Progress Illinois

honestly, the republicans should be ashamed of themselves on this one. they seem wholly devoid of human decency and compassion.

I believe Chris Dodd and Barney Frank are responsible, but I have always been a staunch Conservative Republican but I am beginning to rethink as the Republicans are not really helping everyday people as apposed to big business. George Bush did us no favors at all, we need another Ronald Reagan, but that is nowhere in sight. I'm sick of all off them but people are not smart enough to vote them out- Go Figure!

During the Bush administration, the Republicans (through reconciliation) rammed through a tax cut for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. Why can't a majority of Democrats do the same for unemployment extension benefits for millions of unemployed Americans? I'm not a parliamentarian, but I bet there is a way to get the Senate bill to the floor for a vote. Can some one explain why a Democrat majority cannot act on this matter.

You guys this has all been done so they can socialize everything. Nothing happens by accident. Not the Fannie May debacle or this so called Health care crisis. Ask Europe about a health care crisis. Hows that hope and Change working for you now? They get this through, already control 94% of all loans and money out there, and then POW a terrorist attack and they can get the martial law they want. Its never about helping its always about control. None of them give a damn about us!

I know of a few individuals that have no intentions of looking for a job or going back to work until their unemployment benefits runout. This is the truth. One of them lives in CT where they are single and get over $2,200 per month. They told me they deserve this taxpayer paid vacation. I am not saying this is true for everyone, but as long as there is incentive not to work unemployment will continue to stay high.

How dare the republicans deny extending unemployment benefits. I for one, do not want to be collecting unemployment, I much rather be working. I am trying real hard to find a job, and I will continue to try. In the meantime, the unemployment benefits keeps food on my family table. I had to surrender my car, got way behind in my bills, barely make my rent each month, my wife and I are both depressed. I served my country in the US Marine Corps, served as a public servant in law enforcement, taught high school for a couple of years and worked in the corporate sector as a security manager until I got laid off 14 months ago. I am no slacker, I just want to survive until I get work. The republicans should be ashamed of themselves. They have six figure salaries, get driven around in in town cars, stay at expensive hotels and eat good food. Shame on them.

Maybe its time the Senators were laid off! No one who is in this situation is asking for it. Unemployment isn't a gift -- I paid into it for 30 years and never used it once. Now I need it because the economy is in the toilet and the REPUBLICAN Senators think we can wait. Is their electric being turned off? Have then lost a car? Do they have to tell their children NO when they ask for shoes? This is inhumane in AMERICA. But lets give money to other countries. WE ARE SUFFERING HERE. OUR CHILDREN OUR SUFFERING HERE. REpublicans, take notice -- I am a REGISTERED VOTER!

I really wish there was a way for all of us that have ended our unemployment could go face to face with these jerks that keep delaying this bill!!!!!!

Tim, I could not have said it better. I have lost 2 jobs in the laast year and before then worked for almost 20 at the same place. They need to cut taxes accross the board and get jobs created. But they don't see it that way. I believe they want everyone coming to them for a handout. that is the control they want. We don't need your help DC we want you out of our lives and get out of the way ant let this great country grow! Even France and canada are privatizing as we speak. They learned the hard way. Why do we have to go down a path that has never worked!

Funny they voted a raise for themselves last week as they pushed aside the bill for extension of benefits. Guess we have to pay to play even in the unemployment business also. If they dont eat well live well how could they have the energy to face there terrible world. LOL

My voting finger itches! It seems Republicans are busy catering to their own political and personal needs, versus supporting any action that serves this country and the needs of its voting citizens. Yawn, once again they demonstrate serious short sightedness, sour grapes attitude, and their now deeply challenged desire for power and control to satisfy special interest groups. C'mon, the past eight years of Republicans' self serving piracy got us into this economic meltdown, it's time for them to step back and let the recovery begin.....

http://users.marshall.edu/~will2/cspan/cspan2w.html

They are talking about unemployment right now guys!

Check it out !~!

Jeanne Shaheen is bringing the bill to the floor OMG!!!
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN2_wm.aspx

Is everyone praying?

Missed what happened with Shaheen bringing the bill to the floor...what happened?

She asked if the senators would stop all of the bickering, and pass this damn bill! She said millions are suffreing, and this need to end now! She said we can not wait another week for this bill to pass! They are on break right now, hopefully they will vote on this when they return!

sounds like alot of hot air from both sides. Hope something passes today, because if not I don't see anything happening till next year

Everyone who reads this should call the republican in your area and tell them what a horrible job they are doing!

What a bunch of idiots. The Repubs finally start getting better approval numbers and they shoot themselvs in the foot. They need to choose their battles more wisely.

Which Democrats have been voting against the extension? They have a 60 seat majority in the Senate which means anything the Democrats want to pass cannot be stopped.

Does anyone know why Congress keeps passing one after another unemployment benefits extension instead of just making it indefinite or until things improve?

I can't believe this. Worked my entire life, have a graduate degree, lost my job bc mass corruption was the culture and I wouldn't take part in it, while working for the government. The level of greed is out of control.

