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Desperation Grows as Unemployment Benefits End
New York Times ^ | August 2, 2010 | Michael Luo

Posted on 08/02/2010 3:18:07 PM PDT by reaganaut1

...

Ms. Jarrin is part of a hard-luck tribe of jobless whose members have taken to calling themselves “99ers,” because they have exhausted the maximum 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits that they can claim.

For them, the resolution recently of the lengthy Senate scrum over extending jobless benefits was no balm. The measure renewed two federal programs that extended jobless benefits in this recession beyond the traditional 26 weeks to anywhere from 60 to 99 weeks, depending on the state’s unemployment rate. But many jobless have now exceeded those limits. They are adjusting to a new, harsh reality with no income.

With long-term unemployment at record levels, about 1.4 million people were out of work for 99 weeks or more in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not all of them received unemployment benefits, but for many of those who did, the modest payments were a lifeline that enabled them to maintain at least a veneer of normalcy, keeping a roof over their heads, putting gas in their cars, paying electric and phone bills.

Without the checks, many like Ms. Jarrin, who lost her job as director of client services at a small technology company in March 2008, are beginning to tumble over the economic cliff. For them, the last vestiges of their former working class or middle-class lives are gone; it is inescapable now that they are indigent.

Ms. Jarrin said she wept as she drove away from her old life last month, wondering if she would ever be able to reclaim it.

...

Nevertheless, the political appetite to help people like Ms. Jarrin appears limited.

...

She says none of her three adult sons are in a position to help her.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: bho44; bhoeconomy; democrats; economy; fail; hopeychangey; jobs; layoffs; obama; obamanomics; porkulus; revovery; sixth100days; summer; unemployment
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To: ChocChipCookie

When gleaners wander the suburbs ahead of the trash truck, that’s when we’ll be Argentina.


101 posted on 08/02/2010 8:44:08 PM PDT by tbw2 (Freeper sci-fi - "Sirat: Through the Fires of Hell" - on amazon.com)
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To: ChocChipCookie

When gleaners wander the suburbs ahead of the trash truck, that’s when we’ll be Argentina.


102 posted on 08/02/2010 8:44:18 PM PDT by tbw2 (Freeper sci-fi - "Sirat: Through the Fires of Hell" - on amazon.com)
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To: freedomfiter2

How do you set up recession marriage brokerages?


103 posted on 08/02/2010 8:48:42 PM PDT by tbw2 (Freeper sci-fi - "Sirat: Through the Fires of Hell" - on amazon.com)
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To: SeattleBruce

That would free up the jobs of the illegals who are working and create INS / DHS jobs in the process that would last a lot longer than the Census.


104 posted on 08/02/2010 8:55:29 PM PDT by tbw2 (Freeper sci-fi - "Sirat: Through the Fires of Hell" - on amazon.com)
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To: Drew68

Do you ever read the “Surviving Argentina” blog? The writer talks about seeing families settling around a dumpster for their evening dinner, trying to pretend life is normal. He said that sight is even more heartbreaking than the sight of dead bodies. I disagree that everyone who becomes desperate will turn to crime. We’ll see far more people living on the streets and more hobo camps with formerly middle class families.

If people want to avoid this turn of events, the time to fight is right now. Now is the time to get a second job, learn new skills that will become a source of income, think in terms of many different streams of income, not just a single stream.

The Surviving Argentina blogger was able to avoid that slide into poverty because, based on what he has said over the years, his dad was a savvy investor, bought rental property, and was able to leave Argentina himself when times got really bad. I’m sure he has also been able to financially help out his son, the blogger. Of course, the blog is now a source of income as are his two published books. He’s a smart guy and has learned how to stay safe and make a profit in the middle of a financial meltdown.


105 posted on 08/02/2010 9:17:17 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie (TheSurvivalMom.com)
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To: tbw2

How do you set up recession marriage brokerages?

Are you seeing the business potential here that I am? :)


106 posted on 08/02/2010 9:24:59 PM PDT by freedomfiter2
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To: ChocChipCookie

Many Americans are now looking for a miracle. Look up in the night sky ang pray that the stars will be kind to us.


107 posted on 08/02/2010 9:35:09 PM PDT by Ciexyz
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To: reaganaut1
Someone should poll the unemployed to find out how many of them voted for Obama. Then, offer private aid to those who didn't! BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!
108 posted on 08/02/2010 9:35:39 PM PDT by April Lexington (Study the constitution so you know what they are taking away!)
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To: Screaming_Gerbil
“What do you expect me to do? Take a $10.00 an hour job and lose my house?”

Well, he could just keep sitting on his butt and lose his house!

