In my last article I wrote, "President Obama and his administration, Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, and members of the media everywhere have told the American people that this is a good deal and provided much-need help for the long-term unemployed. This is a complete and utterly disgusting mis-statement of the facts."
As further evidence that the media and members of Congress have sold the American people of 'bill of goods', on Friday Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told FOX News' Greta Van Susteren that unemployment benefits have been extended "well over 100 weeks now."
This is a complete untruth - an outright lie, and, I would argue, not an 'oversight' or 'misunderstanding' of the truth that is contained in the President's 'deal' with the Republican leadership (per Mitch McConnell on this morning's CNN 'State of the Union', the tax cut 'deal' was "79% Republican' and 12% Democratic; the balance can be argued").
As Arthur Delaneyof the Huffington Post wrote,
"Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch said this week that extended unemployment insurance "is well over 100 weeks now," making him the latest millionaire member of Congress to publicly demonstrate that he does not understand the unemployment legislation he obstructs.
The jobless aid programs reauthorized late Thursday night provide up to 73 weeks of benefits for people who have exhausted 26 weeks of state benefits. The reauthorization lasts for 13 months, but that doesn't mean there are now 155 weeks of benefits. It means some unemployed will continue to be eligible for 99 weeks of benefits through next year.
Hatch joins Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who in the past few weeks made the same mistake. HuffPost first reported that members of Congress don't understand unemployment benefits back in November. Most of them don't understand what it's like to struggle to find work, either."
Delaney was much more forgiving than I am about Hatch's mis-statement of the facts; I don't for one second believe that Orrin Hatch (or any other Senator or Congressional Rep.) thinks the EUC extension added 13 months of new benefits. I would argue that Senator Hatch knows exactly what the bill does, and more importantly, does not provide to the millions of unemployed Americans (extend the filing deadline only - not the maximum number of weeks beyond 99).
As most of the media, the White House and members of Congress have done, Senator Hatch was playing directly to the 'uninformed voter' population and to those Americans who are fortunate enough to have a job - and don't have time (or a need) to understand that what Hatch stated (and the media has reported) is entirely incorrect.
What's more, Van Susteren, a so-called journalist, didn't bother to correct the Senator. Is that because she las learned to believe her own rhetoric or because she didn't know the facts as she should have as a 'prominent', national 'journalist'? I'll report, you decide - watch the entire exchange in the video to the left.
This phenomenon, sadly has been repeated everywhere; most of the mainstream media continues to report that the EUC extension will help the long-term unemployed - which we all know is simply not accurate. I thought journalists were supposed to report the facts - I must have been sleeping in my high school journalism class because that certainly has not been what I've witnessed for months when it comes to reporting on economic conditions, the growing long-term unemployment crisis and now, federal legislative actions. I know many unemployed workers who have the ability - and the desire to work hard, learn new skills - and report the facts - why do they remain unemployed when 'professionals' in the industry (at all levels) so obviously and routinely fail to do their job as journalists and report factual, 'fair and balanced' information...(rhetorical question).
Also on Friday, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE) posted the following on its website;
CDLE News and AlertDecember 17, 2010
The House of Representatives, by a vote of 277 to 148 -- just before midnight on Thursday -- approved the Senate version of the UI/Tax Bill Compromise.The legislation was signed by President Obama today, Friday, December, 17 ensuring unemployment insurance benefits will be extended retroactively until next January, 2012.
The UI provisions would do the following:
Retroactive Extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Extension. The bill extends the period during which individuals may qualify for EUC from ending the week before November 30, 2010 to the week ending before January 3, 2012. Individuals qualifying by that week may claim weeks of EUC through the week ending June 9, 2012. There is no increase in the number of potential weeks of EUC Benefits.We are waiting for further information from the U.S. Department of Labor. We will put that information online as soon as we have it. The staff at our information line will not have any additional information regarding the extension.
December 17, 2010
Colorado Labor Force Developments for November 2010
Please note the following statement: "There is no increase in the number of potential weeks of EUC Benefits."
Contrary to what the media, members of Congress and the WhiteHouse would like you to believe, this legislation which included a 13 month extension of the filing deadline for EUC benefits, it did absolutely nothing for the long-term unemployed.
It is true that this so-called 'tax cut compromise' will help the 7-9 million people who have not yet exhausted the maximum 99 weeks (maximums may be less depending on the unemployment rate and related laws in individuals states) - the more recently unemployed - but this bill does not help the long-term unemployed.
