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A handful of states would be hit harder than others by the looming expiration of long-term unemployment insurance benefits, according to an analysis by economists at IHS Global Insight.
The decision to renew the emergency program, which provides federal funding to extend weekly unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks in some states, is in limbo as Congress deadlocks once again over a year-end package of budget bills. A Senate-approved bill that would have renewed the program for two months collapsed Monday after House Speaker John Boehner, facing a revolt from conservative members, walked away.
Failure to renew the program would hurt millions of families struggling to get by, cut consumer spending and take a bite out of economic growth nationwide. But the pain would be felt most sharply in a handful of states where benefits payments have had the biggest impact on local spending, including Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington, California and Connecticut.
“Every state has seen some benefit from the (emergency unemployment insurance) program, but for the ones that need it most the impact on income is even more significant,” according to the report by IHS Global Insight economists Karl Kuykendall and Michelle Valverde.
Part of the disparity in that impact is the result of a wide range of weekly payment caps set by the states, which manage the unemployment insurance benefits. New Jersey, for example, caps benefits at $598 a week, while the maximum weekly benefit in Mississippi is $235.
Federal funding for the emergency extended benefits program has also been directed first to states with the highest unemployment rates. (As a state’s jobless rate falls below a set threshold of 8.5 percent, a portion of the extended benefit program automatically expires.) That means states with the highest jobless rates will be among the biggest losers, according to the IHS Global Insight report. Nevada's rate of 13.4 percent leads the nation, followed by California's 11.7 percent, based on the latest available figures. (See state-by-state tab of map below.)
Democrats who support renewing long-term jobless benefits argue that, in addition to providing support for households struggling to make ends meet, the program has helped support consumer spending and prop up the U.S. economy. Republicans have proposed scaling back the program to reduce the impact on the budget deficits. Some GOP opponents have also argued that extending benefits for up to 99 weeks reduces the incentive for unemployed workers to look for a job.
The cost of the program has been falling as millions of workers have fallen off the rolls. Many of those workers stopped collecting because they found a job. Others, still jobless, have exhausted all 99 weeks of extended benefits and are now without a paycheck. Since the recession ended, the number of people collecting emergency benefits has fallen steadily, from a peak of 12 million to a just under seven million. But during that period, the unemployment rate fell by just 0.6 percent.
“Although the job market improved slightly, it seems the proportion of people finding jobs compared with the number of claimants exhausting benefits is relatively low,” the economists said.
Related: States where the most unemployed could lose benefits
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"You say you want a revolution............."
If this happens it will make the UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS LOOK GREAT . See my program is working , so please reelect me as president. Looks kind of like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place . All states on their own can't afford to continue the program and the FED SENT WHAT IT HAD LEFT TO EUROPE . Guess it is time to saddle up and go to D.C. and give them what for.
...and you actually, I'll bet, think the US "is broke"...and THAT'S the reason unemployment extensions are opposed by the GOP?? Think again.
Bob, this is what the REPUBLICANS want to have happen. They think that if they keep crashing the economy and blocking anything that really helps the middle class and poor it will help them in the next election.
The sad part is gullible people such as yourself are falling for it hook line and sinker.
@ Sandy
No I am not that gullible , to old for that and know better . It is just an election year dog and pony show by both parties. What does PI-- ME OFF is the Fed bailing out Europe. Both parties are stirring S--- to make theirs look better . Boil it all down , and you will find that we are headed for a world wide depression . By the way I am an independent ( split ticket ) voter.
bob
The so called "witholding tax" is supposed to be paid by a surcharge on new home and refinancing loans by Fannie and Freddie. Well guess how gets the majority of these loans? The middle class. Rich people don't get loans through these guys. So its essentially another back door tax. By the way, this one sticks, its not meant to be removed.
Heck of a job Teavangelical/Party of No.
How many of those states are Republican controlled? Michigan New Jersy N Carolina for sure.
Cutting off the extended benefits is more of a noose to the middle class than an 'attaboy' lifeline to the undertaxed and extremely wealthy. This noose is the Republican's idea of Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Go back to your DC townhouse and under-aged, lobbiest-supplied, poontang, Boehner. I hope she gives you a real dose. [That'll make you cry, especially when it turns green and falls off.]
To Orb, Sally, Never et all -- so paying folks not to work for 2 years is an appropriate way to prop up the middle class. Nice work if you can't get it!
BELIEVE: It's your kind of mindset that causes me to despair of our nation ever moving forward.
So you actually think that someone who had earned a middle class income can now survive of unemployment??? Hardly. The experts say there are FOUR UNEMPLOYED FOR EACH SINGLE JOB. Got that? This notion of blaming the victim is truely nauseating. This is the exact thing the Right does to the poor. Your party decries "Class Warfare" when any criticism of corporate America or the very wealthy is made. But beating up on those who are down on their luck, oh, that's just fine.
Why is it that the Right always places the blame on those who are disadvanteged but will dream up every conceivable break for the uber rich??? Given the fact that it was George Bush and a GOP Congress that spent us into ruin with 2 unfunded wars costing in the TRILLIONS, I find it almost laughable that now they have developed a new found fervor for "fiscal conservancy".
Intrepid, we can both be nauseated together. If you haven't found a job in 2 YEARS, you are doing something wrong.