109 posted on 08/02/2010 9:38:45 PM PDT by April Lexington (Study the constitution so you know what they are taking away!)
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To: reaganaut1

google brings up a bunch about her. this looks like her, goes by Sandy Antkievicz and “alleywishes”. a big fan of obama, michelle and huffingtonpost and looks like she’s been tweeting and blogging and lobbying about unemployment since last year... the article doesn’t mention it but it looks like she is originally from pocono mountain area. she seems quite the wandering left-wing political activist....

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7DKUS&q=%22alexandra+jarrin%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

by the way, the article DOES mention her making $56,000 a year and vacationing in mexico and the carribean, doesn’t look like she was supporting anyone but herself... and she’s worried about her car being repossessed. 2 years on unemployment and she hasn’t changed to a cheapo used car? and too bad she didn’t set aside that fancy vacation money for a rainy day, instead.

no sympathy for her....


110 posted on 08/02/2010 9:40:21 PM PDT by Tamzee (OBAMA ---- ALL SHAM, NO WOW)
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To: freedomfiter2
She should marry a decent man and work at keeping him happy.

"She says none of her three adult sons are in a position to help her."

The woman is a loser all around, and apparently so are her three sons. Good luck to her finding a "decent man".
I wonder where the first one (or more) went?

111 posted on 08/02/2010 9:48:30 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

You know, back when women needed men to make a decent living they tried to be the kind of woman that could get a decent man. Now they aren’t willing to stoop to such a low level.


112 posted on 08/02/2010 9:53:17 PM PDT by freedomfiter2
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To: Screaming_Gerbil

Probably because she neglected THEM when *they* needed help. Parents, get on good terms with your kids. What comes around goes around.


113 posted on 08/02/2010 9:55:47 PM PDT by Soothesayer9
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To: tbw2

“When gleaners wander the suburbs ahead of the trash truck, that’s when we’ll be Argentina.”

Early morning on trash pickup day here in San Jose, several people walk up and down the streets of the neighborhood I live in pulling recyclables out of the big blue plastics bins. I’ve seen many of these people for months, but new ones I hadn’t seen before show up every week or two.

I’ve talked to a couple of the “old regulars.” One is on unemployment, but can’t make it on that alone so he goes out every day following the trash pickup routes before he goes out to look for work.There’s also an elderly couple that live on a fixed income and they make the routes every day after the trucks.

These people are getting by for now, but they are worried about the newcomers that are coming a couple every few days now to every route. They are worried that will mean fewer cans for them and they will have less money for food.

Food banks here are getting fewer donations and though I have not heard of anyone being turned away it is still unnerving.

I am still employed; the only one in my family still employed. Three close friends of mine are on unemployment and since they are in their 50s and 60s finding work in this area is quite difficult. I help where I can, but funds are limited.

I am thankful that I still have a job, but I try to look ahead because I know that can change at anytime. I’ve been there before...not fun. Prayers up for any Freepers out of work and looking.


114 posted on 08/02/2010 9:57:34 PM PDT by ChowChowFace
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To: ex-Texan

115 posted on 08/02/2010 9:59:33 PM PDT by LomanBill (Animals! The DemocRats blew up the windmill with an Acorn!)
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To: reaganaut1

It’s amazing how many retired folks are actually working to support extended families. Thanks, Obama.


116 posted on 08/02/2010 10:03:56 PM PDT by hershey
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To: Nervous Tick

A job IS work bonehead! Try working in a chicken factory or a chemical plant and tell me it isn’t. What is this BS that some freepers spew about us not wanting to get our hands dirty? Maybe you will be out of a job soon. Then it will be our turn to ridicule.


117 posted on 08/02/2010 11:16:06 PM PDT by Soothesayer9
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To: reaganaut1

When Jarrin does finally get a job, she will appreciate it much more. There are states with low unemployment. She might not like the idea of living in the Dakotas or one of the other low unemployment states, but you go where the jobs are. No sympathy for her, just hope that she is able to fix her issues and stick with a job.


118 posted on 08/02/2010 11:22:31 PM PDT by MovementConservative (Go Mariners! (Oh well, there's always 2011).)
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To: LomanBill

Wait until January when the economy really goes SOUTH!

There will be no relief until Obummer goes.


119 posted on 08/02/2010 11:36:26 PM PDT by Ronbo1948
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To: ChowChowFace

I lived in California for six months last year in San Diego, and it seemed like there is no middle class left. The people were either fat cats living large in the high rent district, or they were bums going thru the trash looking for soda cans to sell at the recycle plant.

This is not the California I remember from my first trip there in 1969. Of course there was the army of dirty hippies present, but the middle class was doing well.

Well like they say - elections make a difference. In those days California was a Republican state with Ronald Reagan as governor.

I live in Utah now.

The most Republican state in Union.

The unemployment rate is one of the lowest as well.

There is a lesson here.


120 posted on 08/02/2010 11:50:18 PM PDT by Ronbo1948
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