Submitted by Karen Thompson
Features Reporter
A small but hearty group of Organizing for Action volunteers braved the cold yesterday at the WorkSource Career Center in Yulee to speak on behalf of the 1.3 million Americans that have lost unemployment benefits . Events were held in more than 30 cities across the nation to draw attention to the need for Congress to act quickly to provide vital support to those who lost their benefits on December 28.
“73,000 Floridians lost their unemployment benefits in December and an additional 3,665 unemployed Floridians will lose benefits each week until Congress acts” according to Scott Snurpus. Alina Wolff sympathized with the unemployed and said “I put myself in their place.” She carried a sign appropriate for the cold day that said “Don’t leave Floridians out in the cold. Extend unemployment.”
Janie Wilkins, dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue said it was an economic and moral issue “This is America. We are better than this.” While thousands of concerned citizens were out expressing their opinions yesterday, the Senate took a positive first step in advancing the legislation.
Editor’s Note: Karen moved to Fernandina Beach two years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.
January 8, 2014 11:23 a.m.
While empathetic to the plight of those unemployed, at what point do you draw the line on how long payments will be made? I fully understand that the unemployment payment does not provide for a life of luxury, but combined with other assistance programs, can serve as a disincentive to look for work. A tough issue.
Dave, you’re riding the fence on this one. In Florida now there are about 78,000 folks unemployed. The length of benefits are down to 16 weeks. We are one of the hardest hit states. I agree that there are some that are willing to collect unemployment for the rest of their life and be happy doing so. I do, however, believe this is a small percentage as most Americans would rather find meaningful work, stand on their own two feet, and build a better life. Watching the news of late it seems that many feel that the way to fight the “war on poverty” is to cut off unemployment checks. This is like fighting the war on hunger by not feeding the hungry. Jobs are a complicated issue, both politically and economically. There is no easy or quick solution, but cutting off benefits to the unemployed just doesn’t seem like the good old American way. What would they do for food, shelter, heat, all the basic needs to live? Who in the end would care for them and who would pay. I am sure there are those who would ague that family and friends would house, feed and care for them. Its a good thought, but i don’t think the real world works in that way most of the time. I think most everyone wants their independence and they want to earn their own way in the world. The answer to unemployment is simple, create jobs. F.D.R. figured this out back in the 30’s. One would think that both the State and Washington could figure out a way to do one of the most important tasks of our time. Create Jobs