At 11 p.m. Sunday night, I received a call from the friend who is unemployed and she told me to tell my readers that you CAN get through to a live person to discuss your unemployment status if you call 1-877-Labor-11.

Many of you who know my husband works for the Labor Department, are calling me trying to get answers to this mess that Congress set up with this unemployment extension.

This is the original extension, not the newest extension to the extension. What a mess in plain English.

It is ridiculous to make people APPLY again after their original 26 weeks of benefits expired.
What is WRONG WITH CONGRESS? They don’t provide decent jobs, so your original 26 weeks expires and now you have to apply on line or over the phone and WAIT for your extension to be approved??

WTF!!!

And to make matters even worse–you can’t file 24 HOURS by phone or online anymore!!! GIVE PEOPLE A BREAK!! You have to “file” between Mondays and Fridays–6 a..m. to 7 p.m.!!

HOW CONVENIENT!!

You see Congress in its “wisdom” decided that people have to PROVE they worked 20 weeks to get the first extension after the initial 26 weeks of UC (unemployment compensation) runs out.

And believe me,  I know what many of you who have called or e-mailed are going through.

As I have told you before, when I work I make six figures. WHEN I DON’T I MAKE NOTHING!! Talk about tearing your hair out!!

I am the major breadwinner in my family. I have three kids in college NOW, with one in high school.

Phew!! It is really tough.

So I know all too well, as these people in Congress obviously don’t, what it is like to be without money.

Connecticut only asks for 13 weeks of prior work wages. That is one quarter. But with the Bungholios in Congress passing this 20 week rule, Connecticut has to abide by this. My husband says they are all scrambling down at the Labor Department, because many people have worked several different places and that has to be checked.

So guess what? You are out of luck. You have to WAIT until they check everything. It could take several weeks.

Luckily, the cornholios got smart and now with this latest extension, you just continue to file!! No checking!! THANK GOD!!

I will try to post updated information. You will just have to be patient. That is all I can say.

As far as calling this effed up Telebenefits Line–I hope you have several hours of free time on your hands, because that is how long it is taking for people to get through to speak to a customer service representative.

I suggest you call with your cell phone, put it on speaker, so you can drive around the area and apply for work at the same time.

That is if you don’t get disconnected. And I don’t mean getting disconnected within a few minutes after you call. I mean GETTING DISCONNECTED AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS!!

The system is set up to cue 25 calls. After that–it disconnects!! So, if this does happen to you–first call Gov. Rell’s office and complain-then call the Labor Department Commissioners office in Wethersfield.

You will find that a miraculous thing will happen. You will no longer get the message-”the system is backed up, call back later–GOODBYE!” The line will be cleared out. I found that out when I called for someone.

After I bitched to the Governor’s office in my laid back manner (ahem) and then threatened to go up to Wethersfield, my friend said she called back the Telebenefits Line and miraculously, the “call back later” message was GONE!!

They bring people right to the brink-then pull back. Amazing.

DON”T BOTHER GOING TO ANY LABOR DEPARTMENT OFFICE–DO NOT GO DOWN THERE–THEY CANNOT ANSWER AND WILL NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. YOU HAVE TO CALL SORRY TO SAY.

And then we are supposed to bail out these losers from the auto industry!!  NOT WITHOUT CONCESSIONS.

This country is in trouble and so is this town (Cheshire).

You won’t see it right away. But come 2009–get ready for a BIG TIME tax increase people!! Where do you think this revenue is going to come from?? THIN AIR???

This town government better start acting like George Foreman and KNOCK OUT THE FAT!!

And speaking of concessions–the City of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Police Bargaining Union just agreed to a ZERO-yes-ZERO PERCENT wage increase over the NEXT TWO YEARS!!

Also noticeable in the Bridgeport Police Union deal–”TAKE HOME VEHICLES ARE TO BE ELIMINATED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE POLICE CHIEF!!!!!”

Click here for Bpt Police Zero Wage Increase Story

YOU WILL HAVE TO SCROLL HALFWAY DOWN THE PAGE TO READ THE  STORY

It was either that or several police officers losing their jobs. I hope the United Auto Workers get wind of this because that is what they need to do.

I believe most people would rather work with no wage increase-than face losing their jobs believe me.

I am sorry but that is why this teachers contract is out of touch with the 4.4 percent increase every year for three years. You never know how things will go. I remember Bridgeport used to be at the top–financially-when I was a girl and lived there. No problems–now look what has happened–and they have a bigger tax revenue base than Cheshire will ever have!!

If you don’t belt tighten now–you will pay a few years down the road. Because you know what–it is the AFTERSHOCK that does more damage than the original shock.

And in this town, I know what will happen. If taxes go up “too high” most of these people that moved here for the school system, WILL PACK UP AND LEAVE!!

I saw it happen in Bridgeport years ago. People packed up en mass and went to Trumbull, Monroe, Easton, Shelton (Huntington).

They won’t stay here. And the people who have resided here all of their lives and who have made a commitment to this town–will be left holding the bag!!

In other news:

My spouse who was filling up his car, had run into our Police Chief getting coffee at the CITGO gas station last Friday morning . In fact, a few weeks ago, my spouse, who had to fax a document, ran into the Chief getting coffee at One Stop Convenience.

I have a question-does the CPD have a COFFEE MAKER??? GET ONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

My spouse was informed that some of the police cars will begin being outfitted with cameras.

I am providing a link to SAFETY VISION.

I don’t know which company the town will use, but I hope it wasn’t this company–I thought the audio and visual quality was inferior.

Click here

I am hoping ALL of the cars will be outfitted with cameras because you know what will happen. If someone questions an incident, that will be the officer and the cruiser that “conveniently” did not have the camera installed.

Either go all the way or don’t do it at all!! And don’t give me they don’t have the money. Use your sugar daddy Elim Park!!

And speaking of Elim Park, their holiday fair  I believe is coming up in early December.

The Police and Fire Department will be getting their “checks.” This really burns my @@@ in plain English. I believe Elim Park should be paying taxes to the town of Cheshire–not handing out money to specific departments.

The town would benefit more.

Here is the link to Elim Park Place

Click on Christmas Festival. THE CHECKS will be handed out at 11:30 a.m.

Now I am going so I can throw my tantrum against this stupid  town, state and ever stupider ( I know that isn’t a word) Federal Government.