In April, when the San Diego Unemployment Examiner contacted NELP (National Employment Law Project) and asked their position on a Tier 5, their response was: “As soon as we get the extensions passed in Congress for the non-99ers, then we will put our efforts toward fighting for a Tier 5 extension.”
Today, 6 months later and nearly 3 months after the non-99er extension bill was passed (HR 4213) NELP is once again ramping up to fight for, you guessed it - an extension of the deadline dates for the non-99er UI extension.
NELP has been silent and worthless in the fight for a Tier 5 extension and that is something every 99er should vocally protest by contacting NELP in droves.
In an email titled: New and Improved Website Launches Campaign to Continue Federal Jobless Benefits, NELP introduced their website www.Unemployedworkers.org to “to mobilize grassroots support for the campaign to ensure that the federally expanded unemployment lifeline continues at a level that matches the needs of ALL of the long-term unemployed.”
The website advertises a new petition for only the more recently unemployed. Nothing on this new website even refers to the desperate need for the 99ers to get a Tier 5. This is deplorable and NELP needs to hear from you.
Give NELP your feedback via their new website at: http://unemployedworkers.org/page/s/softlaunchfeedback or call them at their New York offices: 212-285-3025
Please do not let NELP get away with their empty promises to help the 99ers, unfulfilled to date.
Comments
Yes LaDona,
Where has NELP been? They were no help with refinance and have long ignored 99ers. I don't get it, maybe they are just a non profit with goals and help only for their officers. They got some splaning to do. I'm just saying.
They're useless. Remember several months ago when they said an extension was just too hard to get?
That's their idea of lobbying.
If you research when NELP stopped supporting the long term unemployed, you will find that they made a deal with Congress to basically shut up, and they would work on extending deadlines, only. NELP is in bed with Congress, and will not stir up any controversy that may lead to major mainstream media attention. We have been ripped off by our own government and Wall Street and the banking industry. This is unfortunately not just a Republican issue, the rich Democrats on Wall Street also had a hand and have been planning the financial takeover for several years. You will see several books outlining the process over the next months. Fortunately for us, and it is taking time, the whole mess is being exposed more and more, but that is not helping us pay our mortgages, buy food, insurance, clothes, etc.... in the present...
Expletive NELP!
Okay Donalee,
Below, I sent in my urging/feedback, if it help, I don't know?-)
http://www.examiner.com/unemployment-in-san-diego/nelp-needs-to-hear-fro...
In reference to the above article, 99ers are important too. I have been unemployed since Nov. '08 no fault to me. I have written to local Senators & Congressional Reps and others who have voted for previous extensions. For example, Senator Debbie Stabenow's S.3706 -- "American Want To Work Act" this needs to get passed. 99ers need a lifeline.
Cynthia Tucker -- From Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- AJC writes how there is DISCRIMINATION to unemployed people applying to jobs, employer's HR don't even look at 99ers resume or online application.
http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/10/06/you-dont-have-a-job-were-...
99ers are not a figment of someone's imagination, we exist to no fault to us, and we need a lifeline NELP--(National Employment Law Project), YOU should ADVOCATE on OUR BEHALF, US 99ERS!!
Respectfully & I hope you will ADVOCATE for US, 99ERS,
Y Hamilton
I just sent my letter.
I really don't like communicating with them. I told them to take me off their mailing list months ago and I explained why.
I think it's a good idea to email them and call them.
"Extend the Federal Unemployment Insurance Programs -
Millions of America’s unemployed job-seekers will be cut off from existing federal jobless benefits starting November 30 unless Congress takes urgent action to renew and extend those benefit programs through 2011." - NELP is clueless about the plight of the 99ers. The 99ers are not on NELP's radar screen. The 99ers don't exist as far as NELP is concerned. Please sign this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/declare_a_state_of_national_emergen...
NELP is not clueless about the plight of the 99ers. NELP knows all about the 99ers, and have all along, read the above reply.
Done! One large, hairy bug inserted in NELP's ear :)
Go get 'em, Donalee!