Does anyone here know how politics works? It doesn't matter if they have majority. The house and senate are not Dem VS Rep. its group vs group. There a delegated groups and factions comprised of Rep and Dems. These groups all have separate goals, corporate funding, gov funding, neighborhood rejuvenation funding, CIA funding, anti smoking etc etc. So when you have a majority it doesn't mean a thing. because there are Democrats that would like to get certain funding for their hands on projects in their own state, that gets them a photo op and in-turn that gets them votes. unemployment crisis as far as politicians go is a faceless vote. No one knows who is not voting unless you sift through the BS on cspan for hours. To receive this funding there are republicans in those project funding groups that dems cant afford to tick off. Thus we have the dance of the politician. Each one trying desperately not to tick off certain people and still collect votes. The delicate balance what will keep them in office and their pockets filled. Which is why a vast DEM majority turns to even Stevens in the capital building. Remember most of these people are "friends" and co workers. Its just one big popularity contest. When I lived and worked downtown Washington and even in Arlington you could hear about the huge debate between so and so then see them out a lunch or dinner together with several other senators. Its just a game to them.

How long before we all know the outcome? Is there anyway to see the actual vote? If it fails again, can the Democrats just negotiate with the Republicans and use the Stimulus Bill for funding so it will easily pass if a next time is necessary?

NATIONWIDE PROTEST!!! I PROPOSE THAT ON FRI. 10/16/09 EVERYONE WHO IS UNEMPLOYD AND THEIR FAMILIES WALK THE SIDEWALKS OF ALL THE OVERPASSES IN THE USA. WE ARE THE ONES BEING PASSED OVER BY THE VERY CONGRESSMEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE OUR JOBS AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! A NATIONWIDE PROTEST SHOULD GET US NOTICED BECAUSE THIS E-MAIL B.S. ISN'T WORKING!!!I WILL BE OUT ON THE I 5 OVERPASS IN EUGENE OR. WE HAVE TO GET NOISY AND WE HAVE TO SHOW HOW ANGRY WE ARE!!! I'M NOT CALLING FOR A RIOT, BUT WE NEED TO SHOW OUR FORCE AND FRUSTRATION AND THAT GREED AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE AS SEPERATE AS CHURCH AND STATE!!! I HOPE TO SEE AND HEAR SOME OF YOU ON YOU TUBE AND CNN. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS

Sue:

If they vote on this bill today, you can watch it live on C-Span 2

Here is the link:

http://users.marshall.edu/~will2/cspan/cspan2w.html

this is some BS. i sick of these people tryen to control my everystep. the f@%$ up part of this, is some dum azz voted these people in office. i vote DOWN WITH THE GOVERMENT....we as the people have the power, an right to fire our goverment...so lets do just that!...are u with me!!!!.........from Flint Mi.

Just for a lark, I called the office of Sen Burr (R-NC) and Sen Graham (R-SC) two r's in states with high unemployment.

Staffers for both told me they support and will vote for the bill, but neither admitted to doing anything to bring the bill for a vote.

It is outrageous that a bill that has majority support is being blocked by a few senators, who are probably looking for something else on an entirely different issue. It is also dissapointing that no R's who support the bill are not willing to stand up and go against their party to get a vote.

Also, Graham's office said maybe next week.

House cleaning comes next year mid-term election, for I'll press all my family members, relatives, friends, former co-workers, anybody and everybody to vote out all those good-for-nothing-foot-dragging-idiotic-so-called republican senators that are blocking the 20-weeks extension. This is American politics at its worst! No wonder the world laugh at us and our lack of compassion for the unemployed and those how are suffering for this financial crisis. Shame on you, you bunch of blood sucking senators that rob from folks like me who paid into U.I. for more than 20 years, yet you have the gumption to hold up this extension and hinder me to put food on our dinner table. I say, "good riddance to you, you bunch of republican senators!"

FST

THis is incredible! What is wrong with the republicans? They are ruining their chances. WE need to remember all this nonsense when the mid-terms come up and make sure everyone knows what they did not do to help the working class. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

I wonder why all of the media coverage refers to the 2 million people who WILL exhaust their benefits when thr truth is at least HALF A MILLION PEOPLE already have lost their benefits???

Its not just the GOP its both parties. Punish all politicians that vote no, not just the REP.

Please let senator Jon Kyl of R-(Arizona)know how we the people feel about his stall tactics. Feel free to pass him a nice email and let him know what a great job he is doing for the unemployed people of this great country . http://kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Listen to what senator Kyl had to say.“I have no doubt that at the appropriate time we’ll be able to work out some kind of agreement,” said Kyl. “But our side is going to need some time to look at it.” Yea we have all the time you need! senator Jerkoff!! This guy is off his rocker! He must not be elected ever again!!! Lolly gagging with our homes and families at stake?? Shame on you !!!

For the remainder of my life, I for one will remember who helped me the most when I was down and out, and who either did nothing - or blocked others from helping. Right now, there isn't a single Republican in the Senate that has even the slightest chance of ever getting my vote.

Another thing - why isn't any of the major news networks - ABC, NBC or CBS broadcasting how the GOP is blocking the unemployment extension? Are they just as uncaring as the GOP?

I just called Senator Kyl's office and left a message on his voicemail regarding stalling the UI extension bill. I SUGGEST EVERYONE CALL 2022244521 and leave a message voicing your concerns!!!