Believenothinguread - Wake up! Corporations are holding on to the money and are NOT HIRING! Any jobs that are out there pay minimum wage. But then people like you don't care about anyone but yourself. You would be singing a different tune if you had lost your job.......and couldn't find another no matter how many interviews you went to. Also, it is a documented fact that people over 40 have a much more difficult time.....
NJ pays $598 (call it $600) for 99 weeks for people not to work. Do the math. $59,400 to vacation at the beach or work. Hmmm. Don't tell me, I know the answer to this one...
bob1/28
Doesn't affect the numbers at all. Do about two minutes of searches and read how the numbers are created on the .gov site.
Believenothinguread
You people need to take a class in critical thinking. They are helping people without jobs with a max of $300 a week... people that cannot find jobs are living on this lifeline.
You and your party are f'ing jerks for making comments like yours... especially since you OWN this economy and debt.
Typical disinformation.
$31,200 a year, hardly a vacation at the beach.
Did the math.
Better we give it to the "job creators" right? Then lets pass some trade deals with Colombia and Korea. I hear there are shovel ready jobs in Afghanistan. Always important to keep Blackwater and Haliburton fully employed. Oh yeah make sure abortions are double triple forbidden.
Ok, that good work, lets go on vacation. Merry Christmas the Scrooge way.
With greed, Your US Congress.
Folks its really quite simple - if you continue to outspend revenue by 43% every year eventually you get to the point that not only can you no longer keep up with that kind of spending but you also get to the point that you can't even make the debt payments on the accumulated debt.
Actually its simpler then that;
Continue to allow the 1% to amass the wealth of the nation and you will not have an economy long before you can't make debt payments.
Careful, you made it sound like the problem is revenue. You might lose your GOP card.
BTW folks,
Official Shill Alert.........................Ternan.........................
At least our debts are denominated in our own currency. But who knows, if the banks and the politicians that serve them have their way maybe we are in for something like what the Greeks are going through:
"…No country could withstand this. Greece is worse equipped to deal with the social consequences of the austerity measures imposed with a “scientific cruelty” (7) by the national and transnational elites. Post-1945 Greece, with a weak state and clientelism, had neither the time nor means to build a resilient system of social protection. The existing safety nets are now tearing. “Everything is falling apart,” said Sotiris Lainas, a psychologist and coordinator of the Self Help Promotion Programme at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Salonika)…"
DECEMBER 19, 2011
"They Are Stealing Our Lives"
Greece in Chaos
by NOËLLE BURGI
“Who knows what tomorrow will bring?” people ask in Athens, Salonika and right across Greece. There’s a sense of collective imprisonment, individual uncertainty and impending catastrophe. Yet Greece has had a turbulent history, and the Greeks have always seen themselves as a gifted people, sturdy and accustomed to adversity. “There have always been difficult times, and we always made it through. But now, all hope has been taken from us,” said a small business owner.
While the austerity measures are piling up, an avalanche of laws, decrees and edicts is sweeping aside the social, economic and administrative frameworks. Yesterday’s reality is crumbling. As for tomorrow — who knows...
….The loss of income is tearing society apart. Bills are not paid, consumption is down, stores are closing and unemployment rising. In May the official unemployment rate was 16.6% (10 points higher than in 2008) and 40% among the young. The actual rate is likely to be much higher. The social, economic and political crisis has shaken the national health service. Hospital and public health care centre budgets have been cut by 40% on average. More patients are admitted to the emergency room, others go to Doctors of the World health centres, and many choose to do without medical care altogether. People report being denied access to crucial medicine. One journalist said her father suffers from Parkinson’s disease: “His medication costs € 500 a month. The pharmacy told us it will stop supplying him, because insurance payments have stopped.”
Physical ailments (notably heart conditions) and mental illnesses are increasing at a worrying rate. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that heightened stress, exacerbated by high debt and prolonged unemployment, is generating “major depressive disorders, disruptions and generalised anxiety” (3), which account for a dramatic rise in suicides. According to unofficial figures discussed in parliament, the suicide rate increased by 25% from 2009 to 2010, with a further rise of 40% in the first half of 2011, compared to last year, according to health ministry sources. Figures published in The Lancet (4) reveal an alarming increase in prostitution, as well as infection rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (5). There are unprecedented numbers of homeless people, and they are no longer limited to alcoholics, drug addicts or the mentally ill. A recent study demonstrates that the middle class, the young and the moderately poor are now more likely to end up on the street (6)….
http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/12/19/greece-in-chaos/
The articles says some unemployment benefits are capped at more than $500 per week. You don't hit poverty level at that income until you are the sole support of a family of 5.
The article says paying people to sit at home for 2 years "props up" the economy. An article a few days ago said that small business loans are tanking. Small business creates most of our jobs. Maybe we should "prop up" the economy by helping small businesses instead of paying people to watch TV.
I think most people can get a job of some kind if they want one. I am quite sick, with ataxia (loss of balance) to the point that at times I can barely walk from one room to the next. In addition, I have severe cardiovascular disease and uncontrolled fluctuating blood pressure, which puts me at high risk of a heart attack.
Guess what? I have a job. I couldn't brag about my job, and I can't afford any luxuries -- I have to live in a small house and do without cable TV, but I pay my own way.
Try it.
