99ers Receive Commitment from Democrat Schumer on a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension
Posted on | July 28, 2010 | 81 Comments
Senator Chuck Schumer is not stopping with the extension of the unemployment benefits through November. At this time there are struggling Americans who have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment yet they still cannot find a job. Senator Schumer stated that there is a separate act that would extend unemployment benefits for those 99ers.
In April of 2010 the Washington Post reported that 1.4 million Americans have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment and have yet to find a job. With 15 million people unemployed and only 3 million jobs available the numbers are not in favor of those looking to be hired in the very near future.
There has been a petition sent to Washington from 99ers hoping to raise the awareness of the fact that there are no jobs to fulfill the growing number of those who have no unemployment insurance left. A tier 5 act is being discussed but it is commonly the case that Republicans and conservativie Democrats view this the complete opposite of deficit reduction.
With numbers growing each and every day we wanted to ask you, the readers, how you feel about the unemployed extension and the name “99ers?” Is the nickname “99ers” something you do not mind or is this just another put down on top of being unemployed? Feel free to comment below.
UPDATE: An opposing side to extending Unemployment Benefits; feel free to let them know what you think!
Author: Tiffany Mann
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81 Responses to “99ers Receive Commitment from Democrat Schumer on a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension”
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July 28th, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
I think it would be terrible to leave millions of people and their families without a safety net. I haven’t seen any proof that helping these Americans will add to the deficit. It’s not only hurting people, it also hurts business.
In fact, ignoring their needs will only contribute to the prospect of a double-dip recession.
Whatever you call the group, let’s get the Tier V legislation passed.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:16 pm
I am a 99er and god bless people like Sen. Schumer and Sen. Stabenow, who is also working on a bill for those of us who have been at the forefront of this horrendous job market and economy
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
I don’t mind the name 99er’s, it’s unfortunate, that by even next week there will be a heck of a lot more people joining our ranks.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
As us 99′ers fall off unemployment and people start defaulting on mortgages,credit card payments,etc,its going to push the USA into a deeper economic tailspin. The 99′ers would love to work,but there are NO jobs out there for anyone and the government is not doing a thing to create them. All people are getting is lip service,this is unacceptable.
This country is headed for anarchy and revolution.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
I think a Tier 5 should be considered for 99ers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits because there are really no jobs out here now in this tough economy. People need money to pay their bills and mortgages. If the senate do not pass this tier, people will be forced to become homeless and hungry. The resources that the government refer you to after your unemployment has exhausted is a one year wait or more. Come lets help out these people who has lost their jobs in this tough ecomony. Been there, I know what is like being unemployed for 2 years.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
I dont bother me 99er It just that the government has to listen to it people they need help so you people in the government better lising Help your people They need Help Americans first Help your own people first they are suffering just like the world take care of your own first and then the rest
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
Well, it is nice to know that someone in Washington is still thinking about the “99ers”. I hope that it really does become real that we will get additional benefits. As far as being called the “99ers”, it is OK with me. It is funny though, there are many of us that are out of benefits even though we never got to 99 weeks. I was told this morning, I didn’t qualify for EB even though EB was part of the extensions that were signed off last week. I give up, it is just so confusing and the fight is just about out of me…..
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
my benefits ran out in april i don t think a lousy 151 dollars would break the gov. i mean i am 60 years old i haven t been able to find a job because they want somebody younger oh well i guess that the way it is thank you mike mueller
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
I don’t mind the term “99ers”. I describes exactly the maximum number of weeks were able to receive unemployment. It tells people how long, those of us who had real jobs, we were able to receive benefits. The point is that we are not important enough to make sure that we are able to take care of ourselves and our families by denying us the extra tier. And if not the extra tier, then at lease a job. If republicans actually think that we are trying to milk the unemployment then they definitely have no idea what it’s like to actually be unemployed. The benefits are far less than what we actually made at our jobs, most don’t have any type of insurance while unemployed as most did have with their company, and we are gaining bad credit as we aren’t able to pay for everything. These people have to know that jobs do credit checks and so do insurance companies. Do they not understand that we won’t be able to find a job with bad credit and that we won’t be able to afford the higher rates of vehicle insurance due to the credit ratings. If only the people who are supposed to give a damn would actually think before they act. And i’m still puzzled by the fact we can take care of other countries but let the Americans struggle. Help US first!! It doesn’t take a genius to figure this one out!!
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
I don’t mind it at all…it’s reality..what can we do..
Come join the 99er’s below:
http://www.tier5tostayalive.blogspot.com/
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
There are 1.4 million Americans called 99ers. 1.4 million families is a lot who exausted 99 weeks. Some reports estimate that it’s actually closer to 4 million. I’ve been on unemployment in Texas and I didn’t even get the full 93 weeks (since we don’t have a tier 4 we don’t get the extra 6 weeks other states do). I was shorted by about 30 weeks after using up all my tiers from the state because they say “UP TO 93 Weeks”.
