My brother got laid off today. He's a single father

[Erin Elizabeth]

with full custody of his four year old and two year old. (Mom is not in the picture, very heavily into drug addiction and living in another state. We think.)

He was in the construction industry and construction has slowed down so much, they laid off a bunch of people today. He's scared silly about finding another job and being able to keep the apartment he's in. Oh and he had the health insurance on the kids, so they are now without health coverage, all three of them. The four year old has asthma.


When I turn on the TV, here's what I see:

McCain and Palin talking about some guy who was in some radical group in the 60s and how Obama knows this guy.

Obama talking about the economy and how much people are hurting.




Hmmm.

Wonder which one has my family's best interests at heart?

By the way, my brother is voting for Obama. But now we hope he can find another job. And soon. Christmas might just suck.

And a great big fuck you to John McCain. May he rot in hell. He doesn't give a shit and isn't even pretending to give a shit.

[liberalmuse]

1. This will hurt McCain.

As much as I enjoy seeing McCain self-destruct by attempting to forget about focusing on the economy in lieu of smears, we can't afford this. Like so many people, I'm apprehensive right now, and this McCain diversion is bullshit and it's infuriating!

[Mojambo]

2. My brother is in almost the exact same position

Only he only has one son and hasn't been laid off... YET.

He has had one day shaved off his work week though.

Scary times.

[Erin Elizabeth]

3. Yikes.

Here's hoping he doesn't lose his job.

I got a scare today because my boss's boss asked my boss how I'm "funded." That's not a question you want to hear.

[BklynChick]

4. I'm so sorry! I hope he finds another job soon.

[Elidor]

5. Sorry to hear about it

I know how that feels, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone but maybe Bill Kristol.

As for McCain, wow. He has nowhere left to hide. His rich buddies couldn't have picked a better time to fleece the taxpayers. And he couldn't have handled it any worse than he did. It's nice to see that time finally catches up to someone who has been the living embodiment of the Peter Principle all his life. Spoiled little rich boy finally learns that bullshit and bluster can only carry you so far. And that's all he had in him. Another empty suit who wants to play king for a while.

Lincoln once said to a friend that until a man feels that presidential bug get ahold of him, he has no idea how hard it will bite him, what he might be capable of. It bit McCain hard, and the final measure of the man is dismal. It's so considerate of him to tear down the framework of his reputation prior to leaving the stage. The biographers can sweep away the scraps now without too much fuss.

[Imagine My Surprise]

6. Have your brother sign up for Medicaid for the kids ASAP...

that should be available. Most states have coverage for children without coverage, but he has to sign up for it ASAP. And he should be able to get unemployment, unless he was paid off the books. But the kids SHOULD be covered by the state. Good luck to him!

[Erin Elizabeth]

7. I think he's hoping he'll find something quickly

but I told him even if he finds a job tomorrow, his health coverage won't kick in for a while! So I will emphasize that to him, thank you.

In fact, I'll urge him to do it TOMORROW. They can't be without health coverage.

[crazy_vanilla]

8. oh, I'm so sorry for your brother

:grouphug:

There are some protections for children of people who are laid off (check with state). He needs to start looking into applying for state-sponsored Healthcare for the kids - they should be eligible for Medicaid, if I'm not mistaken. We've been there and it was not easy- we had to go to Catholic charities to get the kid's scheduled shots.

This is where Obama will help everyone - with healthcare, which is something McCain, because of all his money, will never know or understand.

Good luck!

[AwakeAtLast]

9. Give your brother a hug for me

Then tell him to get into the security installtion business. With his construction experience he should be able to find something. People will be putting more security into ANYTHING very soon.

:hug:

[stillcool]

10. that's rough...

I hope he finds something else soon. He should apply right now for any kind of assistance he can get during the interim..especially with the little one with asthma. :hug:

[cyndensco]

11. So sorry to hear about your brother and his family.

It is such a scary period for all of us. It seems no one is really safe these days. Good luck to him in finding a new job soon.

[yy4me]

12. He should inquire about COBRA coverage when he goes

to file for unemployment.

[Erin Elizabeth]

15. It's incredibly expensive.

Something like $740 a month. He can't afford that, not even close. I am going to remind him to get the kids on Medicaid immediately.

[yy4me]

19. Youch, sorry for that bad advice. Here in MA, the state will pay

part of your premium, based on former salary. I feel so badly for your family. I was laid off on 9/18 and will have a major problem finding a job. Over 65 and under skilled in those areas where there are job opportunities...which seems only to be the Medical field. I have lost the Medicare supplement that my boss paid and cannot afford the supplement from my Social Security check. It stinks all around for all of us.

[AZBlue]

22. Wow! MA is very liberal!!

That's great - wish all states did the same.

Sorry to hear about your situation too! I hope something comes through for you soon!!!

[sandnsea]

26. Part of that horrible Mass health plan

that everybody around here bitches about. My health insurance is subsidized too. But in Oregon, you have to wait until they open it up to new people because it isn't fully funded.

Still, I still have to pay $2-300 in prescriptions every month. Plus the 20%, deductibles and co-pays. So I'm still sinking in a mountain of health care debt.

