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December 03, 2024

99er’s Exhausting Unemployment Benefits, No One To Blame But Themselves

Job openings still seem to be there.

Job openings still seem to be there.

The Current Job Situation In America

A funny thing has been happening in the United States. President Barack Obama and Congress have worked for the last two years to get as many jobs available to Americans as they can.

For nearly a year, every month has seen a notable growth in job creation. However, the unemployment rate has remained stagnant.

When the rate fell from 9.6% to 9.4% last month, the reason was not that more jobs were taken, but that citizens exhausted their benefits and simply were no longer counted due to no longer searching for work.

And THAT is the problem with the unemployment situation in the United States.

The jobs are there. Over one million jobs have been added in the last year in various industries in the United States. Jobs have been created from high-level corporate jobs to working for minimum wage and in factories. Regardless of education level, there is a job out there that would accept you if you’re smart about it.

For every American that has taken advantage of the opportunities created by President Obama and Congress, there are a few who have just sat at home and waited on the unemployment benefit checks to come in the mail.

The System Is Fine

The system should not be knocked, as it is as good as it can be. It’s unreasonable to demand that every single person on unemployment be thoroughly inspected often enough and closely enough to make sure they are not abusing the system. The unfortunate fact is that while some are truly thankful for the assistance from the government and are using it as an opportunity to get back in the workforce, there are those who realized they could just sit at home, reduce their standard of living a little bit, and just collect a check.

The truth of the matter is that jobs are out there and they are abundant. At the end of 2010, areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington DC, Baltimore, San Jose, Cleveland, Boston, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Charlotte, Atlanta, and other big cities had around 100 job listings for every 1,000 people in the area. San Jose topped the list with 162 job openings for every 1,000 people. Other cities like New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh had just under 50 job openings for every 1,000 people. (See job map.)

How can people possibly claim that there simply are no jobs for them when over one million jobs were created in the last year on top of the job openings that were already there? Especially the 99ers who have already collected 99 weeks of unemployment and recently held a candlelight vigil because they didn’t get an additional 13 months. Boohoo! Fix up your resumes, improve your skillset, read some books, learn proper punctuation and get a job like everyone else.

If the 99ers want to continue collecting money for over 99 weeks, guess what? It’s no longer called unemployment. It’s called welfare.

How Hard Are 99ers Really Trying?

The truth of the matter is while it is reasonable that in smaller cities and less populated areas, jobs are scarce and the need for unemployment benefits are really there. But for most of the men and women collecting unemployment benefits, there’s a good chance they’re abusing the system.

A reasonable amount of unemployment time is understandable but where do these brash 99ers get off feeling a sense of entitlement that everyone should pool their tax dollars and just hand them to a 99er while they sit at home feeling sorry for themselves while making little effort to improve their own situation.

Now, maybe someone who used to make $200,000 a year can’t find a job paying quite as much, but at a time of true desperation, what’s stopping that person from working at the local mall or restaurant?

Then there are those who are simply going about things wrong.

Mistakes The Unemployed Make

One common mistake is sending the wrong message with a poorly constructed resume. Many 99er’s are aiming for jobs and turning in resumes with spelling and grammar errors (yes I’ve talked to many 99ers and about 99% of them don’t know how to spell or use proper punctuation).  This brings up the question, “would you hire someone like that?”  And better yet “how much do you really want this job if you won’t even go over your resume?

Other issues include people sending out generic resumes and not targeting their resume towards the company they are applying for. This is common sense and all part of trying to present yourself in the best possible light to get a job. Some people also choose to lie on their resumes and are simply unprofessional by being informal and not being punctual.

In short, many who are currently collecting unemployment benefits and are complaining that they can’t find a job are the ones to blame.

There are simply too many 99er’s who are either abusing the system or just doing a bad job of applying for jobs.

One year ago it was understandable that it was difficult to find a job, but over the course of 99 weeks, which is just under two years, how can one explain not being able to find a job?

While some of the 99er’s may have legitimate reasons, for most, can they honestly say that after almost two years of government assistance during which they did not work that they honestly need another 13 months because they truly cannot land one of the over one million jobs out there?

Industry Employment Trends via indeed.com. Wow job growth!
Chart research displays jobs exist... amazing!

