Things are supposed to be getting better. Because we only lost about half a million jobs
in one month, instead of 3/4 of a million. The point being, WE ARE STILL LOSING JOBS.
At a pace as fast as a Nascar race. Millions of jobs lost in the last 2 years. About 2 million
since Obama became President.
So how are things getting better, exactly. Because Goldman Sachs made a few billion
in the second quarter. Of course they did, after all they got 10 billion for free for about
6 months, shoot I could make money on that deal.
Just stick it in the bank, and the interest alone even at 3% would yeild you something like
300 million. Can you imagine. On the other side of the coin, are the regular folks,
the bottom 97%. Those of us who don't have multi-million dollar homes, or a
private jet at our disposal. JUst regular folks like Pandora, a support staff for
a University, who just lost her job of 16 years.
Pandora worked with a staff of 4 other people. In charge of planning special events and
arranging all the details. The space, tables and chairs, the food. She worked hard, and never
thought her job was at risk.
About 3 weeks ago, her boss told her she was being eliminated due to loss of grants and
other financial support. She was 4 years away from full retirement with a pension. If she
can get a job with the University with in a year, then she doesn't lose those 16 years of
vestment in the retirement program. It can be in a different department, what ever.
Out of the 4 employees in her department, only the boss kept her job. Pandora is
54 and now unemployed. She will have to go on Cobra, and is now selling all her collectables
or family heirlooms to be able to keep her health insurance, price at around $800 a month.
Brandon had a nice job working for an electrician. They did mostly commercial, restaurants and
shopping malls. According to Brandon it all dried up around the 2008 elections. He just got
let go this Monday. Lucky for him, the wife is a nurse at a neo-natal unit, in a very
nice hospital, so they are OK for now. Brandon is one of the lucky ones, he is young,
and the wife has a good job. But they can't afford to live on their own now, and have
to live with the in-laws. Less than ideal.
Dave is an architect, been working for the same company for over 14 years. They let
him know that in a matter of a few weeks, he was probably going to be let go. First
he had to go through 2 pay cuts in the last 18 months. Each was about 10%, but
Dave knew he had little choice, but to accept the cut each time. Just happy to still
have his job. Now that seems to be going down as well. Dave is 55 years old.
Jerry is a violinist with the local Symphony, and was given a letter of termination of
his contract. Jerry is 54, and 1 year away from full retirement benefits. They are
union, so he contacted his union rep, and got a lawyer. The union guy never got
back with him, and the lawyer advised him, "nothing they could do until the
symphony fired him. " The reason stated was his bowing sucked. If you heard Jerry
play you know they probably just don't want to honor his retirement package, because he
is totally dedicated, and plays like a dream.
Well, he had an interview with the conductor (his lawyer sitting at his side) and discussed
why they were considering shit canning him. Several weeks later he received a letter
that he was fine and his job was safe. Hooray for Jerry.
At least we can have one happy story among the few I have shared. These are real people that
I know, these things happened in the last month. It just makes me wonder what does a 50 something
do when they lose their job after 10, 20 or 30 years. You know it is not possible to just
find a job that pays what you have built up over half your life. Many businesses won't even
hire a 50 something because they think you are too old.
To old to hire, and to young for Social Security. Also forget getting any health insurance
at the age of 50, even if you have no pre-existing. Just another reason why we need
health care reform, NOW. That would at least help, of course if you have to pay for
it, how do you do that on unemployment, it sure doesn't pay enough to live on, let
alone pay some kind of health premium.
I guess all I can sum it up to is this: Fasten your seatbelts because it is going to be
a bumpy ride. And I don't know how long this roller coaster ride is gonna last,
I feel kinda sick.
I know this diary is completely off subject, since Mark Sanford gave his
public confession about God taking care of him, and all that. But for the rest
of us, it is still life as usual ( no secret trips to South America to meet my
lover). All I can say about the whole sordid thing is WHAT A DICK & DOUCHENEZZAL!
This isn't really helping my tummy feel any better, but I think I know something
that might just help. Puff Puff, cough cough.
What a fucking crazy ass world we live in right now.
Catch you all on the flip side.
Hope your Sunday is a Funday.