RE: why isn't the media covering exhausted benefits??? Because Jon and Kate plus 8 is more important than millions of middle class Americans losing their only lifeline. I am so disheartened by how negligent our leaders are right now concerning the exigent circumstances the unemployed are in. This is not far from Hurricane Katrina in how the economy is affecting the unemployed. Our Leaders umped billions back into fraudulent banks and we all suffer while they reward the very cause of this financial meltdown. What happened to America???

Here's the deal in a nutshell:
1) Harry Reid tried to hurry the bill through asking for unanimous consent instead of a lengthy debate process. Sen Kyl (R) Arizona objected and blocked it.
2) Reid again tried for unanimous consent. This time Sen Hatch (R) Utah blocked it.
3) Sen. Coburn (R) Oklahoma tried to filibuster. Reid blocked that with cloture, but that still puts the Senate on hold for 30 hours.

Hopefully tonight Reid will as for unanimous consent a third and last time. If the republicans try to block it again, Reid can then FORCE a vote.

FORCE A VOTE!!!! QUIT PUSSY FOOTING AROUND THE ISSUE!!!

Other issues can be dealt with later. Get to the meat and potatoes.
The rest can can wait. Not this issue

What a bunch of CRAP! Over 1/2 million out of benefits, and these bozos can't take a vote. TAKE 1/2 OF THE FUNDS FROM THE TARP, AND 1/2 FROM EMPLOYER TAXES- It's called a compromise!!! I can't wait to vote next year.....I CAN'T WAIT!

Interesting Frank D, I haven't read that anywhere else. I'm curious, at what point can they just push this through? I mean don't the democrats have control of both houses?

Jon Kyl (AZ) is the republican that's holding this up! He's the idiot who objected and said he needed more time to read it. He needs to be sent a message that we aren't going to put up with this crap anymore. He needs to lose his seat, along with many of the other idiots! They will NOT get my vote in any future elections. I've been filling up his email box and I encourage all of you to do the same. Not only have I sent him a person email giving him a peice of my mind, but I copied and pasted an entire blog page (similar to this one) and sent that in his email. PLEASE WRITE HIM!!!! There is power in numbers. Here is a direct link to his email...

http://kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

sorry i'm late i just got my internet back on, i didn't even pay my the @#$% phone bill it was one or the other. I just read all the comments from sept 13, until now, this is crazy. they want people to wait until thanksgiving r u serious. so what the @#$% is going to be on are table for thanksgiving a can of soup. And voicing are opion seems to be not working. they know what we are going though, their just being asses with are money that we work for and payed for with are taxes for years. thats like putting money in the bank and the bank telling you " you haven't put money into your bank". then where the #$%@ is the money.

Adrian wrote: "Jon Kyl (AZ) is the republican that's holding this up! He's the idiot who objected and said he needed more time to read it."

Reply

Adrian- Jon Kyl was last week. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)was the one who blocked the bill yesterday.

To Pat & Lisa, you did not pay unemployment taxes, the employer did, look at your pay stub, the only thing taken out of your check besides income tax is SS and medicare. And the employers are not going to complain because their rate goes up every time you collect. Having said that I am also unemployed and unable to find a job for the first time in 40 years and my unemployment is exhausted. I just get a little tired of hearing people who think they paid unemployment taxes when they never contributed a dime. This is the same as welfare folks but with another name. We should be thankfull for every dime we get.

I agree the money should come out of the stimulus the repubs are wanting,but this delay bulls**t is destroying people.All they have to do is say the money will come out of allocated funds,hold a special meeting,and get it done.

I just left Orrin Hatch's DC office a voicemail stating that if he were on the unemployed side of this issue, I imagine he wouldn't be stalling this bill.

A web site that has helpful information is:
www.unemployedworkers.org It tells who is holding up the extention. They don't even have a good reason. The republicans have held it up for 3 weeks now. Its heartless and cruel to all of us who need it so much! Mine ran our 1st of September.

Good for you, Jaquelyn! Get all your relatives and friends to call his ofices in Utah and in DC and leave voicemail messages. Blast him with email as well. Jon Kyl needs to hear the music as well. It would also be a good idea to contact the RNC. I copied all the comments on this blog as well as the comments from yesterdays blog and pasted them on an email to both Orrin Hatch and Jon Kyl. Please copy-paste comments from here and also send them to the White House using their contact form on their official website. Our President needs to be speaking about this instead of his usual blah blah blahs about Health Care. A President needs to multi-task - he appears to me as having "one track mind". Both Democrats and Republicans have failed the American people. I will never vote for either of them again. I hope Mike Bloomberg runs for President next time. Perhaps, he can do something about the big picture which is JOBS JOBS JOBS!!!

In tha mean-time, we need to march peacefully protesting the Senate delay and the fact that our President keeps silent about it. Where has he been on this in the last 48 hours? He had a town hall meeting in New Orleans today and all he did is blast the Republicans about Katrina. Not one word about our current problems. Give me a break - Katrina in behind us regardless the screw-ups of the previous administration. Obama needs to focus on todays issues ans stop living in the past. Our President should have spoken out today and tell the Senate that id they truly cared they should stay in DC working iver the weekend to pass the UEB bill.

MOVE IT SENATORS - PASS THE DARN BILL NOW!!!!!

