U.S. Chronicle wrote an unemployment extension article yesterday requesting that unemployed Americans reach out to us and provide us their opinion as to why they were for or against an unemployment extension. The response was overwhelming.
U.S. Chronicle received over 100 e-mails in the first hour alone. While we cannot reply to all e-mails, we will be reading every e-mail that we receive. We do genuinely appreciate everyone taking the time to reach out to us and hope that they continue to do so.
It’s no surprise that a majority of the e-mails were from unemployed Americans who were for an unemployment extension. Many of the readers sent in very personal, and real stories about their struggles and worries.
By the end of this week, it is estimated that over 2 million unemployed Americans will stop receiving unemployment benefits. The bill, also known as American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 or HR 4213, was split mostly along party lines. Democrats needed 60 votes to avoid a filibuster by the Republican party. The bill is expected to cost billions of dollars of the next decade.
One reader wrote of the ripple effect of the Senate failing to extend unemployment benefits, stating “Since the [unemployment] extension did not pass I do not even have the gas to go for jobs application and interviews.” He will stop receiving unemployment benefits within a week.
Another reader wrote, “I started collecting unemployment benefits in June, 2009. Since that time, I have lost my home, and have had to move back in with my retired parents who are graciously not charging me any rent.”
Another reader titled his e-mail, “Lost and Forgotten”. In that e-mail, he wrote that the, “…Government can bail out the banks, engage in illegal wars and otherwise fund many causes, but cannot manage to extend a lifeline to 5.8 million [Americans] is absolutely unbelievable.”
An unemployed mother without income for four weeks wrote, “Rent is due on the 1st and I have no idea how I will pay it…How am I supposed to feed my child and keep a roof over her head.”
Unfortunately for this reader, she has no one to turn to for help. She wrote, “I am terrified, because at this time, I am alone in this world, I am not kidding. I do not have anyone I can turn to for help. It’s just me.”
This was just five of the 100+ e-mails we received about our readers’ struggle as unemployed Americans, while the Senate continues to debate over the unemployment bill.
U.S. Chronicle will continue to post more responses from our readers regularly. Please e-mail us and let us know whether you are for or against an unemployment extension, and why. We may include your response in an upcoming article.
Short URL: http://www.uschron.com/?p=1402
Posted by Stephanie Lee on Jun 29 2010. Filed under Featured News, Finance, Jobs.
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