Sometimes I am Angry

After 27  years in the same job, my David is unemployed.  He did no wrong, they just "wanted to go in a different direction" which meant to me that they want a person that they can pay less. 
So, here we are, starting over again. I am old, he is 62. 

We have no savings, no 401 K, no retirement.  Two weeks severance.  This is Club Link, a Canadian company that bought WCI Communities when the banks were bailed. 
I am angry. 
Love,
Betty

10/11
                         Betty..

                                I'm so sorry for David, I had that happen after working
downtown at  a gallery for 10 years and I was 59 !! Tell David file for his Social
Security....He can get it at 62 ! 

                                                       Love Joe......

We will, Joe.  Thank you for your compassion.  Sometimes, life sucks.
Love,
Betty

Betty, you are entitled to be angry.  What happened to David has happened to many others.  It is the one thing that is so apparent in our country.  When one gets old(er) they want to get rid of you and find younger people that they can pay less.  They have no compassion for those they dismiss.  Even animals are treated better.  When horses can't run (race) anymore, they put them out to pasture where they can spend the rest of their lives in a peaceful setting with food and shelter. 
I'm impressed with Berny Sanders who continues to press for more benefits for seniors and the poor. 
What many fail to uderstand is that seniors don't want a handout, but a way to live the rest of their lives in dignity and security.  "promoting the general welfare" as stated in the constitution is something ignored by most politicians. 

Getting ticked off brings attention to the problem.  When I hear that the GOP wants to cut benefits for seniors I get very angry.  The SS payments to me is money that I paid in and they have no right to deny it to me.  Healthcare is another issue that is a sore spot.  It is the main reason I live where I do for without that, I could not survive.  I speak out often on that subject even though it doesn't affect me personally in my present circumstance, but it affects my relatives and prevents me from returning. 

Thinking of you and trust that something will occur to eleviate your anxiety.

10/12

                    Just read yesterday the Govt. will not give an increase  to seniors
in 2016 , it'll be 0% why ? Because they claim the price of gas has gone down !
What the hell does the price of gas got to do with it ! Do they know food, rent,
utilities etc. have been going up at an alarming rate ? Do any of these morons
ever shop in a supermarket ? I also read Medicare is going up too ! They take 
$124- a month in Medicare insurance from what i read it's going up $54- more !
So that means it'll go up to $178- a month...I've read Europe treats their seniors
better than our country, first we cast away our Vets now our seniors ! What we 
need to scare the hell out of Washington is a million senior march on Washington!

                                                   Cheers.........Joe........

I thought AARP was a lobby for seniors. I am sorry Betty. You have joined a big club. Many dont even have social security. Singles have one SS check.

When I was a boy, the Great Depression was in full swing. But, the country was united in poverty. The lack of food, a roof over ones head, and parents standing in long soup lines with their kids gave folks something to talk about. One of the high lights of the week was F.D.R’s Friday night chat on the radio. For those who did not have a radio, well people would always invite the homeless in to listen. F.D.R was a great president. He tried many programs…the Congress put a stop to most of them. But F.D.R was a good talker. He would say things that built a persons sprit up. One of his greatest was, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” That has stayed with me my whole life. F.D.R. set up some good programs. The Blue Eagle (the WPA)…he put men to work building roads, and planting trees. A tent to sleep in with several other men, three meals a day, and $7.00 a month. He figured it was better for a mans pride to work for a living rather then giving them handouts…he knew handout made a person feel less than nothing. Those were great times. They were hard, but it’s the hard time that build strength in people, and that same strength builds a strong nation. At the same time of the Great Depression, the Midwest was hit by dust storms that blew all the top soil away. Farming families that had owned their land for over 100 years were rooted up. Most packed what they could, and headed to California for work. Most were stopped at the California State line, and turned away. Times were hard. But it seemed to bring out a kindness in folks. You could always here someone ask a kid, “Hay kid, want a Nickel?” A nickel would buy an ice cream cone, or a candy bar.




