Unemployment in the State of Arizona rose 2.2% in 2008, bringing the state’s preliminary 2008 (November) unemployment rate to a whopping 6.3%. As a matter of fact, Arizona’s jobless rate rivals that of California, and the State’s percentage of job-losses in 2008 were significantly higher than those of The Golden State. I guess we can be sure that all of those penalty-revenue traffic laws aren’t helping to save jobs in Arizona; they just add insult to injury, heaping additional fines and taxes upon an already over-burdened and unemployed population.
I tried to apply for unemployment in Arizona. Since August of 2008 I have wrestled with the mega-bureaucracy from Phoenix with no success. I have called, written, faxed, even messaged my state representatives, all with not only zero success, but no response. In order to receive unemployment benefits, an Arizona citizen completes an unemployment application (which, as in my case, may be done online). The citizen then waits for the State to process their application and mail additional documentation and requirements via standard US Post. While I found this first part fairly quick and painless, the story changed almost immediately. What followed was a series of un-sendable faxes (busy signals and “down” lines), unanswered calls (“We’re experiencing unusually high call volume and unable to take your call...”) and other standard, government-issue runarounds.
So now it has been five months since I was laid off, no luck finding gainful employment here, and I am still working to get assistance from the State. Today I visited the local unemployment office in which I found a posted sign which read, “Unemployment office has been moved to: Call Center.” That’s a joke! They’re staffing an actual brick-and-mortar office with people who can do nothing but refer to me to the call center; that’s the same call center that’s not answering their phones because of a call-volume that’s too high! I wonder, since our representatives have never had any trouble allowing, nay pushing for, our jobs to be “off-shored,” why the State of Arizona hasn’t farmed out their call center business to any number of available specialty companies in India and elsewhere?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Greyhawk
Nate, although your experience doesn't give me much comfort, I am relieved to know that I'm not alone. I lost my job in mid-October and immediately applied for insurance benefits. I was encouraged by the quick response to my application. I was asked to complete a couple of forms which I submitted within the required time period and I received my "debit card" which I foolishly interpreted as a sign that payment was eminent. Nothing. Each week I have checked the payment status..."you were not issued payment because of an unresolved issue on your claim...you will be mailed a form..." The rest of the story mirror's yours in every respect including the observations in your last paragraph.
If there are two of us with this experience there are certainly hundreds of others. I have been struggling with a way to “get the word out” in hopes that numbers might draw enough attention to the problem and lead to a solution (I’ve been marching since the Vietnam era). I have considerable financial experience in the private and public sector, none of which has help me with DES; however, I do have a complete home office, the support of my attorney husband and due to the job market, time available. I’m an avid internet user, but never felt the need to establish my own blog. You have inspired me and my new Google blog is: View from the Dark Side of the Moon.
Nate, any suggestions?
2 - Hope and Change?
Rather than waste time and money blogging why dont you stop complaining and try to get a job!
3 - Nate Fleischer
Normally I wouldn't respond to a personal attack like this, but I simply cannot refrain. In short, you have no idea what you're talking about. Period.
4 - Jet
the good news Nate is that he's just one moron
5 - Roger Nowosielski
I second your comment, Jet. Who does he/she think he is?
6 - Jet
Roger-do you realize the panic you could cause on this website if someone agreed with me?
7 - Roger Nowosielski
From what I've been able to observe thus far, Jet, I think you've been able to stand on your own, give as well as take. So I'm not worrying about it! It's just beyond me that anyone even semi-intelligent could reduce Nate's rather short piece to such a crude remark. I don't think they belong in this universe of discourse.
8 - Jet
JOM has no conscience, which is why he's been banned from this site on several occasions.
9 - Jet
Now that my body chemistry has stabilized, I'm scheduled for open heart triple bypass Jan 23rd.
I've seriously considered writing enough articles to bring my total up to 100, but I don't want my swansong in case I don't survive to be a bunch of smartass remarks from that jerk.
Jet
10 - Nate Fleischer
Thank you all for the support! Jet, I sincerely hope that all goes well for you medically. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
11 - Jet
A collective crossing of fingers at 7:30AM will suffice... and thanks
12 - Nate Fleischer
You got it!
13 - Dr Strangelove
My father-in-law just had open heart surgery: a mitral valve repair and bypass. He's making a great recovery - enjoys showing off his Frankenstein scars. Hope yours goes as well, Jet. :-)
14 - Dr Dreadful
Dammit, I knew I'd forget to change my screen name back...
15 - Jet
Thanks Doc(s) Apologies for suddenly hijacking your article Nate. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...
16 - Roger Nowosielski
I wish I could qualify, Jet. I'm just on medication, which doesn't relieve the congestion; consequently, I can't do any serious workouts and get back into shape like I used to. It's like operating on four cylinders.
If everything goes all right, you'll feel like a new person; so you have that to look forward to.
The best of luck; and yes, let's restore this thread to the original intent.
17 - El Bicho
"Roger-do you realize the panic you could cause on this website if someone agreed with me?"
Yeah, what would the site do if Jet had to drop the "woe is me, no one listens" shtick?
18 - Jet
Try doing 14 prescriptions a day, 90mg of Cymbalta and being treating for heart problems, post traumatic stress and severe depression.
then you can whine at me bitch
19 - Cindy D
We just found out the 60-something-year-old disabled man who delivers our payroll has been sleeping in his car. It's 10 degrees outside. We're making him a key to sleep in the office.
I have begun wondering how many people we can fit in here at night without alerting the landlord or the town.
20 - Jet
Cindy, 5 years ago I donated $10,000 to convert a warehouse to temp living quarters for fire victims in San Diego.
Now I can't do it, and it hurts that I can't.
I feel your pain.
21 - Roger Nowosielski
I don't think El Bicho was bitching, Jet, just expressing their love for you in an odd way!
22 - Roger Nowosielski
It's kind of you, Cindy. It's fairly easy to be writing treatises in political science and philosophy. Infinitely more difficult to help a person in need.
23 - Jet
Oh... well... that explains it. Thanks Roger.
24 - Cindy D
Jet,
I couldn't give money either. But I have this space. It's empty and wasted at night, that's not acceptable. People died in their cars one year here, parked behind the supermarket where they lived in winter. I've arranged to work at the soup kitchen, I hope I can fit whoever has a need.
25 - Roger Nowosielski
Cindy,
I didn't mean it in any sarcastic kind of way. I really meant it. Did you misunderstand what I said?