The July, 2008 unemployment numbers are in.

Nationally, the rate is up to 5.7%.

Illinois is struggling.  At a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 7.3%, we're in trouble throughout the state.

Here in the 16th Congressional district, it's especially bad.

The Rockford Metropolitan Statistical Area (Winnebago and Boone Counties) has the dubious distinction of leading the state with an unemployment rate of 8.5%. 

Eight-point-five percent.  That's nearly one in ten of us looking for work.

Helloooooooooooo, Representative Don Manzullo.

Ahem.  Ahem.  Mr. Manzullo?  Are you there?  Hello?

Perhaps he's not there.  Or perhaps he's not listening.

Memo to Manzullo:  WE LEAD THE STATE IN UNEMPLOYMENT.

So what's Mr. Manzullo doing about the worst unemployment rate in Illinois?  Nothing.  Zero.  Zilch.

Come to think of it:  Representative Manzullo is worse than nothing. 

At the very time thousands of his constituents are hurting, and anxious to find work -- Manzullo voted AGAINST extending unemployment benefits.   clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll412.xml  (Fortunately, he was outvoted.)

Let's be clear about this.  Unemployment payments are not welfare.  They're a lifeline for when we lose our jobs through no fault of our own. 

Mr. Manzullo, stop turning your back on your constituents.  Help us.

We're decent, hard working people.  We dearly want to take care of our families.  Help us.

Step up job training programs.  Partner state and private employment services with community colleges for jobs counseling and jobs training.  Help us.

Get us set up in our own home-grown businesses, along the lines of the Scott Summers plan for "microcapitalism".  Help us.

Help us, Representative Manzullo.  Help us.

Stop trying to cut off unemployment benefits.  Here in your Congressional district.  Here in the Unemployment Capital of Illinois.

Help us, Mr. Manzullo.

Stop hurting us.