Today I watch the millions moving about the earth as those from the Midwest during the Great Depression trying to enter California. Mexicans trying to enter the U.S.A….thousands trying to enter Europe. Every day these poor families bury their children along some un-marked road leading to hope. Mothers with three, maybe four young children, and a half slice of bread…which child to give it to?

I think it would be safe to say, “There are millions of people who would gladly be the poor American…the poor American that can draw social security, food stamps, section 8 housing, and medical aid. Yes time are hard, and we don’t have F.D.R any more…but let me pass on to those of you in need what he said…”We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

I am a Great depression child. I have no fear of the present, or the future. I have no fear of fear. When those in need ask me, “What are we to do?” I always reply, “If you can’t find work, work for yourself…this is America. Start you own little business. Will all have some talent? It does not matter how little a person makes, so long as they keep their head high, don’t let anger waste your time…share what little you have with those who have less. Put fear aside, and you will find your strength.

Domenic, much truth in your post.  What it fails to cover is that many seniors are no longer physically capable of working.  As for migrants/immigrants being denied access, that is something that didn't happen in the past and we are faced with a new reality.  My wife watches the migrants entering Europe who complain about what they get.  It makes her angry.  She remembers vividly how they struggled to survive after the war.  Women were a strong force in the recovery.  They picked through rubble for bricks, wood and anything that could be used for building.  At the same time, neighbor helped neighbor to survive. That was socialism in its basic form.   
There was nothing left in the fields after a harvest.  Children went into the fields (my wife included) and picked up grain, potatoes – anything edible to take home.  If there was a fruit tree, it was picked clean. They also went into the forest and picked up sticks for fuel.  Compassion is more evident in bad times.  FDR did much for America and fought for the people he served.  It is good to look at the past; however we live in a different world.  In a land of plenty, such as the US, it doesn’t show compassion for the less fortunate.  Proclaiming to be “the greatest country on earth” is no longer valid.  We both remember how as children we worked.  No one said anything about child labor.  It was something one did to help support the family.  Children in under-developed countries work to support their family.  The struggles of our youth instilled in us a work ethic that served us well.  We see how children today have simply too much.  They are not required to do chores and expect more and more.  There are some things that times don’t change.  Greed instilled in children at a young age will define them in the future.
 
Getting a “hand up” is not the same as a “hand out”.  Some of our welfare programs are designed to provide a “hand up” until one can be self-sufficient.  Although some abuse the system, one should not penalize everyone for the abuse of the few.  I recall vividly when I was forced to seek help after my return from Beirut.  I had nothing. It was the most humiliating time of my life.  Without work or means to support my family, I did whatever necessary for survival.  Food Stamps were a life-saver.  Imagine standing in line at a grocery counter and getting hateful stares from other shoppers when you produced the food stamps.  Only when one has walked in the shores of another can one understand. 
 
Actions do speak louder than words.  The actions of our government speak loud.  It doesn’t mean much to hear how they wish to glorify our country, “The land of the free…” and land of opportunity while canceling programs that inhibit or even prohibit that opportunity.  If one is sick, they can’t work.  A healthcare program is necessary.  Consider that the rich don’t have a problem getting access to the best healthcare available nor do they have payment concerns.  The middle class pay through their teeth.  Once a person has nothing, then the government steps in and provides minimum care at the cost of the taxpayer.  Stated another way, you must be either rich or very poor to get healthcare.  Much of the care pays for the high cost of emergency.  Preventive medicine – regular visits to the doctor costs less than waiting for the emergency that is often too late. Either the patient dies or the prolonged care costs much more.  Good healthcare programs exist and work well.  We don’t need to re-invent a healthcare system.  Study and copy one that works.
 
As for finding work, although our laws forbid discrimination for race, religion and age, the discrimination continues.  Ask any person who is older than 50 about their experience in finding a job.  Getting a nice letter that says:  “We found someone more suitable for the position” is a nice kiss off.  What they mean to say is that they found someone younger for the position.  We like to pump up our resumes to make us look good.  I have found that to be a detriment to getting employment.  Being “over qualified” for the position applied for is a common error people make.  Best advice:  Show qualifications that apply only to the job you apply for.  Downplay the titles you once held.  Once you have the job, even at an entry level, your performance will move you up the ladder.  In this case, “Actions speak louder than words.”  
 