So all these congressmen who are saying 99 weeks is more than enough time, most of the 1.4 million families NEVER got 99 weeks. They got UP TO, but most missed the mark because these states are using unemployment wages to calculate what they should qualify for. So they are saying based on your past wages (which are none since you are on unemployment) we are going to short you 30 something weeks or whatever they decide to calculate. The unemployment offices also count partial weeks as a full week. So if you got a partial week of $50, that counts as one of your weeks in your overall max total of weeks. I also got a lot of partial weeks. So what’s happening is a lot of the 99ers aren’t getting anything close to 99 weeks, the 99ers term is false.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
I am one of those 99ers and still have not found a job. I have been looking and sending out my resume day after day and nothing. Just like some other people no one calls either I am to qualified for the job or no college degree. I have use up all my saving and is hanging by a thread to keep my apartment. My husband is disable and what he gets its not enough for all our bills. Not only I can not fine a job but now they are trying to tell my husband that he can go back to work with cancer, high blood pressure, diabetic, can see from one eye other one going bad and very depressed. Yes I feel their should be a tier 5. Let some of those people from congress walk in our shoe and wonder where are they going to get their next meal then they would no why a tier 5 is needed.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
Well, I am not offended by being a 99er, that is the way it is. I am offended by the people that say ‘we’ are lazy and want to live of the unemployment insurance. I have applied to over 500 jobs and because I am 61 years young, no one really wants the experience. One thing in particular, there are 22 million unemployed, not the published 15m you stated in the article. Now that offends me that they misrepresent the numbers.
July 28th, 2010 @ 7:52 pm
Very difficult to find a job in Los Angeles, California. I am one of the 99ners unemployed people. We need help until the unemploment picture improves. No one with the right mind will refuse to work and earn desent money for one third of the check from unemployment. I am an accountant but there is nothing out there.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
99er is fine with me it tells it like it is.
For 30 + yrs the pol’s have, busted unions , outsourced jobs with subsidies to corp’s for taking our factory’s overseas. How did this happen? Corprate lobbying and payoffs to the pol’s So that corp’s can pay little for cheap labor with 0 benefits for the worker. This greed of corp’s has now brought down the middle class made the average worker a wage slave who will never make enough to get out of the vicious circle that has become the workingman’s/woman’s life. IMO it is time for people to demand, jobs, fair wages and bene’s, an end to outsourcing a rebuilding of our industrial base in a worker friendly eco friendly business model a new corp attitude where profit is secondary to the welfare of our workers and our country.
Time to realize that all the numbers are being manipulated to suit the needs of the pol’s who don’t give a crap about the people or what happens too them. only 3% difference between the great depression and now !
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
there gonna force me to join the army,become homless,or start doing things that god would send me to hell for
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
I just think that our leaders think that this is some kind of a sick joke I mean these people were people to help with our economy now there on the other end of the stick and congress and the house think oh well but yet let’s bail out big banks and let them get away with giving there fat cats there billions in bonuses I hate to say it but what a messed up country wow we should penalize the banks and make them pay into the unemployment fund
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:12 pm
I am a 99er. I do not feel it should be extended.
If it is, I am going to take it, since I will be taxed for it later.
(Btw, why tax unemployment pay? Microcosm of an inefficient and inept government.)
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
i think washington should have taken care of the 99ers a long time ago. they blame the unemployed for the defict. shame on them. they funded 2 wars they bailed out wall street they bailed out the banks they give billions to other countries and now they want to give tax brakes to the rich. [ its not that washington does not get it they cant sell it.] let the politians get on the unemployment line. come november out.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
FYI- you can call me any name you want as long as we get the Tier 5 benefit ASAP!!!
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
All of congress need to work together on creating jobs. This will not be easy but we need to slow up the inports and start making product in the USA. About tier 5 it needs to be passed. We all care about how to pay for it and we need to stop telling the people we do not have the money. Most of the dollars given to the large corp. have been repaid so they can get there bonuses. I do believe we should have never given them the money in the first place and we should have let them fail then they would have learned and been part of the americans that can not fine work and need a little help. I do not understand why we gave corbra any money at all they are way over priced along with all insurances.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
99er’s.. come join us…we will not give up the fight. Our blog is called….tier5tostayalive.blogspot.com
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
99ers is just like all other nick names to make an identity for a group of people. Yes it makes those people seem as though they are non existent, a thing not a person or persons. I hope the government will get their act together and see that we the people are who bring the economy back. We are the spenders, we need a way to eat and live. This mess is every ones greed and wanting control. Well, guess what, it isn’t working. Now instead of people paying into the taxes, the taxes will have to go back out to the people. Why would there be any question as to should we help our fellow members of our country. We must help each other, we must get these people with out jobs. Why should a few million people have to suffer when it is all of our problem.
Yes, give them the unemployment, and give us back our country.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Hello:
I have exhausted my 99 weeks of unemployment and I need help immediately.
I cannot pay for various essentials. Winter will be here soon.
Why not assist those 99ers—cause you helped GM, the banks and Chrysler to name a few.
Please help us!