C wrote:

"I agree the money should come out of the stimulus the repubs are wanting, but this delay bulls**t is destroying people.All they have to do is say the money will come out of allocated funds,hold a special meeting,and get it done."

What happened to the 8 billion dollars that originally they allocated to ACORN but then retracted it because of all the investigations of that idiotic left wing group? That money is sitting somewhere - they should forget about ACRON and fund UEB with that 8 billion. Enough of "BS" with excuses as to how they are going to pay for it. They had since last summer to figure it out - the MORONS that we pay to reperesent us. Since Labor Day that they came back they have done absolutely nothing other than talking Health Care Reform and also pass raises of their already fat salaries. VOTE THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE! BETTER YET, WE SHOULD IMPEACH THEM STARTING WITH BELLA PELOSI !!!!!

Last week the Senate was trying to pass legislation to give another 7 billion dollars of aid to Pakistan (over the next 5 years). It was the Republicans who were pushing for this.

Write to them and tell them to forget Pakistan and take care of our people who are struggling right here in our country. Pakistan has had more than enough aid so far without having done anything to take out the terrorists. In fact, they are very good in hidding them. Grrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!

Alright, think about it. This is not the Republicans fault or the Democrats fault but the SENATEs fault!!!! The Democrats have a SUPER MAJORITY!!!!!They can pass any bill they want any time they want! So whats the hold up???? And the idiot Republicans arent helping. I think that the Repubs are right and the money should come out of the out of the stimulus money and not further taxing of employers, which is how its being done , but jeez, just get it done!!! REMEMBER TO VOTE EVERY INCUMBENT OUT OF OFFICE THAT YOU CAN! BOTH PARTIES SUCK!!!!! Goodbye and Good Luck.

If this were about a bill providing funds for the feeding and sheltering of abused animals, there would be swift action in the senate. The behavior of some these senators is disgusting.

They just don't care because they probably figure we are poor so what can really do about it? What special interest is served by helping sustain people who lost everything...i had to to my apt up for sale.

Well, another round lost. They can approproate 44B for Homeland Defense(funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) they can vote themselves a raise, they can vote in two days to bail out AIG, but nothing for the common man.

I swear, I am becoming more a Socialist as this week passes! I assume they have all left now?

yes... they are all gone home for the day! maybe tomorrow!

The GOP wants an 8k tax credit attached to the UI extension and have amended the bill...http://m.courier-journal.com/detail.jsp?key=540514&rc=bz&full=1

This is disgrace to all of America.

One half of our Government wanting the other half to FAIL.
it is so obvious witch political party has lost all compassion for the American people they are suppose to serve.........

"This isn't the REPUBLICANS fault" GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK PLEASE.............What planet have you been on ?....

And all people in America can be assured the Republicans are looking out for your best interest in Heath-care for the American people ?................
NO WONDER THE WHOLE HEATH-CARE DEBATE HAS GONE THE WAY IT HAS.

IF YOU ASK ME THEY ARE OUT TO DESTROY AMERICA NOW. LOOK WHERE EIGHT YEARS PUT US. And so many lie's along the way.....

THE MORE GOOD LIGHT THAT IS SHOWN-THE MORE DARKNESS SHOWS ITSELF ALSO.

THESE DAYS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN BY SO MANY AND IT WILL BECOME
VERY CLEAR TO ALL OF AMERICA WHAT THE REPUBLICANS STAND FOR IN THIS COUNTRY...... NOT FOR YOU AND ME ASS YOU CAN ALL SEE.

Since, President Obama was elected the most egregious corruption, fraud, racism, torture and disdain for and toward the American people ever reported. Let me say, I've been around for a little while. I really wonder if "terrorism" specifically, was more of a facade than we've been fed to believe to cover up this multi-faceted economic abyss that hit us?!
So disheartening, but most of us have faith that will sustain us, I'm sure of that.

Excuse me, it is not just the Republicans idiots. The DemocRats have the majority to pass this bill but of course they waited to introduce it on the eleventh hour. Had they introduced it months ago the Republicans would have already run out of their freaking excuses and it would have passed just by the Democrats alone voting for it.

my mistake... they are off for the weekend! maybe monday!

stacy wrote:

"yes... they are all gone home for the day! maybe tomorrow!"

Reply

Stacy, they do not notmally "vote" on Fridays. Some of them stay in DC for about half a day on Fridays and "bs" around - looking at the clock to go home for the weekend. In essence they have 3 days off per week.

The President should have blasted them for not getting this done today. But of course he does not want to piss any snator off right now be it Democrat or Republican as he needs both of them to pass his freking Health Care Reform. That is all he cares. And, do not be mistaken - he does not give a s--it about our health - if he did he would have made sure he and Congress did not leave unemployed Americans with no lifeline of income to the point that many starv, and become homeless. People need to eat and pay for shelter first Mr. President - then they worry about Health care. Obama's America will be the first country on the earth that will have zillions of homeless people who will be proud to say, "oh, I am homeless but I have Health Care Insurance". Mr. President and Congress get your priorities straight for a change. 2010 and 2012 are just around the corner - vote all of them from top to bottom out of office. The Independents need to be given a chance this time around. I want Mike Bloomberg to run. The man has so much money of his own he will not even cost us a penny to run for President. He will also not need money from all the special interests.

