Economy

Dear President Barack Obama:

Here's an example of Essex county's plight. MY wife and my self lost our apartment. She gets SSI and I'm drawing unemployment We went to welfare to ask for emergency help to pay back rent, here's what happened. First the looked at her income which gross is $585.00 and I receive $164.00 every two weeks––that's after child support. They say our combined income is above the standards for emergency help. My rent for a one bedroom for us was $705.00. When we moved into our apartment SSI gross was $851.00. Due to overpayment claims we no longer could afford our apartment. After the first few months in the apartment I had to apply for food stamp assistance. A little while after I was evicted from this apartment and gone back to welfare for further assistance , where I was stopped with a big denial of GA, and or Emergency assistance.

Mind you while all this is taking place I'm in night school trying to go back to college. My major problem is that they said we make too much money for any kind of help.

MY wife has mental instability and I lost my JOB now that I need help for us we sleep in the street. I'm sorry to say the system failed us and many like us . My Name is Anthony. I'm desperately trying to reform our life but this system you brought me to believe in does not believe in me. Read more about Emergency Assistance Reform

Dear President Barack Obama,

I hope and you can help. How can you seriously fine poor people for not having health insurance? That is way out there. Are you serious? if I can not afford health insurance now, how do think I can pay a fine?

So now, on top of no health insurance now you want to make me pay a fine? That is so sad. This is not my fault that the government cannot keep their money straight and take care of all the homeless people. I can not afford a fine
and then on top of it have the money to even look for health insurance. Do you know how expensive it is? I guess not! You have money. All the top government people have money.

I am so poor and need to have a basic surgery but I have to pay out of pocket before surgery, and tell me how to make this work? I know your ad says nothing personal, but I have no choice but to pour my heart out to you.

I just can't believe that then you are going to make us pay a fine for NOT HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE! This is not my fault the economy is bad! Please do not add another debt onto me.

Thank you,

Single Mom Read more about Health Care

Dear President Barack Obama,

What the heck happened? All of a sudden and without any notice, my unemployment is being discontinued. I have many bills to pay and have been trying to make it during this extremely rough time for my family. The unemployment I received was 25% of my salary when I was let go from a 15 year job, but it helped make the mortgage payment and feed my family.

Now I don't know what we will do. I hate to think that bankruptcy and moving out of state may be on the horizon! We didn't even have time to try and plan for anything like this. The only reason California's unemployment is showing a lower rate is because so many people have reached their limit for unemployment and have now fallen off your radar. Too many people are still unemployed. There are more people begging for money on corners than ever before.

Your decision to terminate the unemployment, when our economy is really NOT better for most of us, will cause a terrible burden on many people who were counting on this money. Please do not take it away and continue with the original extensions as we have been granted. I worked many years and have paid a lot into the system, and now when I need it most, it is failing me.

Sincerely,

A Distressed and Saddened Tax Payer Read more about Discontinuation of Unemployment

Dear President Barack Obama:

I'm 26 and had the honor of voting for you in 2008. You were the first candidate for president I was actually EXCITED to vote for.

I've been a top student my whole life, despite coming from a less than prosperous upbringing. Education was my key to any door - and now those doors are fast closing. For the better part of the last 18 months, I've been trying to find a career to replace the one I lost to outsourcing. Two weeks ago, I began the Fed-Ed extension program. As you probably guessed my search for work was not successful. I was told a month ago I had an additional 20 weeks to essentially find work outside of my chosen career path. Now that I have begun that search, I received a notice that benefits will be ending (from time of notice) in 2 weeks! This was both unexpected and (i believe) not delineated properly in the legislation now being used to end FED-ED.

How can it be that the unemployment rate has increased to 11%, and yet legislators citing one year ago as 'slightly worse' to justify ending the program. If this was always a possibility, then I guess my comprehension of EDD policy was not up to par.

Whatever the cause, please consider those of us who are relying on this subsidy as a last resort in finding work in what has been a trying time for all.

Respectfully,
Hopeful Citizen Read more about Fed-Ed extension benefits

Dear President Barack Obama:

We are hoping someone in your organization reads this letter. Recently I went online to get information regarding unemployment only to read that the government is going to discontinue the FedED extension program in the state of California.

While I so much appreciate the government even providing unemployment and the various extensions, we still have funds available and if I understand correctly they are going to be stopped May 12th, even if one has a balance left. We are in dire straits and both spouses have been without work and dependent on unemployment, we so desperately need the balance of the funds while we continue our job search. We are assuming nothing can be done, but pray the government finds it in their hearts to let us receive the balance of the funds FedED was so kindly providing.

Thank you for all you and your staff do for those of us without work! Read more about Unemployment - FedED Extension Discontinuation in CA

Dear President Barack Obama:

I pay my taxes. I pay my mortgage. I am triple upside down on my note. My house is now 200% undervalued. I do not qualify for any bailout programs to help homeowners stay in their home. I live in an OLD house (fixer-upper) that needs plumbing, electrical, and flooring just to live in but cannot afford to make any improvements. I have had twp loan modifications but no reduction in principal. The cherry on top is that LITTON sold my loan to OCWEN who immediately increased my monthly payment since taking over my loan. I can not afford the monthly mortgage and am MAD AS HELL I do not "qualify" for a loan modification. I was told that OCWEN doesn't "do principal reductions" they only process foreclosures.