Tom
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
It has been very hard for the unemployed to get work with the HIGH numbers and rapidly increasing, …I just think that there should be more times because there just aren’t enough jobs out there…What we really want are jobs and not unemployment. Give us either or, please!!!! And to the repubs…you are ALL a bunch of douche bags that will pay at the polls in November…I can’t wait for the elections as well as most Americans…
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
The statement speaks for itself -
” With 15 million people unemployed and only 3 million jobs available, the numbers are not in favor of those looking to be hired in the very near future”
We need another tier- and maybe an additional one after tier 5 until the appropriate ratio of jobs available to workers are created or available.
We are talking about people who were “middle class” productive citizens who by no fault of their own have been reduced to struggling to the verge of poverty.
We (including the tax dollars of these “unemployed” taxpayers) bailed out A.I.G, the auto industry, fanny mac and fanny mae -citing that they were “too big to fail”.
Well- I think that America should also classify 1.5 million “99res” among the 15 million total unemployed Americans as “TOO BIG TO FAIL “-AS WELL.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
I feel as though they really need to consider a tier 5. I am 38 years old and I have been working since I was 14. I have never been “lazy”. I only received TANF for 8 months of my son’s life, and he is 15 now. My last job was a courier for DHL Express ended in January 09, because they moved the domestic side of the company out of the US. I am currently in school attempting to obtain a degree in the Criminal Justice area. There is no work available in my area, and I can’t afford to relocate because I have absolutely no income. My unemployment was cut off completely June 16, 2010, and I can’t even get lucky enough to get a McDonald’s or Burger King job…….there aren’t any. It’s merely impossible for me to focus on school when I constantly wonder how are my son and I going to make from one day until the next. I wish that someone would either call me for a job or build a tier 5. Even though they passed the extension, there are still millions of us 99ers out here trying to battle the struggle. And another thing I know of so many people that will get U.I. checks this coming Friday July 30th, and I’ve had atleast four of them to say once they get that it will be over for them too! Then what are they suppose to do? Just imagine the one’s in that position that I don’t know of! Help us somebody please!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
We are done. It’s all talk with little or no support from the majority. Strangely, the unemployment rate is worse now than when I was laid in 2008 (and it was awful then).
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
I am a 99er. Its not a put down its a reminder for me and everyone else that this can one day be you. I have been unemployed since July 08′. I have been looking for a job ever since. I get up and go to bed looking for a job. It upsets me when I hear that we are lazy and just want to collect a check. People think you can really live off of unemployment. I stopped paying my credit cards, car insurance, and occasionally skipped a car note. So I could keep a roof over my head and food on the table. Now my unemployment has run out. The car people want the car and the landlord wants the rent. Tell me where I need to go to get all these jobs.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
I do mind being called a 99er. There are several states who didn’t receive 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, because of our state (Maryland) not being over 8.5% unemployment rate. Can’t everyone just refer to us as unemployment exhaustees? Those who have exhausted all the unemployment benefits that there state offers should be called an unemployment exhaustee. It is crucial that a tier 5 is added to help those effected by this recession.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
How do you pass a extension for everyone but the 99ers. They have struggled the most and have been sent through the ringer. I should know I am one of them. I was selling cars and the economy got bad for everyone. I lost my job and have tried to work ever sense. I used to work in security so I got my security license back witch I had to pay for myself total of 300 dollars. I just went today to fill out a application at J.C. Penny for store security because there store put a add out that they were hiring. I wanted to make a good impression so i put on a suit made sure my resume was up to date and went in. They sat me at a computer to fill out my application treating me like another number but what ever. I finish the application and ask to see the head of security. He comes down I shake his hand introduce myself. I ask him when would be a good time to come back for the interview? He says he is not sure that he has a opening. I remind him that he has a add out and he tells me (this is the part that makes you want to jump off a bridge) That he did not put the add out that it was sent out nationally and he has no control over it but he will keep me in mind if anything comes up. I was floored after 99 weeks of no work and having no money coming in this guy tells me this. I wanted to cry. i am married with 3 kids and no income coming in and no jobs any where what am I supposed to do?
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
I am a 99er and I have no problem being referred to as a 99er. We definitely need a Tier 5 to survive. I was on Unemployed Friends and a person was going to end their life. They are/were living on the streets. People need help. This is not a joking matter, but one of a very serious nature.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
I’am a 99er who have been out of work for almost two years. I faithly work for 29 years of my life, and would do it again in a heart beat if I could find a job. Losing my job was out of my control but the 99ers need help to.
All we ask is to get our benifits re-in-stated
until we find work. I look for work every day
and there is none. Put your self in my and so many others,place, not kwoning where your next meal is coming from.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
I am a 99er who ran out of unemployment 5 months ago. My unemployment started when I was laid off in late 2007. I have been looking for work steadily the entire time. Like most people over 30, I have been told that I am “overqualified” for the positions I have been granted an interview for. In addition to that I am 54 years old, have lousy credit and amazingly, at this point, have some major anxiety issues. I joined the masses of the homeless here in California 2 weeks ago. I have a couple of places to stay but nothing permanent. Instead of getting unemployment, I am now receiving Foodstamps, and have been given county help for my anxiety, insomnia and other mental health issues. Even if the Democrats & the Republicans are concerned with the deficit, wait until all of us 99ers are homeless and on welfare, etc., they will definitely see a huge rise in the costing of keeping us going, either way.