49 Comments on 99er’s Exhausting Unemployment Benefits, No One To Blame But Themselves

  1. Best article I’ve read all year… FINALLY someone calls the 99ers out for the whiners that they are!! Ummmcan we say LAZY?

    -Nancy

  2. January 28, 2011 – Nancy Green, if you were out of work and had no money to pay for your mortgage or rent you would call yourself a whiner?

    Do you really think that all 14.5 Million Americans out of work last year have been too lazy to do anything else but just sit at home and collect unemployment benefits? Is it even possible that everyone (yes, all 14.5 million Americans ) have been looking for work, filling out job applications, and wanting to make their lives better for themselves and their families? These 14.5 Million Americans were working at jobs before they were jobless. Do you really think any person would choose not to work and instead collect unemployment benefits? Do you think 14.5 Million Americans felt that they no longer needed a job and just stopped working?

    Is it possible that a people aren’t working due to simple economic factors (supply and demand), rather than that there are lazy? A Global Economic Recession has caused many companies to look at ways to cut spending while increasing profits. And with limited growth predictions for the next few years, these same companies are not hiring very many people. Is the company you are working for hiring a large number of the 14.5 Million looking for work?

    And is it even possible to consider that in the creation of the over 1 Million Jobs in 2010 (as presented by Mark Johnson above) there would not be a job for every single person out of work? If every of those jobs were filled by the unemployed it would still leave 13 Million people without a job in 2010? 13,000,000 people with no income and no job opportunities.

    And if you consider the fact that with new jobs created, and that “the jobs are there” for everyone, those with a job will apply with those who are out of work. Not all of over one million jobs went to the jobless. And again referring to the article above, most of the Industry Employment Trends for December 2010 require some type of degree that most people would not be able to obtain in the year or two while out of work (jobs in accounting, education, healthcare, and information technology need class time and tuition money to complete).

    People are expressing their fears and loss of work, which means loss of income. Being on unemployment does not create feeling of security, being unemployed creates uncertainty and worry of how to pay the bills.

    I assume you believe every “fact” of the article by Mr. Johnson. It has always amazed me how a person can use numbers or statistics in their own favor to represent their point of view. Unemployment did not just invent itself during this recession. In every economic downturn the number of people working decreased while at the same time the number of people unemployed increased. With this recession being second only to the Great Depression of the 1930’s, would you say that all the people during that time were just lazy because they could not find a job? Could it be said that all of the people today who are unemployed are “lazy” and have “no one to blame but themselves”?

    Thanks for your enlightened opinion Ms. Green.

  3. The Federal Reserve predicts unemployment rates will remain ABOVE 8% through 2013, and beyond. Is that the best we can do as a country?

  4. I can’t even believe that this came out at all are you kidding or are you trying to justify the fact that the government isn’t doing anything about it. I am a 99er and I have driven around and sent out at least 20 resumes a day and 2 calls in about 2 years went in for the interview and didn’t get the job. Everyone that isn’t looking for a job you guys just made feel like crap. Shame on you I can’t believe it I hope you guys can live with yourselfs by not doing anything There are millions people suffering and I wish you were in the same situation or will end up there and then you can see what we go through everyday You have just upset me more then I have been. Think about the people who are trying and what you just did to them and this is from Obama.net wow thank you for blaming us for the economy and trying hard to keep a roof over our kids head and food on the table while you guys keep trying to find job creations most of us won’t make it.

