Unemployed Americans Speak Out as Benefits are Slashed at Christmas

Thursday, 19 December 2013 00:00  
By John Dodds, Truthout | Opinion

"One of the hardest things I have ever had to do is sit my two kids down and tell them there might not be a Christmas this year."40-year-old unemployed father from Eubanks, Kentucky

Three days after Christmas this year, 1.3 million laid-off American workers will see their unemployment benefits stopped. In Pennsylvania, the number will be 87,000 people drawing their last check December 28.

"If my wife loses her benefit before she finds a job, we lose our house."
Philadelphia resident

These are working people caught in the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years, one that will not end. Unemployment is still officially 7.0 percent - with nearly 11 million people officially unemployed and millions more out of the labor force or working part time despite wanting full-time jobs.