"Unemployed" and "Uninvolved"

Do you resemble the title to my blog post? I've spoken to many unemployed people lately and we have all come to the same conclusion - unemployed and uninvolved.

Tonight, I was directed to a blog on unemployment - From the Trenches World Report. There was an article about 99ers and Tier 5 Unemployment Remedies. Of course, I left a comment - in case you didn't see it, I'll post it here.

You are absolutely right about people hiding behind their computer screen afraid to come out and organize. I have written my blog on unemployment since June 2010, made a speech in Washington DC on 10/2/10 at the RFK Stadium Pre-Event sponsored by UCubed for jobs and unemployment extensions, called and met some of my federal legislators and have visited some of their offices. In addition, I have asked, begged and demanded to speak in front of a Senate Committee on Jobs, Unemployment Extensions, and Finance. Why? Because I'm educated, have tons of common sense, I have a LOT to say and of course, I'm UNEMPLOYED. They NEED to hear from us, the millions in the trenches.

Still there are only two of us (that I know of) in the Metro Denver area of the great state of Colorado that stand up and are heard. Although we are strong-willed, educated women, we are still unemployed, er, long term unemployed, and still don't have people joining in except from behind their monitors.

My friend writes for the Denver Unemployment Examiner, and I write a blog (http://survivingintherecession.blogspot.com). For your readers, please subscribe to this site and our sites too. We deal in FACT, there will be no speculation, no opinions, just the FACTS.

I have been in contact with many organizers and group leaders, we have come to the same conclusion - "unemployed and uninvolved". Perhaps the reason is that people are ashamed to tell others "I'm unemployed", other people are waiting for someone else to protest/argue/fight for them, then there are the ones who are simply rowing up the "River of Denial" with no oars. For those reading this - which one are you?

These are the same people who are in the same boat with me and millions of others. STAND UP AND BE HEARD! For those of you who don't believe it, there IS strength in numbers. I've been saying this all along, yet rarely does anyone contact me.

My friends and I are fighting for all of us - who else will stand up with us? Will it be YOU?

Articles and my comment can be found by clicking here. Browse around the site and read, then find a way or ask how YOU can help.

Remember our politicians were voted into office by US, they just didn't get placed there by another politician. They collect HUGE paychecks because of OUR votes that got them into office.

START MAKING THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU!

Flood their offices with phone calls, and faxes. Make sure they know who YOU are! STOP sitting behind your monitor and get involved with a group. If you don't know of any groups to join forces with, leave me a comment with the state where you reside, I'll find one for you! STOP being "uninvolved", the future you should be fighting for is YOUR FUTURE!

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

FIND AND JOIN A GROUP TODAY!

YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

State Government

Do your State Senators hold "town hall" meetings? How about "coffee meetings"? Did I hear you say No?

I'm a very fortunate person, living in Colorado. My State Senator and State House Representative do hold these meetings - EVERY month! Even though in Colorado our Senators and House Reps are only in session from January to mid May, these "coffee" and "town hall" meetings are held every month. The discussions range from constituent concerns to bills that are coming up for vote. During the town hall meetings, an interesting panel is always put together on a certain topic. Each panelist speaks and then there is a question and answer period.

If you said that your state Senators and House Reps don't do this, call them and ask for it. Your tax dollars and your votes keep these politicians in office. They should work for YOU, like mine do for me.

Tonight, I asked about the way unemployment percentage rates were calculated. We agree that the system and the way percentages are calculated are wrong and a better system needs to be put in place.

Even if your State Representatives are on their break, call their offices anyway. Ask them to investigate ways to obtain the correct percentages.

The message I want to get across is: You never know who can help get the ball rolling if you don't ask.

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!

VOICE YOUR OPINIONS FOR S3706 TO BE PASSED!

JOB CREATION IS NECESSARY! TIER 5 IS NEEDED!

Where does YOUR Unemployment Status Stand?

I was shocked last evening by a phone call from the Colorado unemployment office. The purpose of their call was to make sure that I had received the 6 weeks of unemployment that was due to me and to answer any questions that I had.

For Colorado, this is the information that was given. (for other states links see at the end)

Tier 1 is for 20 weeks or 80% of your claim whichever is lower

Tier 2 is for 14 weeks or 54% of your claim whichever is lower

Tier 3 is for 13 weeks or 5o% of your claim whichever is lower

SEB (state extended benefits) is 13 weeks or 50% of maximum benefits

SEB 2 (state extended benefits) is 7 weeks or 30%

Tier 4 is in some states but not for Colorado at this time (would have been 6 weeks)

The reason for no Tier 4 provision at this time is because Colorado has not had over 8.5% rate of unemployment for 3 months in a row.

This link explains about Colorado.

I asked: What if I move to another state?
Colorado still liable for unemployment for the weeks I have left on my unemployment claim.

What I suggest:
Go to your state unemployment page, look for a link on "extended benefits" or some similar wording. There might be a chart there that explains your unemployment benefits for your state. Keep in mind that ALL states handle unemployment differently!

Arizona Unemployment

State Extended Benefits
Federal Extensions and Additional Compensation can be found at this link.

For Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) click here.

Both links have clear explanations.


If you find the page for YOUR state that provides a chart or information on what the unemployment schedule is - PLEASE leave it in a comment and I'll incorporate it within my blog.

Everyone's help is GREATLY appreciated!

WE STOOD UP AND WERE HEARD!

REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER
WHO WORKED FOR YOU!

HELP THE 99ers!

Unemployment NYC RALLY August 12, 2010

Just in! Hot News!

From @ExtendUENow comes this message.

NYC RALLY AUGUST 12, 2010 FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

NYC RALLY for TIER5 #99ers #TwitterMarch Aug12th
WE AREN'T GIVING UP AND HOPE YOU AREN'T EITHER!
(WITH YOUR HELP!)
This is YOUR organization and we need you!

Press Conference / Rally: Keep the American Dream Alive - Tier Five!

THURSDAY AUGUST 12th

12-1 pm

Federal Hall

26 Wall St.

New York City
(Take train #4 or 5 to Wall St, J, M or Z to Broad St, 2 or 3 to Wall St, 1 to Rector St - exit at Greenwich St, R or W to Rector St - exit at Trinity Place, A or C to Fulton Street - exit at John and Nassau Streets)

Can't go to New York? NO PROBLEM!

