Bailout for the "Unemployed" in the US?

[Donnachaidh]

by Jan McCracken

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Baliout-for-the-Unemploye-by-Jan-McCracken-081125-233.html

President Bush made headlines but dig a little deeper...

Billion dollar bailouts for the big boys but what is really happening with the "working people" in the United States? You know, those folks whose jobs are disappearing left and right by none of their own doing?

Be a little cautious in lauding President Bush and Congress for taking care of the "real workers" of our nation!

Headlines are everywhere: "The Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008, signed by President Bush Saturday, extends the current 13-week Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program by an additional seven weeks in all states..."

A little sigh of relief for all... NOT!

Quoting right out of a California unemployment handbook, "the Extended Benefits program becomes effective ONLY when unemployment is very high." Well, we've got that part right... Then comes that catchy little phrase that reads "you will be notified... when you become 'potentially eligible' for this benefit!"

more at the link above --

[freesqueeze]

1. I always thought it was interesting that...

the unemployed are pretty much ignored until there are a lot more of them.



Isn't it a little late by then?

[Donnachaidh]

2. the ones being truly ignored now are the poor sods who worked multiple jobs

Because you MAY still be working part time and making one-third of what you were making before - you are DENIED -any- unemployment benefits. Even if what you are still managing to bring in doesn't cover your bills. THOSE numbers are totally unknown.

Our unemployment problems are nowhere NEAR addressed in the media or by our government.

[mojowork_n]

3. Wait, now I'm confused.

I thought unemployment benefits were just extended, a few months ago, before the election. (When neither party wanted to lose votes.)

Did they just re-extend them, again, as part of the Obama pre-term bailout? I thought I had heard something about another extension, at least through the holiday month of December (when nobody's hiring, except for seasonal retail jobs.)

[MasonJar]

4. 7 whole weeks...Wow! Barely through Christmas.

[lib2DaBone]

5. This shows how in-accurate our media is. NO one has checked on this.

The way I understand it... unemployment is extended 7 weeks. (the states sure dont seem in a hurry to disperse these funds). I called unemploymemt today and they have a recording that says that they are not answering the phones.. nor are they able to put any type of message on their Web Site.

I think the States want to horde these funds.. just like Citi Bank and AGI.

If your State unemployment is above 6% (and most States are at 7% and above) you get an additional 13 weeks.

So the way I add this up is.... 7 weeks plus 13 weeks is 20 weeks total. Right or wrong?