Let’s tell officials how bad it really is

I am so tired of the manipulation of unemployment numbers. The government wants the economy to be improving so the stories are reported that the new jobless claims are down.

Everything is fine now that Boeing has decided to build a plane here. This news fixed our economy overnight. Gov. Gary Locke’s news conference the next day announced how the Washington budget crisis is over.

Congress left for its extended Christmas break without passing an unemployment extension. The state is also ending extended benefits since we are no longer in an “extended period of unemployment.” The unemployment rate is still high but not 10 percent higher than last year. I have already called DSHS but because there is a slight chance that a federal extension may be passed I can’t apply until after Jan. 10. Then it will be about two weeks until we receive any help.

This is an election year. Let’s send a message loud and clear. If you are unemployed and looking for work, send three postcards – one to Gov. Locke, one to Rep. Rick Larsen and one to Sen. Patty Murray. Let them know that our picture of the economy is not rosy. Also let them know if you collect unemployment and how long have you been unemployed. Let them also know how you will survive without unemployment benefits. I have my postcards ready to go. We have to let our elected officials know what their decisions mean to us.

Marysville