You can still help us! Just write Kian and tell her you want to help! We need you to help make this a success! In fact we are counting on you to help, but we need commitments from New Yorkers who will attend come rain or shine, hell or high water!

Are you up for this? Are you ready to give them our demands?

Thursday August 12th from 12 noon until 1 p.m.

We need commitments from unemployed workers from the state of New York and surrounding areas, now!

Write the email address below to tell us you will be there!

Kian, our group coordinator, has already lined up colleagues to help out and she
will spend $100 of her money for permits, signs and printing, but she needs to
know how many people to expect. That is why we need commitments now.

Now is the time to step up and take action!

This rally will be the beginning of a series of town hall meetings and other actions to bring about a Tier 5.


Email Kian at kian_uwag@earthlink.net <-- please copy & paste in email

Federal Hall was the first seat of the United States Government. George Washington took the oath of office here and Federal Hall was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. On Thursday, August 12, the long term unemployed and their supporters, will gather here to demand our elected representatives hear us and help us. We are Americans who, through no fault of our own, lost the careers we spent a lifetime building. Many of us have, or will, lose our homes, our cars and our valued possessions. Most of us have nothing left - no savings, no credit, and no hope. Each week, we hear tragic news of another suicide. The recession is lasting longer than expected, with only one job for every five applicants! Still, WE are told "it has been long enough", "no more unemployment benefits", "tough". Millions are being forced into poverty by their own government, with thousands added to our ranks every week. We will be just a few blocks from the banks bailed out with our tax dollars. Our elected representatives must value the American worker as much as the big bankers. We will not be cast aside as unworthy of support. We will FIGHT for ourselves and our families.

We will DEFEND our right to the American Dream. Please Join Us! UnemployedWorkersActionGroup.com or uwag.org

STAND UP AND BE HEARD FOR THE 99ERS!

My letter to Organizing For America

Did you get a letter from "Organizing For America" today? It told of Wall Street Reform. The following is what I wrote in reply -

Wall Street Reform you say. WHERE IS JOBLESS BENEFIT REFORM? WHERE ARE THE JOBS that supposedly were created? I’ll tell you where they are, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and other such places where my skills are too few to apply. That’s where!

I’m MAD! I’m without an unemployment check because I’m between tiers. Why not have President Obama sign an executive order to extend jobless benefits including the ones for the 99er’s too!

I voted for President Obama – I voted for my Senators (who voted YES), my Representative Mike Coffman voted NO, why should I be treated this way? Answer me that!

I would love nothing better to convoy all unemployed on Washington DC and jam up your streets, perhaps then and only then will you hear us!

Elaine

Aurora, CO

I'm sick and tired of this "game" that is being played out at our expense - the unemployed.

Monday - We're MAD!

So the Senate reconvened today. Did they talk about unemployment? NO they didn't. Apparently, by Sunday, someone will be named to fill Senator Byrd's West Virginia seat. Next week a vote will hopefully be taken - a YES vote.

There are too many of us who have lost benefits. Although I'm not in the 99er category, my unemployment benefits have been suspended between Tier 2 & 3.

We are tired, exhausted, been rejected by prospective employers, we've been called lazy. Personally, I'm tired, no, not tired, exhausted. We are taking a beating at the expense of politicians who, apparently, don't give a damn about us. They refused to make proper jobs, Main Street jobs, available, and now are keeping food off our tables.

ARE YOU MAD?

If you are on Twitter, please organize and use the hashtags #Twittermarch and #unemployment. WE NEED TO ORGANIZE!

Thank you to those of you who have joined the fax/call campaigns. Don't forget about writing an email with your story to WeThePeopleUnited1@gmail.com - your emails will be forwarded to the newsmedia. If you have email addresses for any media source, please write and list them so that we can add to our ever growing list. Tell your friends, get them to write emails too!

Convoy on Washington DC

Keep watching - on Monday, there are a few of us who will decide whether we will need to carpool and convoy to DC. Leave me comments, or write an email, tell us where you are, can you drive, do you need a ride? To be fair, those who might drive will expect to share expenses for gas.

New York State Wants to Hear Your Story

Simply put:

NYSDOL@labor.ny.gov

Write your story to NY State, they want to know - send your letters!

Here are some tweets from #twittermarch via Twitter. These same tweets will be sent to the news media via email.

RT @lotusflowah: @abcnews @cbsnews @nbcnews #unemployment is 9.5%!!! Please tell this story, so #congress will act and extend benefits. #twittermarch

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RT @Truthbuster: Paul Ryan(R-WI) "Deficit-Hawk" voted 4 $9 Tril #Deficits; Iraq, GWBTax Cuts, Med Rx /Energy Acts,FreeTrade BUT NOT 4 #UI

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RT @RockyII: RT @MeMe4u2 Ben Stein on CNN "Unemployment should be extended" #TwitterMarch Stein, a conservative, calls blocking it a cruel act.

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RT @barryrsilver: @senbennelson 17 million reasons ($) 2 not care abt. Unemployed. Primary 2012 soon. #Twittermarch #TierV #99ers #Tweetmarch

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We sure can! RT @CrabbieAnnie: RT @ElaineM925: #TWITTERMARCH Bank reform marchers shut down Wall Street & K Street -- WE CAN TOO!

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RT @ExtendUENow: @BarackObama Please suspend ALL all paychecks to the Senate immediately, until Unemployment Extensions are PASSED! #TwitterMarch

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RT @ScrewTheSenate ScrewTheSenate "Lazy-Ass Americans like being unemployed" talking pt a winner for GOP' Tom Delay got his Lazy Ass kicked!

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@KOSMOSNET @DarrellIssa Issac we want 2 know why U turned ur back on the #unemployed MILLIONS will REMEMBER in NOVEMBER! #twittermarch

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RT @ScrewTheSenate "Lazy-Ass Americans like being unemployed" talking point for GOP http://su.pr/2LmuFK #twittermarch Bull DoodieKacka

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@ScrewTheSenate lazy-ass Tom Delay got his butt kicked pretty good. Though I'm a conservative, I'd say this guy is no mensch. #Twittermarch

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Unemployment Extension Standoff To Continue For At Least Another Week: http://huff.to/9kISpS via @addthis

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#TWITTERMARCH Bank reform marchers shut down Wall Street & K Street -- WE CAN TOO!