No one can fail to find a job of some kind in two years -- a job that will pay their overhead if they scale back. If you lose your over-priced house, that's painful but it happens in bad times. I don't get to live in a big house and have the government pay for my mortgage, so why should you?
Get off your butt and go to work.
Bored: $31,200 is a day at the when you're working other jobs under the table and not paying "your fair share", to use one of your favorite terms, of taxes.
Paying people not to work is a disincentive to find work. No argument that a safety net is necessary, but at some point people have to find available work, even if that means they are quote underemployed end quote. Those jobs are hopefully stepping stones back to an expected or preferred level of unemployment.
Do you know the statistic on the number of people who find work in their last month of unemployment compensation? Very high. Shorten the term and it will still be very high.
I don't get it.
If you suggest we use tax dollars to help people who are desperately ill, everyone screams about socialism.
And then the same people scream if anyone suggests they ought to be able to find a job in two years and stop living on the dole.
this is the fastest way to a revolution!!!!!
The first day my family is unable to eat Im going to these Republican politicians and forcing them to give it up!!!!
GLOVES AND SKI MASK THESE TRAITORS TIL THEY HAVE NOTHING!!!!
Heck we would work if there were jobs or if small businesses were able to get loans from depositers at banks in order to grow the economy.
But nope, that is not the case only only the connected or rich and powerful are able to get what they need to survive & the remainder of us even when we have a business are pushed out by these well connected firms.
The construction industry used to be lucrative until politicians began deminishing the value of an individuals work by shipping in non citizens.
We don't have a chance at success when the rug is being pulled from beneath us from all angles by politicians.....
That is when you say to yourself that none of us signed up for this sh!+ and don't have to put up with it either as an individual.
This is why so many layers are being peeled away from the establishments that hold us all hostage!!!
In order to come together as one, things have to be framed fairly and the intent within the law has to be set RIGHT!!!!!
When George Washington and the others were drafting the constitution their intent was NOT for government to tell you what to eat and drink.
Nor was their intent to not provide a CITIZEN WITH DUE PROCESS!!!!!
All of these laws being thrown into bills that aren't approved by the people aren't REAL LAWS!!!!!!
norm903...you might want to find out the cost of living in NJ before passing judgement on anyone living there .
What is being missed is this...no one in congress is losing a thing...this is costing them and their wealthy friends nothing..it is however making them all more money. How can we as voters expect honesty from a congress that sets itself aside from any bills or laws it passes that effect everyone else...from federal employees to all the middle class..the poor and any others.? What goes on in the rest of this country does not effect congress in any way, nor does it effect the wealthy. For that matter, name me a member of congress that came out of washington poorer than when he or she went in ? The thing is this..we voters have no control over those we are foolish enough to elect...and we voters have allowed that to happen. Conside all the polls showing that the people do not agree with our congress..then tell me any position that congress has changed because of that poll ?
Norm903,
"Bored: $31,200 is a day at the when you're working other jobs under the table and not paying "your fair share", to use one of your favorite terms, of taxes."
If you feel the need to add made up scenarios to the argument perhaps you argument has no merit.
Also, say one accepts that UI is a disincentive to some to become re employed, what about the millions of others who are willing to work but due to our bribed congress who create incentives that drive jobs overseas at the whims of their corporate masters, shall they be made to live in a hut and c**p in a ditch like China and India? Ever been there?
Perhaps the "global economy" sermon has the same truth as "job creators".
Why do the Ubers need everything?
Christians, please read up on GREED in your book.
Just because people collecting benefits has dropped does not men they have gone back to work. A clear indicator is the consumer confidence when it comes to the housing market. As long as the foreclosures continue at a steady pace, you can be sure confidence will be low.
Extending these benefits is an absolute lifeline to millions more that will now face foreclosure.
No the clear indicator is going to be how high crime goes up in all categories.
To fight foreclosure, the government should actually encourage (or make) banks write down the principal (spelling?) on the mortgage to something the residents can pay. This is actually a win-win scenario because the banks still get some money (with a foreclosed home they often get nothing) and the residents still get to stay there.
For more info, look up last Sunday's episode of 60 minutes.
ruken... will you loan me a thousand dollars and I'll pay back five hundred because that's what it's worth anyway.
Good point, Just a Dad. My UI benefits ran out almost 3 months ago. According to the powers that be, because my benefits ran out, I am no longer unemployed. I really wish that weren't the case, but, despite my best efforts to become gainfully employed again, I'm still looking.
If the numbers are going to be reported, they should at least be reported honestly.
LB2...
Unfortunately, the numbers ARE published, just not generally known.
The Labor Department has what is called the U6, which DOES calculate in those dropped from the rolls, those working grossly underemployed and/or part time.
Those numbers indicate unemployment in the upper teens to mid twenties. The reason for the discrepency is that the labor dept actually does phone polling to gather the figures they use to extrapolate the "real" unemployment.
I sympathize with your plight. I've been there before myself and know the frustration.
Good luck to you and yours. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and SAFE and hopefully prosperous gainfully employed New Year.
It is amazing how many are out of work but make no effort to go to where the jobs are. Hard to believe folks unless you have a unique skill set or a decent education beyond a HS diploma then you will remain unemployed because you have nothing ot offer and the job simply is not going to come knocking on your door.
More of the same eh Ternan.....
Teran -
That's not why they'll remain unemployed.
