Senate Committee to hear testimony on unemployment extension

By Ed Brayton | 09.14.09 | 6:36 am

The Senate Finance Committee, on which Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) sits, will take a break from deliberations over health care reform on Tuesday and hold a hearing about the possibility of extending unemployment benefits by another 13 weeks. The Detroit News quotes one of the experts who will testify at the hearing in favor of such an extension:

Beth Shulman will try to convince lawmakers that the government has “to ensure that people can support themselves and their families,” especially those in states with at least 8.5 percent unemployment. Michigan’s jobless rate is 15 percent — the worst in the nation.

“We are in the worst economic downturn since the Depression,” said Shulman, who chairs the board of the National Employment Law Project.

Karen Campbell of the Heritage Foundation told the News that she will argue against an extension of unemployment benefits, saying that workers “need to consider relocating to places with jobs or going back to school for new skills.” But it’s hard to see why either suggestion would solve the problems that unemployment benefits are designed to solve.

Moving from a state with 15% unemployment to one with 10% unemployment doesn’t really enhance one’s job prospects and going back to school requires money and there are still regular bills to pay in the meantime. In either case, unemployment benefits are still needed unless we want to allow those people to starve.

Campbell also says we “need policies to help businesses create jobs,” which is obvious enough but it still doesn’t address the needs of those who are unemployed now. The U.S. House is also expected to take up the issue of an unemployment extension this week.

Comments

jh443

> Karen Campbell… will argue… that workers “need to consider relocating to places with
> jobs or going back to school for new skills.”

There are three main problems with this argument. (1) Training takes time and people have to eat. Training also involves its own expenses. Where's the money going to come from? (2) Like training, relocation has its own expenses. Again, who's going to finance it? I'm broke. (3) Most of us don't speak Mandarin.

dragonwytch

Right on! That's real easy for you to say, Karen (Campbell), you have a job and probably a well-paying one at that. I've been unemployed for more than a year and a half after working for a company 18 years. My unemployment runs out at the end of this month along with more than 1 million other people. And how do you expect people to “relocate” when home sales are in the tank? If companies weren't outsourcing to India for 85 cents a day to increase their bottom line, maybe it wouldn't be so hard to find a job.
jonasconway

Ms. Campbell… I think you are one of Obamas mentally retarded followers. I am 63 years old and was laid off last August of 2007 after working for the company for 20 years. I have been using part of my unemployment money to look for any job and even going to different states of low unemployment rate ( North Dakota) , and yet have never received even a courtesy reply from the companies I have applied. If you have any other ideas except for the one you previously mention, it will be very much welcome and appreciated by my family.

Republicans_are_so_lost

FYI she works for the republican party. Obamas “mentally retarded followers” are the ones who want the bill to pass.

SWPAdem

Thank you for correcting the “mentally retarded followers” statement. Just goes to show how ignorant the average American is and misinformed. Obama is pro extending UC benefits! Perhaps if people would stop listening to the lies of those who only want to bring Obama down and educate themselves to the truth then we wouldn't have such hatefulness and such division. For those ignorant and misinformed, Obama wants to help the middle class survive, Republicans want to give the money and power to the big corporations and to the weathiest Americans. It's their trickle down economics that doesn't work.
JaySin420

I voted Obama and he's done a great job improving our reputation overseas but sadly I'm learning that the president is really just a figurehead for the corporations that hold all the money and actually run our country.

Supertramp

jonasconway – You've got it all wrong sir. Obama wasn't President when we all lost our jobs. Plus, while George W was still in office, he kept vetoing every bill that came to his desk for an unemployment extension. He finally signed the bill when his party added further funding for the war in Iraq, which was a very big factor in the state of present economy sir/madam. It is the Party Of NO who you have to worry about – They consider Unemployment Insurance the same as Welfare. Under the Obama Administration, we have set a record of 79 weeks of benefits in most states, with the probability of another extension, unless it's stopped by the retarded followers of Glenn Beck, Rush Limpdick, and these wacko Republicans who don't care about the middle class!

feedup303

I agree Supertramp. But they also don't care about the poor just the super rich. Trickle down economics is a rich mans game and they bottom 80% get what they throw away. Glenn Beck used to be a top 40 DJ before he became such a hero to the right. Not to mention a drug addict and alcoholic. Don't get me started on Rush. During the Clinton Admin I had a better salary then now makes now sense.

fred32

the bottom 90 % not 80%

bd16

Great points made here jh443. Let me add another, (4) I can not afford to sell my home to relocate to another state because the value of my home has dropped 50% since I purchased it.

