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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: freedomfiter2
She should marry a decent man and work at keeping him happy.

Only one way that's gonna happen:


41 posted on 08/02/2010 3:53:05 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
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To: reaganaut1

I can relate—as a near 60 year old professional, I have lost two jobs in the past two years. Company closings... we are near desparte and doing what we can for ourselves. But I have spent all my 401K and savings, cannot pay for student loans for my son who is now in the Navy and anyway, not whining too much but in my field if I was bi-lingual or female or minority I suspect I would have already been at work.
That is just how it is.
But when a company does hire me they will get one of the best in his field who can meet objectives.
The government has dome immesuarble damage to private manufacturing and it started thirty years ago. Now it has become far worse.


42 posted on 08/02/2010 3:53:12 PM PDT by BamaAndy
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To: reaganator
What would the pioneers and the people that built this nation say about such people?

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust;..."

43 posted on 08/02/2010 3:54:28 PM PDT by digger48
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To: Michael Barnes

What has section 8 been up to lately?


44 posted on 08/02/2010 3:58:15 PM PDT by Rusty0604
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To: reaganaut1

The permanent underclass is growing and growing. Long-term unemployment is the death knell for most individuals and families. If they were smart enough to have savings, they go through that first. Then, sell whatever they can to stay afloat a few more weeks/months. The last resort is cashing in on retirement and investment accounts. When those are gone, they have NO safety net.

In Argentina, by the end of their economic collapse, 60% of the population was at or below poverty level. This absolutely can happen here, and long-term unemployment is paving the way.


45 posted on 08/02/2010 3:58:19 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie (TheSurvivalMom.com)
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To: dragnet2

Agreed. There are loads of slackers but there are also very few jobs. Companies, stores and restaurants are closing up all over the place. Things are bad and are getting worse because the islamo marxist who is supported 100% by all the TV networks and the media.

Until the public wakes up and cancels cable and sat TV - they will keep supporting him and he will remain in power.


46 posted on 08/02/2010 3:58:24 PM PDT by Frantzie (Television controls the American people/sheep)
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To: reaganaut1

Maybe we should stop scaring the heck out of potential employers?


That’s not right. You need to put the federal boot on the neck of these small businesses until they start hiring again. Those fatcats need to learn a lesson; send in some swat teams and lawyers.

/ 0bama mode


47 posted on 08/02/2010 3:59:01 PM PDT by kenth
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To: reaganator
...It’s been almost 2 years for my brother. He says, “What do you expect me to do? Take a $10.00 an hour job and lose my house?”

It’s always the house he’ll be losing. Not the wife’s cigarette habit, or the dog, the 3 cats, or the lottery tickets, or the daily energy drinks and other non-essentials.

Never any of these things that will be lost, it’ll be his house, according to him for not be able to make the mortgage payment.

I told him, “Work TWO $10.00 an hour jobs.”

You don't understand. The cigs they need to calm their nerves. The energy drinks are for them to have energy to try to find work. The Lottery tickets are for trying to get money to get themselves out of debt. As for the dog and cats, do you want to have them taken to the pound where they will be put to sleep?

What kind of mean person are you?

(Ok, sarcasm off).

But maybe as you can guess, I am myself familiar with this. In my case, it's my brother and two sisters. (Yep, everyone but me).

There are apparently many people in that situation. It is easier for them not to change their ways and ask for hand-outs. So they didn't change their spending back when they had some money saved or coming in, and now they get to experience full stop all at once - they have now hit a brick wall.

In my case, Mom ran out of money to help them and no amount of sweet talking (especially after they didn't have much to say to me for about the past ten years) is going to cause me to part with my hard earned $$$. That's for my wife and myself - because I know hard times are coming...

So hang in there. It is frustrating, but you can't be responsible for what other people do, just yourself.

As a side note, there is the possibility that there is going to be flak coming your way as they try to grab at any thing out of desperation.

48 posted on 08/02/2010 3:59:50 PM PDT by Screaming_Gerbil (...he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one... Luke 22:36)
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To: Integrityrocks

>> Get down to the marinas and start washing boats. The standard rate for boat cleaning is $3.50 per foot. You NEVER run out of clients.

The trouble is, too damn many people are looking for “a job”. “A job” is a salary and health care benefits and paid vacation and life insurance and an office or a cube or a truck and so on and so forth, all tied up with a neat little bow... little or no thought as to what you’re expected to DO, or how EXACTLY it will BENEFIT the BOTTOM LINE of your employer and keep THEM in business.

It used to be — back in the depression — people didn’t go out to seek jobs. They went out to seek WORK.

