Showing posts with label Bush tax cuts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bush tax cuts. Show all posts
Friday, December 10, 2010
#99ers: Expect no help.
President Obama did not received sufficient Republican concessions in exchange for extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone, including millionaires. House Democrats obviously feel similarly. Do not think this bold act by House Dems holds any significance for the 99ers. Nancy Pelosi has never had the votes to add a TierV. Until Speaker Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn or any Senate Dem mentions TierV as a requirement to pass an extension of tax cuts, assume 99ers are still left out in the cold. 15 shopping days left until Christmas.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
This is compromise? I'd hate to surrender.
I am sure that had there been a network interview of Robert E. Lee after his surrender at Appomattox, Gen. Lee would have talked about the need to compromise to avoid holding the populace hostage via partisan bickering. "Sure, I gave up some things but I got to keep my sword.", General Lee would have said. Since President Obama is a fan of history perhaps this was his model for accepting the "compromise" on tax cuts for the rich.
Monday night's agreement to extend tax cuts for all for two years and unemployment benefits to 99 weeks for 13 months is truly bipartisan. There is plenty for anyone to dislike:
1. Rich folks can dislike helping the lazy unwashed masses that refuse to find a job.
2. The working poor can dislike that they received nothing from this agreement. Their earnings leave minimal tax burden. The burden of the working poor is working and still being poor.
3. Small businesses can dislike that for all the agreement has to offer it will have minimal effect in stimulating demand. Demand more than anything drives small business and the economy.
4. Same for the middle class. Whatever benefits they derive from this agreement, without growing demand and growing American manufacturing, the middle class continues to shrink.
5. Future generations can dislike paying for the always burgeoning bank accounts of the wealthy. This agreement make the bill for future generations more expensive.
6. 99ers can dislike the whole agreement.
Ezra Klein points out the real good in this compromise is it creates a framework of future bipartisan agreements. Mr. Klein has a great point but that thought goes in the wait and see column.
There is loads of bad in this compromise with the Republicans. Most obvious is the contempt this agreement shows for the long-term unemployed. With 5 job seekers for each job, if you're unemployed for longer than 99 weeks, you're on your own. For those with reinstated unemployment benefits, if you've received more than 43 weeks of benefits, you'll probably be a 99er sooner than you think. If you'll still be eligible for benefits in 13 months, you'll be back in this fight after Thanksgiving, 2011. If you think job search statistics will improve significantly over the next 13 months, God bless your optimism.
The to do list is simple: scream loudly and scream often. To simplify this call to action, here are some easy suggestions: Click the link on the right side of the blog and sign the petition. Here are links to 2 other petitions. (if you're not on Twitter you can cut and paste to Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi). After you've signed these petitions, pass them along to your friends. Call, fax and email your Representatives and Senators. Request extended funding and additional weeks of unemployment benefits. Without these two improvements ask them to vote against the bill. Do not go quietly into the night, some will not make it to the morning.
Monday night's agreement to extend tax cuts for all for two years and unemployment benefits to 99 weeks for 13 months is truly bipartisan. There is plenty for anyone to dislike:
1. Rich folks can dislike helping the lazy unwashed masses that refuse to find a job.
2. The working poor can dislike that they received nothing from this agreement. Their earnings leave minimal tax burden. The burden of the working poor is working and still being poor.
3. Small businesses can dislike that for all the agreement has to offer it will have minimal effect in stimulating demand. Demand more than anything drives small business and the economy.
4. Same for the middle class. Whatever benefits they derive from this agreement, without growing demand and growing American manufacturing, the middle class continues to shrink.
5. Future generations can dislike paying for the always burgeoning bank accounts of the wealthy. This agreement make the bill for future generations more expensive.
6. 99ers can dislike the whole agreement.
Ezra Klein points out the real good in this compromise is it creates a framework of future bipartisan agreements. Mr. Klein has a great point but that thought goes in the wait and see column.
