American Dream No More

By Lisa Cabrera

The 99ers are growing by 35,000 people per week and it will continue to do so in 2011.  Many people who lost their just at no fault of their own are now faced the struggle of long term unemployment.  People that are unemployable due to large gasps in employment and age discrimination.  Once the most experienced were the big earners now find themselves in minimum wage jobs or part time jobs.  In many cases they are rejected for even low wages jobs because they are over-qualified.  Their applications are not even being considered for employment.  

I have heard countless stories of 99ers sending out hundreds of resumes or applying in person for jobs.  Most never get one single call back or simply receive a rejection letter in the mail.  Yes, it’s a major problem if someone with 10, 20, or 30+ years of experience and education are no longer eligible for work.

Have the media hurt the 99ers?  Yes, with the countless stories about the 99ers being lazy, drug addicts and just don’t want to work.  This is not what I am finding out here.  Many 99ers prefer work over unemployment benefits.  They just want the restored dignity of being part of the working class again.  These are the same people that earned cars, homes, and put children through college.  That is hardly lazy.  The average unemployment check is $280.00, who is really going to party on that amount of money when you have children to take care of and bills piling up to the ceiling.  It always anger me when there are politicians making these baseless statements and the person interviewing never seem to challenge them on it at all.

My concern is with many people that need to pay for heat, food and still need shelter during the winter months.  The children of 99ers are victims caught up in this madness too.  It is almost like everyone is completely out of touch with what is happening in the real world.  How will these families continue to making it without income?  Just because they ignore the problem does not make it less real.

The 99ers continue to look for work but still need extended unemployment benefits to live.  With the politician lack of concern for the 99ers, many have lost faith in our government.  They seem so eager to accommodate the very wealthy in this country, but less enthusiastic about helping those without income.  Maybe we should consider term limits on politicians.  They count on we the people to get elected, but seem to only support the rich once in office.  Perhaps changes in seats are in order.   Creating a Tier 5 is the right thing to do.  The 99ers want their American dream back!