I don’t mind being called a 99er. It is a great way to describe how down on our luck we are all. God help us all.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
I am a 99′er. The moniker does not bother me. However, I am disconcerted that I am at such a point in my life and finances that I can see the end. I have been unable to find work. Help is more important to me than ever. I never imagined being in such a position but here I am. I understand deficit spending. But something has to give. I hope its not my viability in this world.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
i would like to have a job; but there is no jobs in south Florida and i have no more benefits. I wish you would pass a Tier 5. Im ask Senator and the Republicans please i don’t have money to pay bill.
July 28th, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
Finally after 3 months of people running out of benefits in the Depression Style Job Market where there are 5 people for every job opening looking and obviously people over 1 million in# and growing rapidly are losing ALL HOPE!
HOUSE AND SENATE!!~DONT RECESS WITHOUT PASSING A TIER 5 TO SURVIVE!
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
is very hard to find job at this time, i’ve been seeking work for 18 months and i was not lucky so far
please pass tier five for all needed americans,most of us don’t have saving and this tier 5 is our hope, please help us
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:08 pm
these wealthy senators don’t know what it is like to be without work, struggling to make ends meet from day to day.
God help us and this country. We help others, charity begins at home!!!!
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
I cannot believe that the government can bail out banks and car manufacturers with billions of dollars, YET they cannot help the unemployed average U.S. citizen who has worked all of their lives. I AM ONE of those that are unemployed and have been for 6 months. THERE ARE NO JOBS!!!! Those of us who are unemployed would rather be working, trust me. I am 60 years old and single, in sole support of myself. I’ve exhaused most of my savings and am on the verge of having NO HEALTH INSURANCE. It’s a sad commentary for the USA to turn it’s back on the unemployed at this critical time in the history of our nation. We are slowly sinking into what will eventually become a third world country. Dont’ you think someone should have thought about the impact on the US as they were shipping out all of the jobs overseas. It’s thoroughly disgusting. Lord, please help us.
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
The overwhelming unemployment situation is too big to be repaired in small increments.
Many of the people we now label “99ers” could very well be the permanently unemployed. The US government does not seem willing to care for its own, and yet it always has money to help foreign nations, and money for war. Its a bad situation and deficit or not, we need to spend the money. Nothing is more important than the People of the US, and our elected officials need to remember that.
I believe the label “99ers” is important to help us remember this time. “99ers” may even appear in the children’s history books. The 99ers Great Recession of 2010.
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
I do not understand why it is such a issue to help AMERICANS! They sure do not mind helping half the globe!
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
This will be great if it really comes to be. I know I am at end of everything and don’t know how I can survive any more. This would be a real lifesaver, I only hope that Congress doesn’t do what they did to the others by waiting so long and making everyone get further into debt by their uncaring attitude. This is not about Reps Vs. Dems it is about people who are really hurting and in financial ruin.
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
I am not yet at 99weeks, I think I am in the 80 week category. It depends on your perspective. If you are of the Tea Party mindset..then they think we are all druggies. If you have ever been w/o a job and saw the empty store fronts, foreclosures, the jobs you use to have being outsourced to China, Pakistan, India…then you know first-hand the struggle we are going through. On anothe website…there was an email that a man named Alex, who was a 99er shot himself in the head. I don’t know if he survived or not. He had a wife and child. If anyone else has any info please comment on it. Thank you Ms. Mann for covering our issue. It is basic…w/o the small amount the government gives us…we cannot pay our rent, mortgage, utility bills, food, phone. Simple as that. Some of us are already living in tents.
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:32 pm
Thank you all for the replies and comments, keep the conversation going and let us know how you feel about being called a 99er and what you think about a possible extension. Maybe someone will notice if we can get enough chatter going!
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Someone else I know wrote this article at another website. It looks at the exact opposite of the article Tiffany wrote; might want to tell them how you feel
http://www.whatamericaissearching.com/2010/07/26/unemployment-benefits-extension-passed-through-november-2010-enabling-of-america-by-obama/
July 28th, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
I am so tired of people bashing us (the unemployed), no one knows how this feels until they are in this situation. There are just not enough jobs out there. How the hell do they expect anyone to get a job even at McDonalds if they are just hiring other people. Its reported that on average 1 person gets hired out of 5. Thats just an average, other cities have less odds than this, especially in California. All the people bashing us will not know how this feels, and if they do then they will eat their words. Who would want to stay on unemployment, its not permanent, its temporary. True, some people might not try as hard as others, but thats because the results speak for themselves. Try or not try, millions are not getting hired. Im sure most 99ers would rather get a mininum wage, part time Mcjob, than to get nothing at all, but even these jobs are hard to find nowadays.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
I am a 44 year old single woman with no children. I have been on unemployment in Florida for 99weeks. I have worked all of my life and I am 12 credits shy of my bachelors degree I worked in sales for Chase manhattan bank and made them 15 million a year but because the last year I didn’t do much in sales I only qualified for 140 dollars a week for 2 years!! I have tried to get every kind of job you can think of including part time work. I had my car repossesed I have been evicted I found a private high finance company to finance me a vehicle which I am now living in. all of my checks were going towards the car payments. I spent 19 dollars a month for a gym membership so i can take a shower. Now I can’t pay for my car or a shower since I have zero income. I used my last Un check to drive to nyc to find a job only to find it’s worse here and now i am stuck here and in fear of the winter.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Thank-God for the Democratic Senators who realize how devastating the economic crisis is in America right now.
