While Congress spent the lame duck session passing tax breaks for the wealthy, DADT, START, and 9/11 responder assistance, it did not address one of the more tragic consequences of this jobless, slow-motion recovery, the growing population of 99ers -- those who have exhausted all available unemployment benefits, in some cases up to 99 weeks.
There were a few halfhearted efforts to address the 99er issue, but all efforts failed. Senator Stabenow (D-MI) in August 2010 introduced the Americans Want to Work Act, which would have added up to 20 weeks of Tier 5 benefits in states with unemployment rates of 7.5 percent or greater. Representative Berkley (D-NV) offered similar legislation in the House that would have added 20 weeks of Tier 5 benefits in states with unemployment rates of 10 percent or greater. The final attempt at 99er assistance was from Representatives Scott (D-VA) and Lee (D-CA) who proposed adding 14 weeks of benefits to Tier 1. That effort failed due to its proximity to the end of the current congressional session.
Beyond those failed legislative attempts, Congress has ignored the over-5-million long-term unemployed. The population of 99ers is expected to swell dramatically in 2011 and with Republicans in control of the House; most 99ers feel that any chance they had to receive help have ended. Millions of long-term unemployed feel abandoned and hopeless this holiday season.
LaDona King, or Paladinette as she is known by many 99ers, decided to tell the 99er story with a holiday flavor in a dark-style, WeirdAl Yankovich way. This 99er "Santa Baby" version should be heard by President Obama and all those in Congress who said they wanted to help the long-term unemployed but failed to deliver anything for up to 5 million struggling and desperate Americans.
For those who wish to sing along to the accompanying video:
Congress Baby, the 99ers need a tier 5... to survive I know you're HEARTLESS P@#*s But... so what? My children need some dinner tonight!The car got repo'd and the rent is awfully late... but wait
You only care for the rich that's a B*@#H
there's millions of us dying out here.We can't afford a Christmas tree
While you're all buying Cartier at Tiffany
You bailed out banks Greece and Haiti too
I think it's time the 99ers heard from you.Obama baby, just help the 99ers please
And... don't tease
Been a really tough year
Out here
I Hope Your change is comin' tonight.Obama honey, you sold 99ers flat out
No doubt
And now it's snowing out,
My stomach's growling
I need some food and shelter tonight.Sherrod honey, Schumer and that Stabenow too
Were through we all trusted you
but senate baby your lies have left us hurtn' out hereWe're not rich - guess we don't count
The dirty little secret you won't talk about
There'll be no jobs again next Year
It's time you kicked your senate's butts into high gear.Congress baby just pretend to care for us poor
Once more -- come on it's just a check -- so what the heck?
There's millions of us dying out here!That's right, I'd rather work than fight
Hurry Congress there's 99ers dying TONIGHT.
You can see LaDona's take on her song at Merry Christmas 99er "Sacrificial Lambs" From Hawaii - Glad you're Not here
Her extensive efforts to help 99ers can be seen here.
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Personally, the Obama Administration frankly do not care about possibly being shamed. In their fantasy island land (courtesy at this time from the great state of Hawaii) the 'shifting of the goal posts' tax cuts they pressured (spun) on to the American public worked successfully....so successfully that our President enjoys the fun and sun when 99ers and other long-term unemployed are either counting down days before the lights are turned off and the checks will end.
The only effective way to counteract economic spin on this level is with facts. The Economic Policy Institute (a Top Think-Tank on Fiscal Policy) posted MONTHS ago what was needed and necessary in this country to help the long-term unemployed. That is a TRUE job creation program, similar to a FDR WAP Program in the late 1930's, early 1940's.
The long-term unemployed need to read first and then demand this program be created by Obama & company. Here is a link to the details:
http://www.epi.org/index.php/american_jobs/public_service_jobs
Robert Gibbs says the the best thing for the 99ers is to create jobs right? If that is the case President Obama, get to work with this program NOW to create jobs for 99ers and soon-to-be Exhausted Unemployed Individuals!
Monica RW
Reach Out Job Search News Blog
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/the_99ers_need_a_tier_v_added_to_unemployment_benefits
http://uspoverty.change.org/petitions/view/tell_usa_tv_news_to_report_re_plight_issues_of_unemployed_tierv_99ers_now
75 percent of Americans do not even vote even as registered voters.
I hope this is a wake up call for people in this country to vote, because as you see there are villains in congress that finally 10 or so years ago passed a bill to allow 10,000 factory jobs to move over seas under the bush administration. Bushes comment on this was they couldn't find people to do these jobs butt C'mon, you know the truth. The truth is he couldn't find people in America willing to work for 50 cents an hour. Many of these so called 99ers have been working any where from 5 to 45 years.