I would have liked to see the CDLE put forth more details & stronger language (they could have done so without entering into the 'political sphere' by further explaining that once individuals run out of EUC benefits in the coming few weeks and months, they can no longer recieve U.I. benefits). For millions of Americans (more than half of the 7-8 million unemployed workers) this legislation was intended to help for the 'longer term', this means that in the coming weeks and months there will be an additional 4 million (or more) '99ers' who no longer have any safety net and will very likely still have not found work. In Colorado, this means that of the 150,000 people currently collecting U.I. benefits, 71,000 of them will exhaust their benefits in the early months of 2011, adding to the nearly 30,000 who have already exhausted all U.I. benefits in CO.** That is one-half of all U.I. claimaints in the State.
If every unemployed worker in the nation was appointed to fill a currently available job opening, there would be as many as 8-10 million Americans without work. The stated goal of this so-called 'stimulus' (aka giveaway to the very rich) is to create 1 million new jobs. Even if that 'goal' is achieved, there will be 7-9 million Americans with no work. (It appears obvious that we need to shoot for and obtain higher goals, but why would we: the wealthiest of Americans got their beloved GOP tax cut - and 60% of America is happy with the fact the this goal was achieved as a result of Mitch McConnell & Co reaching a deal with President Obama, and was a reward for doing nothing but obstructing any progress in the name of the American people for the two years).
**I asked the CDLE if claimants will be eligible to receive 6 weeks of Tier 4 benefits if Colorado's unemployment rate did hit the required 8.5% threshold for three consecutive months and received the following response from spokesperson, Bill Thoennes:
The EUC extension does provide Colorado with the potential to receive Tier IV benefits in the future. If a claimant has exhausted all EUC weeks and is no longer receiving any benefits and Colorado’s unemployment rate reaches 8.5% or higher for three consecutive months, Colorado would automatically trigger onto Tier IV and that claimant would become eligible for six weeks of benefits.
...the Unemployment Insurance Program told me, if that happens, long-term claimants in Colorado “would become real 99ers (unless employed or eligible for a new regular UI claim)”.
Colorado has never qualifed for Tier 4 benefits and therefore the maximum number of weekly benefits has remained at 93 weeks. On Friday, the CCLE reported that Colorado's unemployment rate increased from 8.4% to 8.6% in November. This reflects an increase in the State's unemployment rate of 1.2% since November 2009.
From the BLS website:
In November three states experienced statistically significant unemployment rate increases from October: Georgia and Idaho (+0.3 percentage point each) and Colorado (+0.2 point)....
...Colorado and Utah recorded the only significant rate in-creases (over the last 12 months) from November 2009 (+1.2 and +0.9 percentage point(s), respectively).
The unemployment rate in CO is expected to rise to 8.8% in 2011 and to peak at 9.2% in 2012. But, please remember: the recession is over. The recession is certainly over for the Wall Street bankers and Corporate America executives who will benefit from record profits and billions in year-end bonuses - and it is certainly over for the wealthiest of Americans who just got a huge Christmas present from Congress, but it certainly isn't over for 30 million unemployed and under-employed middle-class American professionals. Selling the idea that the recession is over is simply selling another 'bill of goods'.
Last, I just saw CNN's Ali Velshi just do another segment on the 99ers. Thank you Ali Velshi and CNN for their continued support of the 99ers.
Also, a huge thank you to Colorado's David Sirota for his support of the unemployed (along with all personalities - such as Ed Schultz - that are part of the great AM760.net line-up). If you haven't already done so, please read the article he published on Friday, "Why the "lazy jobless" myth persists." David supported the unemployed on several occasions during his broadcast on Friday (7-10am MST daily). The 99ers were discussed throughout the day on AM760.net. Please tune in and send a thank you email, comment or phone call to those who are fighting for policies that are in the best interests of the middle class - including the unemployed and the 99ers.
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Comments
Rich, pompous, greedy bastards who only want to tear down the middle class!!! No jobs or minimum wage part time positions that 99ers aren't even considered for!!! Imagine that...I can say would like that super sized!!!!
I'm sick and tired of it all!!
30 million Americans without work!
5 milllion 99ers...so to be 9 million by the end of Feb who can't even buy the basics to live!!!
Happy Holidays indeed!!!!
amen.for those of us who vent our frustration daily on the 99er sites,hold on to your anger,remember what they have done to us.the only one i blame is obama.he has/had the power to declare an emergency and do the right thing by using his presidential power to provide funds but he chose to be a chicken and gave money to rich people with the pretense he was only doing it to help the unemployed.well he saved 2 million and condemned 6 million.he has not even had the decency to mention us.call him and tell him he is morally bankrupt. Comments for obama: 202-456-1111
Kelly-
It is amazing that big GOP names in Congress
- Sen. Orrin Hatch Senator (R-UT)
- Sen John Barrasso Senator (R-WO)
- Michele Bachmann House Rep. (R-WI)
can't get legislation like Unemployment Benefits right.
And if that is the case, what else are they (and others in Congress) getting wrong.
Having said the above HR 4853 should never have been passed,
as it never was studied and cost almost $900 Billion.