It appears to me new UI will again be voted in Nov. However I do not believe we old 99ers (3/10 expiration) will be included. The system actually rolls the 'oldies' into a different 2 weeks UI cycle when they are ending them. I'll bet they do it the same way again. I.E. maybe the NEW 99ers will get help, those that started on or after 12.07, their arbitrary start date of the financial downfall. Anyone prior, I'll believe it when I see it.
Here's the email I sent to NELP (masquarading as unemployedworkers.org) after receiving an email from them asking me to check out the new website and sign the petition:
Just received an email inviting me to check out the new website and sign the petition to Congress.
After reading the language in the petition, I did not sign it. The language appears to ask for continued benefits for only those CURRENTLY receiving benefits and makes no mention of (or plea for) those like myself who have exhausted all benefits already.
In the past NELP has gone to bat for only SOME of the unemployed and that's just not right. Those who have been unemployed the longest (2+ years) never had a chance to prepare themselves for the unemployment crisis! Our life savings, cars, family heirlooms and homes are gone! I feel NELP disassociated themselves from the REAL long term unemployed a long time ago, choosing to focus on campaigning for those who already had the 'better' chance of continued benefits.
I will bookmark your new website and watch for an indication that you are working for the benefit of ALL rather than some.
The people at NELP are just looking to take credit should a T1-4 extension pass.
They're not interested in fighting for anything that isn't E-Z. Like Shelley Berkley, they're not fighting for T5 because they feel it won't be E-Z.
Bingo. That's the "NELP way."
NELP is all about fundraising to keep people in the non-profit PAID. Just another sleazy non-profit.
Dona Lee, another great informative article. I am going to give them a piece of my mind. NELP gave us their word that they will help and the least we can expect from them is to show us they are doing some effort. I remember the song by Green Day "American Idiot" and that song really reflects to the Republican's "Pledge to America." There is a line there that says, "Red Neck Agenda." If NELP got bought and kept silent like someone said, then that Agenda did came into action. I am glad there are still some True Journalists out there. Donalee, Mike and Ed considered to be honored to deliver these information. Humanity is still not lost in this country and I am glad for it. I do believe that this election and change of seats will give justice for the unemployed, underemployed, 99ers, and employed middle-class Americans.
Thank you, Donalee for bringing this to our Attention!
NELP (HELP) will hear from me immediately! And I will give them an earful!!
Here is the content of what I e-mailed to NELP:
"Hello..........NELP, We, the 99er's who have been unemployed for a L-O-N-G time, need your HELP! You are focusing on the shorter term unemployed which is all well and fine, BUT why are you not working to fight for the 99ers rights as well? Do you think we don't exist?! Believe you me, we DO, and I am one of them and am almost destitute now because of lack of action on your past promises to fight for us! WAKE UP and put our PLIGHT back on the agenda of your great causes, because we are Definitely one of them! Thank you for helping us if you Will. We know you Can!
We must fight for ALL unemployed. I'm a "43er" and I hope the 99ers will sign the NELP petition so I can continue to push for additional benefits for the 99ers. I will also contact NELP and tell them to add a TIER V to their advocacy agenda. Unfortunately, there are still 30% of the unemployed who get no benefits, often just because they made too little in their base periods. NO ONE is trying to get benefits for them. The best option is jobs, jobs, jobs. Or if this jobless situation is permanent, our nation needs to restructure and include a "Basic Income Guarantee" for ALL. It is morally wrong to allow the poverty ranks to grow, while the rich get richer. Google "Basic Income Earth Network" or "Basic Income Guarantee" for more info.
Thank you, Marcia B. Great Comment!
We NEED to plan another rally.
This time " in the HALLS of CONGRESS "
Nov.15.......... EVERYONE WELCOME
To NELP:
Why does any unemployed American have to explain, beg, prove, or discuss in anyway the need for a Tier V (5) extension when there are no jobs and companies are still laying off and cutting back on new hires. This is the most ridicules situation imaginable in a country that is willing to take the responsibility for providing help to other nations all over the world. At the same time ignoring it's own, one group of opposition indicating it's too costly.