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@RockyII @Truthbuster Let @Congress know MILLIONS of unemployed will REMEMBER in NOVEMBER! Unity=POWER #twittermarch #99ers RT

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RT @devbost: To clarify: #GOP are a bunch of thugs for filibustering #UE. But it's obvious Reid could be doing more to break logjam. #twittermarch #p2

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RT @Truthbuster: #GOP /Bush Corp Welfare Cost Taxpayers $1T: US Corps Hoarded Biggest Stash o'Cash in 40 Yrs BUT DIDNT HIRE #p2 #TCOT #UI #twittermarch #2010

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#Twittermarch for the #unemployed - RT @CrabbieAnnie: RT @utbrp Do wealthy Republican Senators think there are no unemployed Republicans? Could be a slight miscalculation on their part.

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RT @ezraklein -Why aren't Senate Democrats angrier at Ben Nelson? - http://bit.ly/9VwEtG #unemployment #Twittermarch #jobs @SenatorReid

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RT @seegee92584: RT @newsbusters Matthews to Democrat: What Percentage of Republicans Would You Put In the 'Nut Bag?' http://is.gd/dpHb0 #twittermarch

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Onorato rips Corbett for remark about unemployment: http://bit.ly/czoi3M via @addthis #papolitics #Twittermarch

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@ElaineM925 <>The problem is there R more than 16 million unemployed more than 16 mill underemployed more than 16 mill homeless >March on DC

ElaineM925 >Lets talk jobs March on Washington put 16 m unemployed back to work, 16 m underemployed, 16 m homeless http://1ideaatatime

@ElaineM925 <> a plan for putting America to work gives hope > A working plan with a target of Zero unemployment > http://1ideaatatime.com

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Senator Mitch McConnell not on Twitter. He is on Facebook, IGNORING pleas from his constituents to RESTORE UNEMPLOYMENT! #TwitterMarch

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STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!

WE ARE UNITED!

BE HEARD - DAY 2

I'm reposting part of the blog from yesterday so that you'll see it and act!

Thank you to the people who have already sent your email stories, they are being forwarded to our ever-growing list of news stations and newspapers.

Unemployment is not something that can't be reported on.

If for some reason you couldn't fax your story to your Senator and/or House Representative, if you couldn't call, or show up to protest their NO Votes on HR 4213 and HR 5618, we have another way for your voice to be heard.

This way makes it very easy. A few of us have gotten together and set up a central email box for you to send in your stories. We don't care if you are single, married, families, or anyone else - YOUR story COUNTS! All we ask is that your name be included in the email. When your email is received, we will FORWARD them - each individually - to a variety of newspapers and news stations. We have been researching email addresses all day. If anyone has email addresses for newspapers and tv stations to add to our list, please send them to the address below, they will be added.

Please send your story to (copy and paste the address):

wethepeopleunited1@gmail.com

Let's let our country know that Unemployment IS A REAL issue, and that WE want to have it reported on!

As you all know by now, my saying has been STAND UP AND BE HEARD! I've posted everything from saving money to unemployment within my blog. My main concern these days is to help get the facts out about unemployment. All along I have supported many different campaigns, faxing, calling, and emails. All the information on how to do this from the comfort of your living room has been given. One day, I had the opportunity to read another blog that was promoting a protest at each and every state capitol. I may have even blogged on it. My comment on that blog was that at STATE level, what will a protest do? In my eyes, NOTHING. My suggestion was to look up each NAY saying Senator and House Rep in each state (which can be found within my June/July postings) at their individual local offices. Everyone has a local office, but not everyone can travel so far to visit the capitol. Again, in my eyes, serves no purpose. Others have used the "protest the local office" approach ... read about it! Unemployment Extension: Protesters At 3 Republican Offices - it does work! I'm going to go to my local House Representatives office. Perhaps I'll sit there all day, bringing along some coffee, lunch and snacks.

We CAN do this! Doesn't have to be on a certain day or at a certain time, even though you will be heard better in numbers.

Go, DO IT! DO IT THIS WEEK!



While browsing around this morning, there were several different articles found as well as a blog which I read. The blog really hit home - you may wish to read it too - http://mylifeonthedole.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-do-you-say-to-friend.html

Starting a New Job?

I felt wonderful after reading this article - Healing the Scars of a Long Bout of Unemployment. When you've been unemployed for more than 6 months, you may feel this way too.

Now, onto the news!

From the White House

White House supports emergency passage of jobless benefits - Unemployment benefits should be considered emergency spending and paying for them isn't a likely option, a White House official said Wednesday. Yes, we all think this - why is there no action? Continue reading ......

When You are Hungry, It is Time to Do Something About It

In these hard times, some families, single parents, and single people need help. At this website - Food Stamps On-Line: A Review of State Government Food Stamp Websites, you can find out about the Food Stamp Program in your state. The website has not been updated since December 18, 2009 but it will provide where to call about assistance. We are proud people who have worked hard all our lives but if you're hungry - get the help you need.

If you should call them, ask about other services too!

Where do These Numbers Come From?

In this article - Initial claims drop last week but remain high - it's stated: New claims for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, a sign that layoffs could be slowing. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of Americans are losing jobless aid because Congress has yet to pass an extension of benefits. Continue reading, even if you don't believe these numbers.

Interviews

Did you know that some questions are illegal to ask during an interview? Read the article about how a question should and shouldn't be asked. 6 Illegal Interview Questions to Avoid

JOBS

North Carolina - IBM

IBM subsidiary to add 600 jobs in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina - find them here.