Stacy- I am sorry, I just saw your last comment. Please ignore my reply regarding their schedule. God bless us all...God bless America. One more weekend that so many people will pass in sheer agony. I hope our senators use the time to reflect on how their actions are actually devasting so many American families, so many American lives. Yeap, if this was a few cats and dogs starving all hell would have broken loose.

I am at such a loss of hope. I was laid off by people who were reprimanded by the government for oversights on employees who were bilking funds. Yet they all still have their jobs accept for one person who was indicted. Now the Senate plays politics in an emergency....how can everyone be so greedy and how can the good people suffer like this in this world? I am sorry but how does one have faith in times like these?

The Demarcates do have the Majority, and the Republicans have the Minority, and the Rights of the Minority has taken all your Rights away as an AMERICAN.........UNDERSTAND HOW WASHINGTON WORKS....UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSES ALL LEGISLATION HAS TO GO THREW TO GET ANYWHERE....UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE PROSES OF BILLS IN THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE AND WHAT AND WHO HAVE TO AGREE ON THEM.
JUST BECAUSE THE DEMARCATES HAVE MAJORITY IN WASHINGTON SENATE SEATS IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN CONTROL EVERYTHING IN THE PROGRESS OF THAT LEGISLATION.

I agree with the previous poster; they are throwing money at everything and now they stop at the unemployed.
What a joke. Well, it will be unfortunate when I stop paying my credit cards (35% interest), health benefits, and etc.

I am happy these small minded petty psuedo intellectuals are unable to do anything.
I believe 2 million people on the streets is exactly the wake up call we need to NEVER EVER VOTE AN INCUMBANT IN AGAIN.

Which is why I am starting a new political party called "The Opposite Party"

Just vote for the new guy, no matter how disconnected, unsympathetic, self centered and filled with undeserved expectations that person is.

BTW, I don’t care about right vs.left, republicand vs. democrats; an incumbent politician is un-American; our founding fathers didn’t have lifetime politicians.

Many of our problems stems from the fact we have taxation without representation thanks to a lobby system that would dazzle anyone. So you can’t really blame them. You must blame yourself for voting an incumbent in or worse yet, for not voting at all.

Regardless of your economic situation and political view, I urge you to join my cause and never ever vote in an incumbent again.

That’s right. Just keep saying to yourself “I will vote for the NEW guy”.

On second thought I think we need a new name for our party. Something that makes us think to never ever vote an incumbent in again.

So for all you unemployed people, who ever gives me the best name wins a $5 star bucks card. Which is more than your country gave you over the last several weeks if you are one of the 400k people whose benefits ran out in September.

God Bless America!

Republicans are for the rich and don't care about the middle class. They never have cared about the average person so why should they change now. They only care about being the party of "NO" and destroying the President of our great country. Is there any way we can stop their pay ?

Why Are: Here is a suggestionThe New People Party...new people, new politics:) Very idealistic name unfortunately the corporate ties and leaders are so intertwined, I don't think it would make a difference who was in charge because ultimately the Corporations are always in power.

Stacy: It won't be monday either. http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_tease...

They're doing some S 1776 medicare bill. This is not to say they couldn't represent it on monday or another day next week. As the dems did try to re-present the bill on oct 13th, and it wasn't on their schedule. But it looks like there's no lengthy discussion planned for the bill.

I think we're all living on a hope an a prayer. Continue to contact your senators, the president(on whitehouse.gov there's a contact form), report what's happening to large news agency's(cnn, cnbc, etc) and spread the word and voice your need as much as you can. That's really the only thing we can do.

Beyond snipering senator kyl that is.

American wrote:

"JUST BECAUSE THE DEMARCATES HAVE MAJORITY IN WASHINGTON SENATE SEATS IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN CONTROL EVERYTHING IN THE PROGRESS OF THAT LEGISLATION."

Reply

To a degree you are correct. However, it is amazing how the process went so very fast when it came to all those idiots (be it Democrats or Republicans) voting a couple of weeks ago to icrease their own salaries. Trust me, process is not the real issue here - it is whether we count or not. They know darn well - both Democrats and Republicans - that poor people can not contribute much to their campaigns. In fact they know that the percentage of poor Americans who do not vote is very high! It is all abiut calculated risks. They do not feel that our votes will get them out of office - we have to have the entire country behind us. And right now, the entire country is talkin freaking "health care". Obama has in essence hijacked this Congress by his obsession to pass Health Care reform this year! His stubborness has prevented him and Congress to focus on any other issues such as the UEB which is a matter of life and death for many. Well, our President and our Congress farted around for months now with Health Care as if anyone who has lost their lifeline of income is thinkin Healthcare right now. Mr. President and Bella Pelosi - get your priorities straight. STOP TALKING ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR A FREAKING WEEK SO THE THAT IDIOTS AT CONGRESS PASS THE UBE.

MOVE IT AND MOVE IT FAST PASS THE BILL NOW OR START PACKING YOUR BAGS - ALL OF YOU. THE HELL WITH HEALTHCARE. PEOPLE NEED TO EAT AND PAY RENT FIRST BEFORE THEY THINK ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. SHUT UP THE RHETORIC ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND PASS THE DAMN BILL EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN ALL STATES.

