Unemployment, COBRA Benefits finalized in Senate

5 Responses to Unemployment, COBRA Benefits finalized in Senate

1. 

   Bob G.

   March 10, 2010 at 7:18 pm

   I would like to give a quick rundown which is actually a “repost” of a comment of mine from another thread, here goes:

   Although some states are in fact proposing and in some cases passing state legislation to extend unemployment insurance, none of the states have any control over the outline “Tiered” system provided under the “federal” plan.

   One must also be careful for states have (like most of us) very limited budgets. Let me give an example of what could happen:

   State “X” passes its own unemployment extension to compensate those that have run out of federal “tiers” (trust me there is not a state in this union that will dish out state money until the federal money is gone).

   State “X’s” bill allows for say 10 weeks of additional assistance, the bill costs the state $10 million. Now working with the average figure of $300/week of benefits distributed on average, which is enough to cover roughly 3,333 unemployed workers.

   State “X” has distributed the funds or has begun distributing funds for unemployed that are cover from date “A” through date “B”. What will happen is simple; if you happen to be unemployed number 3,334 you will qualify but, will not receive benefits for all monies have already been exhausted.

   The only true hope for unemployed Americans is for those elected officials to stop giving tax breaks to employers that send work overseas, really take a sharp look at the H1-B visa ratio, lower that, and finally create jobs/programs in both the technology and manufacturing industries.

   “Green Jobs” and “Highway Jobs” only go so far. Most of those jobs require an extremely manual labor intensive workforce. Which would be fine with the exception that most long-term unemployed in America right now are former “white and blue” collar workers, over the age of 50. You’re not going to find that many American’s in that age bracket that are capable of performing intensive manual labor positions. Even if they were filled, one would only pray the “Health care” bill is passed for I am certain you will find that the amount of “on the job” injuries would be on the rise with 50+ year old Americans out filling “potholes” with shovels, or dangling off “Windmills”

   However, the bottom line is this, no matter what your state representative tells you, they are like the rest of us right now, simply guessing.

   I watched Senator Casey (D-PA) on C-SPAN today, he gave a very nice speech to the Senate referencing things such as, being truthful with the American Public, the need for the “addition” of weeks added to the plan or, another bill to support those Americans that will in fact fall through the “cracks” on the bill which was sent back to the House just hours ago.

   I will pray for some real change in events, changes that reverse the policies set forth during the Bush administration which created the incentive to send jobs overseas, Call Centers, tech jobs, and the like.

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2. 

   B

   March 11, 2010 at 8:15 am

   Employers can legally discriminate against qualified Americans by firing them without cause and recruiting only H-1B guest-workers to replace them. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has said: “H-1B workers may be hired even when a qualified U.S. worker wants the job, and a U.S. worker can be displaced from the job in favor of a foreign worker.” Some companies that discriminate against American workers are so brazen that their job advertisements say “H-1B visa holders only.” And some companies in the United States have workforces that consist almost entirely of H-1B guest-workers.

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3. 

   Lynda Cangemi

   March 11, 2010 at 9:16 am

   I appreciate all you have done to help the unemployed during these most trying times. I am a 60 yr old single woman who is exhausting my 4th tier of unemployment. I am to old to be hired and to young to retire. In three weeks I will be cut off from my unemployment benefits. I will be homeless. Please get me a job or fight to extend my benefits. Please help me.
   Lynda C Cangemi (D)

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   • 

     Editor

     March 11, 2010 at 4:52 pm

     Lynda,

     Let’s wait and see what happens. We are following this story closely as, the bill has been returned to the House for ratification.

     I wish there was more I could do however, WorldNewsVine is start-up “news” project, we are not “hiring” employees at this time.

     We are looking into opening a “Want Ad” section to allow those that are strapped by this recession a place/submit a “Job Wanted” advertisement.

     What is your background and location? Have you tried temporary employment with the Census Bureau? That’s the only government project I can think of that is a “necessity” and won’t face a funding disaster.

     We do have a section on the web that allows for viewers to search for openings all over the US. It is located at http://worldnewsvine.com/worldnewsvine/pages/employment_search.html (right click the link and select “Open in new Window” to remain on this page) On the right had side of the page, beneath “Career Links – Job Search” you will find a list of the most popular search engines job listings. Separated by both region and occupation, you will be able to browse through openings in not only your area but, nationwide. Be patient, the links can be slow, simply click on a link and the middle of the page will populate with the information.

     I do know and mentioned, that Senator Casey has mentioned on the Senate floor the need for additional weeks to be made available. There are millions of Americans in the same “boat” and most are turning to much “cash” strapped groups such as family and friends for assistance.

     I would suggest that you contact the elected officials in your area and ask their advice. Comeback and visit us with your findings.

     I am currently researching an additional article regarding the overall employment situation in America, and am hitting roadblocks at every turn.

     I don’t think anyone really has an answer for the struggling American workers.

     The former administration was in over its head in borrowing money to actively seek out an “enemy of the US” that in many an opinion did not simply exist. Unfortunately now, conservatives that simply voted and approved every penny in support of the war in Iraq, can do nothing more than blame the current administration, and the American Worker for the problems they, the GOP themselves, created.

     Keep an eye on WorldNewsVine, as soon as we have some news regarding this situation, we will let the world know. We’re What Free Speech is All About

     Editor

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4. 

   Diane

   March 11, 2010 at 1:38 pm

   Bob, excellent job fluffing out the whole unemployment “who gets what, where, when and how.”

   Even though folks in our household are in the (sinking) unemployment boat at the moment, you had me laughing out loud about the over 50 crowd (won’t go into ages here, but…). Love how you tie it in with the much-needed, much-misunderstood Healthcare bill.

   I get all my news about this unemployment situation from WorldNewsVine. Yours is the only one I trust for real insights.

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