Times Have Changed

Being a baby-boomer and unemployed, life has certainly changed from the ole' days. Back when I was 16, jobs were easy to find as everyone wanted to hire a teenager. In my 20s, as experienced was gained, jobs were still easy to find. This trend of finding jobs continued throughout my 30s and my 40s. Throughout the years, I've had several different jobs, some of them using the skills I had acquired and refined, and others by learning new skills. While in my 40s, I took some college classes which opened new opportunities for me. While in these new jobs, one thing was missing, how would I climb the ladder further than where my skills had taken me. Now unemployed, those old ways no longer serve me well. The job market is down, during my searches only the extremely specialized person gets the job that I once had. Back to square one I guess, of course, it won't be back to Burger King or the retail department store where my "real jobs" started. I'm hopeful to land somewhere in the middle as an office manager or supervisor.

My very shortened story is a lead-in for how a younger man tries to find the right job while hearing stories from his parents and grandparents. Some lessons are well learned. American Dream Is Elusive for New Generation can be found here.

Good Laugh

After worrying about bills, and unemployment - this link was tweeted on Twitter. Get
those tissues ready, I laughed so hard tears were streaming down my face.

Clueless Secretary Prompts Hilarious Office Email Thread - make sure you read from the top down.

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

THE OLD WAYS MAY NOT WORK FOR TODAY!

Unemployment - continues

It's not over yet folks. There are 5 more days before the Senate returns and hopefully a YES vote on continuing jobless benefits will be obtained.

Here are some stories from today:

Why the GOP is blocking!

Red card for the Republicans - Blocking jobless benefits is foul play - this sure is the truth! Read about why here.

Florida

Jobless benefits running out for 147,000 Floridians this week - are you a Floridian? Fax, and call your Senators offices (you can find their numbers by state - on my blog How to fax .... ). Call and email your local news stations. Tell them your stories! The article continues by reading here.

Kentucky

Do you belong to the AFL-CIO? Are you in "protest mode"? The Kentucky AFL-CIO will be demonstrating there to protest McConnell's leadership of Republicans against the extension of federal unemployment benefits. Join in! Numbers matter! Senate Republicans face protesters demanding unemployment benefit extension. Continue reading here.

Colorado

Want to read real stories on real people and the way that unemployment has affected them? Wait no longer - Jobless losing safety net as stimulus funds run out - this article from the Denver Post tells all.

Massachusetts

An open letter to Senator Brown - apparently, he doesn't get why unemployment extensions will SAVE our country! Go long, Senator Brown

National

Why did unemployment percentages rates drop? Delay On Unemployment Extension Benefits More About Politics Then the Economy - Continue reading here.

The United States is headed for an even worse deficit should unemployment benefits extensions not pass. This next article explains - most important read if you are a baby boomer, like me!

Extending unemployment benefits isn’t free, of course, and has the potential to keep unemployed workers out of jobs for longer. But it could also be preventing a “lost generation,” economists say. That generation is the crop of 50-somethings who might have worked for another decade. Their outlook isn’t bright. Continue reading ....

Unemployment Extension Standoff, Day 36: Blaming The Unemployed - Why won't Congress reauthorize unemployment benefits for people who've been out of work for longer than six months? This is something we have all asked - find out the answer here.

Corporations Sit On $1.8 Trillion Until They Get Their Way - and let's NOT give them their way. It's corporations, no matter how big or small, that have us unemployed and having to scrape for food, paying bills, and clothing your families.

An excerpt from Crooks and Liars - Note to those who insist on Obama's corporatist stature: Corporations aren't happy. They're kind of angry, actually, because after all the years of freedom from regulation, they're being regulated. And they're being regulated by a Democratic administration, which means they're actually being effectively regulated. Continue reading .....

More ways to Contact the News Media

More on unemployment - I will be posting the ways to contact ABC, NBC, CBS and other national news stations and newspapers. New campaign - tell them your stories! See blog titled: BE HEARD EDITION.

SPECIAL EDITION - UNEMPLOYMENT DAY 3

SPECIAL BLOG SHOUT OUT to http://dcrevolt.blogspot.com/. I have listed them on the right hand side of this page as well for convenience of finding again.

Thank you to @Mitchwyo and @chrisbearkat for answering my question why Harry Reid voted no on his own bill. Their answer - To ask for a reconsideration he has to vote on the winning side - so he intends to ask for another vote.

UPDATE - SENATE VOTES

The Senate has thrown us under the bus, swept us under the rug, given us our "death sentences". The vote to extend unemployment was 58 yea and 38 nay. I will post the vote tally once it is available online at the Senate site.

In the meantime, I'm happy that both of my Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet of Colorado voted YEA. For those of you who have Senators that voted NAY, we need to UNITE, protest their offices. I encourage the protest on local offices of each Senator, protesting on your state capitol will only affect the STATE vote and they don't count at this point.

Personally, I will help each and everyone of you to put your denying Senator out of office in November by using my blog as a "home base" for all. It's my personal goal to make sure that EACH AND EVERY one of us is represented by Senators and House Reps that WORK FOR US!

They see fit to bailout banks and car manufacturers with OUR money, give themselves RAISES with OUR money, but kill us off in the end. THIS MUST STOP!

Further updates will continue as they come available!

UPDATE - SENATE VOTE TALLIES

Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4213, with the Reid Amendment No. 4425 )
Vote Number:	204	Vote Date:	June 30, 2010, 08:01 PM
Required For Majority:	3/5	Vote Result:	Cloture Motion Rejected
Measure Number:	H.R. 4213 (American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 )
Measure Title:	A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes.

Vote Counts:	YEAs	58
	NAYs	38
	Not Voting	3

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Alphabetical by Senator Name

Akaka (D-HI), Yea Alexander (R-TN), Nay Barrasso (R-WY), Nay Baucus (D-MT), Yea Bayh (D-IN), Yea Begich (D-AK), Yea Bennet (D-CO), Yea Bennett (R-UT), Nay Bingaman (D-NM), Yea Bond (R-MO), Not Voting Boxer (D-CA), Yea Brown (D-OH), Yea Brown (R-MA), Nay Brownback (R-KS), Nay Bunning (R-KY), Nay Burr (R-NC), Nay Burris (D-IL), Yea Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Cardin (D-MD), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea Casey (D-PA), Yea Chambliss (R-GA), Nay Coburn (R-OK), Nay Cochran (R-MS), Nay Collins (R-ME), Yea Conrad (D-ND), Yea Corker (R-TN), Nay Cornyn (R-TX), Nay Crapo (R-ID), Nay DeMint (R-SC), Not Voting Dodd (D-CT), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea Durbin (D-IL), Yea

