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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

foreclosure
By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Unemployment extension won’t help 99ers

By Ed Brayton | 12.09.10 | 7:47 am

Calculated Risk points out something that we’ve mentioned many times but probably bears repeating, that the 13 month unemployment benefits extension, even if it passes in the next few days, will do nothing to help the 99ers, the long-term unemployed who have already exhausted all of their state and federal benefits.

Just to be clear, the “extension of the unemployment benefits” is an extension of the qualifying dates for the various tiers of benefits, and not additional weeks of benefits. There is no additional help for the so-called “99ers”.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) comes in four tiers:
Tier I is for 20 additional weeks;
Tier II is for up to 14 weeks;
Tier III is for up to 13 weeks;
Tier IV is for up to 6 weeks.

As an example, if a worker was receiving Tier I benefits, they will be able to move to Tier II benefits with this proposed extension. Without the extension of the qualifying dates, workers would not be able to move to the next tier.

The 99ers are demanding a Tier V be added for the long-term unemployed but it seems highly unlikely that Congress will act on that demand now or in the foreseeable future.

Comments

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  • Anonymous

    I KNOW HOW TO HUSTLE FOR THE 2 GAY OLD PIGS TRASH TALKIN 99ER’S. AND WHEN I SAY PIGS IM NOT REFERRING TO ALL CAUCASIANS BECAUSE IT’S A LOT OF YA’LL ON HERE WITH SENSE BUT THE 2 GUYS WHO KEEP RESPONDING AND JACKIN EACH OTHERS DICKS OFF ARE PIGS! SO EVERYONE ELSE I PRAY THAT A “REAL” CHANGE COME SOON

  • Anonymous

    Ok, i’m done messing with you retard. You have shown everybody why you are unable to find a job. Have a nice life,,,,, nig.

    • Anonymous

      How long is long enough to kill the economy,republican obstructionism is killing this country, until they stop and the rate gets more acceptable, keep it going NO MORE TEIRS/TEARS, The money gushers up to the rich, the only thing that trickles is dick!!!

      • Anonymous

        You still don’t understand, it’s not going to work the way you think it should.

        Even if it gets to what you consider “acceptable”, there still will not be enough jobs for people that want them. If the unemployment rate was at 6% and you were unemployed, would 6% be unacceptable to you?

        There will never be enough jobs for people that want them. Never has been, never will be.

        So what is an “acceptable” unemployment rate to you?

        • Anonymous

          Well they always used extensions in the past when the rate was over 7.2%, why stop this time! They have proven its the most bang for the buck in a recession! I dont know what the exact number is and I believe some will never make it back into the workforce! Alan Grayson made a good point last night, he said that 150 billion would pay for 3 million people to have jobs that pay 30k a year, and we piss that much away in wars etc. etc.. That itself would lower the rate 3 points! Makes sense to me, why borrow another trillion to keep more of the same! Knock on any unemployeds door and tell them they have to take that job or NO job or benefits, I am guessing, they will take that job! Just think if you did that to the tune of a trillion dollars!!!

    • Anonymous

      Nice name calling.

  • Anonymous

    ALL OF YOU IGNORANT, SELF-WORTHLESS, PIECE OF SH!T HEADS THAT USE THESE BLOGS TO TALK CRAP ALL NEED TO GROW THE F*** UP… TO EVERYONE ELSE, KEEP YOUR HEADS UP AND DON’T GIVE UP ON LIFE.. THINGS WILL GET BETTER.. JUST REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR THE ONE’S THAT “REALLY” REPRESENT YOU COME NEXT ELECTION..

    • Anonymous

      define “self-worthless”

