Michigan Votes Forum

Feel fortunate that you have some weeks left to claim, Many others have ran out of benefits long ago with no New job prospects - as there just is not any work out there - if you can call a $7.00hr job a job. The construction field here in Michigan has taken a major hit with the state of our economy and our Good ol Governor Granholm has refused to help anyone out and continues to wait for a Hand out from the Feds - It's Pathetic and she should feel real good about herself - Since she Has a Job. You have mismanaged this State into an economic mess and anyone that says "She was left this Mess" is kidding themselves - She's had 6 years to to try and correct it - We are All definately Blown Away - Thats' for sure.

Does anyone know of any updates as to whether or not the extension is going to go through? I'm going to be out of unemployment in 2 weeks and have no job.

Today the University of Michigan in a study of the confidence of our so-called "Slow" Economy - has found the level has went down to the lowest level since 1982 - these are staggering numbers and definately should tell the Governor of this State and as well as the White House - things aren't as Glamorous as you've made it out to be - We the Unemployed that have been looking for new Jobs could've told you that one and many of us have been for quite some time. Granholm should step in Immediately and put on a State Extension of Unemployment Benefits - To not do so, Will finally proove to this State and the Rest of the Country - You have No Concern for the People of this State and it's pretty ashamful that we The People cannot get the Help we Need!

Apply some severe hacking and slashing to government, regulation, and taxes, and the high unemployment will go away. Gobble the whole bottle, and call me in the morning.

Seriously, after 25 years of working for one employer, I lost my job. My employer was 65 and decided to retire and close the office. I have alot of great skills and have applied for at least 100 jobs. I am in agreement that unemployment should be for 52 weeks, not 26. My employer paid unemployment insurance for me for 25 years and I am only qualified for 26 weeks. I ran out of benefits in November, 2006 and according to what I read, I would not qualify for the extension. I hope I am wrong. I know there are no jobs out there, but I also feel that age does play a part. Even though you are not asked your age, your years of experience are there and anyone can add the years. My husband is 62 and his overtime salary benefits have been taken away, but a 62 he surely cannot look for another job. Please listen, we in Michigan need help immediately. The stimulis package is nice but will not replace unemployment benefits.

I agree, Granholm should step in and do something now. We need this to eat and drive to look for a job (which are not out there)she needs to do something right now and not wait for a federal handout (Michigan is hurting real bad!!)Why is she just waiting, is it because her family has work, food and gas to drive around or what is it?

I to have had my last check 2 weeks ago, and sent out many resumes, no answeres as of yet. I cannot even afford the gas to look for burger jobs. My question is why is Granholm not doing anything. I wondered if she would let me move in and eat and sleep there, because I will not make it!!!! Michigan needs Granholm now!!!!! Where is she???

Michigan unemployment highest at 7.2%, now to me we need the help. Where is Granholm she is our governor is she not. Now do I have to move from Michigan further south where everything is cheaper, taxes, prices etc. Where is our Governor??? Michigan wants to know

MY FUNDS WILL END IN MAY 2008.......31 YEARS PAYING INTO UNEMPLOYMENT AND ONLY RECIEVING 6-MONTHS OF BENEFITS.....NOT ENOUGH....

squarely behind unions, not squarely behind YOU. she is perched precariously on the LEFT side of any issue. she is looking longingly at going back to canada after she is through screwing up this state totally.

My unemployment is going to run out in 9 weeks. Where I live there are no jobs. What jobs there were got shipped out to India for call center jobs. I have no idea what I am going to do. I am single, no kids and don't qualify for ANY state aid, not even food stamps, well $10 and thats about it. I can't even get health insurance. This state really sucks. I am so sick of the rich getting richer, Granholm are you listening? Another thing, I understand the East side of the state is hurting too, but come on, why not bring some industry to the West side of the state to? we need jobs as well. And not where you have to drive 50 miles one way. With the gas prices it wouldn't pay to go to work, it would eat up your whole pay check.

On April 16th, 2008, the Ways and Means Committee voted YES to the Unemployment extension in Michigan. According to the Unemployment site, we are all supposed to contact our local Congressmen to "beg" them to vote yes. For those of us that are out of benefits and at our "wits end", please, PLEASE help us now! It's up to Congress whether or not we will survive out here! I'm not sure about all of you, but I'm out of pop cans and change, sent resumes everywhere I can, gone on useless interviews (where a minimum of 50 people show up), and don't know where else to turn.

