~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
M.Iacobino, Fort Lee NJ.
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Amy K-Massachusetts
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Richard M - Mantua, NJ
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peachiebaybee
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Wanda M, California
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Jenny G - Indiana
Don S - Indiana
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Jerry G. Pasco FLA.
Mary V - Sewell, NJ
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S.Sutton-NYS
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Vivian B WA
Alice T, Kansas City, MO
Michael D---Aurora Colorado
Gloria D---Aurora Colorado
Elizabeth M---Commerce City Colorado
Gail L. Lyndhurst, NJ
Lori, Joanne, Roberta P. Lyndhurst, NJ
Laura V. Queens NY
Keith.L Pittsburgh,PA
Teri C, Seattle, WA
Ellen T., New Port Richey, FL
Joe P - Chicago, IL
Mary Ann P - Savannnah, GA
T.J.P - Perry, OH
Mark P - Glen Ellen, IL
Cindy J - Wheaton, IL
Michelle C - Glen Ellyn, IL
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JoeP - Madison OH
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Michelle C - Ct.
Sharon M. - AL
W. Van Emmerik, Portland, Oregon
Sj M, California
Chris Reapp Phoenix AZ
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R. Taylor, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Chester L., Oklahoma City, OK
D.M. Page, Somerset, MA
Sherri S. - Temecula, CA.
M. O'Neil, St. Louis, MO.
Teresa Morales Mableton
Valerie W -TN
Mark W - TN
Haven C- TN
Betty B -TN
Eddie B -TN
Frank Mead Acworth Ga..
Maxwell F - Philadelphia, PA
George F - Churchville, PA
Robert F - Doylestown, PA
C.L. Ott- Davenport, Iowa.
M. Donovan, Elsmere, KY
S. Drahman, Elsmere, KY.
Randall Mobley, Brandenburg, Ky.
B.Day, Redlands CA.
Rose B. - Kearny, NJ
Wilma H. Pine Ridge,Ky..
D, Brooklyn, N. Y..
Chris W, Alaska
Kelly O., New Jersey
Jeff G., New Jersey
Kelly G. - Michigan
Laurie F. - Tennessee
Michael
Quakertown PA.
Bruce T., California
E King -Dallas,TX
S. Black - Dallas, TX
J. Black - Dallas, TX
E. Black - Irving, TX
S. Fuller - Dallas, TX
S. Hood - Lewisville, TX
A. Hawkins - Irving, TX
J. Lewis - Dallas, TX.
cheri
Julia Lowen-Pittsburgh,P.A
Shirley King-Pittsburgh,P.A
Timmy Grogan-Pittsburgh,P.A
Shannon Dosdor-Pittsburgh,P.A
Shannon Schuster-Butler,P.A
Brandon Schuster-York,P.A.
Justin Morter-Butler,P.A
John DeBolt - IL
Judy N Sherman Oaks, CA.
Brian T.
jrgdsp07
Theresa M. - Elkhart, Indiana
Heather Couture, Minneapolis, MN
Kelly Schultz. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
K. McKinney Orlando, Fl.
Roger S. Mantua Twp. NJ
Len D. Sewell, NJ
Karl D. SaL, Sewell, NJ
Pat B, Mantua Twp., NJ
Tran C Mantua Twp., NJ
Cu C Mantua Twp, NJ
Joe LaR Mantua Twp NJ
Bud H Mantua Twp NJ
Ed S Mantua Twp NJ
Melissa B Mantua Twp NJ
Mare Croyle Mantua Twp NJ
Pamela Jo – PA
Gina O – FL
Les Tindall – Eugene OR
John Pochinski – Wausau, WI
Stacy Brunt, Riverside, CA
Jerry New Jersey
D. Kay - AZ
Edwina - Chattanooga, TN
Steve Pfarr -Rancho Cucamonga Ca
Ryan S. - Neptune, NJ
Jeff B - Houston, TX
Alan H.
Denise Scott - New Jersey
Jennifer Culp Schenectady,NY
Paul Larrabee Schenectady NY.
MarianG - California

bump keeps the topic rolling on the left. I never knew that until I came on board either.

I am emailing and calling. Particularly after listening to the President's disgust with nothing getting done, I think we definitely have the ball in our court so to speak.

Another note, all the morning shows were discussing the JOBS and nothing else. Sen. Durbin was on morning joe, as soon as the link is available, I will post. He had some good information I had not heard prior to this.

They should have been talking jobs back in the winter of 2009! It is a little too late for many right now to start talking about job creation that we won't see any help from until months down the road.

It is the "unofficial" start of the 2012 elections and all the talk about job creation is political grandstanding. Millions need help NOW, not months from now!

They should have been talking all along, but now that they are, let's get them. We need help in the meantime.

Bump

Glad to report a decent afternoon on the phones. Made about 30 calls. Emails sent. I could not get on twitter. Tomorrow is another day. Please all, if you wish to sign, just post your name and state, I will gladly add you to the letter.

MaryKay, I don't really know who you are, but what I do know is that I just want to say you are in this hugh National mess and a person who does not give up. You are a person who among the masses of people a true believer that good will prevail. What a gem among the stones. I hope your Dad does well for his age and condition, but I'm gessing the whole family is looking to you for support. Thank you a million times for yourr effort and inspiration.i

Yes, MaryKay, I appreciate all that you do. You're like the energizer bunny. And I'm sure you have a lot on your plate right now. I just want to say "thank you".

Thank you both. I am doing this for all of us, please don't think otherwise. I appreciate your help and your kindness.

No July 4th recess, so I say we let them know they can't hide and pound them with calls, emails and faxes. Tweet if you will. Let's give them our brand of fireworks.

Also, some really good news today. Last week we were all asked to contact Alexandra at Reuters. I did, I sent my story and our letter. Well I just got back from the hospital and she emailed me about the letter and will be interviewing me tomorrow afternoon. She has my number and we are all set. Hopefully, I will do the best I can to represent the long term unemployed and the 99ers as well as our forum. I will let you know when I finish how the interview went and the "slant" she is writing about, be it no benefits, jobs or how are we surviving. She didn't really give me any ideas of what it was she was looking for.

Thanks for bumping and since they are all around this weekend if anyone still would like to sign, please do. You will be added and included in all future correspondence.

I am going to bed now, up at Fox Chase all last night, but everything is okay now. Apparently an allergic reaction. Thanks again for all the prayers.

Tomorrow.....we begin again

Progressive Caucus needs to be contacted tomorrow.

Then we start on the Senate. Repubs and Dems. They are in for the long haul, let's give them our "to do" list. Jobs, Jobs and Jobs and oh yeah, benefits until we can get jobs would help, and did I say jobs????

Bump

We have a captive audience starting today, they are not leaving on
"break". Let's hit them and hit them hard. I am sending the letter, I am sending ideas on job creation, I am sending them my thoughts on how I feel about the lack of anything they have done to aid the jobless with job creation or benefits and I am letting them know how I personally feel about the attacks on the character of the unemployed.

I think another paper attack is just what they need. We ALL need to do it. I know it's been done before, but not with the public eye of all news stations watching, states budgets looming and the fate of the world markets/financial system in their hands while they play political chicken.

Please all members, fax, email, call, tweet. It's a holiday and many of us will have family and friends stopping by or are going places if we can, take 15 minutes each day and send any correspondence you can. Call if you can. If they are in, their staff is in. Blitz them. My thinking is it would be best to do it morning and afternoon, we know they definitely will be there then.

We cannot afford to give up or give in.

Most of us cannot march on Washington, so let's march from home.

I am starting emails now. Will be back and forth and will, of course, report in if and when I hear anything.

I will also report in after I speak with Alex from Reuters. Wish me luck.

Have a great day everyone. Starting to get really hot here, everyone stay cool.

Finishing up the CBC and off to do the Progressive Caucus. I will report in later. Have a great day everyone

Finished the CBC, on to the Progressive Caucus. Please join in and if you wish to add your name, please do so. Thanks.

Good Morning all,

Sorry for the disappearance once again. I got a call yesterday, and I picked Dad up. He was supposed to be in until Tues/Wed. Surprise. He looks great and had a huge breakfast (for him). I just wasn't prepared to I have some errands to do today and the normal Saturday routine. I will be back on tonight.