Also anyone planning on protesting/going public please notify local news agency's that you will be doing so. Most are in partnership with whatever station they're on and even though you're a few people in a small town, it may get voiced on the national news and help bring attention.

Jaquelyn wrote:

"I am at such a loss of hope..."

Jaquelyn, I hear your pain - my sister is on the same boat - was laid off from a bank - all the crooks still have their jobs. We all need to stick together and help each other. This is not the time that people need to feel too proud to move in back with their parents, or other family if they can. In Europe there practically no homeless people because family takes care of one that lost their jobs regardless of the reasons. There is no such thing as people not having shelter or food unless of course they are mentally ill and want to wonder the streets. Here in America we are way to proud to move in with our parents.

Bombard senator Kyl and any other senator you can think of and let them know they need to pass this or you won't support them. If you're able to call, if not write them emails/contact forms.

http://kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Why are people in this country so scared of the government? We need to march on washington and demand them to pass this bill. I was not alive in the sixties but what happened to the spirit in our country? Everyone is afraid because of what they have to lose but i know of over half a million people that right now don't have anything to lose let's stop being mice and demand these self indulged bastards help us. I don't know about everyone else but I personally would like to survive this bullshi# recession without losing the few possesions i still have. F U senate government for the people by the people my A$$, and all of you who say the recession is over you haven't been to Michigan.

If we all Could find our ways to an island just big enough for all of us [pretty big island at this point!}..... AND WE ALL PRAY TO OUR GODS FOR A TSUNAMI OR EARTH QUAKE...WE MIGHT GET HELP FASTER......JUST BRING A BIG INTER-TUBE !.....

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL........WHERE DID IT GO TO ?

This is a sad shame. THose Goats On a Pole are swine flu. I need oil its cold and I can't afford it cause we still gotta eat. like come on. Repluckicans just plucking away at our lives. Thank all the people that vote for them. Casue this is the outcome. Thank You Repluckicans.

People are afraid of the government because they can put themselves at risk protesting. The Mayor of my City had young journalists arrestedfor speaking out of turn and about serious issues at a Press Conf because they didn't have NYC press passes. The Government can be intimidating to the average person. I can't believe they stalled this bill...I have applied for several hundred jobs and unfortunately nothing has come through. I never had such a long break in employment. I can't pay my bills and I went to college and grad school. I just pray for a miracle because that is all that is left to believe in.

I agree, our country has absolutely no spirit left. People are so depressed, so scared - they are "paralyzed". Losing everything that you have worked so hard to aquire is enough to immobilize people. That is exactly where they want us. At the point of paralysis. They are doing a good job to have the American Dream becoming an American Nightmare. They are all destroying us - they are destroying our country. This is a foreign adjenda - someone wants this country wipped out - they could not do it by attacking us - they are doing it by destroying us financially. We need to take this country back. Yes, before the idiots of Washington complete the sale of America to the Chinese.

A PEACEFULL MARCH TO DC WOULD IN FACT WAKE UP OUR POLITICIANS AS THEY DO NOT LIKE THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY IN THE MEDIA. SO FAR WE HAVE LET THEM HAVE A HONEYMOON. IT IS OUR FAULT FOR HAVING TRUSTED THOSE THAT WE PAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. TIME FOR A CHANGE ACCORDING TO WHAT WE CONSIDER CHANGE NOT THE IDIOTS IN CAPITOL HILL.

IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE IN DC - GO OUTSIDE YOUR STATE OFFICES - YOUR SENATOR'S OFFICES THIS MONDAY AS SOON AS THEY OPEN FOR BUSINESS. DO THIS EVERYDAY UNTIL THE MORONS IN DC GET THE MESSAGE AND PASS THE BILL. HOLD SIGNS SAYING, "ENOUGH WITH HEALTH CARE...JUST SHUT UP YOUR RHETORIC AND PASS UBE NOW !!"

The economy got so bad at my parents house and all the fighting i ran away for weeks, and when i went home they had moved......and some other family lives there now...with a kid just like me...hope he knows what his in for ?........

I'm lost for words! I can only cry! God Bless you all!

In NY, the Senators and Officials are at a charity event tonight...it was just on the news. Going to cry myself to sleep.

READ IMPORTANT -

Dear Friends:

As we reported last week, Senators Reid and Baucus, with the help of Senators Shaheen, Dodd, Reed and Klobuchar, introduced a bill that would provide 14 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers exhausting their benefits in all states, and an additional 6 weeks (for a total of 20 weeks) for those in states with unemployment rates at or over 8.5%. This bill would be fully paid for by simply extending a small surtax on employers. This tax is nothing new as it has been in place for 30 years and amounts to a mere $12 per worker per year. We had hoped that in light of the calls for an extension from certain key Republican Senators including Senators McConnell, DeMint and Cornyn, that this bill would move quickly through the Senate, back to the House, and to the President’s desk for signature.

