What is this Country about Anymore?

This op-ed was originally published by OtherWords

When Congress cut off long-term unemployment aid, it left more than 3 million people in the lurch.

Meet Mark. He's a 58 year old, college-educated veteran who lives in Oregon.

He was laid off last September and has been unable to find work since. Mark's state unemployment benefits ran out in May. Since funding for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program was cut last December, Mark and more than three million other Americans, including nearly 300,000 veterans, have been denied access to a second six months of support — a vital financial lifeline in this tough economy. Mark is way behind in his rent, is selling everything of value he owns, and fears he will be homeless soon.

"We spend trillions bailing out banks, and provide Wall Street bonuses for those that created this challenging economy, but for a highly skilled worker, a veteran with a family, this country has nothing," writes Mark. "What is this country about anymore? Our military service personnel risk their lives to save and protect the freedoms of our country and this land, but when we need help there isn't enough?"

My organization, the Center for Effective Government, is collecting stories from people like Mark reporting how the loss of emergency unemployment benefits is wrecking their lives. Unemployment benefits only provide about $300 a week, barely enough for the rent or mortgage in many places, but it keeps the utilities on, pays for a phone, gas money, and an internet connection – so the job search can continue. Employers won't hire someone without an address and phone number.

The stories follow a common trajectory. First, families drain their savings. Then, their retirement accounts to keep paying rent or the mortgage. That's followed by resorting to credit card debt to buy food, keep the phone and utilities on, and pay for gas money. As families become more desperate, they start selling their possessions and move in with friends and relatives, if they have that option.

Some families end up sleeping in tents and cars, leaving parents to worry that the authorities will take away their children until they're back on their feet.

Almost all our stories end with some version of Mark's question, especially the stories from veterans: What is this country about anymore? They feel betrayed by elected officials who put partisan politics above their needs, betrayed by the nation that ignores their plight.

In April, the Senate passed a retroactive extension of emergency unemployment assistance. House leaders refused to allow a vote on the bill, so it expired.

A more modest proposal has emerged: It would provide assistance to those who apply for emergency aid in the future. It would provide no retroactive relief to the millions of workers who have exhausted their resources as they continue to search for work. But those jobless Americans need retroactive benefits to catch up on the rent and pay off their credit card debt.

It looks like this bipartisan new bill co-sponsored by Reps. Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) could garner a House majority. That would mark a step forward.

But this "half a loaf" won't be enough to stabilize the lives of the millions of Americans who worked hard, played by the rules, took care of their families, and have been felled by a poor economy.

This Independence Day, let's all ask ourselves: "What is this country about anymore?" What country allows almost 300,000 unemployed veterans and their families (and another 2.9 million Americans) to sink into poverty?

The Declaration of Independence begins by asserting our right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." For the long-term unemployed, the ending may be more relevant: "we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

The pledge to support and protect each other captures the essence of patriotism. This Independence Day, we need to open our hearts to our neighbors and honor our common humanity by extending a hand to our fellow Americans as they struggle to navigate our tough economy.

Katherine McFate is the President and CEO of the Center for Effective Government, a nonprofit public interest organization.

Distributed by OtherWords. Reprinted under a Creative Commons license.

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Thank you Katherine for this article! What is this country about anymore indeed! I ask myself that same question. The politicians seem to care only about big campaign contributions, big corporations, and big bank accounts for themselves! The long term unemployed need to be a top priority NOW!
Thank you Katherine for this article! What is this country about anymore indeed! I ask myself that same question. The politicians seem to care about big campaign contributions, big corporations, and big bank accounts for themselves! The long term unemployed need to be a top priority NOW!
The pursuit of happiness only seems to apply to illegal immigrants anymore.The hard working tax paying U.S. citizens get the shaft......that is what America has become.And when you are lucky enough to find a decent job the first thing the government wants is a 30% cut of what you have worked for....what a joke.
We need retro
So right on that hank. And they will continue to treat us like garbage because they know we can't stop working. Which in turn will keep funding them. And they know that we know this. They laugh the scumbags
Politicians only care about themselves and catering to the rich so they can get re-elected and enjoyed their "privileged" life in American Politics. No one cares about the struggling middle class. I am sure that if this continues several more years, there will be a Class Civil War.
I strongly believe that those who have been eligible for retroactive benefits since Dec. and continued to properly certify their claims and actively seek work as dictated by their State until new legislation is passed restoring EUC benefits should be given the option to receive a one time lump sum payment of benefits of up to 5 months rather than the prospective benefits. In contrast, for those that are just coming off of the regular 26 weeks of employment insurance they should only be allowed to receive the prospective benefits for up to five months. In this way everyone receives a maximum of 5 months of assistance, but more importantly, those that needed the funds the most would have the option of receiving their payments first. In addition, because everyone will only be allowed a maximum of 5 months of benefits, the funding mechanism in place for the current legislation will be sufficient and not require further altering. I believe this is the only fair and pragmatic way to handle this debacle at this point! It is a true win/win for everyone involved! With July 4th around the corner, what better time for Congress, the President, and advocacy groups working on behalf of this issue to demonstrate their patriotism than by equitably and fairly addressing the needs of those that have been severely impacted by this devastating economic tragedy through fault of their own! Therefore, if anyone is listening and genuinely cares, please urge Congress to craft a new bill that would include these MINOR changes.
I strongly believe that those who have been eligible for retroactive benefits since Dec. and continued to properly certify their claims and actively seek work as dictated by their State until new legislation is passed restoring EUC benefits should be given the option to receive a one time lump sum payment of benefits of up to 5 months rather than the prospective benefits. In contrast, for those that are just coming off of the regular 26 weeks of employment insurance they should only be allowed to receive the prospective benefits for up to five months. In this way everyone receives a maximum of 5 months of assistance, but more importantly, those that needed the funds the most would have the option of receiving their payments first. In addition, because everyone will only be allowed a maximum of 5 months of benefits, the funding mechanism in place for the current legislation will be sufficient and not require further altering. I believe this is the only fair and pragmatic way to handle this debacle at this point! It is a true win/win for everyone involved! With July 4th around the corner, what better time for Congress, the President, and advocacy groups working on behalf of this issue to better demonstrate their patriotism than by equitably and fairly addressing the needs of those that have been severely impacted by this devastating economic tragedy through fault of their own! Therefore, if anyone is listening and genuinely cares, please urge Congress to craft a new bill that would include these MINOR changes.
Your well written article about this horrible injustice brought tears to my eyes. I being one of the 3 million plus, ask myself the same question every single day now.
I am one of the 3 million affected by this. Ive lost my home and my car. That retroactive pay would go a long way to get me back on my feet. I am so so sick of seeing all our hard earned money go to illegal immigrants and overseas to people who hate us and I go without. I am tired of being without a home, without a car to get to job interviews and I'm tired of going hungry. id be better off an illegal immigrant then I would get help.