus service that it is a valid item. While these same communities have put up sculptures and fancy plantings in median strips and spending millions on a pedestrian bridge which really will not help those who do not have cars, it is mainly for hikers and does not lead to town.

I don't know how I will get through the next few days without blowing up if I hear stupid remarks like well you know we have to cover kids first and leave middle aged single folk who pay cobra and then when that is up find themselves uninsured and at great risk of losing what little we may have.
I need a christmas miracle... many have it so hard... but I am weak and tired of doing the right things only to be screwed over and over.
J