Unfortunately, that has not happened yet. Last Thursday, and again this Tuesday, the Republicans (first Sen. Kyl from Arizona and then Sen. Hatch from Utah) blocked attempts to move the bill and provide unemployed workers with the relief they desperately needed. They have a series of amendments, most of which have nothing to do with unemployment insurance, that they want to force the Senate to debate. The amendments include issues such as the TARP program, ACORN, and an attempt to characterize extending the surtax to pay for this extension as an unreasonable burden on employers. We are sure you agree that a mere $14 per year per employee, a tax employers have been paying for the last three decades, is a small price to pay for the important stabilizing and stimulative effects of extending unemployment benefits to those who have exhausted them.

NELP has called on the Senate to do whatever it has to do to pass this bill. To view NELP’s press release click here. We have demanded an end to partisan games around an issue of such desperate importance, and asked that they stay in session 7 days a week if that’s what’s needed in order to get this bill passed and back to the House of Representatives. We know that even another day of delay could mean an entire week of delay for your unemployment checks, and NELP has made it clear that such delay in unacceptable.

Now is the time for all of you to contact your Senators. If your Senators are Democrats, tell them to speak up and stand up to demand a vote on the unemployment extension. If your Senators are Republicans, tell them to stop playing partisan games instead of performing their duty to their constituents. Click here to send your message. Ask your friends and family to do the same — we need to make our voices heard and get this done!

As always, when we receive more information, we will update this website right away. In the meantime, know that we are doing all we can to help make sure your benefits continue.

Sincerely,

Andy, Tiphany, Rick, Christine, Maurice and Judy The unemployedworkers.org team

My fellow unemployed allies, PLEASE….do not stop the letters, calls, emails, faxes, etc.

Good work NELP!!! I know I will be calling my Senators all day tomorrow. How could they let this necessary legislation drag out when unemployment is nearly 20 percent in some hard hit states. I can't stop crying, knowing they can table something soooooooo necessary for so many people.

Jaquelyn, may I ask what state are you from? We should all put our states here so that our own politicians take notice in case they get any ideas that they are not in any danger of losing our votes. In other words, they may think that we are all writing from Illinois.

I am in CT and although CT has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the country it has been losing jobs and the cost of living is extremely high. People are becoming homeless because unemployment assistance is not enough to cover $1000-1200/month rent for one bedroom apartment ie. in New Haven, CT.

Everyone, copy comments from here and paste them in emails to senators and the White House. Copy entire threads and paste them periodically until they get tired of reading messages. Please note that all senators have offices locally in their own states as well as in DC. Go to US Senate and start emailing all 100 of them - do not forget the White House. And on Monday, let's stand outside our local senators' offices - governor's mansions etc. Those in DC, go march outside the Capitol and the White House. Remember to be civil and peacefull. The last thing that we want is people to get in trouble just because they want someone to listen to their suffering.

Peter, NYC.

I already contacted Sen. Durbin, Sen. Burris and Rep Lipinski last week when the Republicans blocked the bill. I told them to remind those Reps that not all the unemployed are Dems and that we still vote.

This really is tragic! I sincerely hope they figure this thing out and get it passed and passed and signed. I really cannot believe these politicians playing with people's lives ...

It is so tragic. God be with us.

Jaquelyn wrote: "Peter, NYC."

Reply

Jackelyn, I used to live in NYC. I know how high the cost of living is - I have absolutely no idea how anyone can manage even with unemployment assistance. I have a couple of friends in the city who are planning to move out. One of them is actually moving to Chicago back with her parents. The other may move to MA soon. I feel for everyone in big metro areas.

I never understood how our states do not pay unemployment according to the cost of living in each state - city. Employers should pay higher unemployment insurance taxes for those employees that work for them in large high cost of living cities. You want to do business in New York you should pay higher unemployment taxes. I am sorry but an emplyer should not have it both ways - on one hand have the advantage if doing busuness in a huge market like NYC or Boston etc and on the other hand pay the same % in unemployment taxes as in rural America.

I miss NYC so much but I can only imagine how hard it must be for all of you especially without the lifeline of UEB....It makes me so sad to even think how much peopl in the City must be hurting... God bless you...they got to pass this bill immediately - let's all pray for each other and our country.

I agree Peter...difficult to go from six figures to 405 a week. None of it makes any sense. I hope everyone on here gets some sort of job next week...including myself.

Its not possible to get a job overnight ,i have been looking all year.

Bobby wrote:

"The economy got so bad at my parents house and all the fighting i ran away for weeks, and when i went home they had moved......and some other family lives there now...with a kid just like me...hope he knows what his in for ?........"

:-(

Bobby, may I ask..how old are you (it does not have to be exact). I am worried that your parents have moved and you may be all alone... Please post back what city/state are you from? Please stay safe and continue to post here. Please stay out of the streets wherever you are... I am sorry for interjecting here but your comment has brought tears to my eyes from the moment I read it and was contemplating how to reply without perhaps offending you or crossing the line ... I am sorry but perhaps we need to get you some assistance...Please do not dissappear...stay with us...do you have food and shelter??? God be with you...I have you in my prayers - you and everyone here...

God bless you and keep you safe always, no matter where you are!

The Most Powerful tools we have are our Voices and our Story's of the costs to our lives we are paying for in our lives right now, what we each have been threw from this Economy, and what we each face....These are the Most Powerful Messages of Hope and Compassion Needed from America...My Very Soul feels for you all...as I to am a victim of this Economy for a year now...

