Today in a phone conversation with Berkley's Chief of Staff Richard Urey, Berkley’s folks unveiled their true colors. It was revealed that the Nevada Congresswoman would not be introducing legislation to create a new tier of unemployment benefits, for those who have exhausted their UI, namely the 99ers.
Rob C. had a phone conference only a few minutes ago in which Urey said: "Representative Berkley declines to write the requested legislation to help the 99ers. It is ‘too tough of a fight’and she is not willing to get into it. The American people do not have the will to help the 99ers and do not want to add anything to the deficit. I am so sorry we cannot help you,"
Rob then countered that "the American people do not have the stomach or pocket book to fund two wars, or to spend hundreds of millions in foreign aide to invest in other countries future. The American people want these elected leaders to start thinking about investing in America! I closed by explaining that many lives will be lost because these politicians are more focused on reelections and self-preservation."
Well looks like this is simply another glaring example of Democrats who only posture to glean votes and are not at all sincere about helping hurting Americans. Nevada now has the highest level of unemployment of all states, sitting at 14%.
Only last week, Berkley was quoted in a Las Vegas Review-Journal article titled JOBLESSNESS: Nevada lawmakers call for new level of jobless benefits Titus, Berkley support 13 or 26 more weeks of aid, in which Berkley was quoted as saying she would back an additional 13 or 26 weeks of jobless payments in a new tier.
"Given the situation in the state of Nevada, I think it is going to be the difference between surviving and not for many Nevada families," Berkley said. "Perhaps we can do something for the hardest hit."
I guess she changed her mind or found something more important than the survival of many Nevada families and millions of Americans.
For her stunning but not unexpected reversal on this Tier 5 issue, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley will have the honor of being added to our Wall of Shame on the 99er site Jobless Unite. She will be sent an email informing her of why we did this and a link to this article as well.
According to a Rollcall.com report last year, Berkley is one of the 50 richest lawmakers in Washington today.
I say we contact her office and let her know what we think of her cowardly play and tell her how desperately we all need these benefits now. Perhaps she will be kind enough to share her considerable fortune with some of the less fortunate, but I doubt that very much.
Congresswoman Berkley 202-225-5965 David Cherry david.cherry@mail.house.gov
[UPDATE: 4:14PM PST- According to CNN money, The Senate Wednesday voted 59 to 39 to restore unemployment benefits to 2.5 million jobless Americans, ending a seven-week stalemate.]
********COUNTDOWN to pass a Tier 5 bill: House 7 days/Senate 12 days
Comments
I knew it was to quiet on the 99er front, i missed Big Ed tonight any new developements with him!
You are burning a hell of a lot of bridges with your attitude. It might be wiser to simply move on than continually attack those that have decided not to help based on current conditions. Conditions change, and you'll be needing these friends you have alienated, down the road.
stillhurtintoo: I agree. Thank you.
One black women gets fired through part fault of her own and literally steals the thunder from millions of 99ers! A white ems worker got dismissed from his job in detroit after 20 years on the job for being white along with several other whites, a reverse discrimination case has been filed, this did not steal national news media time! theyre discriminating about discrimination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHAT ABOUT US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Relax - if and when the time comes, she will still vote for our Tier 5. She just isn't the leader she claimed to be.
THATS ALL THATS ON THE NEWS IS THIS BLACK WOMEN THAT PUT HER FOOT IN HER MOUTH 20 YEARS AGO, AND THEY WANT THE PRESIDENT TO COMMENT! GET OVER IT, IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT UP THEN!!!!IS THIS A SMOKE SCREEN TO GET US OUT OF THE MEDIA!!!!!P.S.YOU CANT HAVE SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE!!!! SO I DISAGREE stillhurtintoo and mrs222! Thanks Mrs King and Rob C. I applaud your efforts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I advocate a "NO MORE TEARS/TEIRS" bill to be funded under the money saved by downsizing are multiple wars, like a company sells off parts to cover debt! We will close/shut down one of our wars til its more sustainable, everyone hates us anyway so we will have plenty of wars to go back to, or we can start new ones for those in need of a change in scenery, so dont worry concerned war mongeres! Under no more tears/teirs continued reduced(5% per quarter?) unemployment benefits until unemployment rate of 8%(?) is sustained! COVERS ALL UNEMPLOYED AND DOES NOT DISCIMINATE!
