Written by Allison Kilkenny
Ive been wondering lately if anyone in Congress has an idea of what the breaking point looks like the time when the oligarchy will acknowledge the loud desperation of Americans, say enough is enough, and vote to ease their suffering. Thus far, the elite clearly think citizens can agonize a little longer before societys foundation completely collapses.
People like Rand Paul and Sharron Angle frequently deride the unemployed as being lazy and unmotivated, but moderate politicians also participate in this stigmatization. Even though Americans primary concern is unemployment, the House failed to extend benefits, and it is uncertain if the Senate will vote to help the 9.5 percent of citizens who remain jobless (6.8 million people or 45.5 percent of the total are long-term unemployed, or jobless for 27 weeks or more.)
Its probably difficult for politicians, individuals who generally enjoy the rewards of privileged lives, to imagine the utter hopelessness and desperation of the long-term unemployed particularly individuals who have zero job-hunting resources at their disposal. (via)
For nearly two years, Coleman says she has filed an average of 30 job applications a day, but remains jobless.
People keep telling me there are jobs out there, but I havent been able to find them.
Coleman, 58, a former manager at a telecommunications firm, said the only jobs she found were over the Ohio state line in Kentucky, but she cannot reach them because her car has been repossessed and there is no bus service to those areas.
After her $300 a week benefits ran out, Freestore Foodbank brokered emergency 90-day support in June for rent. Once that runs out, her future is uncertain.
Im not sure what someone in Congress would tell Coleman. Rand and Sharron would probably tell her to start hitchhiking to job interviews, show some initiative, and stop mooching off the state. Of course, politicians only have the nerve to act so inhumanely to a common serf. No one in the plutocracy would dare allow a CEO or COO to remain out of work (Congress would probably give them a couple bailouts just to avoid any undue suffering,) but the former manager of a telecommunications firm isnt exactly a high priority for Washington.
And if thats how they treat a former manager, you can imagine how much Congress cares about the people earning minimum wage.
What is a person who is unemployed, broke, starving, and unable to get to job interviews supposed to do? I guess Coleman could start stealing food, but then shed probably be shot by police, or if shes really lucky, tasered.
A while ago, Alan Grayson gave our Serious Media a case of the vapors when he said the Republicans health care plan was, Dont get sick, and if you do, die quickly. Now, it appears as though Congresss economic recovery plan is, Dont lose your job, and if you do, die quickly.
Id love to know what Congress thinks the end game is here. What do they think giving desperate people zero aid, and zero resources, will result in?
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About author
Allison Kilkenny is a radio host and political humorist, a fancy way of saying writer, who makes shitty world news funny. She is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, the Beast, 236.com, and Alternet.org’s Wiretap Magazine. Her work has also appeared on The Nation and she is a regular guest on SIRIUS radio.She doesn’t care if you’re offended by anything she has written.
Allison’s radio show, Citizen Radio, can be found here: Citizen Radio fan page. Citizen Radio is on every Wednesday over at Breakthru Radio.