  5. YO I’M GOING TO PUT IT LIKE THIS
    YEA THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE BUT WHEN YOU
    GOT 50 TO 60 PEOPLE APPLYING FOR THE SAME DAM
    JOB!!!! SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
    LET ME MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR ALL OF THAT DON’T KNOW
    WHAT THE F*** THEY TALKING ABOUT!!!
    ONLY 1 PERSON GETS THAT JOB!!!! THE REST STAY UNEMPLOYED
    & ANOTHER THING!!! WHEN A PERSON WORKS!!!! LET ME SAY IT
    AGAIN FOR THE DUMMIES OUT THERE!!! WHEN A PERSON WORKS
    THEY PAY INTO UNEMPLOYMENT !!! YOU DON’T GET UNEMPLOYMENT
    UNLESS YOU WORK!!!LET ME SAY IT AGAIN FOR ALL THE DUMMIES
    OUT THERE!! YOU ONLY GET UNEMPLOYMENT IF WORK &
    LOOSE YOUR JOB!!! BY NO FAULT OF YOUR?
    IF YOU QUIT A JOB YOU DON’T GET UNEMPLOYMENT
    ? I FINALLY HAD GOT A JOB THAT PAYED A DESCENT
    PAY 11.00 AN HOUR THAT WAS 2 YEARS AGO!!
    I JUST GOT THE JOB I WORKED WITH IN 3 MONTHS
    I NEVER MISSED A DAY I WORKED OVERTIME I WAS A TEMP
    I HAD TO WORK A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS 500 HOURS
    & I WAS GOING TO BE HIRED PERMANENTLY !!!AS SOON AS
    I REACHED 500 HOURS THE COMPANY LET ME GO CAUSE THEY
    HAD TO CUT BACK!!! NOW I FIGURE I COULD FIND ANOTHER JOB
    ANY JOB QUICK!!! NOPE & THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE YA
    MUTHA FUCKERS !!!!! FUCK UP THE ECONOMY !! SO NOW
    I’M ASSED OUT THERE’S NO JOBS !! CHECK OUT THE FEED BACK I GET FROM JOBS I APPLY FOR

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    Selector $10.25/HR position. If you are selected to participate in the
    interview process, a Human Resources team member will contact you. NO
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    We just wanted to let you know that you’ve successfully applied to
    Wendy’s on SnagAJob.com.

    If the local hiring manager feels that you fit his/her current needs,
    you’ll be contacted about scheduling an interview. We know you’re
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    few days, but sometimes it can take up to a few weeks

  6. im’ getting sick & tiered of being called
    lazy i work circles around you yvonne easily
    & you need to top talking about people
    you don’t know !!!!!

  7. I have been on tons of interviews and everyone has complimented my resume. The problem is that there are 50 others going for the same job. Do I want to work for $7 and hour, no!!! That is not going to help my family or my quality of life. The problem is the companies that have used this to their benefit, replacing long time employees for cheap labor. Pay rate for new employees has dropped and the people with jobs that keep this country going are dumped on with more and more responsibility. It is going to catch up with all of them.

  8. Let’s say 10% of the jobs available require an RN degree and only 1% of the unemployed workforce have RN degrees, what would that do to the validity of your 1:1 ratio? For someone to look at a 10% unemployment rate and write an article like this is just unresponsible.

  9. My husband and I were both laid off by a huge financial entity in Charlotte. We sold our house (pretty much by ourselves) in 5 weeks, which was unheard of at the time and we have moved up north to where the unemployment figures are not so bad. Although he found work, I have been out of work for nearly 2 years. I have a great educational and work history, and I think your comments are rude and unwarranted at this time. I really hope, for your sake, that you do not ever find yourself in this position. By the way, I am also part of the group that had only 93 or less weeks, and did not get the whole timeline as some did.

  10. Oh, and Nancy, what are you doing? Sitting behind your little computer screen at work doing nothing? Get a life!

  11. If you read the financial press at all (Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Bloomberg) you’d be aware that the consistent concern of the markets, purely from an investment perspective, is that the number and rate of jobs created has to date been less than the number and rate needed simply to keep pace with population growth and that it doesn’t even begin to approach the number and rate necessary to reduce the aggregate unemployment numbers and rate. At the present rate of job creation the number of jobs lost in the Great Recession will not be recovered for at least five more years. One may, as you have, interpret this as one wishes, to praise or blame who one wishes, but your grasp and presentation of the fundamental numbers is completely incorrect. There is a cliché to the effect that one may choose one’s interpretation of the facts but not the facts themselves – which is, unfortunately, what you have done here.