[AZBlue]

29. Wow.

The healthcare situation really sucks, huh? I mean, even when you think you see a plan that would make it better, it really doesn't. It doesn't seem anyone in the US gets it.

[Erin Elizabeth]

25. Oh no!

I'm sorry to hear that! My father in law is in the same boat--he's 64 and was forced into retirement. I said he should pursue an ageism suit, but I don't think he will. He's just depressed. He also has leukemia and I don't think they wanted to pay his medical costs anymore.

I hope you find a job soon!

[AZBlue]

21. COBRA stinks

It's REALLY expensive. And, not only does it not cover everything that your real insurance used to, but it requires for you to pay for certain things up front and will then reimburse you, certain things like prescriptions. And we all know how fast insurance companies are when it comes to sending out cash.

[Left Is Write]

31. Your coverage under COBRA is supposed to be exactly the same as it was through your employer.

The difference is that you are now paying your portion plus the portion the employer was paying. The coverage, however, should not change, and everyone should be eligible for COBRA for up to 18 months after the end of the employment.

Under COBRA, what benefits must be covered?
Qualified beneficiaries must be offered coverage identical to that available to similarly situated beneficiaries who are not receiving COBRA coverage under the plan (generally, the same coverage that the qualified beneficiary had immediately before qualifying for continuation coverage). A change in the benefits under the plan for the active employees will also apply to qualified beneficiaries. Qualified beneficiaries must be allowed to make the same choices given to non-COBRA beneficiaries under the plan, such as during periods of open enrollment by the plan.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.HTML

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. The insurance company where my litle bro works is going to lay off 40 people in November. I

desperately don't want him to be one of them. (And I worry, too, for everyone who does wind up in that boat.) :(

[rexy]

14. Sorry to hear.

My cousin's husband just got laid off last week. He's a mechanic. They have two small kids under 3. Luckily, my cousin still has her job as a teacher and he was lucky enough to get severance pay for a few weeks.

Hope your brother finds something soon.

[bermudat]

16. My brother was laid off last week in September. In Houston.

Houston is having a tough time and will continue for some time, exacerbated by Ike.

[Erin Elizabeth]

17. Yikes. I hope he finds something soon.

Is his house ok?

[FrenchieCat]

18. I am very, very sorry for your brother. How simply terrible!

I'll add my own "FUCK YOU" to John McCain. A low pol with no prospects for anything by becoming a big time loser.

[annabanana]

20. Can the kids get SCHIP? . . .n/t

[Erin Elizabeth]

28. The parent has to be working to qualify.

If he's working, he's hopefully going to have coverage through his employer. I think his best bet right now is to get the kids on Medicaid, at the very least. Those inhalers will be expensive otherwise.

I expect to help out as much as I can, husband and I were discussing it tonight. We'll cut back around here if we have to so he doesn't lose his apartment. He's a good guy, hard worker, hopefully he'll find something. He's also trained as a carpenter, but there hadn't been much work in that field around here, so he went into construction.

[AZBlue]

23. I'm so sorry!

I hope he finds something soon!!

[sandnsea]

24. My son-in-law is in construction too

and employs my son. Yeah. This Christmas is going to suck the big one. I just hope everybody gets through it without becoming homeless, including me.

[Ilsa]

27. Oh god, this is awful. I know he probably can't sleep at night, worrying

about how he is going to take care of the kids. I hope he can find a new job really fast.

Can he file for assistance from WIC for the kids and then SCHIP?

[paregdem]

30. Early Idea, Could It Work Here???

Erin,
I'm sorry to hear that your brother, and others, are being forced to face unemployment at this time. My sincere hope is that a new and better job is just around the corner. When children are involved, it's heart wrenching...and the holidays are quickly approaching, and that just makes it even sadder.

I'm new to DU so I don't know if this has ever been attempted: Do you think that there would be enough interest in a DU "Secret Santa" sort of thing??? I'm thinking that someone (or someones) way up on the totem pole here could assign one specific place where this could be done. No one would have to feel obligated to add a recipient or pick a tag...it would be completely voluntary.

Oh geez, I turn into such a marshmallow when it comes to children. I feel like a porcupine who's soft tummy is exposed. Erin, if this idea doesn't fly like my imagination tells me it could, I'd really like to know how things are going for your brother and his little ones before holiday time. If there is any need whatsoever, I want to get in contact with you (how can we do that on DU?).

Pulling my shirt back down and hiding my tummy :)

[Erin Elizabeth]

32. My GOD, people are nice here.

He and his kids will most likely be ok, my husband and I and our parents will pool our resources and make sure they have a decent Christmas. And he's a real go-getter, already has plans for where he's going to apply for another job. He'll flip burgers if he has to for his kids.

However, I do think your idea is awesome for anyone here who knows of kids who will have a rough holiday season. I always love to take the tags off the trees in the mall and buy stuff for those kids. I might not be able to do that this Christmas because of my brother's kids, so an alternative would be to do that in my place?

[paregdem]

33. One Big (Mostly Happy) DU Family...

Erin,
It was heartwarming reading what you wrote about your family and taking care of one another. That's what most of us strive to do, take care of our own and take care of each other even if we aren't blood relatives.

YES!!! I will happily choose a special Christmas tag from the mall in your place this year and I'll let you know the details.

Take good care :grouphug: