H.R. 589 discussed, but no timetable for action. It's a matter of life and death

Not a single mention of jobs or unemployment legislation is being considered by the House, or the Democratic controlled Senate for that matter. America’s most vexing issue – unemployment – is receiving zero attention from an out-of- focus Congress.

H.R. 589 or other immediate assistance is literally becoming a matter of life and death for many long-term unemployed. This past week a very active person in the 99er community tried to take his life. For privacy reasons, he is identified as 99erX. His roommate and best friend sent the following, in part:

It's with a sad heart that I've returned to let people know that we nearly lost one last night. You all know him as 99erX. I know him as a roommate and best friend. I found him unconscious and barely breathing at a little after 6 this morning from a nicotine overdose. He was rusted to the emergency room and is expected to make a full recovery physically. Emotionally I'm not so sure. He's one of the strongest people I know and he'd reached the end of his rope. I should have seen it coming with the way he'd become distant, even with the kids. Just figured it was a 'phase' or something. He left a simple note that just read: 'I'm sorry'.

He's sorry. 99erX has no reason to be sorry, it's a dysfunctional unemployment system, overseen by clueless high-level bureaucrats and controlled by inept and shortsighted state legilators and congressional representatives that should carry the weight of being sorry.