There is loads of bad in this compromise with the Republicans. Most obvious is the contempt this agreement shows for the long-term unemployed. With 5 job seekers for each job, if you're unemployed for longer than 99 weeks, you're on your own. For those with reinstated unemployment benefits, if you've received more than 43 weeks of benefits, you'll probably be a 99er sooner than you think. If you'll still be eligible for benefits in 13 months, you'll be back in this fight after Thanksgiving, 2011. If you think job search statistics will improve significantly over the next 13 months, God bless your optimism.
The to do list is simple: scream loudly and scream often. To simplify this call to action, here are some easy suggestions: Click the link on the right side of the blog and sign the petition. Here are links to 2 other petitions. (if you're not on Twitter you can cut and paste to Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi). After you've signed these petitions, pass them along to your friends. Call, fax and email your Representatives and Senators. Request extended funding and additional weeks of unemployment benefits. Without these two improvements ask them to vote against the bill. Do not go quietly into the night, some will not make it to the morning.
Monday, December 6, 2010
More of the same.
It appears Congress and the White House have reached a compromise on extending expiring tax cuts that would includes funding current unemployment extensions for 13 additional months. 99ers will be left to fend for themselves. Why have the 99ers been abandoned by everyone except Ed Schultz?
To understand the predicament of the long term unemployed during the Great Depression of the 21st Century, it's important to review some pertinent facts:
1. The unemployment rate is somewhere between 9.8% and higher. That makes the employment rate 77% or higher. It is very hard for the 77% employed to fathom why anyone is involuntarily unemployed for greater than 99 weeks, even in a weak economy.
2. The current model of issuing unemployment benefits via "weeks" is inadequate given current economic conditions. With five seekers for each job and an unemployment rate predicted to hover above 8% through 2012, a safety net for the unemployed should be tied to the unemployment rate. Benefits should continue until the unemployment rate is down to 'X' not an arbitrary designation of weeks. Unfortunately no one will commit to structuring unemployment insurance accordingly.
3. The argument in favor of adding a TierV has too often been made from the POV of the 99ers. (These people need the safety net to survive.) Unemployment advocates (I include myself) should have jumped on the Republican meme that small businesses are the primary creators of jobs. The success of small business depends more on demand than tax cuts. Therefore it is vital that the unemployed have a minimal amount of money to support these small businesses.
What is left to do? The aforementioned compromise has not net been voted on in Congress. Now, more than ever is the time to bombard elected officials. It is also important for all unemployed to stick together. Given the statistics above there are going to be more 99ers each week. Attrition (death and homelessness) will reduce the amount of 99ers but not nearly by the numbers joining the ranks of the 99ers. Eventually, something will be done. I am hoping for the best.
To understand the predicament of the long term unemployed during the Great Depression of the 21st Century, it's important to review some pertinent facts:
1. The unemployment rate is somewhere between 9.8% and higher. That makes the employment rate 77% or higher. It is very hard for the 77% employed to fathom why anyone is involuntarily unemployed for greater than 99 weeks, even in a weak economy.
2. The current model of issuing unemployment benefits via "weeks" is inadequate given current economic conditions. With five seekers for each job and an unemployment rate predicted to hover above 8% through 2012, a safety net for the unemployed should be tied to the unemployment rate. Benefits should continue until the unemployment rate is down to 'X' not an arbitrary designation of weeks. Unfortunately no one will commit to structuring unemployment insurance accordingly.
3. The argument in favor of adding a TierV has too often been made from the POV of the 99ers. (These people need the safety net to survive.) Unemployment advocates (I include myself) should have jumped on the Republican meme that small businesses are the primary creators of jobs. The success of small business depends more on demand than tax cuts. Therefore it is vital that the unemployed have a minimal amount of money to support these small businesses.
What is left to do? The aforementioned compromise has not net been voted on in Congress. Now, more than ever is the time to bombard elected officials. It is also important for all unemployed to stick together. Given the statistics above there are going to be more 99ers each week. Attrition (death and homelessness) will reduce the amount of 99ers but not nearly by the numbers joining the ranks of the 99ers. Eventually, something will be done. I am hoping for the best.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Here we are again.