  12. My comments go to Nancy as well! You both are making harsh criticisms, and are lumping everyone into a certain group and stereotype. Should we do the same to both of you? You have no idea how any of conduct or carry ourselves, or what kind of fight we are putting up going on interview after interview after interviewing and facing rejection all the time. I do not think either one of you could handle that, and hope you never have to do so. What gives you the right to behave this way? It is so horrific, and it hurts to know that I have to sit here and share a country with people like you both. There are many people who sit on their butts and do take advantage of the system, but that does not mean the rest of us are doing that . STOP SAYING THAT!!!! If you are doing so well for yourself, then why don’t you do the humane thing and help deserving people out. Get out of your Lexis or Audi, and pay attention to your neighbor and world around you. It is actually bigger than you! What the heck did you both do that makes you so much better than all of us? Obviously, it was not good enough because the world (not just our country) are in a rough state right now. You both are perfect examples of Ignorance and Stupidity…kep watching Fox News and enjoy your free tax break and ride from the people you criticize. You disgust all us 99ers and other REAL people.

  13. One million jobs versus five million 99ers. Do you have any idea how ridiculous your argument is? How many of these “so called lazy” people do you actually know, or are you just pulling this opinion from the dark recesses of your rear end? Which is obviously where you head is! You might sell that senseless and shameful rhetoric in your snobbish circles, but for those of us who really know better, “that dog don’t hunt.”

  14. couple questions for whom ever wrote this article….1) do you currently have a job? if yes, move on…..2)is your salary breaking even with your/families styles (receiving & spending)? if yes, move to question 4, if NO, move to question 3…3)how will you supporting your families/yourself when everythings increase ( i meant more outcomes, less income)….4)you are satisfying with your incomes, do you understand Not so many people lucky like you?……..5)did you ever take algebra in high school? if NO, you are 100% right…if YES….here is the simple math quuestion for you….))))works + works + laidoff (not their own fault) + looking for works = ?????……6)welfare (which you mentioned as LAZY)…another algebra for you….)) -works -works-laidoff + medicare/medicaid/childsupport/SSI = YOU (scumbags)…..the hard work american who’s need work was ignored…the one should be ignore was treated so good……GOOD MORNING AMERICA

  15. What a turd. It’s always interesting to hear someone’s point of view regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject matter. I’m sure Mark has it all figured out about everything. Now Mark, go to the mirror and tell your self what a great guy you are, because your the only one that will ever believe it. Oh yea, would you please tell congress that your available for hire as you would most certainly fit in there with your great ability to know exactly how to solve issues. Oh yea, call Obama at let him know you can help him too.

  16. Funny you completely ignore how many new jobless claims there have been weekly. And the 99ers are an unknown stat as they aren’t being kept track of. Las Vegas unemployment, for example, is at 24% right now. BUT THE ECONOMY IS IMPROVING, RIGHT?!

    And the jobs aren’t there, like you claim. There isn’t even anything close to what you consider “job growth” to employ the newly unemployed and the long-term. Not even close. Your graphs are a weak attempt to sugar coat the situation and turn a blind eye… like the republicans have been and now democrats as well.

    As the kids say today, EPIC FAIL on your article Mr. Johnson.

  17. HELLO? ANYBODY HOME? 1 million jobs created, hmmm lets do the math!!! there are more than 15million people who have lost their jobs THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN on top of the numbers of the people that were already unemployed when this whole thing started, 15million minus 1million = FOURTEEN MILLION!! are you serious? you have got to be joking!! THE FACTS ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU YET YOU STILL DENY DENY DENY!! what has happened to 99ers is disgraceful. they are being left behind and left to die. this is a horrible article!! and just so you know, I am NOT a 99er, I know many good hard working honest people that are and want a job more than anything!! this bashing has to stop!

  18. This is the most uneducated article….
    To blame people who are NOT getting benifits for almost a year is the most idiotic statement someone can make…
    Lets deal with FACTS since your incapable of that. I will be glad to assist you. In 2008 the recession started..Job losses and companies closing was climbing(you know when Bush was in office) In 2009 the height of the recession and job loss was rising at all times high…The whole time these 99ers or exhaustees was collecting UI (and was is the key word there) all there was was job loss and a rising UI rate. There is still currently job loss’s currently happening in America. Instead of trying to blame the unemployed who have not gotten ANYTHING why dont you go after the ones who are currently collecting….Because you know if you really beleived in that theory….You wouldnt go after people who dont have a life line, are not collecting UI at all, and are going homeless daily because the companies wont hire them because of the attitude of people like you…I think its time we start suing people like you for the slanderous comments and ruining our chances of finding a job by making us the target of you BS. With profits at record high you want to blame people who have no source of income at all…Shame on you…You mother is probably rolling over in her grave for your lack of insite and cruelty to people who are harmed…SHAME watch out though you might just get served in the mail once its proven that someone wasnt hired because of the lies you choose to spread…Harming someones credibility is nothing to laugh at.