Ensign (R-NV), Nay Enzi (R-WY), Nay Feingold (D-WI), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea Franken (D-MN), Yea Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea Graham (R-SC), Nay Grassley (R-IA), Nay Gregg (R-NH), Nay Hagan (D-NC), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Nay Hutchison (R-TX), Nay Inhofe (R-OK), Nay Inouye (D-HI), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Nay Johanns (R-NE), Nay Johnson (D-SD), Yea Kaufman (D-DE), Yea Kerry (D-MA), Yea Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea Kyl (R-AZ), Nay Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Leahy (D-VT), Yea LeMieux (R-FL), Nay Levin (D-MI), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Nay McCain (R-AZ), Nay McCaskill (D-MO), Yea

McConnell (R-KY), Nay Menendez (D-NJ), Yea Merkley (D-OR), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Murkowski (R-AK), Nay Murray (D-WA), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Nay Pryor (D-AR), Yea Reed (D-RI), Yea Reid (D-NV), Nay Risch (R-ID), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Not Voting Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea Sanders (I-VT), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shaheen (D-NH), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Nay Snowe (R-ME), Yea Specter (D-PA), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Yea Tester (D-MT), Yea Thune (R-SD), Nay Udall (D-CO), Yea Udall (D-NM), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Nay Voinovich (R-OH), Nay Warner (D-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea Wicker (R-MS), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Yea

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---58
Akaka (D-HI) Baucus (D-MT) Bayh (D-IN) Begich (D-AK) Bennet (D-CO) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Burris (D-IL) Cantwell (D-WA) Cardin (D-MD) Carper (D-DE) Casey (D-PA) Collins (R-ME) Conrad (D-ND) Dodd (D-CT) Dorgan (D-ND) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Feinstein (D-CA)	Franken (D-MN) Gillibrand (D-NY) Hagan (D-NC) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Johnson (D-SD) Kaufman (D-DE) Kerry (D-MA) Klobuchar (D-MN) Kohl (D-WI) Landrieu (D-LA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (ID-CT) Lincoln (D-AR) McCaskill (D-MO) Menendez (D-NJ) Merkley (D-OR) Mikulski (D-MD)	Murray (D-WA) Nelson (D-FL) Pryor (D-AR) Reed (D-RI) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Shaheen (D-NH) Snowe (R-ME) Specter (D-PA) Stabenow (D-MI) Tester (D-MT) Udall (D-CO) Udall (D-NM) Warner (D-VA) Webb (D-VA) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---38
Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bennett (R-UT) Brown (R-MA) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID)	Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Gregg (R-NH) Hatch (R-UT) Hutchison (R-TX) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) LeMieux (R-FL) Lugar (R-IN)	McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Murkowski (R-AK) Nelson (D-NE) Reid (D-NV) Risch (R-ID) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Voinovich (R-OH) Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 3
Bond (R-MO)	DeMint (R-SC)	Roberts (R-KS)

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Grouped by Home State

Alabama:	Sessions (R-AL), Nay	Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Alaska:	Begich (D-AK), Yea	Murkowski (R-AK), Nay
Arizona:	Kyl (R-AZ), Nay	McCain (R-AZ), Nay
Arkansas:	Lincoln (D-AR), Yea	Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California:	Boxer (D-CA), Yea	Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Colorado:	Bennet (D-CO), Yea	Udall (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut:	Dodd (D-CT), Yea	Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Delaware:	Carper (D-DE), Yea	Kaufman (D-DE), Yea
Florida:	LeMieux (R-FL), Nay	Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Georgia:	Chambliss (R-GA), Nay	Isakson (R-GA), Nay
Hawaii:	Akaka (D-HI), Yea	Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Idaho:	Crapo (R-ID), Nay	Risch (R-ID), Nay
Illinois:	Burris (D-IL), Yea	Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Indiana:	Bayh (D-IN), Yea	Lugar (R-IN), Nay
Iowa:	Grassley (R-IA), Nay	Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Kansas:	Brownback (R-KS), Nay	Roberts (R-KS), Not Voting
Kentucky:	Bunning (R-KY), Nay	McConnell (R-KY), Nay
Louisiana:	Landrieu (D-LA), Yea	Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Maine:	Collins (R-ME), Yea	Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland:	Cardin (D-MD), Yea	Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts:	Brown (R-MA), Nay	Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Michigan:	Levin (D-MI), Yea	Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Minnesota:	Franken (D-MN), Yea	Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi:	Cochran (R-MS), Nay	Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Missouri:	Bond (R-MO), Not Voting	McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
Montana:	Baucus (D-MT), Yea	Tester (D-MT), Yea
Nebraska:	Johanns (R-NE), Nay	Nelson (D-NE), Nay
Nevada:	Ensign (R-NV), Nay	Reid (D-NV), Nay
New Hampshire:	Gregg (R-NH), Nay	Shaheen (D-NH), Yea
New Jersey:	Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea	Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico:	Bingaman (D-NM), Yea	Udall (D-NM), Yea
New York:	Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea	Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina:	Burr (R-NC), Nay	Hagan (D-NC), Yea
North Dakota:	Conrad (D-ND), Yea	Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Ohio:	Brown (D-OH), Yea	Voinovich (R-OH), Nay
Oklahoma:	Coburn (R-OK), Nay	Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Oregon:	Merkley (D-OR), Yea	Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania:	Casey (D-PA), Yea	Specter (D-PA), Yea
Rhode Island:	Reed (D-RI), Yea	Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
South Carolina:	DeMint (R-SC), Not Voting	Graham (R-SC), Nay
South Dakota:	Johnson (D-SD), Yea	Thune (R-SD), Nay
Tennessee:	Alexander (R-TN), Nay	Corker (R-TN), Nay
Texas:	Cornyn (R-TX), Nay	Hutchison (R-TX), Nay
Utah:	Bennett (R-UT), Nay	Hatch (R-UT), Nay
Vermont:	Leahy (D-VT), Yea	Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Virginia:	Warner (D-VA), Yea	Webb (D-VA), Yea
Washington:	Cantwell (D-WA), Yea	Murray (D-WA), Yea
West Virginia:	Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Wisconsin:	Feingold (D-WI), Yea	Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Wyoming:	Barrasso (R-WY), Nay	Enzi (R-WY), Nay

=================================

Round and round we go. From the Senate to the House yesterday with HR 5618 (the stand-alone bill) which was defeated (see older post from yesterday on the vote tally), now today we have the Senate again.