I don't even have a high school diploma, AND I'm quite sick, but I have a job. It's nothing to brag about, but it's not minimum wage, either. It pays my bills, including high health costs because I can't get insurance and god forbid tax dollars go to help someone like me.
I didn't sit around living off taxpayers for two years, running our country into the ground while I screamed about socialized medicine, either.
Makes me wonder if Republicans have any compassion at all for the hundreds of thousands who will lose all income and actually start to starve to death in some cases. Also, wonder who will these people vote for in November of 2012, especially knowing that many of them are Republicans and right-leaning. This is a national disaster!
scrambolo
Is it your brain that's sramboloed? The Republican controlled House sent a good package to the Democrat controlled Senate. The Republicans want the extensions. It is the dems who changed the rules of the game by saying they will accept the House bill but it will only last 2 months. That is not how things work in this country. The Senate should have worked things out with the House befrore they left town. Harry Reid is the ahole on this one. But that is nothing new for Harry.
Compassion? You realize that they(both parties) are screwing over seniors as well as us with this tax holiday. What do you think happens to the S.S projections when they decide to shave off the 2 percent? This has to be paid for sooner or later.
What the Republicans offered was a joke. They did not want to pay for the tax cut (as usual) by a surcharge for those making more than a million dollars, as the 0.02% extra would destroy their lives. They also wanted to tack on a the ok from the President that he would allow that sand oil pipe line to be built and the Republican govenor of that state also does not want that done.
Unpaid wars, unpaid tax cuts for the rich and the very rich; and take from the old, the poor, the young, and now the unemployed. I believe it is about 75% of Americans that want some revenue increase on the rich and yet some of you posting on here act as if your one of the rich group, you are not. Your really need to start looking out for yourselves and quit pretending your some rough and tough idealog who knows better. I am not a millionare but if it took a little more of my money to help out, they can take it.
JH,
RE: your post #3
Wrong! The Senate has the right to amend ANY bill sent by the House. They voted, and guess what? The vote was 89-10 for amending the bill to reflect a two month extension. ONLY 7 REPUBLICAN senators did not vote FOR the two month extension. Better get a refresher course in Congressional proceedures before running your mouth off. If the measure fails then the voters will make note of this and reflect their feelings at the voting booth come November. I am sure that would be fine with both of us as it is the AMERICAN WAY to settle disputes, right? As for my brain being scrambled, well I guess you know everything, since we have NEVER met. Got a crystal ball or what? Got any balls at all?
ciscoet,
RE: your post #3.2
Yes ciscoet, COMPASSION! The word has great meaning, especially for Christians, and perhaps even more this time of year! Look up the word and remember the word. Some day you may need compassion from someone. I agree that this TEMPORARY payroll tax relief will cost social security some money. However, wars, defense, and many other budget items cost much more than the relatively modest cost of the S/S payroll tax cut. Also, and not least, the tax cut and unemployment paychecks may prevent some of our fellow citizens from starving or freezing to death this winter. In FACT they most certainly will prevent some family or child from death. Yes, I am all for this cut and ANY COMPASSIONATE move to help another fellow citizen. You can believe and act however you feel appropriate and I will do the same! Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Healthy New Year to you and your family! Rember the word COMPASSION is a GREAT word. So is HUMILITY!
Scrambolo - there's compassion and then there's paying for people to NOT work for 2 years.
Believenothinguread,
RE: your post #3.6
I agree there is a difference! However, that being said, they are NOT mutually exclusive ALL the time. Remember, currently there are between 4 to 5 people for every available job. That is a trememdous ratio of supply versus demand, I think we can both agree on that premise. I know there is fraud in the system, any system! I do NOT believe it is in the numbers many people think exist. How many people do you PERSONALLY know who would rather get the relatively low amount of unemployment benefits versus what even a minimum wage job would pay. The problem is not fraud as much as there just are not enough jobs available. The real bad news is the number of new jobs being created versus the number of new workers is going down! And jobs which pay over $7-10 per hour are non existent in most cities and areas of the country. Just think $10 per hour full time nets about $350 per week (after taxes) or $18,200 per YEAR. Can a family of four or three live on these meager wages? I could not! Honestly, could you?Merry Christmas and a Very Healthy & Prosperous New Year to you and your family!
Wny should we, those you consider wealthy, pay more because you screwed up your life? How did it become my responsiiblity to cover you're dumb ass for a life time of mistakes and bad decisions you made in your life? You chose to stop your education with a HS diploma I chose to go into the military and got my college degree through the GI bill, you decided to knock up your HS at 18 I chose to wait until i could afford a family, you chose to live for today I chose to invest in the future, you chose to buy a home you had no reasonable expectation to pay for I lived within my budget and saved for the future. you screwed up I did not. Live in the mess you created I will live in the luxury I earned
The upside is that once these people drop off the numbers will look improved- probably their intention the whole time!
Failure to renew the program would hurt millions of families struggling to get by, cut consumer spending and take a bite out of economic growth nationwide.
Like the GOP care about these people, they're too busy pandering to the wealthy and corporations.
America is watching, and they will pay for this I'm sure.
The GOP takes a long view approach to the nations problems - the Dem's play games of smoke and mirrors and you fall for it because its easier to ignore reality then it is to face the harsh truth. Easier to stand in line to accept your GVT hand-out then it is to get off your fat lazy ass and find a job.
