Does Congress really need to increase UI Benefits beyond 99weeks? Yes, the US economy will begin improving only when Congress stops ignoring the plight of their unemployed constituents in favor of aiding their elitist allies. Congress must stop misguiding and misusing their efforts on their elitist friends, and enact and continue all Tiers necessary, without lapses, to bring about and maintain the stability of the US economy. Stability in the economic recovery, brought on by constant, uninterrupted recurring infusions of money steadily pumped into the economy, shifts the economic indicators from unpredictable to stable. Once these indicators remain measurable and constant, confidence in the economy rises, thereby allowing businesses and consumers to shift concerns from monetary loss, or extreme conservation, to planning improvements and expansion based on anticipated income and expenses.
Congressional stonewalling tactics further increases the cost of, and delays, the stability needed for tangible economic recovery. The more Congress waits directly and negatively affects the time of the economic recovery process. Postponing needs of the Country, the unemployed and the economy only serve to further erode confidence in the US economic outlook, not only here in America, but around the world as well. The US economy has demonstrated during this recession that with interruptions in Tiers: income drops, spending drops, savings deplete, businesses cut hours, layoffs occur, and, some businesses permanently close. In addition, because of congressional apathy concerning additional UI Tiers, unemployed Americans consume all remaining resources, and, when depleted, are forced into homelessness because no other viable alternative exists to sustain their families.
As stagnation occurs in the economy, like the stagnation brought on by extended lapses between UI Tiers, hemorrhaging effects are immediately felt in a lot of US businesses. When extended lapses in Tiers occur: production, consumption and demand decrease as income and spending drop. Negative impacts to income occurs, spending slows which potentially worsen economic recovery efforts. Employed Americans become uncertain about their own job future and begin to save more and spend less, further affecting economic recovery adversely. Manufacturers and Producers of finished goods, if caught in this cycle, are usually in possession of excess inventory supplies that aren't moving to market fast enough to facilitate replenishment, which causes layoffs. Excess inventories not only effect them, but also their Raw Materials suppliers, who, in turn, cut back production and employee hours, and, initiate their own lay offs. Thus, the snowballing, domino effect continues, and, when left unchecked, expands exponentially into most areas of the economy.
As weeks pass into months, or years, on ones' unemployment and financial downward spiral, it becomes virtually impossible to jump track back to employment. Once at the end of congressionally imposed and arbitrary Tiers of UI Benefits provided, inevitably all support and resources cease because the current Congress is impotent and unwilling to expend energy or resources on additional Tiers creation. This group of elected officials will use any agenda, or unworthy news excuse, to further alienate and ignore the unemployed.
President Obama's administration has chosen to concert their efforts in the creation of jobs as announced more than seventeen months ago on November 12, 2009. Since that time no significant, lasting jobs have been created, in fact, more jobs have been lost. And Tier 4, enacted December 17, 2009 with a maximum 20-week lifeline extension, was the last support given, and shown, by the President and Congress. Since March 2010 the first wave of 99ers and their families have tried, and failed, to exist with no resources for housing, food, utilities and employment search expenses - they were unaware how long their government would jerk them with the same tired cliches.
Where are the jobs for the millions of displaced Americans that Obama has been promising would improve the economy for the last two years and counting? Millions of Americans have years without Administration or congressional support. These callous elected officials won't even address what the average unemployed American is to do while waiting for non-existent jobs to miraculously materialize. Congress, however, is quick to support tax breaks for the wealthiest few and the companies they own with little, if any, debate, and lightening speed.
Many Americans are now living two, or more, families in a two bedroom dwelling, and are being evicted at an alarming rate from these deplorable, inhumane and un-American conditions because they haven't the funds between the families residing like sardines-in-a-tin to meet increasing rent or mortgage payments. Court systems throughout the US are encountering the unemployed, not as criminals, but as defendants in court-ordered foreclosure and eviction proceedings. Lawyers and plaintiffs are suing these law-abiding, unemployed Americans to vacate residences, collect delinquent payments, charge with court costs and pay lawyers fees.
It is truly sad that courtrooms are being inundated with once middle-class Americans because Congress refuses to acknowledge them as constituents in need of congressional intervention and support. These once proud Americans, now unemployed by the powers that be, have nowhere to go once forced from residence. Most shelters were operational beyond capacity before this unacceptable onslaught of once middle-class Americans began increasing the numbers and ranks of homeless in the US. The only places left for these newly homeless Americans are the streets of every US city. And even though there are many empty residences throughout the country due to the economic downturn that drags on because of the ineptness of the US congress, these unemployed still remain on the streets because the government refuses to do what is blatantly obvious and necessary to stabilize the economy. Please remember that this current Congress always has time to enact legislation to ensure their elitist friends enjoy tax breaks while America crumbles all around them on their watch.
The greedy get richer while the Middle Class is disappearing into oblivion.