Senator Harry Reid submitted for vote today an amendment (S. Amdt 4425) which amends HR 4213 which was voted out last week (or was it on Monday, this week). This bill and amendments can be found at http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_teasers/active_leg_page.htm.

As I watch CSPAN, US Senate proceedings, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is explaining how unemployment is necessary and now is reading those faxes that people sent to him.

CAMPAIGN DOES WORK!
KEEP FAXING AND CALLING!

I encourage all that are able to do so, watch CSPAN (Directv channel 351).

Nevada - Take Action

Stop Sharron Angle!

Sharron Angle retreats a bit, but mostly stands ground - find article here. She is against unemployment extensions and other such matters where YOU the voter are concerned.

SPECIAL EDITION - UNEMPLOYMENT DAY 2

The weather here is killing me, pain in my knees is unreal - so I took a nap.

UPDATE 1:22pm MDT

I watched the vote via CSPAN - the bill HR 5618 did NOT pass as previously stated - the vote was 261-155 and we needed 2/3 vote for passage. Please continue phone and fax campaigns!
I will post the voting records as soon as they are available online.

UPDATE 6:40pm MDT

Senators Reid, Baucus Unveil New Unemployment Measure - http://senatus.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/reid-baucus-unveil-new-unemployment-measure/


=================================================

I was woken up by my phone ringing and news of HR 5618, a stand-alone unemployment bill going through the House of Representatives. This bill has passed through the House.

Now all those faxes need to keep going to the Senators who voted NO on the original bill HR 4213. We need to push them to a YES vote! Please remind them all that THEIR JOBS are on the line should they vote NO! Use the line - We'll Remember in November!

House of Representatives

At this link from the CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS, LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 29, 2010, 111TH CONGRESS - SECOND SESSION - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.5618: - the text of the bill has not been posted yet - here's the text found there - The text of H.R.5618 has not yet been received from GPO Bills are generally sent to the Library of Congress from the Government Printing Office a day or two after they are introduced on the floor of the House or Senate. Delays can occur when there are a large number of bills to prepare or when a very large bill has to be printed.

At this link- the main link for Current House Floor Proceedings for today June 29, 2010. http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html browse down to the page to the time of 1:12pm - click on HR 5618 for more information. (in addition, see below for the information that is posted)

H.R.5618
Title: To continue Federal unemployment programs.
Sponsor: Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] (introduced 6/28/2010) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/28/2010 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Open Congress

At the Open Congress website: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h5618/show read what they reported on - H.R.5618 - Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010.

Huffington Post

From the Huffington Post - Unemployment Benefits: House To Vote On Standalone Bill
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/29/unemployment-benefits-hou_n_628627.html

As more information on this bill is received, it will be posted. Please check back for updates. I will also use my Twitter account: ElaineM925 to report updates with #unemployment.

On one of these sites, I had read, but can't believe until the bill text is out, that the extra $25 per week that we have received in addition to our regular unemployment will no longer be available in the "extension". That's $100/month! Please wait before broadcasting that until the bill text can be read.

After Downing Street

House to Vote on Stand-Alone Unemployment Insurance Bill Today - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/53573

Total Bankruptcy

Congressional Disputes Hamper Unemployment Extensions - http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/blog/congressional-disputes-hamper-unemployment-extensions/

Rep Sander Levin - article and video

Rep. Sander Levin formally introduces standalone federal unemployment benefit extension bill - http://www.mlive.com/michigan-job-search/index.ssf/2010/06/rep_sander_levin_formally_introduces_sta.html


Please do your part by calling both Representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA-7) and Sander Levin (D-MI-12) for reintroducing the "extenders bill" under stand-alone HR 5618.

Rep Jim McDermott: Phone: (202) 225-3106, Fax: (202) 225-6197

Rep Sander Levin: Phone: (202) 225-4961, Toll Free: (888) 810-3880,
Fax: (202) 226-1033

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

Please feel free to leave comments! They are encouraged and welcome!

Unemployment - Special Edition

Millions of us have lost or are losing our unemployment benefits, COBRA ARRA benefits etc. This has all happened because the Senators couldn't get their acts together.

I encourage each and every one of you to write letters and fax them to ALL Senators OR at least to the ones who denied us "extended benefits".

This is where you can find the list of Senators with their fax numbers - http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

These are the names of the Senators and how they voted - this list comes from this link -
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00200

Alphabetical by Senator Name

Akaka (D-HI), Yea Alexander (R-TN), Nay Barrasso (R-WY), Nay Baucus (D-MT), Yea Bayh (D-IN), Yea Begich (D-AK), Yea Bennet (D-CO), Yea Bennett (R-UT), Nay Bingaman (D-NM), Yea Bond (R-MO), Nay Boxer (D-CA), Yea Brown (D-OH), Yea Brown (R-MA), Nay Brownback (R-KS), Nay Bunning (R-KY), Nay Burr (R-NC), Nay Burris (D-IL), Yea Byrd (D-WV), Not Voting Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Cardin (D-MD), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea Casey (D-PA), Yea Chambliss (R-GA), Nay Coburn (R-OK), Nay Cochran (R-MS), Nay Collins (R-ME), Nay Conrad (D-ND), Yea Corker (R-TN), Nay Cornyn (R-TX), Nay Crapo (R-ID), Nay DeMint (R-SC), Nay Dodd (D-CT), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea Durbin (D-IL), Yea

Ensign (R-NV), Nay Enzi (R-WY), Nay Feingold (D-WI), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea Franken (D-MN), Yea Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea Graham (R-SC), Nay Grassley (R-IA), Nay Gregg (R-NH), Nay Hagan (D-NC), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Nay Hutchison (R-TX), Nay Inhofe (R-OK), Nay Inouye (D-HI), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Nay Johanns (R-NE), Nay Johnson (D-SD), Yea Kaufman (D-DE), Yea Kerry (D-MA), Yea Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea Kohl (D-WI), Yea Kyl (R-AZ), Nay Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Leahy (D-VT), Yea LeMieux (R-FL), Nay Levin (D-MI), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Nay McCain (R-AZ), Nay McCaskill (D-MO), Yea McConnell (R-KY), Nay

