The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:01 am

America's 14.1 million unemployed aren't voiceless; it's just that no one is listening, and no one's got a plan to help them.

The unemployed are everywhere and they are everyone. They are recent graduates and they are people nearing retirement age, hanging on until Social Security kicks in. They are taxpayers, and they are consumers—they are the people upon which our economy depends. They are all of us.

“The unemployed look like America because it is America.”

by stillnutty Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:27 am

Nor are America s employed listening. Here in CT the unions voted down a concessions package as part of the budget, and are now facing mass layoffs. Local news stations interview worker after worker and they all sound like they are the first and only person to become unemployed! MAD

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:34 am

stillnutty wrote:Nor are America s employed listening. Here in CT the unions voted down a concessions package as part of the budget, and are now facing mass layoffs. Local news stations interview worker after worker and they all sound like they are the first and only person to become unemployed!

I know what you mean, nutty. I have a neighbor who lost her job in Human Services recently and she had the nerve to say to me, "Oh, well, at least I'll get two years of unemployment." Believe me, I corrected her immediately, she'll be lucky to finish Tier 1 before EUC08 expires. People really don't get it! Evil or Very Mad

Just wait, NO job is guaranteed anymore, things are going to get a lot worse before things turn around.

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:45 am

Well, at this point, it should come as no shock to anyone that our States, DC and the employed don't even think of us, with the rare exception. And, as mad as we get at the news media, it really isn't their job to get us help, that lies with our elected officials. Paul Krugman once again did an op-ed in NY Times this morning, it's not going to change until they address JOBS! I will post the link when I find it again.

As far as the Unions in CT, I read a bit about it last night. I am not a fan of union busting in any way, however, I will say that right here in NJ they made the tough decisions and took some cuts and are still mostly working. Shared sacrifice isn't just a cute slogan, however, CT elected officials need to share it as well. If people reasonably sat and discussed what needs to be done and COMPROMISED (not just a word, an action), much of this could be settled. Digging in and drawing lines in the sand have gotten us nowhere but a little further into hell.

We need leaders with some "gumption" (it's a family forum). They have to admit the wrongs and correct them. We also need the American people to admit their wrongs and correct them as well. It takes committment, guts, hard work and willingness. There really are ways to keep everyone happy, healthy and employed, it takes guts and determination to get there on all side. It will also take legislation to remove Corporations and The Chamber of Commerce from voting, to remove the power of lobbyists (and there are some that represent our interests), real tax reform and real legislation for healthcare, which will require them to remove the Corporations and lobbyists to get there.
Tax Reform and Health Care Reform could employ hundreds of thousands. And last but not least real reforms in the legal system that tie up our courts endlessly, that by the way, cost the tax payers billions every year on senseless lawsuits not real legal issues.

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:50 am

The firefighters, police and other municipal union employees in RI also made concessions in order to save jobs. Had they not done that, our unemployment rate would be around 15% this month!

Oh, no, WAIT! RI lost over 1,500 jobs, fewer people are employed than last month and our rate went DOWN!

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:52 am

Here's the op ed piece. Please read. It says alot about the job crisis about halfway through the piece. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/22/krugman-the-lesser-depresion-likely-to-go-on_n_906581.html

Again, why is no one listening to this man?

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:59 am

MaryKay wrote:Here's the op ed piece. Please read. It says alot about the job crisis about halfway through the piece. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/22/krugman-the-lesser-depresion-likely-to-go-on_n_906581.html

Again, why is no one listening to this man?

Even if they choose not to listen to him (I do, I agree with every word he writes), all they have to do is look back in history. Unfortunately, I believe that Professor Krugman is 100% correct about a repeat of the 1937 economic downturn. It is already starting.

by stillnutty Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:00 am

We lost 4,100 and the rate stayed the same. Must be all of us that have GIVEN up looking for work!

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:09 am

stillnutty wrote:We lost 4,100 and the rate stayed the same. Must be all of us that have GIVEN up looking for work!

This quote was in the Providence Journal this morning. I have to give the Director of the RI Dept. of Labor and Training credit, he admits and acknowledges the people who have fallen off the radar.

This was the 28th month that Rhode Island has suffered with a double-digit unemployment rate, DLT figures show. The unemployment rate does not count people who have stopped looking for work or those who are under-employed in part-time jobs or in jobs with lower wages than they had before.

by exhaustedandtired/1208 Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:21 am

Not paying attention, Is that the same as "IGNORING?"

by Guest Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:25 am

exhaustedandtired/1208 wrote:Not paying attention, Is that the same as "IGNORING?"

