Even as the rumors of the improving economy abound, the 99ers begin to contemplate fresh new attack strategy for 2011.
It is clear that what we did last year laid the ground work for our 2011 platform, but I am not of the mind that we should limit our participation to fax attacks, emails and phone calls to Washington. I believe there is strength in numbers and as our numbers sadly grow (according to Rant/Rave "The 99ers are growing by 35,000 people per week and it will continue to do so in 2011) , so does our political clout.
Personally, I believe that a 2 pronged attack in addition to the fax attacks, emails phone calls to Washington and joining free advocacy groups like U-Cubed is imperative and must be implemented with a vengeance.
WE NEED to fight Washington indifference to the plight and massive suffering of the 99er Nation with BAD PRESS and BIG PROTESTS! We need to push away the shame of being in the untenable situation of long term unemployment and the resulting poverty and take to the streets. We must be an ever visible force in the home offices of every member of Congress with great regularity and the Press by our side at every turn. We need to think and act outside the box!
I have read the 4 part story/plan All247News Unemployment & 99er's touted by Mike White (co-founder of American 99ers Union) and Michael Colliss and SORRY - I for one am NOT impressed. But I have provided the link here for you to read and decide for yourselves.
Those who suggest we do the faxing, calling, tweet and email thing forget we tried that all last year beginning last Spring. This is the problem with that. The May Day Fax Attack that I spearheaded in MAY 2010 which lasted 15 days - that is what we did. We faxed hundreds of thousands of our resumes - rejection letters, personal stories , late notices etc! to Washington and NOTHING except the laughter from our Speaker Pelosi at her weekly briefing May 29, 2010!
I have always loved the line in Fatal Attraction that Glen Close has - “I will not be ignored!” Well it is time we get out and be seen so we remain the #1 topic in the news until we 99ers get the help denied us thus far!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR for this:
ATTENTION Rhode Islanders:
What: Free Community Dinner Sponsored by Senator Whitehouse
When: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 6 p.m.
Where: Portuguese Social Club 131 School Street, Pawtucket
This free community dinner is open to the public. Please feel free to bring your family and friends. If you would like to RSVP, or would like additional information, please visit our website at http://whitehouse.senate.gov/services/dinners, call 401-453-5294, or e-mail rsvp_whitehouse@whitehouse.senate.gov RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.
Positive signs from New York’s New Governor:
Naomi Cohn, National Unemployment Examiner for Examiner.com, in her recent article NY's new governor refers to 99ers, unemployment extension, and jobs wrote - "In his inaugural address yesterday, New York's new governor Andrew Cuomo said that jobs are his number one priority and that he is particularly concerned about those unemployed who have exhausted all available benefits -- the 99ers."
This is more affirmation to the 99er Nation that 2011 we will NOT be ignored or swept aside, under the carpet or otherwise neglected. Stay tuned for more! We are just beginning to heat up this fight.
Comments
Hey, Pal. Just as last year, I'm going to do everything I can to forward our cause in 2011. I've been a little out of it for the last month or so because my mom passed away. It really knocked me flat, but I am back with a vengeance! By the way, Happy New Year my friend! The best is yet to come!
OH Honey I am so very sorry for your loss. OMG what a brave soul you are to share that with us. Thank you for any and all help to the cause you provide. I will pray that God eases the pain you have over the loss of your Mom. God Bless You!!!!
Thank you for your kind words, sweetie. You are always so wonderful! You've kept so many of us from losing it time and again. Many blessings to you!
I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 9 years ago next month. You never forget, but the pain will lessen. It's times like this that we think about them most often.
Hang in there!
Lost job, 401K, Medical, Home to Foreclosure, filed Bankruptcy, lost custody of daughter to ex, Eviction in 3 days...Nothing left...Can't afford the gas or I'd be on the steps in DC, but I saved enough so I can afford the 30 min.trip to State Capital...I will notify the local News beforehand, and I will raise a 99er sign & laydown info from the many posts by Donalee & Mike, before I end it all. I can't help myself or my daughter anymore, but if any of you see the News reports (I hope), YouTube or MSNBC any clips you can find, and maybe my ending will help all of you continue on...God Bless you Donalee, Mike, and ALL 99ers
KS 99er PLEASE Contact me ASAP!!! Facebook : Paladinette UnemployedZealot Or TWITTER: @Paladinette PLEASE DO NOT do anything until we talk PLEASE!!!!!
