Unemployed Workers Need Compassion from Congress [cross-post]

Unemployed Workers Need Compassion from Congress

I recently read an unsettling New York Times article that sheds light on just how many people are still struggling in this poor economy. 

According to a study cited by the Times, of all the people who lost their jobs after the financial crisis, only 7 percent have managed to return to their previous financial position. This is no surprise to the millions of families who continue to struggle, but for many on Capitol Hill this data should serve as a sobering call to action on behalf of those struggling families. Winter is coming, and unemployed families in need of shelter and heat could be left out in the cold.

While economists say that we’re out of the recession, most Americans clearly aren’t experiencing a recovery. The unemployment numbers released last week were positive, but also show that we’re not creating enough jobs to return us to full employment before 2027. For every four unemployed workers, there’s only about one job opening. We need more jobs, but these numbers also remind us that unemployed workers will continue to struggle for some time.

Many of these workers rely on unemployment insurance for basic necessities. The National Employment Law Project explores the benefits of unemployment insurance in this briefing paper, which states that 3.2 million people, including 1 million children, would have slipped into poverty without unemployment insurance last year. Research also shows that people receiving unemployment insurance are more likely to keep looking for a job. Recipients can worry less about where their next meal might come from and focus more on finding a job.

Unfortunately, Congress’ focus on deficit reduction has delayed consideration of extending long-term unemployment insurance benefits. These benefits will expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts. As the Times article discusses, those who have been unemployed the longest often have the most trouble finding a new job. Now, 6 million people stand to lose their benefits in 2012. This sudden cut-off from a critical source of income will have devastating effects for families who rely on it to pay their rent and put food on the table.

No previous Congress has cut off unemployment benefits when the jobless rate was above 7 percent. Congress must focus both on creating jobs and forming a circle of protection around those who do not have one. To do otherwise would leave millions of families out in the cold.

Ben D'Avanzo is Mimi Meehan Fellow at Bread for the World.

From the UCC Network: 12/07/2011 "Can You Hear Me Now?"

 "Can You Hear Me Now?"

Hebrews 1:1

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days God has spoken to us by a Son, whom God appointed heir of all things, through whom God also created the worlds." 

Reflection by Kenneth L. Samuel

How many times have we abandoned all efforts to communicate with persons who were non-responsive?  After a few unanswered messages or e-mails we've had it! 

After all, who would even want to communicate with someone who obviously doesn't want to talk and couldn't care less about building any kind of mutual relationship?  What kind of person would keep reaching out and trying to establish dialogue with people who are obviously not interested?  That kind of person would be God. 

Our whole history is a chronicle of God’s patient and persistent attempts to open up a divine—human dialogue with those of us who isolate and insulate ourselves by talking only among ourselves.  The advent of every prophet was an invitation for us to dialogue with God; the rejection of every prophet was a refusal of that invitation. 

And just when we thought God might have abandoned the effort, God, instead, turned up the volume, wrapped the message up in human flesh and spoke to us in the living language of sacrificial love personified in Jesus.  Can we hear God now?

Prayer

Lord, after all of our dismissals and rejections of your call, thank you for never giving up on us.  You have spoken clearly to us through your Son and we hear you now.  Amen.

About the Author Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.