I have always tried to do the right thing. Now I'm ready to walk away and let my neighborhood go to hell. Who is there for me when I am paying for bailouts for the banks, for the bad loan, and NOBODY is helping me?

You can have my house. I did my best to hang on. I did my best to help the California economy reverse the downward spiral and to keep my neighborhood from going to hell. The house next door recently sold for less than $100k. I owe almost $300k. I will borrow from my family to get into another house that is already completely remodeled for 1/3 of the cost of my house which most people would not live in.

OCWEN is not helping its customers stay in their homes. The only people I spoke to at OCWEN were citizens of India not the US. They are not accepting any short sales. They are only in business to process foreclosing.

There are websites dedicated to fighting OCWEN. We need YOUR help.

The Better Business Bureau is not helping. Will you? I voted for you. I plan to again. But I'm getting screwed coming and going here.

Thank you!

JoAnna Read more about No Bailout Help For OCWEN Customers

Dear President Obama;

This is the very first time I wrote to a President. From the bottom of my heart, I feel you are the best President's this country ever elected. Finally, a President with a considerate generous warm heart, fair but most importantly you are genuinely for the people and “change”. I knew you inherited a lot of issues when you were elected to office of Presidency. I do remember your words telling the nation over and over that the dept and unemployment crisis was not going to be resolved over night. Today I wish folks would go back to your original speech and see how much you have accomplished in you four year term. I do believe in you and I know you will turn America around in your next term. I am confident you will sweep the nation and continuied to be our President in the next four years!

I was laid from a wonderful organization in 2010, since then I have been working off and on for several companies in Southern California. Unfortunately, due to the state of California’s “at will” clause I have been terminated due to I am too nice and a pond my terminations these employers would tell me they “cared” about me and they’d say that I have a sweet professional disposition, very accommodating to internal and external customers, I have many talents, hard worker, however, because of the “at will” clause they said I wasn’t the right fit weeks/months after I had been employed with them. No warnings were giving to me prior to my terminations; I only received praises and outstanding reviews then the next day I am “fired”. One employer promised me a severance, and of course getting those terms in writing was a given, however, I trusted them and yes I was vulnerable and unemployed and did not want to burn a bridge. And yes, sadly they did not keep their promise, which led me to an emotional state and cash constraints.

This has happen to me four times since 2010. I do understand these are tough times, but for the corporate sector to take advantaged of folks who are having hard time finding employment is horrible. Sometimes I hear it is who you know, or if you party with the higher ups, you fit in. Well, I am a professional and I am hired to do a great job to the best of my ability and keep smiling and continued to be accommodating to my internal and external customers, Due the “at will” law in California, corporate sectors can terminate an employee if one isn’t riding on someone’s coat tails or if one is too nice, too pretty, too accommodating, too professional.

Currently, for the fourth time, I am unemployed and again having a very difficult time finding work. On a positive side, I thank god for you Mr. President Obama for extending the Unemployment Insurance. I am not going to “change” who I am but I do feel there needs to be a courteous law added to the “at will” clause, protocol, giving one a chance, something etc... Yes, there are jobs, but with this “at will” thing it is hard to keep one. President Obama the Corporate sector is taking advantage of it and I know I am not alone.

Please do you think you can shed some light on this in one of your speeches, please?

Thank you, for your continued support in protecting America! Read more about Private Corporate Sectors - "At Will" clause

Dear President Barack Obama,

My name is Tyra. I am a recent doctoral graduate in the field of public health and I cannot seem to get my foot into the Proposed Rule: Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates program that you have commissioned. The purpose of this particular program is to provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals like myself to begin my career in the Federal government particularly public health.

The Pathways website states, Recent Graduates Program: This program is for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs and seek a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply). Additional information about the Recent Graduates Program".

I have called the Office of Personnel Management several times only to be given the run around. I have applied to every fellowship on USA Jobs only to be told that I do not have the training or experience.

I am ashamed to say that I have a Masters of Science in Public Health and I have a PhD in Public Health and don't have any access to educational opportunities. I live 20 minutes away from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and every office I have contacted can't even use me as a volunteer. My goal is to to collaborate with public health professionals in an and participate in on-going research activities linked directly to urban health, obesity, intervention opportunities, and disparity reduction prevention. In addition to being supported by individualized learning opportunities utilizing Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended evaluation framework based on Healthy People 2020.

My dissertation was titled, "Association Between Availability of an On-Site Workplace Wellness Program, Physical Activity, and Nutrition in relation to Obesity", in line with First Ladies Michelle's mission on fighting obesity. My skills and talents I offer include the ability to work independently, administer structured surveys based on the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Surveys (BRFSS) though telephone, written, computer-assisted, and in-person interviews for projects requiring primary data collection. Perform literature review searches on chronic disease, health disparities, nutrition, and physical activity. Synthesize information into bibliographies and abstracts. Collect, process, and analyz edata using basic statistical methods and statistical analysis software. Participated in research, evaluation and projects related to reducing chronic disease and increasing healthy eating and physical activity.