I am not a 99er. In fact, if there hadn’t been 3 months of fillabusters in the senate, I would still be eligible for unemployment. I’m not certain how many other people this affected, but because of the delays……literally 10′s of thousands of people were cut off, and have been told they no longer qualify.
Whatever The Democracts can do for us while we wait for “The Great Recession” to lessen it’s burden on us…..the better. But anyone from States like Texas, who had BOTH their Senators voting no to help the long-term unemployed, like me, good luck to us all.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
I am a 99′er. I ran out of benefits 7 weeks ago. I don’t care what you call me. You can call me a 119′er or 129′er if more weeks are added. A three month stash or stock pile of money if needed as they say, isn’t going to make it now. I would be so grateful if a teir 5 was to be added. At 57, my company didn’t need me any more.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
Something has to be done about this! I read an article that I found on the web 2 days ago that says that upward of 1 million people will fall off the unemployment benefit payrolls by the end of July-and that’s crazy! This extension should have been part of the overall extension!!! It’s really sad that the people that are searching the hardest and willing to take any kind of job can’t find the jobs! I lost my UE benefits in April and we are barely living to any sort of means- literally we have no food in our house and we have to argue and bargain to keep our utilities on and gas-if any in the car! It shouldn’t be this way! The United States is NOT a THIRD WORLD country! But we are being treated like we are! Things need to change in this country and they need to change very soon. A tier 5 is needed to keep people from losing our homes and being able to pay our bills until this period of time passes and our economy turns around—IF IT EVER TURNS AROUND!
TIER 5 TO SURVIVE NOW!!! DO what’s right for the CITIZENS OF THE USA and HELP US IN OUR TIME OF NEED!!!
TIER 5 NOW!!!!!!
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
I’m proud to be in the same ranks as other 99ers and to have that label placed on me. Not to say that I’m happy I have been out of a work for that long!!! But when I tell people what I and many others are going through in our great country. They are first shocked that me and my small family are trying to make it with what we do have. But theres also a label put on people like myself that have gone though this tough economic struggle and this is what our government has done nothing to help us. When they do so much to help other country s and big corporations here in the states. I know there are also a lot good people that make up the ranks of 99ers out there and that is why I’m proud to be labeled as one of them!!! Very few people look down on me because of the label how ever it dose have a direct reflection on our government. With that I feel we should have our day in court (a vote on tier 5)and if I wasn’t a 99er I would feel the same way because I’m an America. And with all that being said good luck and God bless all of you 99ers out there trying to make it. And to the good folks up in Washington please pull your heads out and get something any thing done for the American people please.
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:37 pm
The title 99ers is fine with me. I just want a Tier 5 and hope our greedy politicians and business, community (bailed out banks, insurance companies etc,) work with all elected officials and stop working against working class Americans and get us back to work so we don’t have to change the name to 159ers or 199ers. To all you mis-informed negative commenting people remember in order to be eligible for unemployment you had to be employed in the first place. We don’t want welfare we want jobs to support our families. .
This was my recent letter to the President:
How can you congratulate each other for the approval of a half completed bill forgetting the 99ers and the Tier 5 unemployment extension? As far as I’m concerned your approval rating is 0%. We definitely want the Republicans out. Your weak lack of leadership during this unemployment situation and the spineless Democrats not requesting help for a Tier 5 and the 99ers is unforgivable. What I have noticed is when a problem has been resolved then and only then do you stand a take credit. Remember those extensions you signed only last until November and you know sufficient jobs will not appear by then. By then there will be more people reaching 99 weeks then ever. How stupid do you think we are? I don’t know what Americans you’re patting yourselves on the back for helping but we were not just thrown in front of the bus but mowed-ed down and left for dead. You need to stand up now. Not after someone else resolves the problem and you once again take credit. It’s a time for change all right! Change all of you right out of office!
Mr. President stand up for all of us that are unemployed for as long as it takes to help. Please don’t stop when the next big headline comes along, oil spill, immigration bill, election campaigning and then kick us to the curb again. To fend for our selves!
July 28th, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
Hey Guys,
Don’t misunderstand. The term “99er” is just fine with me. I just don’t get how so many people who weren’t even on Tier 3 are being told…..NO….you don’t qualify. And it’s because of all the pussy-footing around in the senate. Do they WANT us all on welfare or what? And when in the heck are they going to do something about bringing our jobs back from Mexico, India, & China? Isn’t that one of the promises made by Obama? Didn’t he say he was going to tax the big companies for taking our jobs overseas, and give them huge tax incentives to bring them back? What in the world is he doing over there? I voted for him, and things cetainly HAVE changed. What a mess!