In my case, we now owe $52,000 more on the mortgage then the current value of the home.
recncru1

Consider taking a minimum wage job when you make twice as much? Consider the construction workers who are not building houses and businesses Why? Consider the people who are not paving their companies parking lot and just patching it up until times get better?

Crazy to think that way because it is a very narrow point of view by someone who doesn't realize that most jobs will return with the exception of some auto workers and when they do Americans will move to the next phase of change in the economy.

These phases are shifts that happen within a ten year span throughout history and they cause recessions as well as prosperity. As we change from manufacturing to service and tech jobs, we must change professions or careers to adapt.

However, this time, there are more jobs lost that will return than previous times throughout history. Can we suggest the farmers quit farming and do something else like work at Burger King? Can we tell Construction workers to become a pizza delivery man?

Everyone is hit and everyone is affected in these times and the government, auto union,and. Bank CEO's all had a hand in it. The combination of the three has landed us in a time of despair and all they can think about is government buyouts, bailouts, and health care when what we need is a real stimulus plan.

The thing bothering me the most is the people who are doing well or not as affected in these times with a narrow minded approach to what is important when they don't have to stand in my shoes.

Failures by Clinton, Bush, Obama and Congress are to blame and if the citizens fail, then the country fails. We need a clean house and a clean slate to put the main issues affecting our country first and so called bi-partisan efforts are what caused it!

The banks failed because of two reasons>>>>
1) the government stepped in and made loans available to people who had bad credit (this was congress and the president's of the time)
2)Bush lowered interest rates to stimulate housing and stave off a recession and the banks tried to make up for their losses by making more loans as well as bad ones to people who either didn't pay their bills or couldn't afford the loans, but were convinced other wise.

{I would like to add that Obama's lack of focus on job creation and time consuming focus on health care as well as an unmoving stimulus plan has deepened the recession and weakened the dollar.}

My opinion was to let them fail because that is the way that more room is made for banks that were doing it right to grow (just like weeding the weeds from a garden that choke the fruit bearing plants!)

The auto maker GM failed because it had way to many makes and models, gave in to union demand, and was not able to trim the fat in order to survive. Not to mention it managed money poorly and did not lead the way in hybrids, electrics and hydrogen type technologies as American companies usually do.

Our government has failed because it argues over energy and environment and health care. Then it passes legislation that contradicts each other and causes a big mess. Lacking focus on the things that our country needs most. Jobs, Energy, and Security!

These are just the cornerstone of the things that make a country continue to progress and we must focus on those. The only way to do so is to send a message to our government by cleaning house and weeding out the majority of them that are having a cholesterol affect on the bloodstream. Unclog the American arteries and make the government fit again!

Every president has failed (going back to Carter and maybe further) at protecting our borders and establishing a means of providing more opportunities to those who wish to come here(need more research on any president past carter).

donaldopeoples

I'm 59 years old and laid off for the first time since 1980. When I ask for an application I often get
a “don't bother” look. The unemployment numbers are not an accurate reflection on the jobless situation. There are thousands who don't show up in the government's figures who have stopped looking, who don't qualify or are either underemployed or working under the table. The jobless figures might make Wall Street optimistic, but they don't reflect reality.
Republicans_are_so_lost

We can all thank GW Bush. I guess when he said mission “accomplishment” he was referring to wiping out the middle class and making the rich more rich????? Well you poeple will vote for a Republican no matter what they do. I just don't get it???? Well anyway thanks for the mess and hope this bill passess cause I'm out of work for a while the way it looks. UGH!!!!
stuman7

What a stupid Republican skank. That's a typical thought by that group. Believe me, her and her “comrades” on the right would trample their mothers to get to the government feed trough if they needed the help. Why don't they tell her to stay home where all her Republican pals thinks she belongs anyway?