How quaint! No one looks for WORK anymore (like washing a boat). It’s beneath them. They’re holding out for a JOB.

Jobs are scarce, but as you point out, there is plenty of WORK for those with the grit and determination to find it.


49 posted on 08/02/2010 4:01:03 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Eat more spinach! Make Green Jobs for America!)
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To: wku man

I’ve been expecting an increase in crime, but my theory is that most of these people who have been out of work for months and months aren’t the type who turn criminal. When my husband’s electrical business was floundering, he got discouraged, but nothing in a million years would have caused him to start burglarizing homes or holding up convenience stores. Most of these people just get more and more desperate, quietly. They sell off everything they can, cash in everything they can, and wake up each morning hoping for a miracle. The condition of our country and hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans breaks my heart.


50 posted on 08/02/2010 4:02:28 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie (TheSurvivalMom.com)
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To: reaganaut1
People need to quit going to college and go to trade school. I completed a 2 yr Industrial Electricity course 30 yrs ago, landed a good job right out of school, then, after 5 or 6 years, I was tired of pulling wire, and went to HVAC night school, two years.

I'm now 55 yrs old, planing on retiring into my own part time business at 60 and I have never heard of (non union) unemployment in either trade. I also look forward to going to work everday...layoffs???? won't happen. Even if it did, I'm state licensed to start my own.

PS,, my dad said there were ads in the paper looking for qualified HVAC tech's yesterday in Ft Walton Bch, Fl... if anyone is looking.

51 posted on 08/02/2010 4:02:42 PM PDT by MrPiper
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To: reaganaut1
But there needs to be shelter system so that people don't starve or freeze. Photobucket
52 posted on 08/02/2010 4:02:51 PM PDT by ladyvet (WOLVERINES!!!!!)
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To: Integrityrocks
Get down to the marinas and start washing boats

Man, I did that for a few weeks back in the late 80's. It was actually stripping paint mostly, but changes your whole perspective on how much an hour of labor is worth!

53 posted on 08/02/2010 4:03:26 PM PDT by OCC
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To: yetidog

Why so judgmental? Maybe they are struggling in their own jobs/careers as well. Why would that be her fault? I know of a very experienced attorney who was out of work for more than a year. He and his wife barely made ends meet. Was that his MOM’s fault?


54 posted on 08/02/2010 4:03:56 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie (TheSurvivalMom.com)
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To: LostInBayport

What? You think my brother is looking for work?

You do not get it.

He is being paid NOT to work.

pray all you want, it will not happen. His paying job is to be unemployed,


55 posted on 08/02/2010 4:05:32 PM PDT by reaganator
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To: CedarDave

>> At the real risk of being called a male chauvinist pig

Nah, I’d just call you a “realist”.

On the bright side, it doesn’t look like she’s starving... or even missing too many meals.

P.S. Honey, I like cats too, but if I was broke and unemployed I wouldn’t pay to feed ‘n diaper one...


56 posted on 08/02/2010 4:08:03 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Eat more spinach! Make Green Jobs for America!)
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To: reaganaut1

the federal government should confiscate obama’s campaign fund and hand out unemployment. After all he believes in redistribution.


57 posted on 08/02/2010 4:08:27 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: ladyvet

Build concrete and steel poor houses.

It’ll be either do everyhting you can not to be poor or live in the poor house.


58 posted on 08/02/2010 4:09:45 PM PDT by reaganator
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To: reaganaut1
I owe $92,000 for an education which is basically worthless


I have come to believe student loans are a whealth distribution system, only from the middle class (or poor) to educators.

You would have to be crazy to take out a student loan. There is no gurantee that the "education" you recieve will first be worth the money, and two that you will ever earn enough to pay it off. You in effect become an indenture servant for the loaning body.

One of the first things that should be done is get the government out of the student loan business. Second, allow student loans to be cleared in a bankruptcy.

Because the government is involved people are getting loans they will never be able to pay off (hmmmm, where have we seen that happen before?)

And no, I do not have a student loan (I got my education the old fashion way, the GI Bill after service in Viet Nam).

And yes, I believe people should be responsible for their debt, but when people have no jobs, no assets, no hope, and still have a $92,000 non dischargable debt hanging over them, it is difficult to get back on your feet.

Everything the government gets involved in they mess up.

59 posted on 08/02/2010 4:12:14 PM PDT by CIB-173RDABN
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To: Michael Barnes
Yeah, I just went to the Section 8 site today, couldn't believe the deals in Las Vegas.
60 posted on 08/02/2010 4:12:59 PM PDT by pepperdog (As Israel goes, so goes America!)
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