States weigh reductions in unemployment benefits

The federal extensions — the latest one pushed forward by President Obama in December — have led to criticism that the unemployment program has morphed from a temporary bridge for laid-off workers into an expensive entitlement, a critique that angers advocates for the unemployed.

“We have had such high unemployment for so long, people maybe don’t have as much sympathy for the jobless as they did in 2008 or 2009,” said Rick McHugh, a staff attorney with the National Employment Law Project.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/states-weigh-reductions-in-benefits-for-unemployed-rising-costs-cited/2011/03/24/ABxBl8RB_story.html

If I lived in a Red State I would move out quickly. Only the rich will prosper.

My state (Mass) is BLUE thank god! Our only flaw is Scott Brown lol

Sick & Tired wrote:My state (Mass) is BLUE thank god! Our only flaw is Scott Brown lol

Watch the "Video of the Day"! Jon Stewart does a great job on the new "Red" Governors!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-24-2011/gov-hurts

I don't think at this point the Unemployed and the 99ers are necessarily looking for sympathy, we are looking for jobs. The farce that we enjoy this life is a convenient tool to bury their heads in the sand.

Had the Republicans kept their campaign promise of Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and had the miracle tax extension opened up the millions of jobs (that no one thought it would), we would not need additional benefits. If we had laws for REALLY Fair Hiring Practices, we wouldn't be in need of these extensions.
The farce that the jobs being created would feed, clothe and house a family of 3 is just that, a farce, the majority are in the hospitality and retail industry which are not all full time, nor are they pay rates that will meet families financial needs or are they comparable pay rates to what many of the unemployed made before being laid off. The farce that we can just pick up and go back to school, change direction or move, is just that a farce. In many states, if you are unemployed, you cannot go to school full time and must be available for any offer sent your way by the State Unemployment offices or their partners such as Career Link if it is comparable to your former position in pay scale and in your field, or similar. And if you don't, when you make approximately 1/4 to 1/2 of your former salary, can you justify not paying your bills to take out a loan (which when you have no income is a little tricky), cutting back on essentials for your family and let's not even mention health care.

The lack of action on the part of the Republicans isn't just because they don't understand, they know they would be exposed as complete liars when the sheer numbers of 99ers comes to light. It would also expose the BLS as the creative number crunchers they really are and the phrase "no long looking" would take on a whole new meaning. The real unemployment number would be unveiled and then the country would have the facts. It's better for the Republican Party to have these "fiscally responsible", completely uninformed segment of voters on their side, it bolsters their claims of laziness, uneducated, not the best employee and so on. We've all heard it, it hurts, makes us angry and it's lies.

Our numbers continue to grow, foreclosures continue to mount, Food Stamp programs and Medicaid in all states continues to grow and will continue until it does become unsustainable. How do they account for this?

Our voices need to be heard, we need to keep pressing for the extension of benefits and the TRUE creation of jobs and a real tax plan that is fair and equal.

In 2012 in INDIANA the new bill signed by Mitch Daniels will take approx. $60.00 EACH WEEK away from peoples benefits. Unbelievable. Also came out in Thursdays news that our states unemployment rate fell to 8.8%. This is nearly 2% less than one year ago. Who is researching and writing this BS ? Article also stated the state LOST 7,900 jobs in Feb. Who in the hell taught these people math ? I feel this propoganda is very widespread, from the states to the national stories. They want us to disappear and die. It feels like state and national controlled media and this is VERY SCARY.

This is a dangerous precedence. This insanity just won't stop with these people.

Its obvious states are broke and the unemployed will pay the price, as usual....