Unless Congress extends “Tier V” unemployment benefits in the 4 days between the time they return from the election and before their Thanksgiving recess, nearly 2 million American families face immediate poverty and homelessness. Over the summer—thanks to the Republicans, natch—it took 50 days to get the last extension. The matter of these extensions needs to be removed from the political process and pronto. The extensions should be automatic, as per the Stabenow bill proposed by Michigan Senator Debbie Sabenow (D) (and blocked by a single Republican), at least in states with unemployment above 8% (which of course means double that in the REAL WORLD) and exempt from “pay as you go” rules.

It’s infuriating and just… nauseating to watch rich, sanctimonious, and supposedly Christian politicians wage class war against the poor in this country. Please sign this petition, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Post this on your Facebook page, on your Twiiter feed, everywhere you can.

Extended unemployment insurance benefits expire at Thanksgiving—a very cold turkey for millions of Americans already facing the devastation of long term joblessness.

Unemployedworkers.org is launching a campaign to SAVE THE LIFELINE—we need to push Congress to renew the benefit extensions.

The unemployed desperately want to work. They would much rather have a job than benefits, but the jobs lost in the crisis just haven’t come back yet. Until we create jobs, we can’t just throw millions into homelessness and onto public assistance

There are dozens and perhaps hundreds of people for every job opening. Clearly, the odds are firmly stacked against unemployed Americans.

As one astute YouTube commentator wrote:

“Just vote Republican if you want to see maximum unemployment, ever-widening wealth imbalance, and an American 3rd world country. This isn’t rocket science folks. Without job creation funded through taxation, America is doomed. By 2012, teabaggers will be begging for Socialism.”

Hear, hear!