Congress-Don’t Leave America Hanging!
Posted July 6th, 2010 by Donna NortonCongress, can you answer this question?
When I heard that Congress had failed to pass the extension of unemployment insurance benefits last night, all I could think about was the question posed earlier this week from a mom in Indiana:
“How will my family live now that the unemployment is going to get cut?”
And so I ask the 38 U.S. Senators who voted against extending unemployment insurance: What is your answer?
Think quickly — because an estimated 1.7 million people are asking that very question this week as their unemployment insurance is cut off. And struggling families across the nation want and deserve an answer.
All week long, stories from MomsRising members have been streaming in, sharing the agony of parents who don’t know how they will care for their children when their unemployment insurance is cut off. People like:
Autumn from West Virginia:
“My husband lost his job in the winter of 2009. He had been collecting unemployment benefits since then, until Friday, June 24, 2010. He has applied for jobs everywhere, but has not gotten any call backs. He has been told by a few places that he was OVER QUALIFIED, for a few jobs. We have two children, one 6 and one 2. Our 2 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia in November of 2009, just 3 days after his 2nd birthday. We are focused on getting our son better and were keeping current with all of our bills, including a mortgage, until now. Now, we aren’t sure what will happen. We will be depending solely on the state for assistance and are going to fall behind on our mortgage. We were in no way using the unemployment as a crutch to lean on, it was our only source of income while my husband looked for work. We are thankful for the help we received because of the unemployment, but with out it, I am afraid to see what will come of not only our family, but the millions of others this will affect negatively!!”
and Jolie from Illinois:
“I lost my job in social services in May and then my husband lost his job in health care in June. We have three children who have given up given up vacation, sports camps, and TV. My middle child has special needs and was supposed to have tutoring over the summer which we had to cancel and I am doing on my own at home. Further, we have both had to cash in our retirement plans just to get by until at least one of us is able to find a new job. The help for COBRA ended May 31 and our children were on my husband’s health insurance. So, of course, we cannot afford COBRA or other health insurance and now our whole family is uninsured.”
and a MomsRising member who asked to remain anonymous:
“On April 17, 2009, I was laid off from my six figure job at a bank. I received a four week severance and thought that along with the money I had saved that I would be ok until I found a new job. Fast forward 16 months later, and I am still unemployed. Now it will be almost impossible for me to find a job at a bank because my credit is so bad. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I am online constantly trying to find a new job, not only with a bank but any other position I can find. My house is dangerously close to foreclosure, I stopped paying my credit cards months ago. I can barely pay for the electricity, gas, water and food for my son. I receive less than $2,000 in unemployment per month. My benefits have almost been exhausted. I never thought that I would be in this situation at this time of my life. I honestly don’t know what to do. If my unemployment runs out, well, I don’t even want to think about that.”
You can read hundreds more similarly heartbreaking stories here.
Clearly, families across America are being pushed to the edge. They, like our incipient economic recovery, are in grave danger. Even Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently sent a message to lawmakers that our nascent economic recovery is “still pretty fragile” and cautioned that the economy “may need more assistance.”
Let’s not turn back the clock on our economic recovery. Too many lives and communities are at stake. Too many children are at risk. Too many families are still left asking:
“How will my family live now that the unemployment is going to get cut?”
Members of Congress, America waits for your answer.
To send a letter to Congress now, click here.
To share your own story, click here.
7 Comments
July 9, 2010 at 4:43 pm by JulieObviously both of the anonymous replies didn’t read my entry very well. I did say many and most; not all. As I truly believe there are some people out their that need assistance. That being said, I still truly believe those heartbreaking stories are the minority.
@ the first anonymous reply – Times have switched where the employers now have lots to choose from and can be very selective. Potential employees have bring their A game and have to make adjustments accordingly. We’ve all taken less and are paying more; even those who have jobs.
@ the second anonymous reply – again I did say many and most, not all. I also believe you are the minoirty out there. I actually work for a company where our health benefit payments are determined on how much we make. I believe this is wrong. Why??? Those I am supporting didn’t believe investing in a college education was worth it, have top cable subscriptions, designer clothes, go out to lunch everyday, etc. I am perfectly ok with them doing this; its their money let them spend how they see fit. But, when you ask me to pay for some of their health care because they can’t afford it; that’s wrong. I believe it’s their choice not to afford the insurance payments.