And I understand that the president can’t really do anything with the record amount of fillabusters the republicans have thrown at him & the democracts. REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER! If we can get rid of just 5 or 6 of these republican senators, then we can move forward. Till then…….it’s gonna stay FILLABUSTER city in the senate.
July 28th, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
The greedy politicians can help everybody else (including themselves to our money) but the people who help to build America and have very little. They are the ones that need to be called names like: Greedy “Whirl-winder’s” because that is what they are going to reap.
July 28th, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
The name 99 ers is fine with me as long as I get tier V & tier VI.
We all are struggling and with only 3 million job for over 16 million unemployeed I think we are going to be in 9.7% unemployment rate for the next 3 years./
So the government needs to provide extensions but also perhaps to have some thing for all of us to do to earn those extensions.
July 28th, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
THE GOVERMENT JUST VOTED IN TO GIVE PAKASTAN 9 BILLION DOLLARS, TO REBUILD. WHEN THEY COULD HAVE GAVE TO THE 99ERS AND PAKASTAN DON’T WANT US OVER THERE. COME NOVEMBER YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO VOTE THEM OUT
July 28th, 2010 @ 11:41 pm
We do not hesitate to send billions to countries who do not like us but when it comes to our own citizens it is asking too much
July 28th, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
This has always been a complaint of mine, not with just the current administration, but with America since I was born. It seems we are so concerned about everyone else when we have problems of our own. We send millions and billions to help other countries yet there are millions starving in America that should be addressed first. Just my observation.
July 29th, 2010 @ 12:42 am
I don’t mind 99ers…My husband and I 99ers…we cannot find a job..our age is one problem, not that we are 60 or over..so unemployment sends us a letter letting us know that our unemployment was running out and said to go apply at social services…that is a laugh…because we have no children they will only give us less than $200. cash…what can you pay with that??? We have rent, electric and cable (our phone is through cable and we have basic) we can’t live on that…how are people suppose to live now??? My husband has been in the hospital off and on since Dec. for stents..dr says he can work, can’t lift for 10-14 days after stents were put in. but he can go to work in 3 days..that’s another issue, but he can’t be out in the heat right now..he works construction…we are soo stressed right now. One of our son’s purchased a house for us, (since we have no job and his x boss owned the house we lived in), now we cannot pay this…my son is also stressed about this…I can’t afford to go to the dr for anything..and I really need to. But until and if they pass another ext. we don’t know what to do…
July 29th, 2010 @ 12:43 am
Nothing wrong, with being a 99ers, proud of the fact that I worked for over twenty years in retail, laid off since January, 2008, through no fault of my own. Was A RALPH lAUREN Specialist, AT Nordstrom at the Somerset Mall, in Troy MI. I applied to the Ralph Lauren Boutique, also at Somerset, with all my experience as a Specialist, and did not even get a call back, how do you think that I felt about it? Could sell Lauren, in my sleep.Oh, would love a JOB, now if it were possible. Not asking for a hand-out, 99 weeks would be enough in a normal situation, but we are in a RECESSION, ALMOST AS BAD AS THE 1930′s DEPRESSION, that is what is so hard.
July 29th, 2010 @ 2:56 am
I’m a 99′er. As soon as my benefits ran out, my car I worked for years for was repossesed. I sold everything I could on ebay until I had to start selling everything in my apartment.
Then I became homeless w/ my 15 year old son.
Never say never.
July 29th, 2010 @ 3:41 am
WE NEED IT BAD PLEASE HELP I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE MY OLD JOB BACK THAT WENT TO MEXICO.BUT NEED YOUR HELP SENATOR SCHUMER ARE LIVES DEPEND ON YOU FOR YOUR HELP,BEEN APPLYING 3TIMES A DAY OR MORE TO FIND WORK FOR LAST TWO YEARS NO WORK IN SIGHT HAVE FAMILY TO SUPPORT 99ERS NOT GIVING UP HOPE DON,T WANT TO LIVE ON STREETS THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
July 29th, 2010 @ 3:52 am
I am not receiving UI b/c I never qualified for one. So I have been suffering for years financially, something that many 99′ers have experienced by now. But I am in support of a bill for tier V extension. America’s strength and resources start with her citizens. So hopefully help will come soon for the 99′er, many of whom must have been so desperate now. I feel your pain.
July 29th, 2010 @ 6:11 am
I have been looking for a job and there is just not one out there even part time.
so it would be a blessing if the 99ers
unemployment would be passed.
Thank you so much.
July 29th, 2010 @ 6:42 am
I don’t care…call me a 99er. If that gets the point across that after all this time of job searching we still can not find work!
Now they break for yet another vacation until Sept! OMG!!! What happens to the millions of us and our families that have no money for rent, utilities and food!
This is NOT the American dream!