99ers need to start protesting outside of these fatcats offices.
It is ‘too tough of a fight’and she is not willing to get into it. The American people do not have the will to help the 99ers and do not want to add anything to the deficit. I am so sorry we cannot help you,"
We can go into Iraq and Afghanistan and spend a trillion dollars, but there's no fight for unemployment benefits? The American people didn't want the banks bailed out, but they did it anyway. That letter was a slap in the face to all long-term unemployed. I'm sure the American people would rather support middle class Americans who are looking for work than banking bonus boys and special interests.
Paladinette, All-
I know this is a disappointment, but please try to be respectful and appreciative with Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
She gave more recognition to 99r cause. She may reconsider later. Let us try to keep all the supporters we can.
Thanks
I have to really hold back my anger when a politician says something is "hard" and they aren't willing to stick their neck out. 'Hard' is trying to pay a mortgage on a house when you have no source of income.
It really amazes me that an elected representative would take that kind of a stance when her state now has the highest unemployment in the nation. It seems clear to me that she is not taking into account the mid-term elections coming up in November. I guess she shall see what the American People do have the heart to do - like vote her out. I know we need her support if a bill is enacted for a Tier 5, but really now - how can that kind of turnabout be swallowed while millions are suffering. There must be one Senator or Congressman who is willing to fight for us.
Oh, this hurts. This hurts bad. I'll be back on my feet in the morning and faxing, calling, emailing, doing the Good Fight thing. But just right now, I'm a little bummed.
It's enough to make you angry beyond words.
Paladinette, I'm glad you're here to lead the charge. We need you right now.
There was NEVER any evidence Berkley was going to write a bill; she merely gave her support, as did Dina Titus, to any such Tier V legislation. Implying these people are idiots won't get you very far, which is why I seldom come around this particular blog anymore. It appears from what I have read elsewhere Stabenow might be drafting some legislation to deal with the 99er issue. I am as desperate as anybody out here for the money, but I DO know people who are on our side in Congress need to be treated with respect, not like they are a bunch of clueless idiots. Save that for the opposition, please.
Are we seeing some true colors on this post?
I'm just really heartbroken and feel like I put my faith in our elected officials just for them to turn from us because they need to hurry and get on their vacations. I say we NEVER forget what they've done and remove them if they don't help ALL Americans out of work.
I've been meaning to tell you all thank you for being able to share my pain, I realize I am not alone and for those who are keeping us informed. Wonderful job.
Senator Debbie Stabenow from Michigan told Ed Schultz on msnbc-msn-com that she is working on something for the 99ers. Now that the benefits for the "other" tiers of unemployed workers was passed, the Democrats might relent and allow some cuts in the $3.7 trillion federal budget to help the 99ers. At this point Republicans are on record that they support an extension of benefits although not yet for the 99ers. If Democrats made cuts in other programs in the budget would Republicans throw a lifeline to the 99ers?
Actually Senator Debbie Stabenow didn't say so but she was mentioned in an interview with Ed.
Not only cowardly, she is TOO LAZY to FIGHT - she wants E-Z only.
Shannon, you are so right. Even if H.R. 4213 passes the House tomorrow, Nevada will STILL have hundreds of thousands of unemployed people with NO source of income. Shelley Berkley REFUSES to FIGHT for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS NEVADAN'S.
THEN WHY DID YOU TAKE THE JOB? VOTERS NEVER TOLD YOU THAT YOU CAN PICK AND CHOOSE EASY WORK ONLY.
THEN HIT THE ROAD. YOU AREN'T PAID $170,000.00/YR TO DO 'EASY ONLY'.
"I AM SO SORRY WE CAN'T HELP YOU"?? THAT IS A LIE! You CAN HELP, but REFUSE TO!
HARRY REID is HELPING, ED SCHULTZ is HELPING, PALADINETTE is HELPING, MANY BLOGGERS are HELPING, but YOU CAN'T??
WHAT??
WE ALL WORKED HARD, DID YOU, SHELLY? HAVE YOU EVER WORKED ON ANYTHING "HARD"? HAVE YOU ONLY DONE EASY WORK?
