Act to help unemployed

There are 2 million Americans, including more than 200,000 veterans, who are long-term unemployed. There are Republican and Democratic proposals in the Senate to address funding and reform of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) in a worthy manner.

What is not worthy is how the long-term unemployed lost these vital benefits, how they are currently being denied benefits and how our Congress is failing to act.

The long-term unemployed defend our freedoms, are laid-off teachers, nurses, service industry workers, tradespeople, public servants and folks who just want a job. These people have mortgages, rent payments, bills, mouths to feed and a need for such basic necessities as clothing and electricity.

Call your elected representatives, whether you voted for them or not, and request that they vote yes for the extension of EUC. Let your representatives know you want to be part of this national conversation, but not at the expense of 2 million fellow Americans.

If the long-term unemployed banded together to vote only for those who support the continuation of EUC, change would occur. Can you imagine the true change if the rest of us stood up in solidarity with this group of valued, dedicated and vital citizens?

Jason Morris

Heron, Mont.