Well continuing the program for 2 more months does nothing but continue to pass the buck and kick the can down the road with no attempt to address the long issues confronting this nation starting with spending more then we generate in revenue. A poorly educated, unmotivated over paid American workforce that can't compete in the global market, a nation over run with illegals, an american public that exported their own jobs overseas because they prefer to buy chinese then american made goods. you collectively are your own worsde enemy - morons
Maybe I'm reading into this wrong but generally when the term "consumer spending" is used, it describes the buying of non-essential items (such as video games, toys, electronics, DVDs, etc.). People who are on government-issued stipends shouldn't be counted on (or encouraged) to spend frivolously on unnecessary items.
The program is supposed to be a bandage to get them through, not a steady, discretionary income without end. If it was, everyone in America would want to be on the program instead of going to work.
'...since the Recession ended.'...
What a crock!
I must have been doing a RIP VAN WINKLE When did it end ????????????? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZzzZ
The recession is alive and well
The recession has left the building.
BUT hang on to those tax cuts for the wealthy AT ALL COST....what a joke this congress has become. This bunch of teapublicans have been smoking to much crack.
What tax cuts for the wealthy????? Facinating that you are so disturbed about those making 200,00K a year might actually only have to pay 35% of their hard earned money in federal personal taxes while you pay nothing in Federal personal income taxes. Now that is an injustice - you on one more free ride as your betters have to pay for your life of failures
The Repubs want the extension for one (1) year, not two (2) months. Read what it says people and stop passing judgment on the Repubs. It is the Democrat controlled Senate who only want the extension for two months. Now does that make any sense???????
Actually the Democrats wanted a year but the Senate republicans kept blocking them on it. So the Senate Democrats compromised on a 2 month extension to try and get SOMETHING passed after all the republican obstructionism.
bmac..I read it ten times this story..still can't find where the republicans say they wanted to extend it for a year..show me where they said this! All I read is
"A Senate-approved bill that would have renewed the program for two months collapsed Monday after House Speaker John Boehner, facing a revolt from conservative members, walked away. "
Actually Sandy that is not true - the Democrats in the Senate did not want ot submit and budget proposals but were forced to by the Republican minority and obama. Next time try to actually do a little research on the topic before spouting an opinion on a topic you obviously know nothing about
The people who vote and support these tea/republicans are mentally ill.
Spike, the folks who are mentally ill are the ones who are paid to NOT work for 2 years and expect more money.
Darn - about to get laid off - was looking forward to the 99 weeks.
Careful what you wish for. It's not the 99 weeks of vacationing in Bora Bora that some people try to paint it. More like 99 weeks of the worst hell you've ever experienced.
speaking from experience loveblue? Ever think of moving to where the jobs are rather then sitting on your ass waiting for a job to come to your doorstep?
What an infantile jerk you are.
Blame the Teapublican congress!!!!! Hey I thought they were for states and their rights?? (oh yeah, only if Obama is not for it...lol)
When you are broke...beyond broke to the tune of 15 TRILLION...what do you expect government to do? Oh, I get it...print more worthless money, devaluing the dollar further still. Wonder why the greenback doesn't buy s##t at the grocery store anymore?
Yup...just keep on keeping on, Washington/Fed. Money grows on trees, there really IS a Santa Claus, and 1+1=3.
I swear...the younger generations are in for one helluva LONG life of abject misery/poverty/wauling and gnashing of teeth.
Actually no... I don't expect them to print more worthless money.. but to tell the richest of this country that sorry.."you aren't going to make record profits this year because we are going to have to take a little extra money from you to pay down this 15 TRILLION dollar debt we have"..... is not too much for our government to ask of the wealthiest people/corporations, especially when most of the wealthiest individuals themselves say they won't mind paying a little more. That was the biggest problem with trying to finance 2 Wars without asking anyone but the military to sacrifice anything. People wanted to compare with WWII, but during that time, our workers, our corporations themselves, made a lot of sacrifices.. closing plants to their businesses to make war machines... everyone rationing rubber, metal.... But far be it from any Republican to actually ask their richest colleagues to sacrifice a little from the bottom line to help dig our country out of this mess.
bwisnasky...
The only uber wealthy guy I heard say that was Warren Buffet....
And please remember that if you take every penny the "wealthy" have, the supposed 1%, it will fund the government for about 1 month.
Yes we need to do something. But there's nothing stopping Warren Buffet or George Soros from writing a check and actually putting their money where their mouth is. As is always said... Talk is cheap and ACTIONS speak louder than words.
I find it humorous that everyone wants to frame the issue as taxing the rich more. The real question for the rich is "How much are you willing to pay to keep the gravy train rolling?"
Blame the rich. Blame the jewish community. Blame the Christians. Blame everyone but where blame is due. Well you know what, the blame goes to 3 places. The voters, the Democrats, and the Republicans. The rich stay within the laws or they go to jail unless the laws get changed, the laws have been changed. Who changed the laws? Not the rich, but the politicians did. The rich can offer the politicians money to change the laws, but it is the integrity of the politicians which prevents that. There's no integrity. Who gives the politicians their jobs and integrity, well the voters do. Obama extended a tax cut to the filthy rich, and for some reason it's the rich people's fault. Got to love the logic. Can't be the people who voted for Obama, or the Democratic Party's fault. Obama has a billion dollars for his re-election bid, the People of this country are broke other than the rich and the corporations, so where'd he get his billion dollars from if we're all broke? Oh, the Health Insurance Industry has paid him hansomely to not have a public option, but to tell all of us he tried. Bush was a tool, and his clone is no better.
ir12..
