99ers were among those arrested at a NYC protest, held today in order to focus attention on the need for a Tier 5 UI benefits extension. The jobless held their small protest on Varick Street, in front of the unemployment office in Manhattan.As the recession grinds on, Congress has extended unemployment benefits four times. If it doesn't again, then 200-thousand New Yorkers alone will have no benefits at all. (Already over 5 million Americans have used up all available UI benefits and most of those are now destitute)
Up to 2 million more people could lose the benefits if the Democratic-controlled Congress doesn't act next week. Several million more could be cut off by February.
Jobless people are eligible for up to 99 weeks of benefits in most states. The first 26 weeks are paid by states. About 3.7 million draw them now and the ranks of the long term unemployed grows every week in this country.
Democrats in Congress are pushing for extending benefits during the lame duck session that begins Monday. There is the theory that congressional action will help the economy.
"Economists say one way to grow this economy is by extending unemployment benefits because these workers then plow that money immediately back into the economy," Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a democrat, said.
At today's rally four protesters went so far as to block traffic briefly on Varick Street. They were arrested. Despite that and the general gloom of no job and no benefits, there was some optimism there from people like Connie Kaplan. Her benefits ran out in March.
"Like I said to your question about what happens when the money runs out. I don't look at that. Today the world is hearing our voices," she said.
The unfortunate fact is that the Congress MUST act to pass S3706 (Tier 5) and they are obviously NOT listening.
99er New Depression Blues Video.......5 million new minted Hobos for 2011? Ask any Hobo about economics and they say a good can opener and a water proof flint box is essential. So look to the TEA PARTY House to provide these items.
ReplyDeleteMitch McConnell was quoted in the national journal "The single most important thing we want to achieve
is for President Obama to be a one-term president". Yes,the GOP Leading Senator from Kentucky has no problem
derailing the recovery every way possible in hopes of political gains two years from now.
We desperately need a new Tier 5 Extended
Unemployment Benefits Bill or there will be a Hobo Up Generation for future 99ers and others in the
street. 99ers like myself are getting ready to HOBO UP with the New GOP House?
From Artist Country Carl dot com singer of the 99ers New Depression Blues, on YouTube hopefully you too
won’t have to HOBO UP.Feel Free To Link UP To The 99er New Depression Blues Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6CuCjUTdk
My only regret is that I could not be there myself!
ReplyDeleteWay to go 99ers! We are in the process of organizing protest groups also. Keep it up, they can't arrest all of us because they would have to feed us, and that is what they are trying to avoid by not extending the Tiers and adding a Tier V. I think Congress has underestimated the American people.
ReplyDelete