You lazy slug! Weasel! Moocher! No jobs where you live - Move! You think you have right to sit on your duff where there are no jobs and leech welfare paid by those who are working? Indeed, the rest of you union goons posting invented sob stories on this thread are almost as bad. Most of your stories are probably just as phony as this slob's claim to welfare. Shame on you! If there are any genuine posts on this thread, where is your pride to be whining in public that the government isn't doing enough to take care of you? What would your grandfather or his father think of you if he saw this kind of pathetic mewling? "Governor Granholm - please give poor pathetic me a handout." Shame!

You are a very pathetic and sad little person. What gives you the right to sit and insult people that are hurting? The person you are insulting is not on welfare, that person is me. Up until April 1st, I was working full time. I do live in a very small town where jobs just are not around. There are lots of people vying for any job that gets posted. A major baby food company has sent a lot of jobs away, and is downsizing. I can't afford to move out of here. I can't even afford rent right now. Who put you in your high and mighty spot? God almighty? I think you better sit and take a reality check and get your head out of your ass!!!!!

I'm 29 years old I have had a job since I was 13. I was working as a director at a brokerage firm on Wall Street. Many firms laid people off because they are doing poorly. I haven't been able to find a job. I can't believe it! The job market is so bad. I even, tried to explore outside of my industry, but many industries are doing poorly. There is a big difference between a social entitlement like welfare and unemployment. You are yelling at people who probably really can't find a job. The economy is terrible! You should be smart enough to realize that people are created equal, but they do not have equal circumstances and events throughout their lives. I had to move back to PA because I just couldn't survive. I had an interview this past Friday and I'm praying I get the job. So, please don't be so critical of the people who really do need the help. I'm sure that they do. Additionally, do you know how it works? If you are eligible, then that means you paid into the system. This people are not welfare rats.

Jennifer, I wasn't sure you were reading these posts! Thanks for your answer to all our problems. Have a nice day.

Evidently you don't have a Real Time grasp with the way Michigan's Economy is right now and has been for several years - And for you - Whoever You are, you are a Lifeless worthless Airbreathing piece of crap, to come to a site calling people names and claiming they are lazy - what a Pathetic A-hole. You are so busy with your Job - you have time to spend here insulting people and if You are a 2-Penny Jenny supporter, you really are a Dumbass. Go to the Bank and withdraw some Money from you Inheritance fund - And Go Buy some common sense - You piece of Crap!

but true...

they give 10% more money for completing a job that was quoted on time if the job is finished on time there was request for 25 million dollars in the paper and they said hey i'll give you 50 million SBT one company 1000 to 14000 dollars more the university of michigan preached the car companys couldn't be beat because of economys of SCALE! bill gates , microsoft , the richest man in the world from writing ____ code it still doesn't work! probably many more moron reasons

What the hell did I ever do to deserve this…… I am 48 yrs old. I have a college degree and have worked my ass off in the IT industry since the dawn of the first IBM PC. I have raised 2 great children, paid all bills, all the taxes, build a house, a home, a life. For the past 3 yrs, I watched and tried to all ends to avoid the situation I now find myself in. My beautiful home has lost so much of it value that it no longer has any value whatsoever. My very small vacation home is now my only home. I’m pretty sure that the house I had build 14 yrs ago will go the way of foreclosure. I lost my retirement (planned) job of 12 yrs to 5 third world Checz Republic dirtballs while the CEO of the company makes $97,000.00 a week. I had to move to FL just to get another job that pays 20% less. It was that or live on the streets of Detroit. Cleaned out my IRA just to survive. It’s all going to hell before my very eyes. I have very little left and the oil companies and tax man are sure to mop up the rest. And basically none of it was of my own doing. What the hell kind of county is this? I did it right and all for not. We have politicians that rob us blind at every turn, don’t represent ONE DAMN program I agree with, and scream and steal “for the children” for my last pint of blood. We have CEO’s making MILLIONS for companies that loose BILLIONS. So much for the reward system. That certainly explains the real estate bust. The county is loosing its wealth and these assholes get paid millions to see it through. Yet they will not give a pittance of a raise to their employees while they off-shore their cash and farm out the work to third world toilets. Most of which are commie nations and enemies of the US. Nice………………. We have a justice system (that’s an oxy moron) that will overlook the criminal acts of themselves, the rich and the politicians but will take all your wealth and clean out your bank account before their 5 star noon lunch. So FUCK working, I’m going on every govt assistance program known to man. And why the hell not. Lie, cheat, steal and lie some more. Just like the CEO’s and politicians. I now know what DOESN’T work, so I will go with what DOES work. Free money, free food, free health care and free time. WHAT A FUCKING DISASTER!