KS 99er, listen to Donalee! There is still hope for us as long as we are living and breathing. Why give up? Life is all about change. That means that we will be looking back on this one day, happy that we hung in there even though it was painful and difficult. We are worth it--you are worth it! Please don't give up!
I am right there with you KS 99er - but we still must forge ahead. The food banks have kept me going. And my house is going into foreclosure too. But I did spend the last 4 days picking up cans and bottles to get enough money to buy gas and pay a lingering bill.
I know there is some hope for us. I do not know when it will come - but this many people CANNOT be ignored forever. Until then, hang in there and listen to Donalee. Life IS WORTH more than YOU FEEL right now. Trust me. I just lost my mom in October 2010, my 3 siblings blame me for her death cause I was taking care of her, an old high school crush moved in to rent a room for 13 weeks and left me (on my birthday) with more bills and a broken heart, and I got served mortgage papers on Christmas Eve. BUT my point is --- There is ALWAYS hope. There is help all over if you can ask for it - you will be surprised what comes your way.
My prayers are with you. And all of us 99ers who are suffering so much.
KS99er, there isn't much that I can say to you about the joblessness and all the pain that comes with it. I'm a 99er as well, currently working a part-time job and barely holding on each day. So many of us understand THAT pain.
But the one thing I wanted to reach out to you about is your daughter. No one knows what custody battles are like unless you've been through them. I went through two with my ex-husband, a prominent attorney, and I know your pain about your child. It's absolute hell on earth. But it's at the darkest times in our own lives that we show our strength to our children and let them know that come hell or high water, WE'RE THERE. We're not going anywhere. One thing your daughter will never ever lose--ever--is your love, and that counts more than anything you could possibly provide to her. Believe me, that's the truth. If you do anything drastic, the one person who will never be replaced in her life is her mom. She deserves her mother, no matter who she physically lives with.
If you want to talk about it, I'm here. msanonymous222@aol.com
i pray every night for some relief for the 99ers. keep pushing everyone...it can be done.
KS 99er....don't give up. Contact someone right away and think this through. You may not be able to help your daughter right now, but think of the pain she will suffer for the rest of her life after you do what you intend on doing. The 99er community have already lost too many good people. Don't let the damn government push you into this decision. You are worth more than you think...and there are people who love you. Please, reach out to someone...there is a new website at www.helpthe99ers.com I have been able to find help for one person already. There are also employers who have posted some jobs there. Go look....post your story under you state, there might be someone out there who will help. There are other options KS....99ers are helping 99ers to survive. You can email me too at cindy98989@aol.com I can see what I can do to get you some help.
Donelle, Please continue your fight your voice, I am at the bottom, I now am about to lose my furry friends the only family I have.
Is there anything that can be done to save your furry friends? Let me know what you need or PLEASE SEE Cindy's message for the Help the 99ers page If there is some way to help perhaps we can help you find/get what you need!
Just posting in case there's a slight chance that you might be in Chicagoland, entitledhobo. I do know of a place in IL that finds TEMPORARY foster homes for your pets (just for the time being) in times of hardship. It's called Blessed Bonds. www.blessedbonds.com. And if not, you may want to reach out to them and see if they know of anything comparable in other states. All the best.
This new year,the whole world need to know what this government is doing to their own people,how they let them to die without any help,how them let starving without any food to take home and how they let the 99ers be a homeless and left them out on the cold.
We the people..need top organize rallys, marchs to Capitol Hills, the White House and the United Nations building to let them know that we are here out in the cold waiting for help from our government.
Better idea > Go to the "White House Facebook Page" and let it all out!