Update on Reuters interview. I spoke at length the Alex yesterday afternoon, about 53 minutes to be exact. Explained our forum, the support we are for one another, she has a copy of our letter. Gave her my story and the stories of others, long term unemployed and the 99ers, she was interested in the 99ers stories. Took her through the last three years, the unemployment extensions, what it's like to live on less than half your salary, what you give up, how you keep going, looking for work, employers prejudices, how it gets mentally as time drags on and you can't get hired anywhere. I hope I did us proud. I tried to think of everything. Brought attention to the lack of medical and for those who can get it, how difficult it is to find medicaid providers without having to drive 1plus hours to get there. Talked about people with children, their difficulties, losing homes and cars, depletion of savings etc. I think I got it all, at least I hope. I spent a good 10 minutes on our forum, our friendships, considering we don't even know real names or have never met, how this has kept us going and invited her to please check us out. Talked at length about the political climate and how it affects us directly and regardless of affiliation, we are all one family and how sickened we are at the lack of any type of action on JOBS or benefits, not to mention the lack of action about anything. As I said, I hope I did us proud. There is no timetable set for printing this article, she did ask if she could come and interview me personally and take a photo, I agreed. I am a little reluctant to do this as one little article I wrote months ago made me a target of the "haters" for a while, but it's too important to all of us to hide, so I did agree, they can "hate" me all they want. If it gets us more exposure, we need that.

MaryKay, you always do us proud. In fact, everyone here should have bragging rights. We will all be there to address the haters, should they decide to rear their ugly heads. And we are armed with facts, figures and experience, which outweighs their "misperceptions" and ignorance.

As Independence Day is coming up, I'd like to pass this on. It's a letter from a former 99er that someone tweeted my way.

http://www.publicrecordsdetectivesjournal.co.cc/2011/06/letter-from-99er.html?spref=tw

couth, thank you for this video. It just makes me want to fight harder. Please all members, take a few minutes and watch this video. I now have just what I need to keep working today, the determination I needed to get through. God Bless Mark and his family. We all know the pain we felt when we lost Al. Their deaths cannot be left unchecked. They have to stand for something. For me it's the will to get this done once and for all.

Thank you for sharing this couth. Happy Independence Day to all members.

The fight continues, sadly, but we are in it to win it, so come Tuesday, back to the war!!! I am sending emails out this weekend. They are working so who knows, not hitting it as hard as I will on Tuesday though. Everyone enjoy the time with your friends and families.

I am emailing. Just a bit busy today with Dad here. Rich and Dad are now napping so I am sending a few out since they are working, althought nothing has been accomplished. Gee, isn't that a surprise.

Starting Wednesday, the President is doing twitter q&a's. I think we should all be the participants. Unemployed, 99ers and Jobs. We have a real opportunity with this. If enough of us tweet and we don't give up, maybe the severity of our situation will finally be known.

The White House Blog

#AskObama at the First Ever Twitter @Townhall at the White House

Posted by Kori Schulman on June 30, 2011 at 01:49 PM EDT

The White House is all a-Twitter about an exciting event that's happening next week. On Wednesday, July 6th at 2pm ET, President Obama will answer your questions in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House, and you're invited. Starting today, you can tweet your questions about jobs and the economy using the hashtag #AskObama and follow @townhall for the latest updates. Then, come back to watch the President respond to your questions in a live event moderated by Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and Executive Chairman.

This is the info, I ask all our members to please join this town hall.

Also, information on this is available at www.whitehouse.gov

Bump

I intend to contact the President during his twitter town hall and I also intend to sent this letter. Please join the town hall. We cannot afford to just do nothing. Details at www.whitehouse.gov.

Please all members, see the threads provided to join the President's Twitter Town Hall. We need everyone to submit their questions. This is a great chance for the 99ers and long term unemployed to have their voices heard. All the major news stations and running the crawler on their shows. This just might be the break we need to get our numbers out there and our voices heard.

If you don't tweet, see the thread to submit your questions and it will be tweeted for you.

#AskObama is already taking off. Please join in. We need maximum participation. The President needs to hear from all the unemployed and all 99ers.

Emailing and calling. Please all join in.

Do not forget the @AskObama #99ers all day tomorrow. Starting tweeting questions and received many retweets. Please, all members, we need to be heard in numbers. This really is a chance to ask our President to hear us and speak to us. 99ers

Emailing and calling today. Also, please, please all, send your questions to the President tomorrow. We need help for all the unemployed, we need jobs, the 99ers need HR589. Don't forget #AskObama,#99ers,#jobs.