  19. Mark,

    Here, let me help you with the numbers…..

    Over 40 years of age…………….no resume will make you look any more desirable to a potential employer
    (you are “overqualified”)- a nice catchphrase that simply means- we need a 20 something with less baggage and can certainly pay less due to lack of expereince…..
    Sorry over 40’s- NO JOB FOR YOU!

    Las Vegas- that’s where I am- 14.9% current unemployment figure. Guess what? Once they start figuring in the 99ers- those you have absolutely exhausted any benefits-
    get ready for another wave of foreclosures and bankrupties. Add to that increased need for medicaid, food stamps, Section 8 vouchers, free breakfasts and lunches for the kids and presto chango- thank you Mr &Mrs taxpayer!

    The release of February’s adjusted and true figures will knock your socks off.

    Oh, by the way, in order to balance our state’s budget- we are laying off teachers (add to unemployment), state workers(add to unemployment)and more!

    If people could move freely about to find a job anyplace else but here- they would have to ABANDON homes they are currently making payments on (they can’t sell them for what they owe and short sale will wreck their credit and could have adverse consequences for a deficiency judgment)-75% of homes in Clark County (that’s Las Vegas to you!)are UNDERWATER- they won’t qualify for the 125% valuation needed for refinance. People here are in a clusterf**k!

    Do you get it now???? Before you paint a picture with such broad strokes, you really need to re-evaluate all of the data- the worst is coming to you in about 2 weeks.

    Your site is a shill for ecnomics…………

  20. There are at least 10 million 99ers and your little 1 millions jobs you created arent enough to get America back to where it needs to be (Are those jobs even on American soil…lol). An already confused and dazed society, do they know about trillions on black projects, 1.5 Trillion spent on the war, foreign aid, you and your followers spending money to kiss China’s presidents butt, all while millions upon millions suffer. Its all 99ers fault? How about stopping jobs from being outsourced? 454,000 NEW jobless claims last week and congress downplay it as long as the stockmarket is climbing, corporations keep making profits. 99weeks is NOT enough. Ill close by saying you and this administration came in and made a situation worse after Bush got the ball rolling (Im sure they get along better than most would think) the GOVERNMENT should find the money to keep our sons and daghters over there supporting cause to keep this country safe, yet you abandon millions of Americans who gave the financial resources and bodys to fight this war….

  21. Hi Kelly,

    Tells it like it is? Really, is that all you have to say? I would like to say your “Like it is” facts. As all of us have stated here, you are stereotyping with out accurate factual and statistical information. When the you know what hits the fan soon, you may be out of a job as well….I do not think you, Nancy or Mark would be able to make it in that kind of a world? Karma, Karma, Karma…coming to get you guys. It would be really funny of one of us 99ers as you call us were one of your bosses one day…or if we stood in your way of getting a great employment opportunity. Keep your mouth shut and your fingers from typing until you find out the truth, you are truly as moronic as the other two!

  22. Ok for everyone complaining… WE get that unemployment happens to the best of us… but for TWO D*MN YEARS you’ve been collecting money and you’re STILL COMPLAINING???!!!!!! Get a life!