the state keeps unemplyment! if it is not used. adds to there bottom line from what i remember. sincerely, walter rutka

HOW DARE YOU!!! posting a comment like this,degrating people who have worked hard for a living and work hard for every damn red cent they earn. People like you are why everything has fallen apart,you obviously never worked a real job in your life I bet if I shook your hand it would be as soft as a babies ass!!!!!!!

"degrating people" like you. We just don't want you to take our money.

I am a 31 yr old single father who cant find a job or even try for state benfits of any kind. Why is this happening? Because WE THE PEOPLE are to friggin afraid to upset the status quo with OUR government. I have been without a job in over two years. Michigan Works is a joke, cause when i went down to find help with anything, I was told that I shouldnt need help cause I was white and young!!!!! WHITE AND YOUNG?!?!?! That is what i was told. Oh sure, they took my resume and my name, I filled out all the paerwork required, and then was told that yes they would help me look, no they didnt know how long it would be. this was right after I lost my last job. After a time when my money reserves ran out i tried to go get foodstamps and other help to keep my place,I was told i didnt qualify for any state aid. I asked why and i never recieved an answer, even though by law they are requierd to inform you why you were rejected. About 3 months later i ran into the case worker who turned me down and i asked again why i was rejected when i had no job no prospects for employment, she had the temerity to say that it was simply because i was a white male, honest to God Almighty that is what she said to me, but guess what i cant scream racial descrimination, it doesnt work when your white. So I have had to move me and my child back into my moms house (yippeee!) im facing the prospect of going to jail because i dont have a job, cant find one here in michigan, oh yeah the jail bit, i owe 6,000 dollars or more by now in back child support. last time i went in front of a judge over my support and i didnt have a job then either, oh wait this was just last year, she told me i had better have a job next time she sees me or i go to jail. and in michigan when you go to jail and have noone to watch your child, they go to a foster home. isnt michigan great?

No - Michigan Sucks - The Politicians of this State are so very much out of touch with reality and Don't care about the citizens of this State, that were directly put into the situation that most are now in - NO JOBS, HIGH TAXES, HOUSE PRICES PLUMETTING, and as A Direct RESULT of thier faulty and lackluster fiscal Policys. The Governor has no common sense in the approach or her concern for helping the people in this State Due To HER incompetance - Especially for the people in NEED for Unemployment Extension's. I Never Voted for her and MOST definately can't wait till this SCREW-UP is OUT OF OFFICE - Thank god for Term Limits! This State will be FAR better off with her GONE!

I have been working for over 40 years (I am 58). My unemployment will expire in a week. Why is it so hard? Sign the bill, extend our benefits. My God, "they" can afford it!!

"They" is Us! "They" don't have any money except what they can steal from us.

It's NOT just your Money, it's everyone's that has paid taxes, unemployment sur tax, this fund was started and put into law for when people need it - it's Not Your personal bank account you loser, I hope come next week some foreign company takes over the business who you work for, your mortgage company goes bancrupt and is bought out by some indian company and in return of that, the company who you hope to find a new job working for pays you $10 hr - oh by the way you'll have to move to cuba to work - cause a piece of shit like you doesn't deserve to be in this Country - Get Out, don't let the door hit ya in the Ass!