I have undertaken a rigorous theoretical training, and need only some practical experience to prepare me for a career in public health. A public health fellowship would be ideal in providing me with critical hands-on experience in the understanding of public health procedures commonly used in exploring the interrelationships among health promotion, nutrition, obesity physical activity, and disease prevention.
I don't understand what I can do to get access into the Pathways program. I have volunteered at Morehouse College Research Institute Childhood Obesity Program, the DeKalb County Board in Georgia. of Health and the NAACP Health Education Division. Mr. President, the Pathways website states, "Under President Obama’s leadership, the Federal government has taken steps to help students and recent graduates find job opportunities".

Please help me Mr. President.

Thank you,
Tyra Read more about Proposed Rule: Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

Dear Mr. President,

I, along with millions of other Americans am finding the economic changes that are occuring very detremental to my family. I wake up in the morning with worries of surviving and I go to sleep at night wondering what I could do different to make the next day less stressful. I am a hard working hairstylist and a in contact with people who are also struggling. I have lost many clients do to the loss of jobs.
I am raising my grandson and worry every month if I will have enough money to pay for rent. I am 50 years old and never thought I would be living like I am now. I walk my dog everyday at a park here in town, I come across many homeless people living in the brush with no where else to go. My grandson asks why these people do not have a home. I read an article yesterday on how foreclosures are affecting children. And how these children do not understand. I find this extremely sad. I don't know what will become of my grandson if I should find myself in the same place of having no home. My grandson is my only saving grace in this life I am living now. I have contemplated suicide so many times over the past year and a half, because I can't seem to cope with the stress of no money. I am scared for myself and all the million other people feeling like I do. I wonder how much the suicide rate has increased?

Another issue I would like to bring up to you is public assistance. I feel people receiveing assistance should be required to be on some form of birth control other than the pill to recieve assistance. Excluding those of religious birth control issues. I find if you are unemployed and have children, and continue to have children, it is easier to receive help through these programs. If you have no children, you don't get any help. I receive food stamps now that I have my grandson with me, but they always run out before the end of the month and I stress to figure out what to feed him and to make sure he is getting the nutritional values he needs to grow. These young teens getting pregnant now a days know they will be helped by the "system". They are not dealing properly with the importance and reality of having a child. My daughter was 16 when she became pregnant with my grandson. One of my questions to her was, "how are you going to take care of this baby? With what money?" Her response to me was, "I can get food stamps like so and so and you can also get money each month." Now, can you tell me what is wrong with this picture? This is how are teens are taught to think regarding pregnancy. What is this teaching them? Should there not be some mandatory requirements which need to be met before receiving assistance? Make it a little tough love on these babies having babies? Classes, birth control, parenting skills, etc. I believe this would save a lot of money in the long run. Kids will think twice about so readily having a baby if they had some kind of consequence or actions to face, while realizing that you cant just "get money" for having a baby. I understand the "system" is there to help those in need, and am grateful for the help most families receive. What I'm saying is it should not be such a readily available option to" fix things" or to be taken so lightly in the view of some of our teens or young adults in society. Any way, I am a nobody, just wanting to have a say, and dreaming of a better and happier life in my future. It's sad that the American Dream is now about staying alive and making a living just to survive on a day to day basis.

Best regards Mr. President and may God bless you and yours.
Sincerely,
Jill Read more about Just some insight

Dear Mr Obama,
I'm a single parent, I have had three bad years, my younger son got taken away on April 28th of 10. Let me tell you a little about it. I was with a guy ans was staying in a travel trailer for just temporary and just a few days short of moving in to the house they take my son and as of Dec 10th, I'm no longer with that guy, and I have a two bedroom duplex I have complied with everything they said for me to do. Ii have a place and I've kept the bills up and I've been here in the same place for two years now it will be three in March. I get my son once a month for just a couple of days or a week if holidays. My son is twelve an he wants to come home an they won't let him and they won't tell me why. I've done all court dates, and have not missed one. They have me paying child support for him being in foster care and I only get $175 a month for. I've been fighting to get my disability and they wont accept me. I've been denied twice now and I've appealed again. I'm not able to work and they wont believe me and they want $75 a month, and I can only afford $10 a month with the other bills I have to pay. My visits with my son are non-supervised I don't do drugs, I've never beaten him and he always went to school and I did everything for my son and I just want my son home. Every mother that gets their kids taken away gets another chance to see if they mess up. I've never have had that chance.I'm the only one he has. His dad died of a heart attack when he was 7months old so he never got to know his dad. Please please help me. I'm a good mom and my others I raised and they graduated high school and are good adults. I've been fighting for three years and I just don't know where to turn. I have done all I can do. I don't want to be a once a month mom to my son. He is only twelve an he will be thirteen soon. PLEASE PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME ? Read more about Can you help me get my boy home?