There are allot of people who want to make there point on here also and i can't blame them because of the anger inside.

I Hope for Hope for You All and the Dreams of Americans having Much better Dreams..GOD BLESS ALL..

I have been unemployed since the subprime market crashed, I have been sending my resume out over 100 times per month since then and nothing, I have even applied in other states just to find a job. I have a wife and 2 children, and even though the $405 a week isn't much, it has helped pay the bills. Th is will be the first time in my adult life that I dont have a dime coming into my house. I considered myself a republican until recently. I can't believe that this is getting blocked for no good reason. It's insanity that we are at the mercy of people who don't even know us. The worst part is the feeling of helplessness, that there is nothing I can do but sit here and keep looking for work, and hoping and praying this bill gets passed. I pray for everyone in the same situation

I hate how people suggest that extending unemployment gives the recipients a reason to remain jobless, - some do, that's true. But to suggest that the unemployment rate will remain high as long as the government "enables" people not to work is ridiculous.

To those people I say "THERE ARE AN AVERAGE OF 6 APPLICANTS FOR EVERY JOB OPENING!"

Sorry to shout in all capitols like that, but seriously, the bottom line is that there aren't enough jobs to go around. Period. Those people aren't driving up unemployment. The fact that we are losing more jobs as a nation than we are creating(and have been for quite awhile)is what is keeping the unemployment rate high. It's not rocket science. Once there are actually jobs out there to be filled, the extensions will no longer be necessary.

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
-Thomas Jefferson-

Come next election let them feel the voters wrath....CLEAN HOUSE AMERICA- PACK YOUR BAGS SENATORS, the whips coming down next Nov.! YOUR CORPORATE BIG WIGS WILL BE NO HELP.

Where has Ombama been during all of this? I have not heard one thing from him. It's all about healthcare in the senate while the families are going down. You can't take your meds without food.

RG- this is what Obama did this week, besides talking health care (please see below)

Yes, the Senate approved this "nonmilitary aid" to Pakistan - triple the amount that it used to be. Obama perhaps should re-write his book "The Audacity of Hope". The Senate passed this bill at no time but they have to "think" about giving aid to the American people.

SHAME ON ALL OF YOU IN DC - SHAME ON YOU FOR STARVING AMERICAN CHILDREN TO TRIPLE THE NONMILITARY AID TO PAKISTAN.

The irony of it was that Pakistan's "thank you" to America was to blast our government for having attached "strings" to the aid.

Now, let's all go to sleep feeling good that our generous country is taking care of everyone else around the globe but its own children. :-(

Obama signs off on extra aid for Pakistan

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama quietly signed a $7.5 billion aid bill for Pakistan on Thursday that drew criticism in the nuclear-armed South Asian country because of conditions linked to the assistance.

Obama signed the bill behind closed doors at the White House without a public ceremony before leaving on a trip to New Orleans. The law provides $7.5 billion in nonmilitary aid to Pakistan over five years..." (story continuous here - see link)

Obama signs off on extra aid for Pakistan

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Afghanistan-Pakistan/idUSTRE59E6XL200...

just sent this to my state Dem. senator, who is supporting the extension;

First, a very big thank you, for all of your good work.
Second, the idiot repub senators blocking the unempl. ext. need to stop the self serving agenda and remember the whole point of their job is PUBLIC service; really? blocking unem. ext. for FOURTEEN DOLLARS???!!!! are they as stupid as Marie Antoinette???? cost to employers a whopping whole equivalent of a box of pens!!!!!!

and, as tunnel visioned as the repubs are, get their heads out of the ass-er, sand, get over themselves and their raises and for simple decency, look, REALLY look, at millions of unempl. Americans losing homes, food, water, heat, families, hope...for FOURTEEN DOLLARS.

Recession has become CONTRACTION, smaller and smaller and less and less job market.

and that seriously flawed repub. senate logic, to add a home buying tax credit to the unem. ext.;
how many unemp. Americans are buying homes? STUPID REPUB. ..... NO UNEMP. are BUYING HOMES and THAT is NOT the PRIORITY; it's FOOD and RENT.

but hey, mustn't over burden the poor little helpless corporations with a big mean FOURTEEN DOLLARS unem. tax.

may the fates put those repub. senators in the unemp. shoes one day, with foreclosures, hunger and cold

This is why you should go to your voting booths on election day and vote out every repub. senator who is slowing down this bill passing!!!!!

I will NEVER vote R again, I cannot believe that they have no feelings for us who have worked hard all our lives, both my husband and myself were victims of a company that closed, no fault of our own, both of us ran out at the end of Sept. we have children, grandchildren living with us and are just days away from our water getting shut off, our electric shut off. Thanks to the R party we will remember you next election, I promise you.

Taking care of the Pakistan's before taking care of us Americans?? Nice job Mr. President!! To think I voted for you.

HOWS THAT HOPE AND CHANGE WORKING OUT FOR YOU? OH YEAH HE'S CHANGING EVERYTHING COMMRADES!

Wait dont Democrats control the Senate? Seems they can get though health care but not unemployment. They do only what they want.

We're closing down this thread. Thanks to all who contributed. Check out our latest unemployment benefits update here:

http://progressillinois.com/2009/10/16/nelp-thousands-lose-benefits