Day 2 of the unemployed held hostage and the 99ers are ignored. Again. For the third time this year. At least extending tax cuts will continue to spur the economy. What? Unemployment benefits are more effective than tax cuts? So why do we continue to engage in counterproductive economics? It's the American way.
99ers should not be surprised at our current plight. 99ers have been ignored since (before) Jim Bunning staged his one man show of arrogance. Sen. Bunning's show was so successful, it reappeared in summer stock. As we approach Christmas,"Waiting for Congress" has been made into a winter holiday special. The common theme of these three extravaganzas? Nothing about the 99ers, which means nothing for the 99ers. This is like going to the Emergency Room for a cough. The Triage Nurse mentions your intestines are hanging out and you choose to treat just the cough. How did we reach reach this nadir of lunacy? There are many directions to point a finger, I am aiming at NELP, UCubed and Working America.
99ers should not be surprised we have reached this point. Except for occasional whispers to the contrary, Congress has been shouting opposition to TierV since spring. It's easy to suggest 99ers should have organized more effectively. There have been great grassroot groups, UWAG and Unemployed Friends are just two of many. These are primarily volunteer organizations. NELP, UCubed and Working America have professional staff and budgets. The staff may be small and the budget limited, but 99ers budget? 99ers are trying to keep the utilities on in a house they might lose to cook food they can't afford to buy. NELP, UCubed and Working America should have been doing more this whole time.
The One Nation Working Together rally was great. That rally was two months ago. Since then there have been call rallies, fax rallies, email campaigns. Obviously these attempts have been ineffective and done nothing to generate public opinion. 99ers are told time is dear and unemployed between 26 and 99 weeks need all efforts to continue to fund their benefits. NELP, UCubed and Working America should have never let it come to an either/or decision. As soon as Jim Bunning started his one man show in March, NELP, UCubed and Working America should have been screaming every day that 99ers be included in any extensions. These professional organizations were neglectful and now claim they must concentrate their efforts for those with extensions previously approved. Okay, what about the rest of us.
I don't know how this will wind up. I fear it will end with discord between 99ers and less than 99ers. Unemployed eating their own. Which makes sense, because it's the only food many of us can afford.
99ers should not be surprised at our current plight. 99ers have been ignored since (before) Jim Bunning staged his one man show of arrogance. Sen. Bunning's show was so successful, it reappeared in summer stock. As we approach Christmas,"Waiting for Congress" has been made into a winter holiday special. The common theme of these three extravaganzas? Nothing about the 99ers, which means nothing for the 99ers. This is like going to the Emergency Room for a cough. The Triage Nurse mentions your intestines are hanging out and you choose to treat just the cough. How did we reach reach this nadir of lunacy? There are many directions to point a finger, I am aiming at NELP, UCubed and Working America.
99ers should not be surprised we have reached this point. Except for occasional whispers to the contrary, Congress has been shouting opposition to TierV since spring. It's easy to suggest 99ers should have organized more effectively. There have been great grassroot groups, UWAG and Unemployed Friends are just two of many. These are primarily volunteer organizations. NELP, UCubed and Working America have professional staff and budgets. The staff may be small and the budget limited, but 99ers budget? 99ers are trying to keep the utilities on in a house they might lose to cook food they can't afford to buy. NELP, UCubed and Working America should have been doing more this whole time.
The One Nation Working Together rally was great. That rally was two months ago. Since then there have been call rallies, fax rallies, email campaigns. Obviously these attempts have been ineffective and done nothing to generate public opinion. 99ers are told time is dear and unemployed between 26 and 99 weeks need all efforts to continue to fund their benefits. NELP, UCubed and Working America should have never let it come to an either/or decision. As soon as Jim Bunning started his one man show in March, NELP, UCubed and Working America should have been screaming every day that 99ers be included in any extensions. These professional organizations were neglectful and now claim they must concentrate their efforts for those with extensions previously approved. Okay, what about the rest of us.
