You don't know me, but you see me every day. I look just like you, but I am the 0%. I'm one of the millions of Americans who pay 0% on my taxes because I make $0 in income. It wasn't always this way. I was the American Dream. I did everything I was told I needed to do to succeed. I got a college degree. I started my career. I got married, bought a house, made investments, and started moving up the social ladder. Then it all ended. Lost my job. Lost my house. Lost my marriage. Lost my investments. Lost everything except my pride. Now, if it weren't for the generosity of friends and family, I'd be living out on the street.
How did it come to this? I was comfortably middle-class. I was moving up and going places. I had it all (or, at least, all that I needed). When I was laid off for the last time back in November 2008 I had not the faintest thought I would become one of the millions of long-term unemployed. But, here I am, four years later, right where I started back in 2008. I honestly did not think it would be so hard to find employment of any kind. All my experience, all my accomplishments, and all my efforts mean nothing. I feel as if I do not exist at all.
The first safety net to go was my health insurance in August of 2009 when my ex dropped me from her company plan. By January 2010 my unemployment had run out. Three months later I lost my house. I could have easily given up and just wallowed in my misery. No, I couldn't do that. My parents didn't bring me up a quitter. I thought I could do better, so I decided to "run out the recession" by going back to school to earn my master's degree (the first in my family to do so). I burned through my life-savings and a couple of I-bonds, but I finally earned my MS with a 4.0 GPA. It was two years of hard work and perseverance. I'm proud of my accomplishment, but was it the right thing to do? I'm not entirely sure it was.
When I decided to go back to school back in July 2009 I had sent out hundreds of applications and resumes with not a single response in return. The four months after earning my MS has been the same. I send out resumes and fill out applications and receive no response. My day consists of applying and waiting, for anything. It doesn't matter to me. Full-time, part-time, temporary, whatever. The type of work is not important. The compensation isn't important. I know what it's like being in the 0%. I do odd things I never I did prior to 2008, like second-guessing how to spend the lone dollar in my wallet (if I even have a dollar in my wallet). I shop at thrift stores. When I take my walks, I follow the curbs in search of loose change. I'm rationing my meds. My "new" computer is a $350 refurb my parents bought me as a graduation present.
I don't know when I'll work again. I'm ready and able, but no one returns my calls. Thankfully, my lack of progress has done little to dampen my hopes. I know there is an opportunity for me out there somewhere. For every day that passes, the lack of response hurts less. Employment is no longer my lone gauge of success. I keep myself busy with the things I always wanted to do but I could never find the time. I have an opportunity to read the books I've neglected (I finally understand Plato and Marcus Aurelius). I appreciate nature. I've finally finished writing the trilogy I started back during Clinton's first term. I've also taken the time to compose music. I take longer walks and volunteer when I can (I know the kitties appreciate that!). I know how to stretch a dollar and how to make things last. I've learned the distinct differences between "cheap" and "inexpensive", and that there's no shame in shopping second-hand. You can find some good shit at the thrift store. Most of all, I discovered I'd rather bring a smile to someone's face than take their money.
I am the 0%. I'm down, but not out. I'm confident in my abilities. I strive every day to do better. I expect good things will come, but I don't want sympathy or a handout. I just want a job. Is that too much to ask?