quote:Roughly 14.8 million Americans are unemployed, with about 6.2 million of them out of work for at least 27 weeks. About 8.5 million people are collecting unemployment insurance.
Jobless benefits cost so far: $319 billion
But as the nation's economic funk grinds on, a growing number of the jobless are exhausting their benefits. Precise numbers are hard to come by, but estimates show that about 3.5 million people have fallen off the rolls, though some of them have landed work.
That's why advocates are pressing Congress to add another tier of unemployment benefits. The additional weeks will cover the jobless, while giving the economy more time to recover and create employment opportunities, they argue.
There is little appetite in Congress, however, to extend benefits beyond the current 99-week maximum. A bill that would have added 20 weeks went nowhere this fall.
That is not deterring the activists.
The American 99ers Union, for instance, sent 10,000 letters to lawmakers earlier this month. The petitioners are arguing that the additional benefits will be spent quickly, which creates jobs and stimulates the economy.
Other groups are taking a more high-profile approach. FlashMobs4Jobs is holding rallies and demonstrations, mainly in New York City, to show how urgent the need is to extend the safety net.
"We want to educate and ask for support from the American public so they understand these are not lazy bums happy to get a check," said Kian Frederick, an unemployed union organizer who founded the movement....
Yet....
Cost of Thanksgiving meal rises 1%
http://www.usatoday.com/news/n...24-1Afood24_ST_N.htm
quote:For two years, the number of Americans whose food needs are not being met has been at a record high, pushing demand at some food banks beyond their capacity to help.
As food prices rise slightly — the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 is up 1% to $43.47 — hunger relief agencies are in a crunch for the holidays.
"People who require emergency food are numb at this point," says Dave Krepcho, head of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The Orlando food bank was distributing 1.2 million pounds of food monthly in early 2008, but by last month, it was distributing 3 million pounds as more unemployed people turned to its pantries.
The number of Americans who at some point in 2009 and 2008 couldn't afford sufficient food was the highest since 1995: 15% of households — 17 million families — the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported this month.
The recession means donors are strapped, too....
Well, if they'd just stop being lazy and find a job...right?