I don't know how this will wind up. I fear it will end with discord between 99ers and less than 99ers. Unemployed eating their own. Which makes sense, because it's the only food many of us can afford.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Abandoning the 99ers and receiving nothing.
As usual, the always relevant Donalee King was her eloquent mix of facts and fury on Thanksgiving. In synopsis, Donalee makes the case that everyone (I take editorial license to exclude Ed Schultz) from Sen. Stabenow to unions to advocacy groups to rally organizers have lied to the 99ers. The 99ers have been encouraged to lend their voice to every Democratic and unemployment cause only to have Tier V (or any talk of extensions beyond 99 weeks) excluded from last minute negotiations to extend unemployment benefits past November 30, 2010. She proposes lobbying the new Congress to strip NELP of funding as part of the presumed upcoming austerity program in January. She continues by withdrawing her support from any extension that does not help the 99ers and concludes telling the Dems to grow a set and combine extending expiring tax cuts with long term extension of unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks. It's hard to argue with Donalee but I do want to disagree at least in part.
I heartily agree with combining tax cut and unemployment benefit extensions in the way only a self promoting blogger can. I suggested this combination on August 27, 2010. Extend long term unemployment benefits (including TierV, VI or Tier XX if necessary) for the same period as tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. The CBO reports unemployment benefits are 5 times more effective than extended tax cuts in creating economic production. Given this obvious logic I can only assume the conversation will still be about tax cuts with unemployment benefits being at most a footnote. On that count, big thanks to both Congress and major media outlets.
I split with Donalee on her decision to "unsupport" the less than 99ers. As a 99er, I can't understand Donalee's frustration but I am fully aware of my anger. As a 99er, I was able to cross each week off the calendar, fully aware when my unemployment safety net would end. For those under 99 weeks of benefits, a sudden end (for example, tomorrow) is even more unsettling than being a 99er. I speak from personal experience. I went through the Congressional "June Swoon" when no one beyond 99 weeks received benefits previously approved. The idea that unemployed planning on up to 99 weeks of benefits cut off at 26 weeks is as unsettling as the lack of support for 99ers. Still, I can't agree on the actions of NELP, unions, etc.
Although flummoxed at the piss poor economic policy of not continuing unemployment extensions given the high unemployment rate and stagnant job creation the stupidity of Congress never surprises me. If my advocacy groups must abandon my needs to serve millions of others I realize I might get left out. But NELP, AFL-CIO, Working America, One Nation Working Together and others have flushed me like blue ice and gotten nothing. Don't jettison my needs without getting something for the rest of the unemployed. At the end of the day I fear not only will I be left out (and me and my family are my primary concern) but so will everyone else beyond 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. The war analogy fits here, don't make me a casualty for nothing.
On a final note, Donalee's Thanksgiving article ends with a description of her personal desperation. Donalee, don't give up, now or ever. Your talent shines through. Any organization would be blessed to add your ability and passion. Don't let short sighted idiots get you down, you are way too good for that.
I heartily agree with combining tax cut and unemployment benefit extensions in the way only a self promoting blogger can. I suggested this combination on August 27, 2010. Extend long term unemployment benefits (including TierV, VI or Tier XX if necessary) for the same period as tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. The CBO reports unemployment benefits are 5 times more effective than extended tax cuts in creating economic production. Given this obvious logic I can only assume the conversation will still be about tax cuts with unemployment benefits being at most a footnote. On that count, big thanks to both Congress and major media outlets.
I split with Donalee on her decision to "unsupport" the less than 99ers. As a 99er, I can't understand Donalee's frustration but I am fully aware of my anger. As a 99er, I was able to cross each week off the calendar, fully aware when my unemployment safety net would end. For those under 99 weeks of benefits, a sudden end (for example, tomorrow) is even more unsettling than being a 99er. I speak from personal experience. I went through the Congressional "June Swoon" when no one beyond 99 weeks received benefits previously approved. The idea that unemployed planning on up to 99 weeks of benefits cut off at 26 weeks is as unsettling as the lack of support for 99ers. Still, I can't agree on the actions of NELP, unions, etc.