ALREADY DID IT.ALSO WENT TO THE WEB PAGE OF WHITE HOUSE.,BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SOME NOISE.
@Poverty sucks. I am so sorry about your loss! I lost my Mom 3 days after Christmas 1989 and I never thought there could be so much pain in my heart. My sincere condolences to you!
@KS 99er, PLEASE don't give up! Talk to Donalee or Cindy98989! You are NOT worthless! You are a human being and you daughter's Mother and that makes you a VERY important person!
God bless both of you!
Thank you, Deborah! I'm sorry that you lost your mom, too. Even though it seems like a long time ago, I know that you must still miss her so much. You are so right about the pain--I just feel crushed, that's the only way I can put it. Bless you!
As a member of UWAG I have to agree with your concensus of our approach to the 99er problem. I also agree that the articles written by Mike Colliss have nothing new or innovative in handling this dilemma. Most of us cannot go back to square one and start at the local level to lobby support for this. We are running out of time and resources and in many states like mine ( Idaho) the Republican mantra is so strong that any attempt to bring this subject up will be trounced. Some of us are mulling over the idea of writing to the UN for help. I feel the Human Rights Division would be the best avenue for help as we have exhausted all avenues of help here and Congress and Obama have made it abundantly clear that we are going to get no further help. What do you think of this Donalee?
Donalee, you're entitled to your opinion re Michael Colliss' activism plans but it's more than just faxing our Senators and I recommend everyone read the whole series of articles Michael C. wrote to judge for themselves. It involves not only contacting our Senators via faxing but also having personal meetings with Reps and Senators, it involves writing to our local papers, and winning the "hearts and minds" of the American public over to our side by educating them in various ways. It's a multi-prong attack and while I'm all for any rallies and so on that anyone has the time, energy and money to organize (maybe our friends at UCubed can get that together!), there are a lot of people in rural America for whom it is not practical to attend a rally.
Certainly rallies are what should be happening and as you know I helped organize and promote the first NYC rally on Wall St. on Aug. 12th last year. Please let me know of any rallies and I will do what I can to help promote them. Meanwhile I think Michael Colliss' plan has a lot of merit and I think you might agree if you read it through and give it a chance. If not, so be it - we all need to work together in whatever ways appeal to us and we all have the same end goal in mind: jobs and/or a Tier 5 or added weeks of benefits in some form. Peace.
Donalee...I cannot believe you put down Michael Collis's efforts...shame on you!!!!!! Any attempt and effort from anyone trying to help the 99ers should not be thrown out. All I see coming from you lately are poems and songs.....How can you make a statement like that....obviously this is a competitor and it is hurting your income...at least he does not take any monies for his efforts...to have a person like Michael Colliss with his background and knowledge about the 99ers is a priceless tool for the 99ers / longterm unemployed. yes Donalee you have been a pioneer to the cause, but this is not the time for the green eyed monster to show itself....stay with being part of the solution...
You really need to grow a thicker skin and realize this is NOT any criticism about YOU or the American99ers Union Hun. You know that I always say what I believe and I speak to my readers. My readers were informing me about Michael Colliss' activism plans and so I gave my opinion of that in this article BUT I realize this is ONLY my opinion! You tasking this as an affront is just PLAIN NON PRODUCTIVE.
Sweetheart I mean you NO disrespect whatsoever. But it is time you take the ranks of the 99ersUnion and DID SOMETHING that really MAKES AN IMPACT@!
In 2011 is is NOT about what you HAVE DONE for the 99ers (rallies and websites) it IS about what you will do to MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE! Something MORE than Press releases, faxing and interviews on Fox news.
There is a real distinction between being a co-founder of something and being a LEADER! I URGE YOU to take the leap that will transform you from the former to the latter - and ego MUST NOT dissuade you from that. NOTHING HERE is meant to slam you or criticize the 99ers UNION PERIOD!
I just want to somehow find a way to amass the4 ranks of the real fighters in this cause and triumph victoriously NOW ! I see that you CAN be a great part of this but ask WILL YOU? I pray the answer is YES!