WHO BESIDES SHELLEY GETS TO KEEP A $170K JOB WHEN THEY REFUSE TO WORK HARD?
"The American people do not have the will to help the 99ers and do not want to add anything to the deficit - Sorry we cannot help you."
WE ARE the AMERICAN PEOPLE and WE DO HAVE the WILL to HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED EUC.
SHELLEY says WE ARE NOT AMERICAN'S? UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE ARE NOT AMERICANS?
IS SHE A BLUE DOG?? FAKE DEMOCRAT?? IS THAT WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HER??
She BLAMES the "AMERICAN PEOPLE" for HER REFUSAL TO HELP. It is not that "The American people do not have the will to help the 99ers', it is that SHELLEY BERKLEY DOES NOT HAVE THE WILL TO HELP THE 99ers.
TONYSAM, I WILL NOT RESPECT A LIAR WHO BLAMES 'AMERICANS" FOR HER REFUSAL TO WORK HARD FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED NEVADANS.
BERKLEY TALKS LIKE A REPUBLICAN PUKE.
SHAME ON SHELLEY FOR TAKING $175K/YR AND BLAMING AMERICANS FOR HER REFUSAL TO WORK HARD.
SHE'LL VACATION, BUT SHE WON'T WORK HARD FOR $175K/YR.
Rob's comment was right on. All the polls I have seen say a large majority of the American people wanted extensions. And they are sick and tired of the trillions we are
spending for war, to bail out the wealthy, our tax money going all over the world, when American is needy! Tired of our jobs being sent to another country! That is what is hard to take! The fight to help our fellow citizens is too hard? Rep. Berkley is a Democrat. Perhaps she remembers this quote: "And so, we go to the moon. Not because it is easy, but because it is hard." JFK
Well thats no shocker the rich always want it easy so they can sit back and watch us work to death when we have jobs. It gives them some kind of sick orgazmic pleasure, but on the some what brighter side I heard on MSNBC also that they are working on something for the 99ers. It was not Stabenow that I saw, I caught the end but it was a guy. I will go on their web site and see if I can get his name and post it. I don't know about everyone else but I have paid in for over 35 years, I don't want a hand out, I just would like some of the money I paid in. I would guess everyone else feels the same, we have paid that insurance for years and now we get the boot, right in the part of our back thats split with a crack. It's really sad we have such cowards that give up so easy. Does anyone know if her seat is up for reelection in November ???
I want to say, not just jobless people are hurting, Their friends and family are as well. I am not unemployed. I have a small rental house. Mr. - was layed off after 11 yrs, with his Co. I have seen how hard he's been looking for work, and worrying about what to do. I've said he can pay 1/2 rent. With UI help, he was making it(barely). How do you evict someone? I can't. I've contacted DC reps,my state reps. This isn't just about the jobless. It's about kids, about all of us who care.This is a national emergency, and I feel like our governmenthas evicted a lot of people.
Paladinette,
I am sure you heard the big news mentioned by other comments here.
Watching the Ed Schultz Show this evening on MS-NBC, in an interview with Congressman Jim McDermott, Ed mentioned US Senator Debbie Stabenow is working on something for the 99rs. Jim McDermott added if something is to happen for the 99rs, it has to originate from the Senate. And if it gets past the Senate, it would probably get the support of Congress. He went on to mention, a 99r bill originating from Congress would probably not make it through the Senate.
This is probably why Congresswoman Shelley Berkley sees an effort by her, just too big a fight. Thus it seems Congress would support 99r legislation, but the fight has to start and win the Senate first.
Since Mitch McConnell and many of his peers have expressed supporting the unemployed; but only if it can be paid for, perhaps a deal can be reached by canceling or modifying existing programs.
So we need a leader here, and we are counting
Too Hard.. W.T.F? Isn't that why they get paid 175K/year salary.
Seems nobody wants to step up for us 99ers that are in desperate need.
Tammy, you are a wonderful person. Thank you for caring about Mr--. I am lucky to have a landlord who is willing to work with me, too. People like you make all the difference. You are saving him from disaster. Bless you!