Although flummoxed at the piss poor economic policy of not continuing unemployment extensions given the high unemployment rate and stagnant job creation the stupidity of Congress never surprises me. If my advocacy groups must abandon my needs to serve millions of others I realize I might get left out. But NELP, AFL-CIO, Working America, One Nation Working Together and others have flushed me like blue ice and gotten nothing. Don't jettison my needs without getting something for the rest of the unemployed. At the end of the day I fear not only will I be left out (and me and my family are my primary concern) but so will everyone else beyond 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. The war analogy fits here, don't make me a casualty for nothing.
On a final note, Donalee's Thanksgiving article ends with a description of her personal desperation. Donalee, don't give up, now or ever. Your talent shines through. Any organization would be blessed to add your ability and passion. Don't let short sighted idiots get you down, you are way too good for that.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A letter to the 99ers.
Dear Colleagues:
Except for bad news, we 99ers would have no news at all. I got my latest news from Mike Thornton. All unemployment extensions are scheduled to expire November 30. Congress adjourned after an exhausting four working days and didn't move forward on unemployment extensions. Extending tax cuts to those making over $250K may be a bargaining chip for assisting the unemployed, but apparently not to help the 99ers. Except for 99ers (and Ed Schultz) no one is talking about the 99ers. What should we do?
My answer came from Sarah Robinson and her blog "Escaping Mediocrity". Ms. Robinson's point is that it's easy to find a reason not to do something. That is the path most people choose. Those that seek a reason to act inevitably succeed as a result of their move to action. I agree and today is a great day to start.
Do not mistake this as a "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" lecture to 99ers. Anyone that suggests that 99ers are not doing everything possible to be a non-99er is a jerk. 99ers are some of the bravest and driven people I know. Unfortunately strength and motivation may not be enough to stave off eviction and hunger.
One choice is to lobby Congress even harder for extended unemployment benefits. Unfortunately the most expansive option is S3706 which currently is only discussed in a whisper and not even out of committee. S3706 calls for an additional 20 weeks of benefits in some states. I don't expect the economy to be significantly different in 20 weeks, so S3706 is at best a band-aid. There is nothing wrong with a band-aid, it's just insufficient.
Another option is to continue to be angry. Donalee King has been expressing this rage most eloquently. This is not a criticism of Donalee. She is a tireless advocate on behalf of the unemployed and a continual source of inspiration. But sitting around reading Donalee and being angry along with her doesn't move me forward. It's time to stop being incredulous about getting f***ed, light up a smoke and get moving.
Identify a skill, something you do better than anyone. Rediscover professional passion, your reason for heading out the door. Combine these two and find a way build a living with them. This is the choice I've made. Easy, right? Not at all! If it were easy everybody would do it and it's time to be different from others. Bold action isn't one option , it is the only option.
Success will not come easily, nor is it guaranteed. Even failure moves success one step closer. Most importantly, failure while striving to achieve is better than disaster while waiting for help. 99ers have been labeled lazy and drug addicts. These mean spirited opinionated bastards deserve an extended middle finger waved in their faces. Every move toward success is that flip-off. I will not give these jerks a victory, I will fight.
I was talking with my friend and neighbor "Union Jack". Jack is a union electrician. In 2009 he worked about 14 weeks and thought that was a tough Christmas. He's worked 8 weeks in 2010, this will be the mean Christmas. I plan on kicking mean in the ass. I'm hoping many will join me in this endeavor.
My prayer for all unemployed this winter is shelter, sustenance and success. It's about time.