Totally with pdsnickels. This is not the time to split hairs. On the East Coast we have All247news.com (out of Boston) and Colliss and other volunteers have been soldiers on our behalf. The time they've sacrificed to the cause is incalculable. It may seem j.v. to you but it's been major league to us.
Republicans are happy to hear ANY "news" that there's division among the undesirables (99ers) and that part of us sign on to a "UNION" (omg!) and part of us want to do our thing another way. We're a small blip on a large radar screen and if by some surreal chance the GOP sniffs around about 99ers, etc. if the word is we're marginalized vs each other and that some of us want bullets/ bayonets and some want discourse and civil disobedience...well, they just file that under garbage and turn attention back to the rich people.
It's ALL good, Ms. King, I don't care WHERE you are, if you're a 99er or a 52-weeker or whatever. Pelosi and Reid pushed us off a year ago saying the fight was too hard and they'd get to it (us) after the mid-terms. They got their creamed corn dumped in their laps in Nov and then scold us for not voting: that was a no-brainer...do I not vote R because they are pr*cks or do I not vote D because they have a bad case of the "'fraidy-scareds" and won't represent me?
You say po-TAY-to, others say po-TOT-o. All247news has been the brightest beacon for 99ers north of the Capitol. Period. Blessings, prayers, and luck to all out there.
You all need to realize this is MY column and I can only report what is happening and give MY opinion. I did NOT "put down Michael Collis's efforts." I simply said I was NOT impressed with the PLAN - that is it. You think for yourselves! That is why the link is here for you to think for yourselves whatever you wish!
Fact is that Michael Collis's pieces have often fallen short for my taste BUT with that said I have my opinion and it may differ from yours. The problem with out Political system is those who can not seem to agree to disagree and it appears that some of you have the same issue. I am not trying to split hairs or anything/anyone else. I am trying to get this fight moving and if it takes stirring up controversy in order to lift the 99ers from their lethargy then so be it!
If you want to voice your opinion this comments thread or a blog of your own would be a great start. I do not delete divergent opinions I ENCOURAGE them as a way to inspire those still on the sidelines to get off their butts and HELP US WIN THIS FIGHT! Not jus whine and complain but really make it a full time job not only to seek WORK but to work for the 99er's cause!
I will say it again Michael Collis has some great credentials and a great Blog! I for one think Rick Sloan of U-Cubed has far more experience as to how Wash DC works and knows how to lead an effective campaign to get us not only the help we need but also the jobs.
For those who feel I am being critical of Mike W. and the 99ers UNION - I am NOT - but just saying....there is a reason U-Cubed pulled out of that alliance - just saying......
PS To darling Dan Regan - sweetheart FYI - Michael Collis is not competitor of mine. His sight is WAY over and beyond Examiner.com !!! You really need not be so thinned skinned about things and I have earned the benefit of the doubt by my dedication to this fight. The $1.33 I might make in a day at this Examiner Job is not enough to sway me one way or another.... Fact is I call um like I see um .... always have always will! But thanks for the laughter this morning - really needed that one!! Love Ya!
I already sent suggestions to mike white and ask him to face facts -- the efforts he was using were ineffective -- he coped a bad sttitude and had a defetist mind set -- I have all e-mail to prove this if donalee or anyone else is interested -- Donalee is correct in her summery of these folks -- their suggestions will not work!
Hang in there, Donalee! Just ignore the critics, they have simply misunderstood you.
I share your hesitations about Mr Colliss. Too often, I find his style condescending and patronizing toward his fellow unemployed, but perhaps that's just an East Coast / West Coast thing. We all have our own style.
Hang in there, keep a stiff upper lip, and don't back down an inch!