July 29th, 2010 @ 8:27 am
I agree! We need to H E L P all with unemployment and jobs. We help people overseas, companies who need money, banks who need more money, so why can we not give to our people who have given all there lives in taxes. Oh yea, when has the last senator/house represenative been LAID OFF? Remember come election time!!!
July 29th, 2010 @ 9:42 am
I am a 99er. I have been layed off since April 2008. I have looked & applied for more jobs that I care to count, none of which has produced an interview. I am 51 and the longer this goes on the worse it will be. I packed up my things after being layed off to go back east to help out family that didn’t work out so I came back to WA. When I came back I had to stay with friends. I bounced from couch to couch, after that came to an end I went to a motel were I stayed for over a year. While that was going on I went to school to be a Medical Assistant. What they don’t tell you though is that an employer wants you to have experience, bit no one will give you experience. I finished my classes in Dec. 2009 and I still can’t get a job. I v’ehad my car repoed, my cell phone turned off (my connection to the outside world & possible employer contact) had to move back to the east coast so that I could put a roof over my head and go on food stamps (this bothers me to no end because I have NEVER had to go on any type of assistance in my lifetime. I have always worked and never been on unemployement and now that I need to I’m told that I have only a certain amount of time due to Government coruption & mismanagement. My question to the President , House & Senate is what did we the 99ers due to deserve this? Why are we the american people being punished when they give money to foreign governments, but don’t help their own people here in America? That’s wrong I don’t care how you try to sugar coat it.
July 29th, 2010 @ 9:50 am
if it was all of you who appose this extention for the 99ers [out of work.]would you be as hateful and mean to yourself and your family.[i think not.]you could use some or all of the stimulas money to pay for unemployed workers.and besides that this country makes its own money.why can’t they make a little extra to take care of there own instead of taking care of other countries.not that i mind or others mind taking care of other countries. but shouldn’t we take care of our own first. truthful in the usa
July 29th, 2010 @ 9:51 am
No matter how much we argue it will continue to be the case that small businesses must gain access to money through lending. Meredith Whitney points out that 60% of jobs are created through small businesses. If you live in an area where small businesses have dried up then the unemployment rate has probably skyrocketed. Let us know if you live in one of these areas….
July 29th, 2010 @ 10:43 am
anarchy,riots,crime,and all the other sins god will send me to hell for,is what is aabout to occur.give us the benefits now,or else.
July 29th, 2010 @ 11:41 am
First of all anyone that considers unemployment benifits an entitlement program really hasn’t a clue.It is called insurance be cause we all pay into it for times like now.Thanks to Ronald Reagan it is all taxable income too.You never have that mentioned from all the pundits in the media.Many,as Fox News John Stossel,only talk as if the unemployment extensions are such a huge handout and they should be stopped and never to continue.Ofcourse these same people on the other hand supprt the Bush tax cuts that will add trillons of dollars to the deficit. Senate Minority Speaker Mitch Mcconnell states that we are in danger of becoming the same type of government as Western Europeans.We should be so fortuante!
July 29th, 2010 @ 12:32 pm
Hafa I am a 99er un like the 49er who went off on their dreams to find gold and live the American dream, we the 99ers only seek to survive and get the basics things in life. We are people not numbers. Yes we are people just yearning to provide the most basic things for ourselves and our families. For us there is no rainbow for that rainbow lies in far off lands such as China,India and places you may have never heard of. Yes, America has been outsourced and our President and our Congress are only the American managers for overseas governments. We’ve been sold out! We need help this is our trail of tears as we move from nothing to nothing more.
Are we going to get any help? does any one care? Our military is fighting in distant lands,for what so that people in other countries can live like Americans? WHAT THE??? If begging for the basics is American maybe you don’t want to live like Americans!
Lets get help for the 99ers lets use some of that stimulus monies to give more unemployment benefits also lets use some of it to create modern day CCC camps and WPA projects so that we can fix America and put people back to work. Lets Do This America. Lets Do It For If we Don’t There Might Not Be An America To Pass On.
July 29th, 2010 @ 12:40 pm
Doesn’t matter what you call them the facts remain the same. If the republicans had not run the deficit up over the 8 years of Bush would we be having this conversation? The fact is when economic crisis’s happen government is forced to spend money there’s no way around it. I think its funny how we deregulated the Savings and Loans that worked so well we deregulated the Power Co. and wow see how well that worked we deregulated the Banks. Definition of INSANITY : repeating the same thing over and over expecting different results. Dose any one remember there history lessons. They where called Hovervils back during the great depression. I wounder what they will be called this time. Republican towns.
July 29th, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
The fact that we give billions of dollars to pakistan every year who they have known for awhile are helping the talaban kill our men and women there, and cannt find the money to help millions of there own people who like me have been unemployed for 99 or more wks. And are losing their homes trying to keep phone service and other bills is a disgrace!