Yes, I am a proud Republician, but I can’t see where that comes into play here. Republicans, at least I do, believe we should have the right to determine what we do with our money; not the government. I will pay my fair share to keep our country safe and in good shape with infrastructure, etc. But to expect me and you to pay for those who are able and NOT willing to work and would rather sit on the couch because they can get by with unemployment is not right.
I know of your challenages. My god-son is Autistic. Granted there are 2 to care for him, but it still has it’s challenages.
I believe I have a self-less soul, as I’ve been giving and giving my hard earned money for years now to many who take advantage and I would like for it to stop. I believe many of those contributing to the system have similar beliefs, even you. I find it hard to believe anyone would agree supporting those who are abusing the system. Would you?
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July 9, 2010 at 1:50 pm by Julie, Intern, The Nurtured ParentThe topic of this blog is hitting close to home for many. The fact that Congress did not pass unemployment insurance benefits will put undue stress on millions of American families who are already likely feeling strained in other areas of their lives. Especially for parents, it is normal to experience a range of emotions and stress in their daily lives. It can be easy for parents to forget about themselves and their own needs as they focus all their time and attention on their children. Research has suggested that parenting behavior can be strongly influenced by a negative family climate. When parents are coping with distress within the family (in this case, losing unemployment), emotionally upsetting interactions with children may act as triggers for insensitive and reactive parenting behaviors*. If communities would attempt to fill the gaps for parents, whether in the form of a parent workshop or practical things like fixing them a meal so they can relax for a night, parents will get more of the support they need so that families can be happy and healthy.
*Martin, S. E., Clements, M. L., & Crnic, K. A. (2002). Maternal emotions during mother-toddler interaction: Parenting in affective context. Parenting: Science and Practice, 2, 105-126.
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July 7, 2010 at 10:52 pm by raquelYes, and I emailed my senator about this and the response was pretty much : here’s the PA Career Link, navigate through that and get a job.. Do they not think that I have been looking every single day for a job? What hurts is that i worked for 8 years working with children with Autism and am a mother of a child with Autism and the STATE determined that my master’s degree is not good enough to continue working!
I am appalled that the USA took a week long vacation, leaving over a million of us out there wondering if we could afford to buy our kids a hot dog for the 4th! My vote in November will certain be changed for this one. What else to do. THis situation has left me destitute and very bitter at our government. And where is Obama in all this? You’d have thought this would have been his chance to be hero.. I certainly hope that our government gets their heads out of their butts, and soon.
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Donna Norton Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 11:04 am
@raquel, Keep the pressure on. Just heard from Senator Casey’s office that they are getting flooded with more stories like yours every day. It is making an impact. We’re making sure to pass along all our members’ stories to the right people in Congress. Together, we’ll get this done.
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Julie Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I know of many places hiring! Most, not all, don’t want to work because the government gives them enough to “stay afloat” creating no motivation to get a job. What ever happend in taking pride in providing for your families??? What ever happend with go without? I can guarantee many of those who are collecting unemployment have the top cable TV subscription, an iPhone, a luxury car and a home they couldn’t afford when they were working. Those people have an entitlement attitude and the world owes them. Why should I pay for those?
For those who get “over qualified”, that is the polite way of saying something else didn’t match with what the employer is looking for. Don’t forget its not just qualifications that get someone hired. Functions of a job can be taught, attitude can not.
My suggestion to those who are coming off unemployment…just say thank you to those who have been paying your way and start giving back by getting a job. If the pay is less than what you were making before, just be thankful you have a job with an income that enabled you to get off the government dole.
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Anonymous Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 11:59 am
@Julie, The reality is that there are 5 job seekers for every available job in this country right now. The numbers just don’t support your viewpoint and neither do the hundreds of personal and heartbreaking stories we received from our members.
Anonymous Reply:
July 9th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Julie,
Might I say this, you must be Republican. I do not have top cable television, I’m driving around a little beater car that has broken down on me 4 times in the last month. In addition, I am a single mother to an Autistic Child. Imagine my position having a child with Autism at home and trying to not only find a job, but also to find child care for my son. Most places cannot handle his behavior and are not properly trained.
I pray to God that you can appreciate what you have. My thoughts will be with your selfish soul tonight. For, like me, you are human too, and jobs aren’t forever. I do go without on a daily basis. My son requires extensive therapy for his condition and I had to cancel it because 1. I don’t have the $ to pay for gas to get him there and 2. My car insurance is being cancelled because I don’t have the money to pay for that either.
May I end with this, government doles, as you put it, are there for a reason. Did you know that for every 1 job, there are 5 applicant.s That gives me a 20% chance of getting a job…. Hope you can sleep with yourself at night….
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