Menendez (D-NJ), Yea Merkley (D-OR), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Murkowski (R-AK), Not Voting Murray (D-WA), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Nay Pryor (D-AR), Yea Reed (D-RI), Yea Reid (D-NV), Yea Risch (R-ID), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Nay Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea Sanders (I-VT), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shaheen (D-NH), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Nay Snowe (R-ME), Nay Specter (D-PA), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Yea Tester (D-MT), Yea Thune (R-SD), Nay Udall (D-CO), Yea Udall (D-NM), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Nay Voinovich (R-OH), Nay Warner (D-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea Wicker (R-MS), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Yea

Here is a letter that I found on another blog site to fax to each Senator.

Senator,

My condolences on the passing of Mr. Byrd. He was a true American leader, and he will be missed.

My reason to write this today is simple; Americans are truly in need of a helping hand out of the current economic trouble they find themselves in. Jobs availability is scarce and unemployment has ran out for many hundreds of thousands. The social assistance organizations by and large are under funded and cannot meet the demand of the masses, this is a FACT, you know it, and I know it.

Somehow, this has to be met with a one-two-three knock out punch. I have an idea that will work for the short term, after that, it will guide its self, hands off.

First, pass a decent jobs bill to allow funds to flow to business owners for hiring new employees, include a “special-tax reduction” for hiring workers that have been on unemployment one (1) year, or longer, include the suggested F.I.C.A. tax incentive that was presented earlier in congress. Include the job training reimbursement, and maintain these to the end of 2010 for a start off point.

Second, economically speaking, this situation we find ourselves in is destroying my, yours, and everybody else’s way of life, this is non-debatable, it is a fact.
Endless articles have been published regarding how the American way of life is going down the drain, as we stand by and watch it. I will not ramble on about the soon-to-be-homeless, or the bickering in the halls of the Senate or House of Reps. One side wants one thing, the other wants something else in ANY bill, no, you cannot agree on everything, but you MUST agree on “A” thing.

Prior to you going on your July 4th break, lets give us a reason to celebrate America on the 4th.(the reason is that congress does work for the people that voted for them) Provide a package that includes an, “expanded Tier 4 or a new Tier 5” to the EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT situation. Carry it on to the end of the year. You know it is needed, I know it is needed, and everybody else knows it is needed. It seems the partial passage of, H.R. 4213 is now a done deal, as there was excessively much partisan this-for-that in it, some was good, some was not so good.

The “A” thing I refer to is a, “STAND-ALONE” emergency unemployment insurance compensation
Bill, it MUST cover the whole spectrum of need, newly unemployed to those near, at, or past the 99 weeks already extended, yes, it needs to be done again, the economy, as a whole is depending on it, as the threat of deflation looms, it is crucial to pump additional stimulus money out there, Mr. Bernanke and endless top economists have made the same statement. You know it to be true, if not, you are in denial, and this is not good as this is a election year for you “all” inside the beltway. Hammering this all out will not be easy, but it NEEDS to be done, like yesterday, we all know the money is already there, so this cannot be used as an excuse like it will add to the deficit, this is also de-bunkable, yet, another true fact.

Third point is this, create a, “National catastrophic emergency unemployment insurance fund that goes beyond what has already been done, as in constant extensions being renewed every couple of months, (as if it will go away in that time frame, this is narrow minded, true yet again).

I ask that you help the people out, here in the United States of America. These tough times are new, and require new thoughts as how to fix them. The reason we are in these tough times are many, and I feel strongly that we CAN fix them with a few suggestions provided by people from outside of the DC Beltway.
After all, WE are the PEOPLE in,” WE the PEOPLE”

Thank you for your time in, not only reading this, but thank you for implementing these ideas into your schedule, I know you will, as it IS the correct thing to do.

Remember to sign your name and give your address so that it will count. Tell them that you will promote "no re-election" via Social Media.

Some of the information on this page was contributed by: www.twitter.com/BOILING_SKIES

Most of all

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

DON'T ALLOW THE NAY SAYERS TO KILL US!

Take Your Dog to Work Day

As the title says, according to daily holidays, it is take your dog to work day. If you are working and have a dog, did you take him along? Think of how much fun that would be.

The temperature rose to 102 degrees in downtown Denver for the first time since 2008. Last year, because of the crazy weather we had there were no over 100 degree days. Thinking back, I was thankful for that.

Notes from the Home Front

I can actually say that I don't know which emotion hit me more today. I could be sad, upset, angered, or having that "I just don't care" moment. Does anyone know the fate of unemployment benefits? Is anyone else feeling as I am?

The cucumber plants are beginning to sprout more yellow/orange flowers!

At the Denver Art Museum, there is a huge exhibit of King Tut's treasures. CBS 4 Denver is holding a contest to win tickets to the show, and then will have a drawing for a 50 inch HDTV. Guess who won 2 tickets? ME! I'm really excited about this and will take a very dear friend with me.

Unemployment News

Does this article come as any surprise? My answer - NO! What's your answer? *Now* Snowe thinks jobless benefits are critical - one day after Senator Snowe voted nay on the "extenders bill", there is a change of heart. Even if Senator Snowe had voted yes, the bill still wouldn't have passed. Read the full article.....

H. R. 4213 is Dead

When Senators kill a bill, they look for other ways to revive it - this is like dying then someone gives you CPR and brings you back to life. H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently - in the meantime, millions of unemployed people will lose their homes, be evicted from apartments, run to the food bank, and be left to wonder, how much worse can this get? Read the article, make up your own mind.

National News

Oil Spill

I just couldn't bring myself to watch anything on the oil spill today. Business owners taking their lives in the Gulf, no full reimbursements on claims, Florida shores with oil, animals dying from the oil, and what are the dispersants doing to the Gulf waters below what we can see.

Recalls

Kellogg's the cereal company has a voluntary recall of 4 cereals. The reason for the recall is that a strange odor is coming from inside the box - suspected that it is in the bag with the cereal in. Read the full article.