July 29th, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
In ca. The unemployment rate is 12.3% in the county I live in it’s 15% in some cities and towns it’s 30% but they have half of the “stimulus” money 400 billion just sitting in some kind of slush fund somewhere twilite zone state of affairs
July 29th, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
I am one who has been unemployed for 2.5 years. I have 3 kids and after I ran out of unemployment we had to move in with my parents because of Zero income. I receive 200 in food stamps every month and the buck stops there. My mother who I live with worked for 37 years until she was let go for nefarious reasons. Now she is almost out of unemployment herself and its getting harder every day. I am ashamed of our government. To make things so difficult for the poor is disturbing to me.the national debt has grown by more than $4 trillion during George W. Bush’s presidency.
It’s the biggest increase under any president in U.S history.
On the day President Bush took office, the national debt stood at $5.727 trillion. The latest number from the Treasury Department shows the national debt now stands at more than $9.849 trillion. That’s a 71.9 percent increase on Mr. Bush’s watch.
Buried deep in the hundred pages of bailout legislation is a provision that would raise the statutory ceiling on the national debt to $11.315 trillion. It’ll be the 7th time the debt limit has been raised during this administration. Not only did the Government put the country in this position , but they have done little to help people live. I didn’t right those statistics. I didn’t do this to our country. I was a hard working man. Now im writing this so someone that can help heres me.I need more help than this.
July 29th, 2010 @ 9:17 pm
Just think in the future when this economic problem is talked about we will be the 99ers talked about in the books
July 30th, 2010 @ 3:31 am
We, too, are so grateful help is finally coming again…There are so many who genuinely need help….who have worked hard/have families and circumstances became dire….Our country needs to help us now….we, who have been loyal American citizens…Sure, there are abuses….always…but so many of us are truly hurting….I don’t mind the label, 99′ers….as another said, it’s reality….however, we come under fire from others and the media/talk show hosts stereotyping us as “couch
potatos”…”slackers”….”lazy”…..that is so untrue, unfair and unkind …those who judge us so, should walk in our shoes…their shallow, pompous thinking demonstrates how limited their scope of understanding, intelligence and compassion is….I’m sure there are many like us; we’ve worked since our teens…our son got a job while going to high school to support his car and worked through college….attained a Master’s degree……my husband and son served in the military, as did our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers……So, John & Ken…Rush Limbaugh I will never listen to your shows again. I applaud Nancy Pelosi who was one of the first to speak out for us and showed compassion….and our President….God bless them!
My heart goes out to those whose comments I’ve been reading….Our country is hurting….
July 30th, 2010 @ 10:16 am
I can’t say it any better or clearer than the above…I fear there will be violence and more against those who get richer and richer and those who refuse to help us, while we live on food stamps and hope after using up all of our savings, losing our homes and worse.
August 8th, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
I for one am not a 99 er but i feel the pain of these hard working american citizenz being spit in the face by our american government. One thing that bother’s me is that some people say i am not asking for welfare.. well since the economy sucks so bad i have been forced to be on welfare to support me and my children, i have 2 daughters a 7 month old and a 5 year old with celiaq disease and rhuematoid arthritis, welfare gives me $533 a month that is barely enough to live on at all.. The poor are becoming poorer, The government does nothing for the poor they dont give you enough money to live in anything but projects for low income family’s that you will probably never leave. I am lucky enough to have my own apartment and work under the table so the government can’t take taxes from me to give to illegal aliens to buy their own buisnesses when they come to our country, or so they can put it in the pockets of their politicians. whol are doing nothing for these 99ers.. somone help these people and their families dont turn your back on the 99ers or the poor for that matter, you helped haiti where did that money come from? help your own first, the poor are not lazy either, some will just never have any means or ways to ever become middle class, and our middle class who have worked their whole lives are being shunned by the american government, shame on you senators walk in these peoples shoes. Struggle like they do, not even day by day but minuet by minuet to feed their families. “Land of the free’ – that is a lie, these people are suffering and what is the government concerned about? how to help other countries or how to make the rich richer. It litteraly makes me sick to my stomache to think what is happening to these people because i have been their and it is no picknick, it’s not right!!!! Step up government help your american people before giving countries you decided to blow up millions of dollars to rebuild. help the poor and middle class and esp the 99ers ..i am 23 years old and it make me sick as young as i am that the usa is the way that it is. 99ers i am on your side, a rally or march let me know because i will be there on your behalf. Someone needs to start a fund people like me can donate to these people, i cant afford alot but as little as ten dollars from anyone who can spare it , will add up quick and make a difference in these people’s lives. I feel ashamed of our government. Hey Washington Stop worring about politics and just do whats right, because you would vote for it in a second if it was your children or family loosing everything!!!! Wake up UE benifits need to be extended till their are enough jobs. These people paid for it give them their money!!! Lazy, druggies,- are you crazy these people are only getting a fraction of what they normally make at their jobs, nobody is lazy here washington you are just ignorant, stop turning your back this problem will not just go away or fix itself. And something needs to be done about age discrimination all these people who cant get job’s because company’s would rather hire younger who will work for less, what are the older to do? that is discrimination and they will NEVER get a job, because the company’s will keep getting away with it. 99ers…im here for you guyes even though i am not one i have expirenced everything you have and i feel your pain, god bless and dont give up hope… i will think about you all everyday until something is done………xoxoxo Elisa – From MA