    • Anonymous

      I’m a dual citizen with the U.S. and New Zealand. My Dad went to Vietnam twice, and ended up shooting himself in the head froms years of suffering with untreated P.T.S.D. For what??? So the wealthy people in this country could make money off of a War and never set foot in it. Now the wealthy people in the U.S. are finding themselves at War in their own country. They’re going to have to put their feet in this one. Let’s see how tough they really are. I’m going back to New Zealand where I can get a job. I’m also going to watch the wealthy people of America shoot themselves in foot over their selfishness, and then shoot themselves in the head over their guilt at fleecing their own country. New Zealand may not be perfect, but in many ways it is far ahead of the U.S. in how it treats it’s own citizens through good and bad times.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a dual citizen with the U.S. and New Zealand. My Dad went to Vietnam twice, and ended up shooting himself in the head froms years of suffering with untreated P.T.S.D. For what??? So the wealthy people in this country could make money off of a War and never set foot in it. Now the wealthy people in the U.S. are finding themselves at War in their own country. They’re going to have to put their feet in this one. Let’s see how tough they really are. I’m going back to New Zealand where I can get a job. I’m also going to watch the wealthy people of America shoot themselves in foot over their selfishness, and then shoot themselves in the head over their guilt at fleecing their own country. New Zealand may not be perfect, but in many ways it is far ahead of the U.S. in how it treats it’s own citizens through good and bad times.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a dual citizen with the U.S. and New Zealand. My Dad went to Vietnam twice, and ended up shooting himself in the head froms years of suffering with untreated P.T.S.D. For what??? So the wealthy people in this country could make money off of a War and never set foot in it. Now the wealthy people in the U.S. are finding themselves at War in their own country. They’re going to have to put their feet in this one. Let’s see how tough they really are. I’m going back to New Zealand where I can get a job. I’m also going to watch the wealthy people of America shoot themselves in foot over their selfishness, and then shoot themselves in the head over their guilt at fleecing their own country. New Zealand may not be perfect, but in many ways it is far ahead of the U.S. in how it treats it’s own citizens through good and bad times.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a dual citizen with the U.S. and New Zealand. My Dad went to Vietnam twice, and ended up shooting himself in the head froms years of suffering with untreated P.T.S.D. For what??? So the wealthy people in this country could make money off of a War and never set foot in it. Now the wealthy people in the U.S. are finding themselves at War in their own country. They’re going to have to put their feet in this one. Let’s see how tough they really are. I’m going back to New Zealand where I can get a job. I’m also going to watch the wealthy people of America shoot themselves in foot over their selfishness, and then shoot themselves in the head over their guilt at fleecing their own country. New Zealand may not be perfect, but in many ways it is far ahead of the U.S. in how it treats it’s own citizens through good and bad times.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a dual citizen with the U.S. and New Zealand. My Dad went to Vietnam twice, and ended up shooting himself in the head froms years of suffering with untreated P.T.S.D. For what??? So the wealthy people in this country could make money off of a War and never set foot in it. Now the wealthy people in the U.S. are finding themselves at War in their own country. They’re going to have to put their feet in this one. Let’s see how tough they really are. I’m going back to New Zealand where I can get a job. I’m also going to watch the wealthy people of America shoot themselves in foot over their selfishness, and then shoot themselves in the head over their guilt at fleecing their own country. New Zealand may not be perfect, but in many ways it is far ahead of the U.S. in how it treats it’s own citizens through good and bad times.

    • Anonymous

      How many times are you going to repeat yourself?

      • Anonymous

        We should ask the same of you. How many posts do YOU have on here, and why aren’t you at work, or ARE you at work, wasting your employer’s time?

      • Anonymous

        You’ve repeated yourself plenty. Don’t you have a job to go to?

  • Anonymous

    millionaires and billionaires don’t create jobs. they just make money on their own. they use tax loop holes and rake in big money. tax ones making over 1 million dollars, and help the 99ers. The gvmnt sent our jobs out of the country, so now we have no jobs here. the gvmnt must help the jobless now. We must start manufacturing up in this country before it is to late and we fall apart

  • Anonymous

    I think 99isenough is just a plant to get everyone agitated enough to keep writing on this site. Actually, I should say I HOPE 99isenough doesn’t really believe what he/she writes here. The world is wretched enough!

  • Anonymous

    Folks, let me make this very clear: Insults and name-calling will not be tolerated, regardless of your viewpoint. Any comments that contain them will be deleted and you will be blocked from commenting further.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XTGLZZPXIBPMKDICSGKRGDU7CI Michael E

    Is that so? Then why is 99isenough allowed to call someone a ….nig? a “bootlip spear chucker”?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KNMMNUF7DBWH6QDRJLZHZUIJFY Brant

    ALL YOU CAN DO IS PRAY? WTF!? That mentality is why we are in this mess. The hopeless helpless apathetic pity party has another member!