glennbeckkk

She's just stupid I guess. Republican's are anti womens lib. if they had thier way shed be pumping out babies and cleaning the house. Republicans all cheat on their wives but say “practice family values.” THEY LIE about everthing!!! Anyone who, is not a male, is not rich, makes under 200K, is not a white racist should never vote for a Republican. It's liking taking money out of your pocket and giving it to the top 1%. Do you know 0.2% of this country population makes 50% of the income. Out of control of you ask me. But whatever you do don't give poeple free healthcare the corporate scum won't be able to afford their mansions. What a joke!!!! Why are some americans so ignorant???

wcsur

I got laid off May 2008. Have always worked in maintenance doing electronics repair and some electrical for the last 35 years. The response I get most of the time is we cant afford to hire you because you have too much knowledge in the fields you work in. This is a crock. If I had a company and had someone that was willing to work for a good wage, it would be to my benefit to hire that person. The problem is they want some they can pay cheap and do everything. I have years of schooling behind me and they aren't cheap. Doctors charge a over 100.00 dollars for a 15 min office call that you have to wait for an hour to see. theirs schools aren't cheap either and they don't have to do everything. The middle class does most of the work to keep this country going and now a lot of them are laid off. How about everyone in the government taking a 50% pay cut to keep the country going!
Supertramp

If this extension bill doesn't get passed, I think the millions unemployed Americans who will have exhausted all benefits SHOULD relocate – to Karen Campbell's front step. Let her show us where the jobs are – She is as out of touch as George W, Dick-less Cheney, and the entire crazy, me, me, me Republican Party. Perhaps she can tell us where to get the money to pay for training or to just pick up from where we live and relocate after being out of work for nearly two years! How could these people who are against Obama fall for the crap that they hear on Fixed News and politicans like Senator Jim Demint from SC, who will do anything just to bring down a President who is actually TRYING to do some positive things for REAL AMERICANS, and Congressman Joe Wilson from SC who is proof that those crazy nuts at the town hall meetings shouting out hateful untruths were probably sent there by the Insurance interest groups – What is wrong with people? Ms. Campbell is part of the crowd who would see the destruction of the middle class, just so her Republican wackos who sat on their hands for 8 years of George W's failed policies can come back and do what they do best – Feed the rich, and kill everyone else!

needtowork

Yeah your right Karen Campbell is very well paid …Karen Campbell P.hD. is a policy analyst in macroeconomics at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative republican party.Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute–a think tank–whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

We communicate our message to our primary audiences: members of Congress, key congressional staff members, policymakers in the executive branch, the news media, and the academic and public policy communities.

Heritage has made great strides for the conservative movement during our 35-year history. We will build on that progress in the years to come. In an effort to do so, this year marked the beginning of our Leadership for America campaign. As part of that effort, Heritage partnered with Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham to launch an educational campaign about conservative principles called “What Would Reagan Do?”

As part of the “What Would Reagan Do?” campaign, ads promoting Heritage run daily on Hannity's and Ingraham's radio shows.

needtowork

If you want to email Karen Campbell and give her a piece of your mind there's a link on her company website: http://www.heritage.org

Pipster

Thanks for the link… I think I will..

briggz

I just sent her a nasty gram….who does she think she is? My unemployment ran out two weeks ago…..in 18 months have applied to every job posted and some. Now we have nothing…what does a person do? No sleep just lot's of worry! Hope she is getting rest at night…! I pray we get good news tomorrow……..we ALL need it : ) .
tobyboy1

ALL I AM GOING TO SAY HERE IS BRING THE JOBS OR KEEP THE UNEMPLOYMENT, WE ARE NOT LAZY WE NEED JOBS THAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
ewrrub13

For those who are employed, good for you. And for those who are not, don't despise those who are. We are Americans, and as americans, we are considered to be resourceful, creative, reliable, hardworking, and most of all, fun loving people. We believe in respect, trust, honesty, and family welfare as our top priority. The more good things we think of others and ourselves, the more good things is to come in our life. Positive thoughts produces positive results. Be proud to be an American. We always win at the end. Let us all try to ask not what our country can do for us, but ask what you can do for your coutry. God Bless America.