Actually I'll ask YOU that question.
Of every dollar YOU earn, how much are you willing to allow the government to take before you see a penny of your wages?
Speak for yourself only, NOT the rich, not the poor... just YOU.
XDm9mm
And please remember that if you take every penny the "wealthy" have, the supposed 1%, it will fund the government for about 1 month.
Your statement is ridiculous. It is simple math.
For 2009, the estimated net wealth of the US was 52.4 trillion dollars, the 1% owned 34.6% of the net wealth, which comes to 18.8 trillion dollars.
If we took every penny the 1% have, we could pay off the entire national debt and have close to 4 trillion left over.
The basic problem is what does this country do? The GOP claims the tax cuts for the rich will create jobs? Not really... maybe for computer programers, systems people, nurses, etc.... but the blue collar jobs that supported the middle class are gone forever. What was once done by 20 people on an assembly line is now done by 10 robots and one programmer... and jobs can go anywhere the labor is cheap. Corporations do what they are designed to do... make money (whether that is right or wrong).. if that means India.. so be it.. and buy American? The American public talks a good line, but when it comes down to it... buys what is well made and costs the least amount of money... I'm 66... so I have no idea how this is going to play out... but it's going to be really interesting... when neither party wants to talk to each other... it's tough... and there is no compromise anymore... they are so far right and left that they will never meet...
Actually Kevin, the computer programmers and systems people have become the middle class. As a systems person myself, I know that I don't make nearly as much as I used to. But I am thankful to have a job in the present situation. My father was a dyed in the wool true blue democrat, and was a laborer, working hard all his life as one of those people that the robots have replaced. And in truth, with my advanced degrees and all of my knowledge, I make just a little more than he did at the end of his working career. Not that that's a bad thing... but the misguided notion that all of us "computer guys" are raking in the big bucks is inherently false. And in general, we work a lot of hours, are on call usually.. sometimes 24/7 365 days a year... I absolutely agree though that there is no compromise anymore.. and I in truth blame the Rush Limbaughs and the Keith Olbermanns and the Glenn Becks and the Bill Mahers of the world. Because they've taught an entire generation of people to not trust the other side no matter what. That no matter what, the other side is always wrong.. and always out to stick us. Unfortunately, in todays modern media world, people look for affirmation of their own ideals instead of true information to help them challenge those ideals.
Kevin.... it's also the American consumers fault. I can safely say when I look at the labels in my clothes it says, Made in America. I DO look for and search out American made products to keep my neighbors employed.
Look at the labels in your clothes when you get the chance, unless you too look for the Made in America label. There's the problem.
@XDm9mm...
Not being a jerk, just stating a fact here, but if it says made in America, all that means is it was assembled here. It COULD also mean that from soup to nuts it is an American product. However, a lot of clothing is "pieced" in Mexico and shipped to the US to be assembled thus allowing it to have the "Made in America" tag. And the fabrics could have come from anywhere. Buying anything that was 100% made in America is becoming more and more difficult.
Not saying people shouldn't pay attention to where their products come from, but you also can't count on "Made in America" to mean , Made in America from start to finish.
Very true Tin..there are plenty of American companies in the USA that has their products made outside the USA. Look at the major league baseball..made by Rawlings Inc based in St. Louis, but the balls are manufactured in Costa Rica.
TinNV, mike27... yes I know that and to be candid I try whenever possible to ensure it's 100% American sourced and made.
I also know it IS possible to buy American made products. My sneakers (I know I'm showing my age by not calling them "sports shoes") are the American made models from New Balance.. they still make about 30% here.
My dinnerware at home is Fiesta, made in West Virginia.
My kitchen table is from an Ohio factory (ostensibly Amish, but ???)
It can be done if you're willing to make the effort.
I DO know the frustration, but if more people would do it, more would ultimately be employed.
XDm9mm...I agree 100%. It is possible, you just can't completely rely on "Made in America" you have to research too. Some people do not understand this. In fact, in my experience, most people think if it says "made in America" it is. Where it gets really difficult to buy "all american" is electronics. I am a computer programmer and have three personal computers. I buy from American companies, but I can guarantee you that half of the components in said computers are from outside of the US. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a 100% American made computer. When faced with a product that I cannot buy completely American, I do try to buy from companies that manufacture in America. At least they are giving jobs to some Americans.
I still call the Tennis Shoes and I haven't been on a tennis court in over a decade.
Has anybody else noticed that the states that are cited above (Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington, California and Connecticut) as going to be in the most trouble are Democrat/Union strongholds? Hows that hope and change thing working out for you???
Have you noticed that all the households that are going to be affected by a reduction in income are Americans? How is that partisanship working for you?
Just so you know Chester1, Southern NV is a Democrat strong hold. Unfortunately since the population of Las Vegas is larger than the rest of the state combined...it causes a few issues for the rest of us. Don't punish me for what my neighbors do.
Are you saying that a husband wife in jersey, both unemployed can earn 1200 a week combined? 60K a year for not working? This has gone on for 2 years? FECK. where do I sign up?