    As always, in this country, we are the masters of our own destiny. All religion aside, 10000 people praying wont do as much to change the situation as 10000 people on the streets in Washington. As any christian will tell you god A: allows bad things to happen because he knows we can handle it, and B: God does not dwell within the walls of the U.S. government I am almost certain. And if he did he still allows them to have the free will to screw us over.
    We need action not wishful thinking and ideals. We need “boots” on the ground to change the direction of this country. It is a shame only starving Americans seem to care enough to take any action. And then only 1/4 do anything the rest are content to starve while bitching and/or praying. God and fortune favor those who help themselves.
    Take a look at the new generation of young people, how can we pass this country to them in this shape, they will never fix it!! Ever watch one try to do something as hard as roll up a hose? Can you find one to do it correctly? I cant and I live in a rural area. I think they are content to give all freedom away for “easy and entertaining”. (I am 27 and know many personally at a peer level, Im not a grumbling old man!)
    Howabout this…. “Head in the cell phone, feet in the grave, tread on me as long as you entertain me.” This should be our new national motto.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XTGLZZPXIBPMKDICSGKRGDU7CI Michael E

    I don’t think any of us expected to be out of work for this long. Had I known, I may have come up with a different plan than just applying for another job. As it is, I have gone over 100k more into debt, gotten a loan modification and still had to apply for bankruptcy. I’ve had 4 interviews in 3 years. Everyone wants to use online applications through middleman companies that ask the same questions over and over. The stress level and frustration around here is through the roof. I have friends and relatives emailing and texting me with everything they see that might mean work…..nothing pans out. I have dumbed-down my resume, talked of myself as being less experienced, just another worker among workers, applied at every kind of job imaginable and I get little to no response, especially if I try to talk to someone in person and they see how old I am (60). Even the job agencies and temp agencies I’ve gone to have acknowledged age discrimination is real. I have walked into shops with help-wanted signs and filled out an application on the spot, am totally qualified to do the work and never hear another word. If I ask them again, they just say that they haven’t made a decision yet, although there are other people working there now. I feel like I’m in limbo…. I only actually collected 49 weeks of unemployment but the EEO says my 99 weeks are up. I was put on disability while undergoing chemo and stopped collecting unemployment until it was over, but I found that if I was eligible for unemployment when I went on disability, then the disability was taxable….I am willing to do any job for any hours for any pay but get no takers. I know the economy is bad when I see hispanics, whites and blacks all standing around waiting for someone to offer them work. It used to be just poor mexicans, now it’s everybody. The last time I looked for a job (1999), I checked out the want-ads in the newspaper, called a phone number, got an interview and was hired. Since I lost that job (Christmas, 2006), it has been a lesson in futility. We are not looking for sympathy or a handout; we just want to work.

  • Anonymous

    It would be far better to extend benefits for the 99ers even for a short period of time. The 99ers will be putting the money back into the economy. I just think it’s ridiculous that the unemployment extension was held hostage to the Bush tax cuts. Pass the tax cuts for the rich and they will throw us a bone. What is happening in America..

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BYUR4BXP2KFEEXHX7F7LUODDP4 monique

    We dont need to extend benefits, they need to create jobs. I find that this enables people.. Ive had a friend pass on a job because he makes more on unemployment. Damn shame

    • Anonymous

      Really??? What about the 99ers who have NO MORE benefits and STILL can’t find a job??? Do you think they’re not working because they enjoy starving and living under a bridge??? Think before you comment. :(

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XTGLZZPXIBPMKDICSGKRGDU7CI Michael E

    Doesn’t that say something about the wages that are being offered? I can understand your friend’s justification for turning down the job if it means less money for his family, but the unemployment will run out and it won’t look like such a great idea. I DID turn down an opportunity to apply for a job that paid a dollar less per hour than unemployment about a year and a half ago when I was still under the illusion that i could find a job in my field. Now, I regret that decision – not that I would have gotten the job, but I didn’t even give myself the opportunity…..not the case today, I can tell you.

  • Anonymous

    i worked since i been 8years old and never asked for much help . i am a 99er but how do we pay our bills i cut all fat or waste and now what be on the street my question why did congress stop the money just befroe christmas . and know obamo in hawaii al congrees all home snuggled in for a vaction rest and us 99weeks . we have no christmas my daughter is 14 honor student and in a band she get nothing for christmas so my wife and our 4 year old neice what did they do wrong . and oh for christmas dinner were having a no brand pizza, boy i feel the congess like playing the christmas story them being scrooge but where our happy ending out on the street they ruined the last hoilday i ever like as a child i hope there happy i so depressed because i have to look into childrens eyes bruce bonkowski

  • Anonymous

    Its 630 AM I have three bucks for gas and two leads for a job 30 miles from here Hope I make it. Say a prayer please.

  • http://twitter.com/dkmich dkmich

    http://www.mijobhub.com/index.html 1,000+ jobs in SE MI: engineers, IT, medical, machinist – check it out and spread the word. Tweet, facebook, email everybody you know. Lets make sure we get these jobs filled.

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