  23. Wow, propaganda straight from the horses mouth. This is worse then the lame “news” stations on cable that support this herd the sheeple agenda. There are at least 10 million 99ers and your little 1 millions jobs you created arent enough to get America back to where it needs to be (Are those jobs even on American soil…lol). Obama, how dare you not even mention the millions of middle class tha supported you during your SOTU (I understand you could’nt tell the truth, because it would instill panic), and got you in office then turn around a few days have this released just to fuel the fire of stupidy to those that have no idea whats REALLY going on? An already confused and dazed society, do they know about trillions on black projects, 1.5 Trillion spent on the war, foreign aid, you and your followers spending money to kiss China’s presidents butt, all while millions upon millions suffer. Its all 99ers fault? How about stopping jobs from being outsourced? You are owned by Corportate mafia, and its so obvious b/c you are now viewed as a coward by anyone with a conceptual view of whats going on in this “Great country”. Im African American and a conservation but Im ashamed of what you have come to represent. Boarderline Nazi, 454,000 NEW jobless claims last week and you downplay it as long as the stockmarket is climbing, corporations keep making profits. YOU ARE A DISGRACE AND 99weeks is NOT enough. Ill close by saying you and your administration came in and made a situation worse after Bush got the ball rolling (Im sure you two get along better than most would think) YOU MADE THE PROBLEM, ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILTY AS PRESIDENT TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS UNTIL YOU FIX IT. No matter if it takes till the end of you term. YOU find the money to keep our sons and daghters over there supporting your cause to keep this country safe, yet you abandon millions of Americans who gave you the financial resources and bodys to fight this war….you are a disgrace

  24. Note, too, that today’s ‘encouraging’ GDP numbers, over which there is clear doubt in the markets as to their sustainability, are still far short of the numbers needed to actually reduce unemployment – it generally being judged that 3% GDP growth is necessary simply to remain even with population growth and that 5% GDP growth for a full year is necessary to provide enough new jobs to reduce unemployment by 1% – and the most optimistic estimates for 2011 are for GDP growth of about 3.2%.

    The markets, in reaction, are sagging and concerned, as meaningful recovery has yet to take hold and inflationary pressures are growing.

    As the Fed continues to print money at an enormous rate to try and keep the ‘recovery’ from collapsing into a second leg down (which was the pattern in the early 1930s) and both parties – yes, both parties – are unwilling to reduce spending. As is the public, since the latest polls indicate that while in the abstract folks want to ‘cut spending’, the reality is that only 39% support even a cap (not a reduction) as proposed by Obama and only 41% support the Republican/Tea Party approach.

    It’s Poli Sci 101, you know, that people support spending cuts until they’re actually spelled out – then the wailing begins. The politicians know this. The simple, ugly truth is that people want more from government than they are willing to pay for. Everyone does. The only difference is where they center their focus – which invariably coincides with their particular interests, surprise, surprise.

    This has been understood as a fundamental weakness of Democracy at least since the Greeks and usually, in time, leads to some form of collapse, revolution, and/or coup.

    This is not news.

    This is the perspective of grownups, and of the financial folks, of the markets, not of Anarchists, Marxists, or ‘pointy-headed liberals’.

    One *really* has to doubt that you have *any* grasp whatsoever of economics or market realities.

    One *really* has to wonder, too, what will happen if and when the Fed runs out of room to keep propping up the markets with ‘Quantitative Easing’, which is to say, printing money.

  25. Hey Sean,

    We are not getting paid for two years…many of us got cut off before that time because of decisions having to be made by the government. I am doing Free Lance work just to keep my skills up to par while interviewing all the time. I am not complaining, but reacting to stupidity from people like you, Mark, Nancy and Kelly. You all are not immune to the same kind of life, however you sit there and make rude judgements and ridicule. Who the heck do you think you are?

  26. 1 million jobs may have been created but there’s 15 MILLION UNEMPLOYED!!! DO THE MATH!!!! There may be some who are abusing the system but the MAJORITY want to work. It get’s tiring that the circus clowns in Washington & the media slam & berate the American’s who are unemployed. Stop with all the BS propaganda & LIES that you are trying to make America believe. You people should grow a set & tell the country the truth.Tell everyone just how bad it really is!! GROW A SET & FESS UP LOSERS!!!

  27. What happens after fed stops proping up the markets …Martial Law.
    Not to mention there is an onslaught of articles like this just now being released to the internet. Looks like the machine is being oiled.

  28. I think immediate martial law is unlikely but I agree with what I take to be your core observation that a time of very deep crisis may well emerge.

    There’s a tendency to think ‘it can’t happen here’ but, of course, it can.

    I rather doubt the Ançien Regime in France saw the Guillotines coming, either.

    We’re moving closer and closer to climactic crisis as the various ruling elites have failed to look out for broad social stability and have looked out only for their own short-term interests.