Earn? What do you mean earn? Unemployment benefits are paid into by your taxes from your own check. The payout schedule is based on how much you were making when you were working as a sliding scale with an upper limit. You are supposed to only be getting what you paid in - but there are so many people pulling money from the program there isn't enough to go around - which is why they need to find alternate forms of financial backing. In addition, at issue is a 'payroll tax' cut which 'should be' separate from unemployment.
When you are unemployed, your legal obligation to avoid fraud charges and jail time is to look for work - so you are 'paid' to fill out applications, go to interviews, network, and call to beg for a job from everyone you can. Quit your job and you don't get unemployment benefits. Even some people who get fired are denied benefits - so go ahead and 'sign up' if you like.
Brian... that's predicated on the state you live in.
Some states tax the employee 100%
Some states tax the employer 100%
Some states tax employer and employee varying proportions.
Unemployment insurance taxes are paid by employer and employee in only three states ( PA,NJ and Oregon). All the rest of the states have employers pay 100%.
mike27... thanks for the info. It's been a number of years since I had to worry about payrolls and making tax deposits.
CHESTER1 you forgot Illinois...Controled by the Dems for years..High taxes... No jobs and a governor and congress dysfunctional..
Sorry about that!!! How could I have forgotten BO's home state??? If people ar willing to work, move to a RED state. As much as you may not like being surrounded by all of us evil R's, we do know how to create an environment that is business friendly and creates jobs!!! Either that or get rid of the D's that are dragging you into the welfare abyss and elect people who know how to stimulate the economy and not just steal from those of us who bust our butts!!!
Alf77
N. Dakota ain't that far away. Go get a job. A friend of mine just up and left for N. Dakota 2 weeks ago. Left wife and kids here in Ca. He had a JOB within 5 HOURS of landing in Bismark. Went to work in Charlson,I believe. So there are JOBS out there you just have to work to get one.
I'd be lost without my VA compensation...100% for life plus Social Security Disability
I'd personally hate to be in your situation. But I don't begrudge you your benefits.
Good luck in the future.
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and SAFE New Year.
The republicans are just overjoyed by this news, hoping to see if Obama can make a miracle happen, and if not, blame him for the unemployed.
Unless the republican controlled congress is prepared to start opening up SOUP KITCHENS in every single United States of America CITY, congress better think twice about their budget.
What's going to be more cost effective...paying out unemployment benifits, or opening up tens of thousands of soup kitchens nation wide.
Congress needs to wake up and smell the soup, because that's where our economy has lead us to. Millions of unemployed. Soon to be without benefits. Homes foreclosed on. And they are soon to be starving come the end of December. For those who didn't lose their jobs, are holding on to every last penny they can get, and it's doubtful they'll open up their wallets to the less fortunate. Because by February...there will be more job layoffs after Christmas. Once the holiday is over, the stores that hired all the addtional PART TIME help...will be gone...and unemployment will go back up again.
I don't think congress is thinking clearly. All they care about is election year. And the month to month emergency packages to keep the government running. Maybe it's time to shut the government down, and see who needs a job then.
Key... last I heard, two branches of government were Democrat controlled and one was Republican.
Not that it really matters to me.... I'm Independent and think BOTH ruling parties are flip sides of the same corrupt coin.
Why do these things happen while i was unemployed. I lost my job at the end of Febuary and took the entire summer off. At the beginning of September i was told by a caseworker that i may not get an UI exstention. So i became nervous and started looking for work, after a couple of months i found a full time job with benefits. It's not the best job, however, when i saw a possilbiltiy of my safety net(UI) depleted, i did what i had to do. So my point is there are jobs out here, but if anyone had the choice of sitting on their a$$ for 99 weeks verses working a crappy job, which would you pick?
I know, Dawn - being unemployed is just a 24/7 vacation! I mean, we all get up every single day and think, "...DAMN! Aren't we LUCKY that we don't have to go to work today??? Life couldn't be any better!! Is it Friday yet?? Oh, yeah, every day is the weekend for us!!"
You are in the twilight zone if you think collecting UI benefits is in ANY way an enjoyable, stress-free experience. What it really is is pure, stress-filled hell. The 99 weeks isn't a guaranteed thing. It depends on when your UI claim begins. You can't just begin the claim and know that you have 99 weeks to find a job - it doesn't work that way.
You're just another totally clueless person who thinks we're just sitting on our unemployed, stress-free behinds all day, every day, with not a care in the world. That couldn't be further from the truth.
DAWN: Really? The experts say that there are four unemployed for every available job.
Secondly, I'm impressed that you can live on unemployment insurance, most people can't as it's merely a small percentage of their original salary.
