From an e-mail I got, this is just sad...
SENATOR COLEMAN - ABANDONING MINNESOTA'S JOBLESS
Last week, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota voted against an amendment on
the FSC/ETI tax credit legislation to restore the federal extension of
unemployment benefits. As we reported previously, the measure lost by a single vote,
59-40.
Senator Coleman's vote was extremely disappointing. He and his staff had told
local community leaders and Minnesota jobless workers that he was supportive of
an extension. He even told local papers that he was leaning towards voting yes.
Senator Coleman owes the jobless of Minnesota an answer for his vote, and he
should be called to task! We hope you can take the following actions between
tomorrow Friday, May 21st and Tuesday, May 25th.
- Contact Alan Elias in Senator Coleman's DC Office at 202-224-5641. Ask him to
explain to you why Senator Coleman changed his tune on the extension, and what
he suggests that the jobless do as they struggle without a paycheck or an
unemployment check.
- Write a letter to the editor to your local paper. It's easy - just take the
sample text below and add a few personal touches. Then visit the list of
Minnesota papers and send your letter in. Often, you'll have a better chance at
getting in to some of the smaller papers as opposed to the Star-Tribune or
Pioneer-Press.
Thanks so much! If you speak to someone in Senator Coleman's office be sure to
notify us at info@action.nelp.org.
Sincerely,
The National Employment Law Project
A. Sample text:
Dear Editor:
I am writing to inform the community of a travesty foisted on Minnesota's
jobless workers by decision makers in Washington, D.C. Since December, more than
25,000 long-term unemployed workers in Minnesota have been denied any additional
assistance by the federal government in the form of federal jobless benefits.
Last Tuesday May 11, our Senator, Norm Coleman fumbled his chance to rectify
this injustice. An amendment to restore benefits failed by a single vote,
losing 59-40 (it required 60 votes). In numerous contacts with constituents leading
up to the vote, Senator Coleman's staff had professed their understanding of
the hardships facing workers who have permanently lost their jobs. In the end,
political loyalty (39 of the 40 no votes came from Republicans) came before the
urgent needs of his constituents.
Sen. Coleman and his fellows in Congress have provided no solace to
hard-working Minnesotans like me, whose families have been caught up in a turbulent job
market. Our families' lives have been turned upside down- and we are struggling
to get back on our feet as the jobs still haven't returned to our state. (THIS
IS A GOOD PARAGRAPH TO INSERT INFO ABOUT YOUR STORY OR ABOUT HOW SENATOR
COLEMAN's VOTE MADE YOU FEEL). Senator Coleman will be back in the state for the
Memorial Day recess. If you see him, ask him how he'd get by without a paycheck or
an unemployment check.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Your Hometown
B. Here's a handy free resource to find your local paper:
http://action.nelp.org/ctt.asp?u=1946147&l=36458
(Note: If you have trouble getting this link up, just cut it, and then open up
a new browser window by selecting file, new window, and then paste it into your
browser and press go. This is a particular problem for hotmail users. This is
one long link - it might get broken into two lines on your screen).