Beast Regards,
Redpossum
All this back and forth blabber about disrespect this and my opinion that, it's a waste of time and energy. This is not an ego contest or is it? are one of you a democrat and the other a republican? lol All i know is that whoever is fighting for the 99ers has an uphill battle and energy needs to be conserved for getting the important battles won. That said, Donalee is an amazing force of nature and I appreciate all she does. The 99ers union has two problems in my opinion, first the term 99er, whoever came up with this wasn't thinking like a PR person or market strategist and the word, union, while I support unions they have been demonized in the media and this can cause the arguments about jobless UI to go off track and become about unions. the person behind the 99ers union is someone i know nothing about- where they came from, who backs them etc. o and whoever came up with the plan to not vote, well with friends like these we don't need enemies.
Marc - Just to answer the DEM / REP thing I am an Independent - Naturally What else LOLOLOL!
Just to clear up some incorrect statements among the comments:
1) Gregg Rosen (aka Mr. G) is the spokesperson for the A99U, and is the one who has been interviewed several times on Fox News.
2) Mike White (aka pdsnickels) is the creator of UWAG
3) Michael Collis is not unemployed. He is a retired journalist who has devoted significant time and effort to the 99ers. He does not receive any compensation for this work, nor has he requested any.
Mr. Collis has also stated on several occasions that one of the problems he has encountered in trying to unify the millions of 99ers is the constant backbiting among the LEADERS of the different 99er advocacy groups. The comments in and about this article have made his point.
Just as a P.S. to my comment above -
ALL of these individuals (and you as well, Donalee) have put an incredible effort into our cause, and all of the groups/forums have merit. But the splintering of our club of millions only serves to work against us. The government has already accomplished their strategy of divide and conquer by separating the 99ers from the "other" unemployed. In-fighting among our group leaders only harms us further, and helps those who want to see us disappear as soon as possible.
I just wanted to clarify a couple of things, HD wrote:
"
1) Gregg Rosen (aka Mr. G) is the spokesperson for the A99U, and is the one who has been interviewed several times on Fox News.
2) Mike White (aka pdsnickels) is the creator of UWAG"
You are correct but it's not the whole story. I, Michael White am also the co-founder and co-exec. director of the A99U. Gregg is the spokesperson because we decided to make it that way.
Donalee, I don't know what it was I said that made you think I need to have a thicker skin. It's simply a matter that you said in your article that you weren't impressed with Collliss' ideas for activism and I simply wanted to state why I disagreed with you. No big deal.
I don't think we are fighting at all, we're just disagreeing. The Democrats disagree all the time as do most families and groups, it's just human nature to discuss things and go back and forth and try to understand each others' points of views. I was not offended by your disagreeing with me or Colliss, I was simply stating why I think Colliss's ideas do have merit.
As to being a leader etc. I would like to know what you think I should be doing that I am not. When I see a campaign for 99ers that makes sense I support it. And if I come up with an idea that I think makes sense I push it forward. I have not seen anyone come up with anything "different" than Michael Colliss' ideas that make any more sense than that. If I do I will consider it and support it.
I didn't always like everyone I worked with nor did I always agree with the way businesses were always ran. Given that, I think that we can, or at least we should, agree that we will not always get along, agree with each other or even like each other all the time. I have sat in awe of so many of the fighter's in this movement over the last two years. What an amazing group of people with so many different attributes to bring to the fight! Some are very analytical and detail oriented they back up there information with documentation and a very educated approach, some bring a very "common sense" approach, some are more givers of themselves, some are on the front line giving direction while others are more comfortable waiting for that direction to follow. My point?
I see a lot of Chiefs and not enough Indians. I do believe that the common goal is the same between these groups fighting to get our careers back and fighting to have the much needed safety net until that happens. I would really love to see all of the “leaders” of this fight get together and unify us under one group. There is power in numbers. I believe that if we were united under one group we could better delegate. From the blogs and the news articles that I see from Michael, Mike and Donalee the question is the same all around “where do we go in 2011” the goal is same all around. Relief for the 99ers and unemployment for ALL unemployed until there are well paying jobs back to replace the ones that were stolen away from us.
