People who got laid off in 2008-2011 got 99 weeks of unemployment due to the Federal unemployment assistance program. However, all of these extensions expire as of Jan 2 - so those who got laid off after June in 2012 only get the regular 26 weeks of unemployment. The unemployment rate is higher than it was in 2008-2010, and it is next to impossible to find work comparable to positions we were laid off from in 6 months. According to the NJ Governors office, all of these who got laid off in 2012, PLUS all of the 99 weekers will be hitting the welfare rolls come January if unemployment is not extended, which would be disastrous to the economy. Those who don't choose to seek welfare (such as myself) will be forced to work 60-80 hours a week at multiple minimum wage jobs, which will most likely NOT meet our living expenses, and not leave much time for looking for a full-time position that will. This petition is asking for a Tier 1 26-week extension for those who were laid off in 2012. We are not asking for 99 weeks, we are just asking for at least another 6 months to give us more of a chance to find a job that would at least come closer to meeting our living expenses than having to rush out and work at a minimum wage service job(s). Many of us have been working for years and thus have paid into the state unemployment system - we are not looking for handouts, just a fair shot at looking for QUALITY work like the 99-weekers have gotten!

Virginia's people cannot wait for more than 32 billion dollars in Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits as the wealthy elite threaten to paralyze Congress. We depend on you to expose this stalling tactic for what it really is, a greedy ploy that preys on those who cannot afford to bargain.

People will become homeless after 12/12/12 when FEMA ends TSA for hotel lodging.

Increasing Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 would cause severe hardship for millions of seniors, who would be forced to deplete their savings or delay health care and suffer permanent damage to their health. This would be a terrible and inhumane price to pay for a barely noticeable decrease in the federal budget deficit. Moreover, individuals and businesses would find their health care costs increasing by more than the government spending would decrease, so any savings would be illusory. Not only would people age 65-66 have to pay for their health insurance, but everyone's premiums would increase as those older, less healthy people were added to the private insurance pool. At the same time, Medicare would lose its youngest and healthiest beneficiaries, so its cost per beneficiary would also increase. In summary, the society would gain absolutely nothing in return for the heavy burden imposed on people age 65-66.

Post offices all around me are scheduled to close, and lots of working class folks are about to lose their jobs. Tell Congress to support the U.S.P.S. - First class mail is the best bargain we have. In addition, pledge to send one card, postcard, or letter a week to support USPS and its workers. Everyone likes "real" mail, and hardly anyone sends it any more. Contact your politicians and also do your part!

In the past i have been homeless in Minneapolis. I would like to see the city of Mpls.Mn. prioritize its attention to the homelessness that still exists in this city. My main focus on the homelessness issues are drawn towards women, women of color and women with children. I am still personally affected by this crisis because,in my opinion, it has not been dealt with appropriately.

I am concerned that the common people receiving entitlements through Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are being unfairly singled out in resolution of the debt crisis. All citizens should share in the solution.

Why when we talk of entitlements do we only talk about Social Security and Medicare?

It seems convicted felons or people with not so stellar records have been forgotten. They are competing in the job market with scholars and college grads. Can someone please start a second chance program in each state for people who are trying to bounce back. They have made mistakes but they should not be thrown away and never forgiven.

social security and medicare are programs that we working citizens have paid into through our wages over the years of employment... entitlements are what congress has given away freely to corporations... if congress cannot understand the difference...then congress needs to resign their positions..and hold new elections...

These are not "entitlements"! They are earned benefits. Curtailing them would harm the middle class in our country for the benefit of the 1%! I am dependent on Social Security and Medicare to protect me from povery!

BEST INTEREST clause left up to judges is unlawful bias according to the needs of his County, State,United Nations. In our county courts , people involved with the agency Social Service are presently losing their children two-fold to a corrupt court system . Biased judges with an agenda to increase adoptions in their states by half a percent a year or not get funding. They feed on the poor to meet this agenda. The"Best Interest" clause should not be left up to judges and guardian ad litem. The "It takes a Village : has forgotten the biological family and their blood relatives to help. The Village is making money off the poor families.Adopting out children ,putting them in shelters, and the parents left homeless with child support payments or face jail. Lets stop this abuse. Abolish the Reunification of the Family and its best interest clause.