Why the 99ers Seem Like the First Unemployment PeopleThe country is in debt. The number of people who live at the poverty level is disgustingly high. It has been for years. The US economy is in the toilet, bailing out banks instead of people. It seems fair to ask why 99ers think that they are entitled to extended benefits when they have already received a lengthy unemployment extension? The simple answer is that they are still jobless. Unemployment and underemployment is not a new concept in America, although it almost seems as if the 99ers are the first unemployed. Some people find a need to distinguish that they are on unemployment not welfare, as if people on welfare are a different breed than them.
Unemployment Insurance Runs Out TooUnemployment is an insurance system paid into by many employers. Employees develop a sense of security and assumption that the money will be there if the unthinkable happens - job loss - and they meet the requirement to receive unemployment benefits. Unemployment is not guaranteed. There are people laid off each day without the support net of unemployment. It is a federal insurance system that created entitlement to some people.
The reality is that every insurance program has a limit, whether it's for your vehicle or medical insurance. The air of entitlement by those who have been lucky enough to get unemployment for two years is something that I don't understand. It is not that I don't have empathy, my empathy is bigger than anyone reading can imagine. It is the unfortunate stories of a few that have tainted the group, like a red sock in with the whites. What I've read are over-exaggerated tales that compare unemployment to millions of Jewish people getting burned. The current plight is a tragedy, I am saying nothing less. Where it got lost was when people termed "unemployment" as "fun-employment" and traveled instead of looked for work. What I feel is a little resentment that the 99ers are mad about not getting more money when I have never heard a peep about gratitude for the extra they received. The 99ers are fortunate even in misfortune. The 99ers got a name for getting the longest terms of unemployment in history...the most money from the government for being on unemployment yet all that is heard is give them more.
Poverty Sucks. How Can 99ers Cope? Unemployment is hard for most people. It is a tragedy in itself that it takes an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression to raise the income limit for food stamps. Now that the middle-upper middle class is impacted, resources are suddenly important. Yet all this time millions of people survived on less money than a 99ers unemployment check, accepted shorter unemployment benefit periods, cried over newspapers and eviction notices, were turned away for food stamps because their income was too high even though their bellies were empty. It is always interesting who is against a social program until it becomes a necessity.
The long term unemployed are not the only college graduates who are unable to find a job in their degree, in their dream career path. An excuse that taking a job that is substandard is going to atrophy skills is ludicrous if that person is currently doing nothing. During the Great Depression men didn't pass up jobs. The 99ers* are not the first people in this country to struggle, fear homelessness, worry about money, downsize, struggle daily just to survive. When a man says he will not apply for any type of welfare assistance, even though he qualifies, and the reason is that he says he was never "taught to beg" yet his voice is bursting ear drums for more unemployment money where there is none, is that not begging? To me, it is worse. It is entitlement dressed up. To think that an application for food stamps is for lesser men is crazy. It is for hungry men. To think that you wont apply for food stamps because it's begging, but you will emotionally manipulate others in the quest to have new legislation written especially for you, I think that is worse than begging.
Everyone deserves food and shelter. Applying for available resources that help people in need is something to endure, I know. Some unemployed need to quickly accept their situation because the government is not going to come through for them. There is no money to offer. I don't think unemployment extensions are the answer. I think that raising the income limits on food stamps and other programs is a start. Eligibility for food stamps has to do with the amount of money you have versus the amount of money that goes out. It is not about total wealth. If you make $1000/month and your rent is $750 then you qualify, unless you have a lot of savings. There are ways to qualify for food stamps. It is a start for some and it is not a shame to use them. Stimulus money helped everyone. Creating jobs impacts more people and not just a select group who were label 99er. The bottom line I guess is that it's not just 99ers who are struggling.
The only condolence I have it to find a way to survive with the things you have, the intelligence that you carry, the love of your family, health, whatever it is you have to be grateful for today.
*The use and lumping of all 99ers into a generic category is not intended. It is based on the very limited interactions and stories of a few 99ers that I personally encountered and is in no way reflective of every 99er or person who is on unemployment. The problem is that when every 99er says they represent all then they distort things, it causes misinterpretations.
**Before slamming me and assuming that I am employed, wealthy, living a kush life, healthy and merry, not verging on homelessness, privileged, or that I speak from a place of judgment because I don't understand being scared, STOP.
...we share miles in our shoes...