Tech News

iPhone 4

Are you one of those people who have to run out, then stand in line for the latest and greatest in technology? Did you purchase the new iPhone 4? Do you have a strong grip when holding your phone? This is the reported problem on why you would drop calls, get odd colors and other such things on your new phone. The remedy - buy an iPhone case. Read more about it.

Local News

Colorado Gets Funding

On the job training will be funded by Colorado for the long-time unemployed is the news of the day. After reading the article, I wrote to my State Senator and asked for clarification, where to find out which businesses will offer on the job training, and where to get signed up. As of this writing, I have not heard anything. In the meantime, here's the article link.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS!

National Handshake Day

OUCH! Another 95 degree day, and that was around 4pm MDT. Tonight, there is a nice breeze coming in. Tomorrow, we're supposed to get up in the 100's, thankfully, the humidity here is low.

Notes from the Home Front

Two more rejection letters today - I don't always note them here but with the way things are going downhill, thought I would mention them. My new internet provider and services from them are exceptional and I was able to watch a live show on UStream. Now to find the money to upgrade the ram in my laptop from 1 gig to 2 gig. At least I won't have to pay someone to change out the ram.

Unemployment News

It saddens me that H.R.4213 aka "the extenders bill" did not pass. Apparently, the GOP thinks that we are lazy and just want a hand out this comes from the same party who wanted anyone on unemployment to get drug tests. For crying out loud, who is crazy here? Read the article, find out how your Senators voted, then vote them out in November. It's their fault by voting to spend money here and there on duplicate programs etc that they don't have the money to spend on us.

The GOP Sweeps Us Under the Rug

Nearly 1 million people who had been receiving extended unemployment benefits have lost them due to the congressional inaction; Senate Republicans, joined by one Democrat, Nebraska's Ben Nelson, voted to block a measure that would have extended those benefits until December. Read the rest of the article.

How to get Congress' attention

2010 Unemployment Extension -- Best Idea Ever to Get Congress' Attention - read it here.

Let's get together and convoy to Washington DC in protest. I'm serious about my convoy idea and anyone who wants to join in, tell someone, let them tell others etc. Our government can't allow this to be our "death sentence".

National News

New Mexico

Did you know that New Mexico was lost? Those of us who are really "in the know" know that New Mexico is located in the western part of the US just south of Colorado, east of Arizona and north of Texas. Read how New Mexico was lost in cyberspace.

Louisiana

Governor Bob Jindal states that no one in Louisiana wants an unemployment check. Learn about what he does want for his state by reading the article.

President Obama and Border Security

Obama Administration Announces New Border Security Measures, The Obama Administration announced Wednesday that it will station an aerial drone in Texas as part of its stepped-up surveillance of criminal trafficking along the Mexican border. Do you think that he really wants to end illegal immigration or just give them all green cards or visas? Even though I voted for him, I don't always agree with his thinking. As you may have understood from all my prior posts, illegal immigration needs to stop, they need to be sent back to their country. Let Calderon take care of them. Read the article.

If reading about what the White House wants is your thing, continue reading this report: Amnesty on White House's mind - here.

Tweet of the Day - Call Hilda Solis

CALL Labor Secy to express outrage over remarks that illegals should receive same pay as citizens: 1 202 693 6000

Tech News

While searching for a registry cleaner where I could control what will be deleted or not, I came across a good tech site. It's the Place for Answers - asknerd.net.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

CALL YOUR SENATORS! CALL HILDA SOLIS!

THINK ABOUT THE CONVOY ON WASHINGTON DC!

Let It Go Day!

It was a balmy 95 degrees yesterday but only in the mid 80s today. In my area, we've had no rain in days, we really need it since we are a mile high the sun is that much closer than for the land at sea level. At least we rarely suffer from high humidity.

Notes from the Home Front

Nothing much out of the normal going on although some of the cucumber plants have flowers on them.

National News

Immigration

Illegal immigrant families leave Arizona and its tough new law for other parts of US - I'm sure that many of us hope they aren't moving into our states and before they can, our states will enact the same laws as Arizona's SB1070. Read the article!

Police chief: Cartels threaten U.S. law enforcement in Arizona - If you didn't understand why SB1070 is needed in Arizona, perhaps after reading this article, you'll support that state too!

Oil Spew

Judge blocks 6-month moratorium on Gulf deepwater drilling - I just don't see how "big business" could take our government to court for this. Read the article by CNN.

Homeless

I don't understand nor do I agree that we should have so many homeless people in our country. This also goes for giving help to other countries before tending to our own first. As I wrote last week, it was reported on CSPAN2 (US Senate) that closed army/navy/air force bases were to be used to house the homeless but because of some bill enacted by Senate members years ago, this isn't being done. So without further adieu, read how America Finally Has a Plan to End Homelessness.

South Carolina Town Bans Singing

The Town of Sullivan's Island is voting to ban singing and other such annoyances from their streets in order to keep peace. Read about how they will go about this.

Unemployment News

H.R. 4213 seemingly goes on life support at the moment - the beat is dying a slow long drawn out death. Many people have already lost their unemployment insurance benefits without securing a job, what should they do? Read what one blogger writes.

Local News

Democrats say veterans want Norton ad taken down - for those who don't live in Colorado, Jane Norton has been reported for years for her stand against veterans and other groups. She is poison to us and shouldn't be allowed to run for any office. Perhaps she needs to be put out on the front line where these veterans have been while fighting for a free America. Read about her ad.

My Verizon Update

On Monday, I replaced my Verizon Air Card (Pantech UM-175) with cable internet. The speeds are incredible and of course, I no longer need to worry about exceeding the 5 gig limit each month. While on the phone with Verizon, I pulled up my account online, the tech who was supposed to monitor my account and credit any overage didn't do what was expected. I will deduct that overage amount from my bill and deal with it accordingly. Thankfully, someone in Executive Services did mark my account so that my air card service was month to month so that I didn't have to pay a termination fee (prorated).

There will be more on this but for now, I'm dealing with a higher agency regarding the software bug issues that each and every user experiences.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

TAKE A STAND AGAINST BAD POLITICIANS!