    This tends not to end well.

  29. Kelly, Mark, Nancy and Sean here think that if we get everyone all caught up again, that the country and world will be saved. As long as they do not have to do anything, and they can point the finger all day long (from work), they are happy. I donate food, clothes, money and other things to people in need even though I am not doing too well myself. I do not complain about or anything else, I just live my life. When articles like this surface, I cannot keep my mouth shut any longer. I doubt all four of these people have done as much as I have personally for local and national non-profits, the homeless and people who need help from their fellow citizens. I worked for corporate America already, and made a lot of money too…guess what? How worth it is that when the country topples over? I am actually embarassed to say that I worked for such unethical companies in the past. Maybe we should be pointing the finger at you four for your indecency and disrespect. Look in the mirror, are you really proud? Didn’t think so!

  30. “The jobs are there. Over one million jobs have been added in the last year in various industries in the United States. Jobs have been created from high-level corporate jobs to working for minimum wage and in factories. Regardless of education level, there is a job out there that would accept you if you’re smart about it.”

    really? can you prove this? tell us where! factories?? really? over 40k factories have closed down, are they really hiring?

  31. Marc, agreed it may take awhile, but just the fact alone that there are alot of articles like this surfacing shortly after Obama made no mention of the “elephant in the room” during his SOTU ,coupled with hes having his lackee, Goolsbee respond to the unemployed crisis, just goes to show how much of a coward he is, and there is definetly something in the works, cause there are too many unemployed for them not to be somewhat prepared for backlash.

    Liz, I too was in corporate America, and am glad Im out. Id much rather be in my currnet position knowing what I know now then walking with blinders on…( 10 years ago that may of been harder to type.)

  32. “For every American that has taken advantage of the opportunities created by President Obama and Congress, there are a few who have just sat at home and waited on the unemployment benefit checks to come in the mail.”

    This statement makes no sense…the people who have been unemployed for 2 yrs or longer RECEIVE NO MORE BENEFITS!! most of them havent received benefits since march 2010. I highly doubt they would rather lose everything rather than get a job. no benefits for 10 months, and there no jobs!
    seems like these days they just let anyone write!! what ever happened to facts?

  33. Your audience is waiting for your facts Kelly, Mark, Nancy and Sean! I guess you are not responding because you are trying to dig a little deeper. That makes for a great debate, and a wonderful justification of your comments. You cannot just sit there, put labels on someone due to inaccurate information and then just ignore or run away from it. You are what is wrong with this country and world! You are selfish, one-sided people who twist information to make it appear a certain way. That might have worked before, but with people like me around, it is not working anymore! I will not back down, and neither will these other wonderful people. FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!!! Especially when you have facts to back it up!!

  34. Angeicrisis: I agree that Obama is a coward amongst his many other shortcomings. I say this with regret both in that I supported his candidacy (we all make mistakes – I attempt to acknowledge and correct mine) and in that irrespective of that fact the man simply isn’t up to the job and the nation suffers for it (though it suffers for the shortcomings of many, many others as well, of course).

    For my part I first became very concerned when he sidelined Paul Volcker and turned instead to Summers and Geithner – and from that first concern on my part it’s only gotten worse and worse.

    I think, though, that though it’s natural to focus on the president, whoever he is at a given moment, our failings are unfortunately long term and widespread.

    At present, unfortunately, I see no sign of any real hope.

    I wish it were otherwise.

  35. lmao…at Liz. I would like to think that the author of this pethetic diatribe is probably smiling externally, but ever so slightly questioning their banter in the back of their head.

    Marc, Resiliance is the only thing keeping me going at this point as Im learning the power of staying in reality (as oppose having one force upon you.) I do agree it isnt 100% Obama’s fault, he’s a puppet as was Bush, as is the majority of these idiots that are so entangled with globalization and profiting off of higher tiers of it, and tax payers money that it goes waaaaaay back. Geithner and Summers btw = Ultra Idiots.

    Ronron..aye, long time no see lol. Curious to see what happens after the “real” numbers are out.