How did people get by before unemployment insurance???? How did our country survive for over 200 years without entitlements?? I guess it was old school and based on a premise that each person was responsible for their own situation and did not look for handouts because they don't have a job. Personally, I have worked all my life since I was 14 and I am 56 now. Never had a problem finding work, there is a HUGE difference between finding a "job" and finding "work". There is plenty of work out there if you want it, might not be your "style" but it is work. But I guess it is easier to take 99+ free weeks and pretend to look for a job then it is to really work. I have had the chance to take unemployment but would not. I would rather work hard and earn my money no matter what instead of living off others. I guarantee that as soon as the handouts stop people will find WORK, they have no choice. It is not up to the government to provide you a living. The only exceptions are the elderly and truly disabled. Unfortunately I know a lot of people who "cant find work" and laugh about collecting the 99+ weeks of unemployment, they squeal the loudest when it looks like the "benies" are going to end. My advice is to man up, accept responsibility for your situation and don't make others pay for your lack of wanting to work. I can hear it now...... if this upsets you it is because you know exactly what I am talking about and you know that deep down inside I am right. Poor baby been looking but no one will hire me. Ok, then take a good hard look at yourself and ask why? Whose fault is it? Not skilled-go back to school. Don't pay enough-make more at unemployment? Where is your self respect? I guess you lose sight of it after 99+ weeks. Excuses, excuses. I got a good idea... go join the military. I did-taught me a lot about working hard, self respect and accepting responsibility for your decisions. Especially the ones made in combat that have life or death consequences. Until individuals learn that they are responsible for themselves and quit expecting someone else to take care of them, it will never get better. I can take care of my family by myself. I am a man and it is my responsibility to take care of my wife and children, ME, NO ONE ELSE. No doubt it is hard and days are tough but I don't need nor would I EVER take an unemployment handout. 99 weeks and cant find work..... ridiculous.
TEAM: How???
I'll tell you how. Most elderly people lived in poverty and squalor. Social Security changed all that. Lot's and lot's people just plain died. So you want to live to the standards of the 18th Century, is that it??? Brilliant, positively brilliant.
How about we bring back the era of sweat shops, child labor and hideous working conditioins. After all, people "got by" living that way. Let's do away with anasthesia for operations while we're at it. We'll give you a stick to chomp down on while we do open heart surgery on you.
And please, spare me the Horation Alger story of how you worked in the salt mines since you were 8 years old and walked ten miles each way to school, barefoot through 4 foot snow drifts, I'm unimpressed.
Teamguy is nothing more than a self-centered moron. You can bet, Teamguy drools all over himself while posting his BS. Teamguy, you know I'm right when I say- ignorance is your forte. Congratulations!
Creating more foreclosures and taking away the only "stimulus" money that actually did any good, the unemployment benefits, that bubble up through the economy creating jobs along the way, is a great idea. It's so much better to just hand it directly to the rich, banksters, Wall Street firms who promptly pocket it and hand out multi-million dollar bonuses instead of investing it to create jobs. As Dawn, who apparently believes there are jobs on every corner because she got lucky, pointed out, yes there are a few lazy people who would rather sit home but there are also more than a few rich people that would rather just bank that money than risk it creating jobs so the "lazy a$$' door swigs both ways.
Keep them government giveaways coming, how else will King Obama get reelected.
COMMON: As opposed to all those corporate and uber rich giveaways I take it???
Really? I mean seriously? Absolutly clueless comment.
Perhaps if the CEO's didnt take needless multi-million dollar bonuses, and those companies re-invested in their company in terms of hiring and training then there wouldnt be so many people on unemployment.
But clearly thats not it. Clearly you enjoy lining the pockets of your favorite box stores CEO while he/she sits in a cush office and cuts jobs, streamlines profits through cheaper labor and fights to break up the unions that protect our right to a fair wage and working conditions. You are clearly an all American arent you.
I bet you make 65k a year, are hardly touched by this recession because of some mundane job that can't be outsourced and have watched scores of people in your home town hit the food banks begging for food while calling them all lazy bastards.
You can keep your no good worthless gay and child abusing Republicans. I'm still betting a black man can pull my country out of this before some redneck hick that is out of touch with reality.
Maybe it will light a fire under some of the persons on unemployment who just love receiving checks for doing nothing. For the others, my heart goes out to you.
Our real problem is not unemployment, or housing, or productive capacity. Our real problem is man made. Self induced. We have borrowed from the banks for many decades. Banks use fractional reserve banking and they legally counterfeit money. This new money inflates the prices and salaries. Now our entire money supply is created by the banks like this and it is N. But we promised to pay back N+I, I is the interest.
I hope it is obvious to you that entire population cannot possibly be employed with salaries that makes it possible to earn N+I. Thus, bankruptcies, foreclosures are a guaranteed part of this debt based monetary system. But then the question is: If borrowers are guaranteed to fail, why does the bank get to keep the house?
When the economy is strained by excessive debt burden like this, do not hope to find employers who can hire people. They are in trouble too. Their customers are in trouble too. Everybody is in debt and nobody wants to spend. It is a deflationary crash.
U3 is not an accurate indicator of unemployment. There are many people who want a job but they do not qualify for benefits and they are not counted! Real unemployment is about 18-22% right now. Another way to look at unemployment picture is to count who is actually employed:
www.kondratieffwavecycle.com/unemployment/
A Republican Recession, a Republican doubling of the National Debt and now they throw millions on the street for the holidays while they fly home on taxpayer airfares, with taxpayer paid medical coverage, taxpayer paid salaries of $175,000 and taxpayer paid generous pensions. Time to kick their collective Republican arse out of town.
But I thought govt benefits were getting the usa in trouble? I guess govt checks are good when they are the ones getting the govt checks and perks!
Why is this ui a big problem especially with our current mess a far a lack of jobs?
I received ui under reagan and nobody said a thing, but now it's lazy people recieiving aid for no reason.
There ares not enough jobs folks, I heard it on fox news, so I guess it must be true.