I think it is more "In Denial", hoping that it will never happen to them, but know there is a very good chance of it.

by jmainframe Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:00 pm

DesperateInRI wrote:
exhaustedandtired/1208 wrote:Not paying attention, Is that the same as "IGNORING?"
I think it is more "In Denial", hoping that it will never happen to them, but know there is a very good chance of it.

Yeah, and when they're voted out of office because of the wonderful job they did, I'm sure they won't be unemployed for very long. These people are so well connected, they'll simply do what they did before they got elected to congress.

by Hunterforjobs Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:08 pm

HOw about a class action suit against the government, wont win but it would draw attention. 99ers vs BIG BULLY BROTHER?

by couth11 Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:18 pm

Hunterforjobs wrote:HOw about a class action suit against the government, wont win but it would draw attention. 99ers vs BIG BULLY BROTHER?

There's a pro bono legal group that specializes in human rights. I bet they never dreamed of representing millions of Americans.

by couth11 Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:21 pm

DesperateInRI wrote:
stillnutty wrote:Nor are America s employed listening. Here in CT the unions voted down a concessions package as part of the budget, and are now facing mass layoffs. Local news stations interview worker after worker and they all sound like they are the first and only person to become unemployed!

I know what you mean, nutty. I have a neighbor who lost her job in Human Services recently and she had the nerve to say to me, "Oh, well, at least I'll get two years of unemployment." Believe me, I corrected her immediately, she'll be lucky to finish Tier 1 before EUC08 expires. People really don't get it! Just wait, NO job is guaranteed anymore, things are going to get a lot worse before things turn around.

People do not know 99ers were excluded from the last extension, and are very surprised to learn people have been without UI/jobs + 1 yr.

by couth11 Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:29 pm

DesperateInRI wrote:
exhaustedandtired/1208 wrote:Not paying attention, Is that the same as "IGNORING?"
I think it is more "In Denial", hoping that it will never happen to them, but know there is a very good chance of it.

Sort of like pretending that we aren't real. Denial is their good luck charm. We have become their boogeyman.

by **Jobless_in_Ma** Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:31 pm

I really don't think the employed are clueless to the unemployment issue. Quite the opposite really. Most are afraid of losing their jobs. I'm worried the lates downturn will hit where I'm working at and since I'm the newest person guess what?? I'll be 1st out the door I'm sure. Also being a 99er prior to getting hired I'll be right back to 99er ville.

by TOO OLD TO HIRE IN PA Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:15 pm

Jobless_in_Ma wrote:I really don't think the employed are clueless to the unemployment issue. Quite the opposite really. Most are afraid of losing their jobs. I'm worried the lates downturn will hit where I'm working at and since I'm the newest person guess what?? I'll be 1st out the door I'm sure. Also being a 99er prior to getting hired I'll be right back to 99er ville.

You are too young to remember, but years ago people would bend over backwards to help family and friends find another job. FAMILY especially. When you lost your job back then, you were so ashamed to tell anyone. My husband has found that he cannot rely on anyone to help him find work. Not even family! You hit the nail on the head when you said they are more worried about their own jobs. My husband said that in the future if his family members ever need any help, whether it be money or job help, they can take a hike.

by americatheneedy Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:28 pm

People for the most part don't give a rat's a** about others. Now, there are exceptions, but all this networking crap doesn't work because nobody is going to refer or pass along you need a job. My family is all so nice when I had money and they weren't afraid I might ask for something. As soon as hard times hit, they acted like I had the plaque, even though I have never asked not one for a penny. I will not forget it when they need help which EVERYONE eventually will, I'm with your husbnad Too old to hire in Pa they can go straight to hell!!!! The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention 681285

The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention 681285

by Hunterforjobs Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:13 pm

Lets not be bitter but yeah people are like that. Networking, yeah most people say they will look for you and may have good intentions of doing so, they may hear of a job, refer it to you then decide to apply for it themselves because it may be too good to pass up while still leaving you in the lurch..

I understand perfectly well looking out for number one but while looking out for number one you can look out for number 2 also but they don't.

by couth11 Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:40 am

People are being forced to compete with each other for the few existing jobs. Immediate family trumps relatives, Someone in a position to do a big favor or can provide a really good secondary gain also trumps. being unemployed long term does change relationships; for better or worse things will never be the same. Becoming homeless intensifies all of the above a million-fold, at least.

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