  36. Bouncing back and staying strong are the best things to do at a time like this. We cannot let the Nay-Sayers like this break us down…they don’t know what they are talking about anyway. I will applaud Mark for writing this article only if his goal was to get people to start debating. I do not think that was his intent at all, but I really could care less at this point. I just know that when people start bad-mouthing their own fellow citizens, they better be prepared to account for their actions and words. In this case, it appears that that is not going to happen, lol. They seem to have crawled back to their cubicles with their tails tucked between their legs.

  37. I keep seeing the “Through No Fault of our own” Statement. Seriously? Obviously you carried some fault or they might have kept you on the payroll. Also, what about two years of No Fault of your own? Is it still your fault your not employed? Of course it is. Lazy, picky, uneducated, too old, or just don’t care. That’s the 99ers story. Or whatever 73,79 or even 100+. Take what you can get. Stop whining about no jobs. They are out there. I have read horror stories on the net. People who stuck their foot in their mouths such as the waitress who said if they put out the extra weeks in March she is quitting her job since she can make more with the extra unemployment. Or the guy who said he’s turned down lower paying lower skilled jobs to keep his checks coming in which will take him into March. And with the proposed extensions he might have 3 more months at home with his boys. See, and you wonder why you all have a bad name. Take a look around you, or right in the mirror. That’s why!!!

  38. Great article. Nothing personal against the ue, but the whiners that go to sites to one up each others story about how bad they’ve got and complain after 2 years of collecting free money in many cases that they’ve been forgotten…these are the ingrates and freeloaders. Its not going to happen so time to move on.

  39. IF YOUR ARE A 99er…….You are not getting a check….Can someone please get that through your friggin head….It makes no logical sense that people who have not had a UI check in 1 year and no f/t job in 3 because of a recession would choose to go homeless because guess what there is no couch on the streets…..STUPID…

  40. You people that all have jobs live in a different reality than the unemployed do. I worked for the past 38 years and have been out of work these past two…I know both worlds very well. Google “outsource”, then read my latest post:

    http://www.bud-meyers.blogspot.com/2011/01/tax-cuts-and-outsourcing-double-whammy.html

    Get real already! Your slanted views of the world and of the global economy and political ideology have left you both blind and ignorant of the facts. Calling your neighbors, ex-co-workers, friends, and family members (all fellow Americans) “lazy” and wanting to live on a third of their previous income (UI benefits) to pay their mortgages and car payments is just plain ludicrous!

    Many people today were making these same moronic statements a year ago and now find themselves where I am today. I had $40k in the bank 3 years for retirement, now I have ZERO. You thought it was because I was just lazy? Unbelievable!

  41. Funny, you say that I was thinkning there may have been some intent to spark debate ealier as well, but Im a cynic so that thought quickly passed. Its a sad day when something so blatant can divide so many that unfortunetly could inevidably spread like wildfire to them also.

  42. Ok, I am not the Mark spoken of above. Just a little FYI. Also, if you are a 99er and still have no job it’s clear why you are not employed. Again, look in the mirror. And if your not homeless by now you probably are not the only one in your household responsible for paying the bills. Yes, I agree there is a problem out there. But it is not about no jobs. Get up and say today I am getting a job. You get the idea.

  43. Being unemployed is the most dreadful thing that has ever happened to me. I was a productive executive in the newspaper business (and yes; I do know how to spell) for 34 years. I am now 61 and have been out of work for over two years. I have lost everything. Age discrimination is a large part of my problem as are many of the formerly hard working 99er’s. Might I ask how old you are, Nancy?

  44. Then why are you holding out for an extended handout and playing around on the net (and not getting paid for it I may add)? Sharing and comparing pity-me stories with other out-of-work types is certainly not productive. Time to move on. Even better its work time.

  45. This article is just all wrong as it fails to take into account people’s personal experiences. First of all, as someone who is unemployed with an MBA degree, I have several challenges. Those high level jobs that MBAers get are usually due to promotions from within. I was laid off over 3 years ago from a permanent position at a company I worked at due to poor acquisition decisions done in secret by their executives. Even though I worked in the Finance Department, they never consulted me or anyone else in it. Even though my productivity nearly doubled in my final year there. Another reason it is wrong is that ignores the concentration of wealth that has occurred in this country. We need to spread the wealth.

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