Today, the unemployment checks for about 1.3 million Americans will be cut off. Why? Because the Senate allowed an extension of jobless benefits to die yesterday.
The nation’s ever-growing deficit has everyone spooked, according to a Wall Street Journal article today, so the politicians cut off “the federal cash spigot.”
No matter which side you’re on when it comes to the deficit, the reasons for cutting off out-of-work individuals given by politicians and conservative economists were pretty pathetic.
There’s been a growing PR line out there that people love unemployment so much they stay out of work so they can rake in the big bucks.
Do any of the politicians who are vocal against extending benefits check know how much their own states pay in unemployment?
Let’s take John Linder, a Republican from Georgia. He thinks all you jobless folks out there are “purposely staying unemployed so that they can continue to be propped up by the American taxpayer as long as possible.” That’s what he told the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
Well, according to the Georgia Department of Labor:
Effective July 1, 2007, the minimum is $44 per week. The maximum is $330 for claims filed on or after July 1, 2008. The amount an individual will receive is based on the amount of wages earned in the base period.
Maybe there should be a new reality show called, “The Real Jobless Housewives of Atlanta,” so out-of-touch politicians there can see that unemployment checks don’t fund lavish lifestyles but help hard-working Americans survive during what is one of the toughest times in their lives.
Let’s do some math. Turns out the average rent in Atlanta is $867. If a jobless worker got the maximum in unemployment benefits, that’s $1320 a month. So, after paying rent they’ve got $453. With that, the person could buy three bottles of Dom Perignon if they wanted, leaving a grand total of $63.
I’m going to guess Linder doesn’t think that’s enough money to prop up anyone, even the champagne guzzlers he thinks are taking advantage of the system. And even though Sen. Orrin Hatch from Utah thinks you’re all out there smoking dope and has proposed drug testing the unemployed, chances are you probably can’t afford too many dime bags on unemployment either. (Thanks for pointing this out Amy.)
Most people I know are hard working, want to make an honest paycheck, and never, never, ever want to be propped up by our government or taxpayers. Most people I talk to are desperate to find work but can’t find jobs.
This cessation of benefits is going to hit those out of work for six months or more the most, and that’s probably the type of person who needs the help the most. Given the measly amount of money most states provide in jobless benefits, which are taxed by the way, many of these folks have been drawing down their savings, if they had any real savings at all.
If you don’t want to extend benefits because you’re “spooked” by the deficit, don’t, but don’t use lame excuses to make yourself feel better Mr. Linder.
June 25th, 2010 at 8:45 am
In the end I think that honestly, if you want a job bad enough, you’ll get one. It sounds harsh and I know it is difficult, but there are ways… there is always a way. It may not be the way you like, but there is always a way.
June 25th, 2010 at 9:20 am
I have to be honest, Mandalynn, I used to think like that as well. If someone really wants a job they can surely find something. Well, in this economy, there are so many people who lost jobs that will never come back. I’ve seen talented, motivated individuals with strong work ethics struggle to even get part time or contract work. Many are going for jobs they are over-qualified for and jobs they don’t really want. And still, quite of few job seekers have told me they don’t even hear back from hiring managers..not a call, not an email.
I’m not arguing that we give anyone a pass here. Just be realistic. Sometimes we have to help out people during the challenging times. I feel lucky to have work now, but I’ve lived long enough to know that anything can happen.
I’m not a religious person, but when I see people desperately trying to find work I think: , “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”
June 25th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Great post Eve. Did you hear about Orin Hatch’s proposal to drug test the unemployed?
June 25th, 2010 at 10:04 am
My ex-husband was laid off 18 months ago - he has been searching for work non-stop. He’s only had a handful of interviews and hasn’t found anything yet. He’s even gone to temp agencies and hasn’t got anything through that either - this week they told him they might have something in August. So, I have to disagree with Mandalynn - he wants to work, has a college degree and skills.
