Republicans Block Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits

On Nov. 18, 2010, it was reported by Channel 3 News in Michigan that the House Republicans blocked a bill that would extend unemployment benefits to thousands of people in Michigan. Therefore, instead of people currently receiving unemployment having their benefits extended until after the New Year, nearly 143,000 people will be without benefits by the first week in December. This means that they won't even make it to the Christmas season.

I have been working since I was 15 years old, when I began my financial career on Wall Street. Since that time, I have enjoyed a very prosperous career up until about 2007, when the Non-Prime programs were being phased out and the real estate market began its rapid decline.

In 2008, I decided to transition into a new direction in my career and began working for an IT Firm out of Dallas, where I worked as a National IT and Finance Recruiter. Due to the current economic conditions and a car accident, I was downsized in November 2009. Since that time, I have been receiving unemployment benefits from the State of Georgia.

Unlike Michigan, Georgia is still paying unemployment benefits. When I read about the story in Michigan, I was saddened to hear that thousands of hard-working people may find themselves losing their homes and in some cases homeless. What I cannot understand is why the Republicans would block the extension. The only answer I can come up with is the fact that they have never been on the other side of being without a job and a means to care for their families.

Since I have been unemployed, I have lost three homes, exhausted my 401k and investments, have had my vehicle repossessed and am currently living in a 700 sq. foot, one-bedroom apartment. I am sad to say that I have had only three interviews in a year, though I have applied for hundreds of jobs in which I've been told over and over again that I am overqualified.

While I do not condone people taking advantage of the system and living on the government, I do believe, as Americans, we should band together during this difficult time and do what we can to assist one another. This means we've got to get back to community. Therefore, if you still own a home and are employed and you can assist someone, then do it! If you know someone who's looking for a job and you have resources to available positions, then make sure you tell others and get the word out.

During this time of transition, if we don't get back to community and help one another, then who will? Our government?