Did they not think about the consequences to those of us who are receiving these benefits that equal a quarter of our normal wages? They have a paycheck to go home to, food on the table, a nice comfy house that isn’t being taken back from the bank, they simply have no clue.

Families are scraping by barely making ends meet and they are going to temporarily stop what little money they have coming because they can’t “find” the money to pay for it. Well maybe if they actually looked at reality and seen the truth things might go in the right direction for once.

Fact: Collecting the maximum unemployment benefits in the State of Michigan will give you approximately $19,800 a year….Wow that’s under federal poverty level for the average American family!

Fact: In February Michigan’s unemployment rate was at 7% and people were getting nervous…As of February 2010 the rate is now doubled, sitting at 14.1%

It was Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., that stopped the measure from being passed. He much like Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky last month, wants to know where the money will come from to pay for this without adding to the nation’s $12.7 trillion debt.

Well I have a couple of suggestions…

For one, we are the people that make this country run. Without the hard working middle class the “rich guys” wouldn’t be rich…how would they like to go build their own cars or pack their own products.

For two, Obama just request from Congress this week for $2.8 million dollars to help Haiti. Excuse me Mr. Obama we have to feed our kids too, find another way to help Haiti. Request that $2.8 million be placed to help with the unemployment extensions.

This is what Sen. John Kerry , D- Mass. , the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , had to say:

“It’s a non-negotiable measurement of how the United States responds to a humanitarian emergency,”

I wonder how many of the Americans that are about to lose their only income will feel about that?

This administration is mismanaging our money at the worse possible time. They spout change and new programs to help with job growth, foreclosures and health care but in reality a lot of money is being spent and none of it is working.

For example, this morning I read this quote form an article titled: Obama’s Weatherizing Program Off to Stormy Start

“After a year of crippling delays, President Obama’s $5 billion program to install weather-tight windows and doors has retrofitted a fraction of homes and created far fewer construction jobs than expected.”

The article goes on to say that of the 37 million people in the state of California this program created 84 jobs. ARE YOU KIDDING ME….84 JOBS!

This money could have been spent for unemployment. The issue is keeping companies from moving their work to other countries not creating a new sector of employment. The country has heard many promises from President Obama and yet have I seen one fulfilled. We are much worse off than we were two years ago and many American families are in the same situation we are.

When will they start listening to us, the people they are suppose to be representing instead of doing what they do best, spend money on worthless programs and live the lavish life?

We will be hearing that every two weeks from now until ……WHO KNOWS! For the last two years Chad has been able to avoid that dreaded phone call to Marvin on Wednesday mornings to collect his unemployment check, but this year he was not able to weather the storm. This time of year is always the hardest for the Construction Trades in Michigan. The layoffs start coming and you just hope that the company you work for has enough to keep you going until the summer boom hits.

It is almost embarrassing to live in a state where day after day hordes of people are losing their jobs. Our Governor has no words of relief for her Michigan residents. In fact by moving up the primary election, she pretty much screwed us all. The only extra attention that Michigan is receiving is whether or not “our” votes will be counted…..Well at this point WHO CARES!!!! Michigan residents need some serious help here, help with our economy for our struggling families. The people of Michigan would vote for Joe Blow right now if he would help us get back on our feet.

Chad & I are the lucky ones, because he has been able to avoid Marvin up until now. We know that Chad will be back to work even if it takes a couple months, he still has a job. (Thanks to IronWorkers Local 25!) Other families around our state are not as lucky, their jobs are actually gone for good. People that have made it their life to work hard in our factories, are being set aside like last years garbage, forced into “other” areas of employment. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and Detroit holding the highest number of foreclosures, things look bleaker for Michigan residents everyday.

Meanwhile we will try to survive on a MARVIN check for now which is only a ¼ of Chad’s regular pay. The short term future reads: eat a lot of Ramen Noodles, and pray the kids don’t have any unexpected expenses….like getting sick.

Beautiful Morning – From High in the Sky