Did HR 4213 ORIGINATE in the House of Representatives? If so, I don't understand why McDermott thinks an extension for people who have EXHAUSTED ALL EUC eligibility must originate in the Senate.
Jim McDermott is a good person, but I am afraid he just DOES NOT CARE ENOUGH to DO ANYMORE.
McConnell KNOWS Democrats WILL NOT approve using stimulus money for EUC. If the Democrats called their bluff and came up with a bill to fund EUC for those who have exhausted eligibility for EUC with stimulus money, or any other source, the REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT VOTE IN FAVOR.
Republicans ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT A DEFICIT - THEY NEVER HAVE BEEN!
McDermott said he wasn't doing anything for the longest-term unemployed weeks ago. Pelosi said she and the rest of the Democrats weren't doing anything more than HR 4213, until NOVEMBER.
NONE of them have any desire to extend benefits for the people who have suffered longest - those whose eligibility for EUC has expired.
Stabenow's 'plan' is to get a bill passed that will GIVE MONEY to MICHIGAN AUTO PLANTS to CONVERT AUTO FACTORIES into ALTERNATIVE FUEL AUTOMOBILE FACTORIES.
In time, that will help unemployed people in her home state, but what about unemployed people in the rest of the states?
Even for Michigan's unemployed, the conversion isn't going to happen over night. It will take months, if not a year or more to convert those factories.
How will unemployed people in Michigan, who have exhausted ALL benefits, manage to survive without income until jobs in coverted auto plants are available?
Stabenow, Obama, Reid, Pelosi, McDemott, Levin, and other Democrats are full of it. NONE Of them are DOING ANYTHING to help the longest term unemployed.
Stabenow and Reid talked their talk in the Senate about helping MORE RECENTLY unemployed people who have no money to pay a mortgage and utilities, no money to buy gasoline to seek a job, and so on, but say TOO BAD, TOO SAD, to people who have been UNEMPLOYED for the LONGEST TIME.
Stabenow and Reid, Mcdermott and Pelosi, Obama, and the rest of the legislators act like they've accomplished a great deal for unemployed people, but the HR 4213 they passed only helps A SMALL FRACTION OF ALL UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE. THEY ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING FOR MOST OF THE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.
MOST unemployed workers have been UNEMPLOYED MORE THAN A YEAR!
There are approximately 15 million jobless people in the USA; more than 12 million of them DO NOT BENEFIT FROM HR 4213.
MORE THAN 12 MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE NEED ANOTHER TIER OF EUC. ALL THE SENATE DID IS PASS A BILL THAT HELPS LESS THAN A QUARTER OF ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS SINCE THE CURRENT RECESSION BEGAN.
OF 15 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS DURING THIS RECESSION AND REMAIN UNEMPLOYED, LESS THAN 3 MILLION BENEFIT FROM HR 4213.
THE SENATE ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING FOR MORE THAN 12 MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE.
Are really concerned about ANY UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE? I don't think so! All they're done with HR 4213 is help a quarter of all people who have lost their jobs in this recesssion.
WHERE IS THEIR CONCERN FOR THE 3/4 OF ALL UNEMPLOYED WHO DO NOT BENEFIT FROM HR 4213?
Disheartening how so many longest-term unemployed people, VICTIMS of this recession, have been e-mailing, calling, and writing to legislators, ONLY TO BE IGNORED.
LEGISLATORS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE BARE MINIMUM - CONTINUATION OF EUC TO LESS THAN 3 MILLION PEOPLE MORE RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED.
The victims have been fighting hard for another tier of EUC, yet MRS. WEALTHY BERKLEY, who is PAID to PUT UP A FIGHT, REFUSES TO DO SO.
"It's too hard" she cries.
Picture taking time coming up today? As though HR 4213 is THE BIG HELP.
IT ISN'T, as it DOES NOT HELP MORE THAN 12 MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE. IT ONLY HELPS LESS THAN 3 MILLION WHO ARE MOST RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED.
Berkley, McDermott, Stabenow, Barack Obama (through his press secretary Robert Gibbs)all agree IT IS TOO HARD TO HELP THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT.
They want all the unemployed including the 99ers to empty their retirement plans so they can charge the penalty tax for early withdrawal , i wish cancer on all of them and the families !!
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