Post Reply
jm32935

As much as I hate to say it, the “fat cats” are the ones holding the strings and have the ability to create more jobs. Going after these wealthy individuals provides no incentive whatsoever to create jobs or bring back the jobs they eliminated.
I am sure all of us who are unemployed are not sitting around living the good life and we all want to get back to work. This extension will kepp us somewhat stable so when the “fat cats” add to their workforce, we will be ready.
EXTEND THE BENEFITS!! We have all paid into this system since we were teenagers. ITS OUR MONEY.
afraidinmich

Karen Campbell…….what an uncaring idiot!!! Relocate??? Please send me the money to do so. Training??? I'll take it if you pay my bills while I'm in school. EXTEND THE DAMN BENEFITS!!
musiqgs

Oh yeah! That is so true. God definitely needs to bless America!!! But in reality, America is already blessed. It is those GREEDY people who care about no one but themselves who are the middlemen and women blocking the rest of America's blessings. You must be careful how you treat people and think before you make stupid comments. You will reap what you sow. I am not worried in the least bit about America's crisis, because I believe the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Let the rich come together in order to lie, scheme and deceive those who do not have, and they do not want them to have. It is okay. I may have to be the one to give Karen Campbell a piece of bread one day.

God will bless America just as he blesses every other country. But what will America do? Continue in their own way thinking? Whoever makes the decisions, whether it is Obama, Bush, Clinton, the Senate, the HOR, they better do it with a just heart and clear conscious because my mother always said “whatever you do, it is coming back around your way…so whatever you dish out..you better be able to take it”!!!

They were mad at Jeremiah Wright when he said it, but I think he had a point….God bless America? No God damn America!!! All I can say is pray and pray hard because someone is going to have to bear this burden of all this crap that is going on in “high places”.
Pipster

I am just so…..flabbergasted! Did she really say that? Can she be so obtuse? $560 a month for a 1 1/2 yrs (and no bridge card here)… I would DEFINATELY RATHER HAVE A JOB! We are not living it up on unemployment compensation by any means… I stand behind folks in the supermarket buying steak and fresh vegetables and Coca-Cola (and brand name toliet paper for crying out loud) with a bridge card, and then pack into a new SUV …and for the majority, the government pays their rent and medical as well ( can you say section 8?). A huge majority of these have never had a job, just children they can't feed, and the government has no problem paying them for years upon years. Having worked all of my life, I am reduced to feeling grateful for an extra $25/week. Those checks stopped a month ago. Maybe they should consider building new jails… will bring a few jobs (probably from out of state) and ” 3 hots and a cot” for the rest of us.
lostinmichigan

When Billy Boy was in office, I remember signs hanging from trees in front of companies begging people to come work and for a decent wage. What the hell has happened?
unamployedamerican

12 WEEK S NO MONEY
AFTER THE GOVERNMENT TOOK ALL MY TAX MONEY FOR THE LAST 50 YEAR S
AND GAVE IT TO THE BANK S AND WALL STREET
I GUESS THEY DON T NEED US ANY MORE
IT S CHEAPER TO KILL US THAN TO FEED US
THEY SAVE THAT FOR THE RICH BANKER S AND AIG BUNCH
12 WEEK S THANK S GOV I,LL BE SEE YA AT THE VOTING BOOTH
unamployedamerican

12 WEEK S NO MONEY
AFTER THE GOVERNMENT TOOK ALL MY TAX MONEY FOR THE LAST 50 YEAR S
AND GAVE IT TO THE BANK S AND WALL STREET
I GUESS THEY DON T NEED US ANY MORE
IT S CHEAPER TO KILL US THAN TO FEED US
THEY SAVE THAT FOR THE RICH BANKER S AND AIG BUNCH
12 WEEK S THANK S GOV I,LL BE SEE YA AT THE VOTING BOOTH
unamployedamerican

12 WEEK S NO MONEY
AFTER THE GOVERNMENT TOOK ALL MY TAX MONEY FOR THE LAST 50 YEAR S
AND GAVE IT TO THE BANK S AND WALL STREET
I GUESS THEY DON T NEED US ANY MORE
IT S CHEAPER TO KILL US THAN TO FEED US
THEY SAVE THAT FOR THE RICH BANKER S AND AIG BUNCH
12 WEEK S THANK S GOV I,LL BE SEE YA AT THE VOTING BOOTH

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