And my child support was coming from his unemployment benefits. Now that they’ve been cut off I don’t think I will be getting the support. There is a court order that requires him to pay it but where do you get money from when you don’t have any? It isn’t only the unemployed who will be affected by this but also by people like me and my daughter. And, yes, I do work.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Mandalynn, your sentiment may be true most of the time, but it does not apply to every situation. Consider a family that has been living in the same small town for nearly a dozen years. Regardless of whether it is a single- or dual-income family, the primary wage earner loses his or her job, along with 40% of the rest of the town, when a local plant closes. They have a used vehicle, but it’s not reliable enough to go long distances regularly (shoots commuting to a larger town or city in the arm). Because the local job market is now flooded with unemployed workers (as is also the case in neighboring towns that were home not only to other employees of the closed plant, but employees laid off from other local companies that did business with the plant), hundreds or even thousands of people are competing for every position, even the minimum wage jobs. There’s a glut of people offering lawn and handyman services. There are now more Pampered Chef, Tupperware, and Avon reps (among dozens of other sales programs) than the local economy can support. The family has heard that work is available in another state (oil is really spurring development in North Dakota right now), but the family still owes a significant amount on their house and, since the plant closed, many people are selling and no one is buying. They cannot move to where the jobs are, and there are no available jobs in the local area. Even the farmers can only hire so many hands to help clean stalls and shovel manure…
This may not be a situation with which you are familiar, but it is one that is played out every day all across the United States. Simply moving to find work is possible for some, but it includes many complications for most, and the costs associated with even a simple move (sell most everything, pay for travel/moving, pay for security depost/down-payment) are prohibitive for many.
We have friends in our town who, to pursue a possible job for the primary wage-earner, sent the husband off to train as a border patrol agent. Training was along our southern border, while the family stayed in Minnesota. They’ve had to pay for housing in both states during the course of the training, and the family is under extreme emotional strain due to the separation. Now that he’s done, they’re transferring him up to our northern border. The family is trying to secure housing there, but they also need to sell their house in our town where some similarly priced houses have been on the market for two years without selling. They can cover the cost of both mortgage and rent for a few months, but they soon will be at a breaking point.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:12 am
You know something Amy, Orrin Hatch’s proposal shows how screwed up our political system is in the country. This guy has been a politician for more than 30 years and he’s lost touch with the trials and tribulations people who have to actually make a living go through. These guys think regular folks are smoking pot instead of sending out resumes.
I’m going to give Georgia some props here, after having dogged their Senator Linder above.
Turns out, the state had a law requiring politicians be tested for drugs before getting on the ballot. Now, the Supreme Court ruled that unconstitutional in the 1990s, (http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1996/1996_96_126) but people there may have been onto something.
Why don’t we start testing politicians for their ethics, morals and sense?
June 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I have been unemployed for 10 months. I was underemployed before. All my savings are gone and in 2 weeks I will be flat broke. To Mandalynn, this is not 1975 or even 1995. Wal-Mart is even choosy because so many folks are out there. If you are over 40, female or a minority (yes they know-they ask you to self identify which I will no longer do) the search is longer. AARP tells you dye your hair, loose weight, buy hipper clothing and shoes and suck it up cause that is the way it is.
I am desperate to work. My dog needs vet care that I can not afford. My car has been in the driveway for 16 months while I rode the bus because I could not afford to fix it. My experience has been like that of Kim Woodbridge’s husband. If it were not for my brothers, friends and church family, I would have been much worse off. Now I am going to keep fighting and keep my head up because I am a survivor. I pray Mandalynn is a blessed as I have been if she is ever unemployed. To my fellow job hunters, keep the faith and be creative. All will be well, different but well.
June 25th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I am so sorry about your situation Vanessa. I would first suggest not listening to folks who tell you to dye your hair. That’s the kind of advice that will only bring you down.
If you need any specific advice on your resume, or any of your job search tactics just email me, telleve@gmail.com, or just ask the questions here in the comments if you like.
You really touched my heart by offering fellow job hunters a morale boost in your comment. I love your attitude. “All will be well, different but well.”
I suspect you’ll find something soon. An employer would be lucky to have you. Good luck!!