However we support wars in other countries (that never attacked the U.S.) costing more than just MONEY, we paid with AMERICAN LIVES by the thousands.
Of course American war machine companies made millions. (Halburton for example) In 1991 Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, paid Halliburton subsidiary Brown & Root Services over $8.5 million to study the use of private military forces with American soldiers in combat zones. (From Wikipedia, additional onfo is available)
Both political parties are terrified more of the Tea Party radicals the filthy rich and their ideas, than main stream middle class America which relies on our manipulated news media which is run by the greedy elite rich, assisted by FOREIGN interests which have no business in America's policies.
Their only interest is in making money for themselves!
Exactly what is NELP's interest?
Reprinted:
Our voices are not being heard by the Main Stream Media because we are asking the wrong people for help! The President, the Senate, Congress. These people don’t care unless helping us benefits them or their party’s election! Contacting the news organizations does not work, they only report what their told to!
I suggest writing, calling and E-mailing celebrities that have nightly access to America’s main stream media to speak out on our behalf.
I apologize in advance if you see this request repeated in other blogs, however I am posting it everyday in as many places as possible. With your help please re-post. I’m asking for others to help in asking any celebrity you know to mention 99ers or Tier 5 in any interview they may have with the media. I’m sure they have unemployed friends, family or someone they know that that has run out of money and hope!
If Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan spoke out for us or wore a 99ers, Tier 5, T-Shirt this would be on every news station repeatedly all day long. Every person I talk to, I ask them if they know what a 99er or Tier 5 is they have no idea what I’m talking about!
There are people like Angelina Jolie, Annie Lennox, Bono, Brad Pitt, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, Eva Longoria, George Clooney, Jackie Chan, Denzel Washington, Madonna ,Paul McCartney, Scarlett Johansson, Sheryl Crow, Ozzy Osbourne, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, and many others that support important causes. Also contact any fan club you may belong to, and have all kids Twitter, Face book or My Space their friends, just have them mention 99ers or Tier 5, and have the media question what are these people talking about?
We are in a crisis situation just as important as other headline news such as The Miners trapped in Chile, the War in Pakistan, Anti Gay attacks, Haiti, PETA, Habitat For Humanity, We may soon require some of these services ourselves without a Tier 5 Extension such as The Red Cross, Save the Children, Homelessness, Human Rights, Hunger, Mental Challenges, Suicide Hotlines.
For my other comments Google: “Glenn B NJ Unemployment Extension”
Interesting thoughts, good point about our situation being equivilant/important as the miners trapped in Chile; however, several of those Celebs you mentioned are not American citizens and do not carry much weight in our govt process.
Hi Donnalee,
i just sent my letter to those useless no good for nothings at NELP.
I said;
You have a lot of nerve asking for our help when you never lifted a hand for the long term unemployed the 99ers. So i think i will repay the favor or lack of concern now for you.
I think what you are doing is ridiculous because the november elections are more important than getting back at nelp. I guess it must be a slow news day or something. This is stupid!
Thanks, Donalee. I appreciate you keeping us informed and connected.
I agree: NELP has been useless for 99ers. They do not deserve our support unless they support us!
Thanks for the update, Donalee. Same old story with NELP, which is very disappointing, since they seem to think that anyone who is out of work longer than 99 weeks isn't worth supporting. Their 99er silence is loud and clear.
YEP I remeber for over 2 years now doing everything they wanted me to do. Then back in April they said ounce they ciould get the rgular extension dates through they would then push for tier V I remeber them getting on the news channels all the time BUT THEY who said we would not be LEFT OUT sure kicked us and Teir V to the curb!!!! I WILL NOT PUSH FOR OTHERS TO RECEIVE EXTENSIONS ANYMORE!!!! I will only push for 99ers and thats it!!! I have also contacted NELP as well
99ers have very doubtful hope of getting the tier 5 passed. By the time it gets passed half of us will have already lost everything we have and possibly be dead. But thats what our government wants really. They want some of the population to die off because they're greedy bastards. Anyway i came across this site for 99ers.. check it out..
helpfor99ers.webs.com
I sent them something.....I didn't rant. Just stated my facts.
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