I can’t find, or remember where I read it, but there was a blog not too long ago asking those that wanted in on the fight to send an email with what District they were in, who their Senator was and what they would be willing and/or able to do. I would love to see those with the vision get together via Skype or IM throw all of your ideas out amongst yourselves and come up with a roadmap. From there we can start asking for volunteers for smaller sub groups like, a focus group for the calling/writing/fax attacks; a group to physically go and meet with the Senators, governors, assembly men and women of their districts; a group to focus on the media; a group that compiles need requests from fellow unemployed; a group that focuses on organizing and fund raising for rallies of significant proportion. Each of these sub groups “report” to one of the “chiefs” and we get organized and mobilized….just my thought. I have been a follower and a fan of Donalee for a long time. I recently stumbled upon All247News Unemployment & 99er's and I have to say I am impressed. I think that together a greater movement will be seen and felt. What we need right now are the “chiefs” to come together and not allow the few that come to “stir the pot” to distract us from the ultimate goal.
UnemployedNYer:
The blog you're referring to is Michael Collis' plan of attack (on All247News.com). Many of us have responded to this, and packets on how to proceed were emailed to us today. You can join in by contacting Michael via the All347News website (the specific article is re: "Volunteers").
Great points and Ideas PLEASE Keep them coming! Nobody on this end (mine) is trying to splinter just get people up and about the task of GETTING IT DONE this year.
HANG IN THERE BABY! , YOU JUST GO ON DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING SWEETHEART! , YOU CAN STICK YOUR HAND OUT TO HELP! , BUT IT IS THIER CHOICE TO GRAB HOLD!!!
Kevin you say the SWEETEST things!!! Love YOU Darlin' !!!!
Actually I am trying to stir up 99ers from their sadness and Depression. What is happening to the 99er Nation is SHAMEFUL - but the shame is on Washington NOT the 99ers. Whether or not you agree with everything I write or opine that makes no difference to me - what matters is that I/We can agree to disagree and still stan in brotherhood rising up to take our rightful place and demand what we have a right for - SURVIVAL!!!!! VIVA la 99er Nation, Arise and stand proud of what you have come through with NO HELP from Washington - only us helping each other!!!
And I would proudly stand with every one of you no matter what you say - write or think about me, my blogs, videos, Website, Radio shows - interviews!!! I respect everyone's right to be an individual. I understand I am an acquired taste and my IN YOUR FACE style is not for everybody nor is it proper/successful for every occasion. I am HUMAN, I fall short and I mess up. But I am HONEST and I will NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN!
I COULDNT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF! , YOU GOT IT BABE! , CALL ME TONIGHT!
Well if your Name is "KEVIN" why on earth would you want me to call you "TONIGHT" ????
Best save the personal stuff for private messages OK?? :)
@Poverty Sucks and all others who have lost loved ones. This was posted on FB and I thought it was fitting.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~ From a headstone in Ireland
We have tried to get the Democrats to help the 99ers when they had control of the House, but they didn't help then and no longer have the votes with so many Republicans against Tier 5 or unemployment benefits for anyone. Although President Obama didn't mention the 99ers in 2010, he has the power to activate the
"The Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act"
(known informally as the Humphrey–Hawkins Full Employment Act)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey%E2%80%93Hawkins_Full_Employment_Act
- An act of legislation by the United States government to ensure full employment and balanced growth.
Congress won't pass a jobs program to rescue the millions of 99ers who need help now, whereas the "The Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act" would help. This recession-depression is expected to last from 6-20 years, so long-term planning is necessary. We need to get into a triage mode so that we don't lose 99ers while the politicians fiddle. The forums, Facebook pages, internet newspapers and websites devoted to the 99ers have a lot of commiserating about our situation and plans for more faxes, emails, marches, and face-to-face confrontations, but there is little said about what a 99er can do to survive. First aid must be given to those 99ers who are in distress, becoming homeless and losing everything. We need practical ways to stop the bleeding instead of sending emails to Washington requesting band-aids.
I too am a 99er. No income since March 2010. Live in and out of my car with my cat, my only family. I am 58 years old. I could go to a shelter, but they won't take my cat. I hope things get better for all of us. Either way we will be living in a new America where poverty will be rampant. We will be forced to band together and share in order to survive.
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