how do I contact congressman. I don't even know who he is

How dare you talk to anyone like this!! Until you walk in this person's shoes, you should never judge. I have worked all my life started at the age of ll and am now 49. I worked for a hospital for 23 of those years and was laid off in 06. I then worked for a clinic for one year and laid off again a year later. I have been laid off for the last six months. I have over 200 resumes and applications out there. All I have been able to obtain is a job working 16 hours per week at almost half the hourly wage. I have an associates degree, and still am unable to obtain full time employment. I am single (divorced) from a cheating husband, have to cover $320 per month in health insurance alone. I cannot let my insurance expire due to a pre-exisiting condition (brain tumor). I only make slightly more than this premium. I am out of unemployment insurance and have no idea how I will cover the rest of my daily living expenses. Food, clothing, and auto expenses. For you to call this person a piece of shit, hope that his wages are cut to $10 and hope his job is sent out of the country, is not American. You are only thinking of yourself. We are exporting billions of dollars out of this country to support a hopeless war that we have no business fighting, yet, the American who has worked all his life does not deserve to make a decent living. SHAME ON YOU!! Hope you are unemployed some day, and walk in those shoes!!!!

End the freaking war in Iraq, and take care of Americans for a damn change!!!

just GIVE UP? or just announce to the taliban and al queida that THEY WIN? we tried that in vietnam, it didn't work. we JUST GAVE UP in korea, look what that got us. now, do you think that by us just picking up our toys and leaving, that they will not come here to kill us? they already blew up our towers, what else do you plan to do to keep them from blowing up anything else they damn well please?

kool-aid

What a piece of Shit you are!

THAT kind of personal attack???

My heart goes out to all of the poor bastards still trapped in Michigan that are out of work, struggling to put food on the table, losing their homes, seeing their retirement funds ate up, paying more in taxes and getting nothing in return while their property values sink lower and lower. My family and I maanged to escape last August as I was offered a teaching job in North Carolina. I couldn't buy a teaching job in Michigan and my husband had been out of work for two years! I hate to be the deliverer of bad news....BUT THE REST OF THE NATION DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN MICHIGAN. I've been telling everyone what me and my family went through, of how we nearly lost everything...AND NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE ME HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA! They kept saying...how can this be true..after all this is America???My family and I are now doing well living right next door to Fort Bragg. Since a war is going on...the economy here couldn't be stronger! My advice..and heed it well...pack up your car and haul ass out of Dodge across the border south just as fast as you can. Michigan is a lost cause and the rest of the country has deaf ears! I think Michigan needs to change its name. There needs to be a sign at the border that says welcome to New Missippi. (No offense to the residents of Mississippi)

And the thing that cracks me up - people just like you probably Voted this piece of crap Governor into office, made a bad choice and helped Screw this State up - and then when she frigged it all up - You bail leaving everyone else to reap the Ignorance of a Truely Wasted and Improperly placed Vote. Michigan will take years to come back and we definately Don't need people like you to return when the times eventually return to good. Build a Really Big House down there, so you can drive everyones Taxes up - down there up through the roof just like you did here - Overbuy, become debt ridden and help pass finance laws to build 300 million dollar schools, so your uppity uppity life can prosper there - When that flops there - Don't come back!

Post 3 - was in reguards to post 12

Oops! I Misspelled Mississippi in my last message. I have taken the time to read nearly all of the other posts. For those of you that say you cannot afford to move out of state...My question is,..how you can afford NOT to move?? It is only to clear that no help is coming anytime soon. You can't all move into the streets after you lose everything! From the recent past experience that my family and I just escaped in Michigan that no one was going to help us. The best thing that you can do is what your forefathers did... during the great potato famine, revolutions, wars, etc., etc. they left! You have to follow the money trail in order to survive, even if it means just leaving with the shirt on your back. I've had no regrets in the past 9 months since leaving Michigan and it was a real wake up call when I got south in how no one down here knows or even cares what's happening to the residents of Michigan.

AS a matter of fact... I DIDN"T vote for Granholm and I'm not building a fancy house down south! As to going back to Michigan...that will never happen as I stayed at least 15 years too long as it was. My husbanc and I went through the down turn in the early 80's and again around 1989....and were finally about to have things real good when the rug was pulled out from underneath of him in 2006. Why should I make you sick??? Because I faced the reality of the situation and managed to get my family and myself in a prosperous location? I don't support the war either...but soldiers who are over fighting in Iraq still need to have their children educated. What good would I have done if I had stayed? Be another family draining the welfare system of Michigan's overburdened budget??