Don't Let The Cliff Take Extended Unemployment!
I'm not mad.
Our government is approaching what is referred to by some as the fiscal cliff and by others as the austerity bomb.
Our politicians aren't giving an appropriate level of "give a sh*t." You're not all working on this, but trying to have a select few negotiate, largely behind closed doors, with the only thing you're doing in the open is posturing.
You've set a date to gather 'round a screening of LINCOLN with the talent behind the film, hoping Lincoln's historical moves will inspire Congress. No harm in trying anything you hope might work...except you're waiting to do it on December 19th, two weeks after the idea was announced. The only possible legitimate delay is that it is the earliest the film makers can attend...which is only a necessary element if our highly paid clock-watchers care more about their treat than the trick it is supposed to pull off.
There are many discouraging things that will come to pass if this crisis isn't averted. I had heard both sides talking cavalierly about just letting us go over the cliff. It wasn't until today, listening to KCRW's Left, Right & Center, that I heard anyone mention that extended unemployment insurance will be interrupted if we go over the cliff.
Unemployment insurance. You know, the money that goes to people that can't manage to find it from any other source at the moment. You know, the money that goes from the government, to the jobless and right back into the economy, because the money is needed for necessities. The spending not only helps the recipient, but keeps others employed, keeps businesses earning, generates tax revenues from sales & payroll taxes and is a program that the recipients have paid into over their years in the work force.
Perhaps some of the people reading this petition have had the good fortune to avoid a layoff or other job loss in the last several years, but I've not. I was laid off when the economy took a huge dump in 2008 and spent the majority of the two next years praying to even be UNDER-employed. I remember when the stall in my unemployment pay was because I had to officially apply for the extension and wait for them to catch me up. When it had been nearly a month since my last unemployment payment, I went down to the Virginia Employment Commission again and nearly broke down while sitting at the desk of the state worker helping me figure out what the delay was.
When good, hard-working people are on unemployment, the mental effect is devastating, even when the money is being delivered. I struggle to find a word that sums up the feeling beyond desperation that you experience when you're still unemployed, everyone acknowledges you still have a legitimate claim, but no money is coming along.
I don't care what side of the divide you are on. I don't care if you think unemployment rate should be lowered more than it has been. I don't care if you think there are some folks that try to game the system. Unless you think nearly 100% of those claiming unemployment are just lazy folks that want "free money" (they paid into it), you have to acknowledge there are good men and women that need a job and that, barring that job, need what help unemployment pay can give to help them survive until they find one.
Many of those good men and women have innocent children that will be made to suffer. The odds are good that there is a child somewhere in your life right now, whether yours, a family members or that of a friend.
I challenge you to think about that child. Think about the parent that has to explain to them why the eviction or foreclosure notice is on the door and what it means. Think about that child spending more time hungry during the day than not.
Now think about that child saying that their parents told them the reason why they don't have any money right now is because men and women in a place called Congress let them go broke as part of their negotiation tactics.
Now think about how you'd explain to that child...when asked if you gave your all to make sure that unemployment insurance money got to their mommy or daddy...how you'll explain why you didn't.
I'm not mad.
I'm livid.
I'm frustrated.
I'm fed up.
I'm driven.
I'm determined.
And may God or the children made to suffer forgive you if you're not doing everything to make sure unemployment payments continue for those unfortunate enough to be without an opportunity to work and be rewarded for their labors..
Because you'll not receive any forgiveness here, now or on the next important Tuesday for you in November.