With admiration,
Barry
Except for bad news, we 99ers would have no news at all. I got my latest news from Mike Thornton. All unemployment extensions are scheduled to expire November 30. Congress adjourned after an exhausting four working days and didn't move forward on unemployment extensions. Extending tax cuts to those making over $250K may be a bargaining chip for assisting the unemployed, but apparently not to help the 99ers. Except for 99ers (and Ed Schultz) no one is talking about the 99ers. What should we do?
My answer came from Sarah Robinson and her blog "Escaping Mediocrity". Ms. Robinson's point is that it's easy to find a reason not to do something. That is the path most people choose. Those that seek a reason to act inevitably succeed as a result of their move to action. I agree and today is a great day to start.
Do not mistake this as a "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" lecture to 99ers. Anyone that suggests that 99ers are not doing everything possible to be a non-99er is a jerk. 99ers are some of the bravest and driven people I know. Unfortunately strength and motivation may not be enough to stave off eviction and hunger.
One choice is to lobby Congress even harder for extended unemployment benefits. Unfortunately the most expansive option is S3706 which currently is only discussed in a whisper and not even out of committee. S3706 calls for an additional 20 weeks of benefits in some states. I don't expect the economy to be significantly different in 20 weeks, so S3706 is at best a band-aid. There is nothing wrong with a band-aid, it's just insufficient.
Another option is to continue to be angry. Donalee King has been expressing this rage most eloquently. This is not a criticism of Donalee. She is a tireless advocate on behalf of the unemployed and a continual source of inspiration. But sitting around reading Donalee and being angry along with her doesn't move me forward. It's time to stop being incredulous about getting f***ed, light up a smoke and get moving.
Identify a skill, something you do better than anyone. Rediscover professional passion, your reason for heading out the door. Combine these two and find a way build a living with them. This is the choice I've made. Easy, right? Not at all! If it were easy everybody would do it and it's time to be different from others. Bold action isn't one option , it is the only option.
Success will not come easily, nor is it guaranteed. Even failure moves success one step closer. Most importantly, failure while striving to achieve is better than disaster while waiting for help. 99ers have been labeled lazy and drug addicts. These mean spirited opinionated bastards deserve an extended middle finger waved in their faces. Every move toward success is that flip-off. I will not give these jerks a victory, I will fight.
I was talking with my friend and neighbor "Union Jack". Jack is a union electrician. In 2009 he worked about 14 weeks and thought that was a tough Christmas. He's worked 8 weeks in 2010, this will be the mean Christmas. I plan on kicking mean in the ass. I'm hoping many will join me in this endeavor.
My prayer for all unemployed this winter is shelter, sustenance and success. It's about time.
With admiration,
Barry
Friday, August 27, 2010
Bipartisanship can happen
I was going through the usual this morning and found this article via Ezra Klein's Wonkbook. Some Dems are considering pushing for extension of the Bush tax cuts due to the continued lack of economic improvement. This could be a godsend for the #99ers. Extend the tax cuts across the board including the uber-wealthy and add a jobs program with extended unemployment benefits. Since tax cuts and safety net would be lumped together their timing should be the same. Extend tax cuts thru 2011, do the same for long term unemployment benefits. Thru 2012, 2013, the longer the better.
I realize it would be near impossible to make the "numbers" work. So? That has never stopped Congress before. I believe the only goal for the 99ers should be jobs, jobs, jobs with a safety net until significant job creation can be achieved. Many Congressional friends of the unemployed have been working tirelessly to provide that safety net but with only sporadic success. Politics is the art of giving up something to receive something. This would put the needs of the most at risk with the wants of the least at risk.
Albert Einstein said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Let the deal making begin.
I realize it would be near impossible to make the "numbers" work. So? That has never stopped Congress before. I believe the only goal for the 99ers should be jobs, jobs, jobs with a safety net until significant job creation can be achieved. Many Congressional friends of the unemployed have been working tirelessly to provide that safety net but with only sporadic success. Politics is the art of giving up something to receive something. This would put the needs of the most at risk with the wants of the least at risk.
Albert Einstein said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Let the deal making begin.
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