But what can you expect of a bunch of so called fiscal conservative that are trying to bring down the deficit.
-Peter
Peter - I don't think it's that they are 'not getting it right' - maybe they really don't know the facts...?
I am of the opinion that they DO know exactly what the bill contained - and are just simply pushing propoganda on the American people.
Either way, its disgusting.
Kelly-
If it is the case they are missleading US citizens,
maybe the 99rs can organize to sue.
I mean, the facts and what they have said are known are on the record.
Perhaps we could also sue for HR 4853 not really providing 13 months of extended benifits as so many have stated.
-Peter
Great update. I hope something can be done to help the 99ers soon
Thanks for that information, Kelly. Hatch was one who called for the drug testing of the unemployed. It is amazing how many congresspersons and media elites have no clue what they are voting on or reporting about. They make millions being clueless, crass and condescending.
I wrote in my post yesterday that new unemployment claimants won't have the chance to collect 99 weeks of benefits. If someone is laid off today, I believe the maximum benefit would be 60 weeks.
Keep the pressure on Congress and the media to report this tragic unemployment situation accurately.
Senator Hatch is a liar and should be tested for alcohol. He does not know what he is talking about. I would like to know who received unemployment compensation for over 100 weeks. Hatch is an idiot and a fool. I am sure he and his family will benefit big time from the tax cuts.
Maybe it's Alzheimer's? As our population ages, the financial impact of providing care for the patients is rising at an unsustainable rate. We cured polio, smallpox is mostly under control, perhaps Alzheimer's will be the next target.
I have a 83 year old family member who will be admitted to an assisted living/nursing facility in March. Fortunately, 15 years years ago he purchased a LTC policy, and there was enough of his 401K/union pension available to keep the premiums paid...many others are not as fortunate.
It is time Senator Hatch to move on. He has been in office since 1977. What were the people in Utah thinking when they put this clown in office. He is an old clown that can't retain important information because of his age. PEOPLE IN UTAH VOTE THIS CLOWN OUT OF OFFICE IN 2012.
@JCS - you are correct - he needs to go, but he is not the only member of Congress spreading these lies
The CDLE website reports that "All federal extended benefits end on April 30, 2011" and yet in another report says June 9, 2012. The CDLE site also now has removed the ability to see the information that was posted in this article at least at 3:30 a.m Dec 20, 2012. Why are they reporting so many inaccuracies?
Perhaps they should do drug testing of all the members of Congress. They act as if they are on drugs.
I hate to repeat the same comments over and over because it infuriates me to feel no one is listening. Before the President approved this last bill I indicated it would not cover those over 99 weeks. I also indicated these blogs or comments are not reviewed by the country's masses because they are not covered by the mainstream media. For further review of my comments just Google Glenn B NJ or Glenn Bax NJ. I've been commenting since late 2009. I am not the most intelligent person in the country, so if I can figure out the simple facts about our situation there must be someone out there much smarter than I that can help us!
Finally someone is mentioning the Big Lie Sham bill signed by the president and the fact that no one will pay attention to our stories until the mass media reports them (during the 1st few minutes of the nightly news.). See the petition "Tell USA TV news to REPORT H.R.6556 & S.3607 to help Tier V 99ers NOW!" at "Change.org". It’s a start. However we need the news to report the truth right now, immediately! The reason Haiti and other emergency's get help so quickly is because these are the 1st stories reported on the ABC, CBS + NBC nightly news, before the 1st commercial break.
I'm with you Glen Bax in NJ! I understand and feel your paid. We are trying - my message is the same: get iin touch with th emedia - the politicians are not listening - OBVIOUSLY.
Read my other, most recent articles - I keep hammering people to call the media!
thanks,
Kelly
I've got an idea of how we can pay for unemployment insurance AND regain jobs: 1. Repeal legislation that favors corporations for outsourcing employees 2. Pass legislation that financially penalizes any US company providing goods/services to US residents that outsources employees. But the government is bought and paid for by corporations so that won't happen unless the masses reclaim empowered control.
Businesses will do what ever is in their financial best interest to do, including breaking the law. It is their fiduciary responsibility to do so. Maybe we could add a few more laws making corporate employees legally responsibility for the decisions they make, with jail and financial penalties on the people as well as crippling financial cost to the company. Better yet, we, the people can replace capitalism with a resource based economy (see Zeitgeist Movement). Capitalism necessarily rewards greed and deception.
99ers might want to accept the notion that we are being ignored on purpose. We are the example of what not to be - unemployed. This scares workers into serving the corporate masters with ever more desperation, so they won't be like us.
The key is to resist fear and anger. Stop pretending they are confused. "They" know exactly what they are doing. Accept it for what it is then do whatever you can to wake up others in a peaceful, compassionate manner.
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