Finding a job, any job, gets one into the swing of things and is a step forward.  Trying to fight the system doesn’t help when you are unemployed.  Forget the rules and regulations.  Say and do whatever it takes to land the job.  A big Ego is a detriment.  It is difficult to downplay ones capabilities or past experience when filling out an application.  Understanding the mentality/attitude of human resource personnel can make a difference.  Put yourself in their shoes when you complete an application.  Read your own app through their eyes.  Since they will lie to you when they reject your application, there is nothing wrong in lying to them, especially when you downplay or not include past titles or performance.  Get the Job.  Once employed, you have time to seek something better.  It is always better to seek employment when you already have a job.  When you are unemployed, the question a recruiter has is “Why are you unemployed?”  Many will ask that question and one should be prepared for the question.  Never, I repeat, never tell the recruiter or interviewer bad things about the company you worked for or how bad your boss was.

Abe,

I have to agree with your post. After the world war two, America was a rich country. All the adults had come through the Great Depression…they had also been to war, or supported a war. The Government gave to the men coming home the G.I. Bill…for the first time they could buy a home with a Government loan. The Government talked the women into leaving their war time jobs to make room for the men coming home. Everybody had a job. People had money. But there was a mistake in what is remembered as, “Happy Days.” All the new things invented during, and for the war were now given to the public, plus these wonderful things could be bought on time…people could spend money they had not yet earned. The great baby boom…The Great Depression adults were going to make sure their kids did not go without…that was the trap that set the tone of the new generation…the boomers did not have to work for what they got…it was given to them by loving parents. The T.V. seemed to put the lid on it. One could sit for hours and watch T.V. shows. “Father knows best,” etc showed the perfect family. Kids watching these shows asked, “Why isn’t our family like that?” Whatever was behind this turn around of life style threw in the T.V. Tray…that took people away from the dinner table, family talk…it sort of put members of a family separate, one from the other. For the first time, young people didn’t seek advice from parents, but from those of their own age.

Remember how the boomers joined together in the 60’s against the Vet Nam war? Soon they were saying, “Don’t trust anybody over the age of 30.” Drugs, protest, and I’ll do it my way became the cry of this new generation.

Most of the Great Depression adults are gone. The young people of the Great Depression are still here, but they are a small group, and that gives them little power…the baby boomers are in power. How to I feel about that? We who were children in the last years of the Great Depression see a world in free fall…we have already bent over, and kissed our asses good bye, because we know the boomers have the world in free fall...and nothing will stop it…the only ones who think they can save it are the boomers. Me? I know better. I’m still kissing my ass good bye. I have seen the fall of Rome.

Betty,

I am so sorry for your situation.  Life   is  so unfair

There is always a way to make thinks better. Get fruit, cut it up, dry it in the sun, and bag it in little zipper plastic bags. Make a logo on your computer and put the logo on the bags...sell them where you make $1.00 a bag.   selling dried fruit is an old Great Depression thing...people paid their rent, and paid for food doing that...there is a million things a person could do to make things better...sell them at the flee market...people at the flee markets always want a snack they can walk around with and eat...it's called health food. This alone should bring in $500. a month easy.
As a boy I learned from an old rag man how he made a million dollars from selling rags? Here is what he said. "Buy a rag for one cent, cut it in to two pieces...sell each piece for  one cent."

Domenic, it seems that we are in complete agreement on this subject.

Betty, don't feel pushed into anything and don't take any comment I made personally.  Throwing out ideas is what I think Domenic was trying to do.  Do what you feel good about.  Let your gut be your guide.  As for David, he will need much moral support.  His feeling of helplessness and not being able to provide can be devastating.  I know the feeling.  Remember also that "with every adversity there is a benefit."  Look for the benefit.  I'm confident that with your help and support, he will succeed.

Betty,
Do you have SS benefits?   If you can draw and your hubby can get a part-time job and draw too, you will get by.

PS:  The quilts you make are worth thousands.  Sell them.

This too shall pass.  I have had my disappointments but time does work things out.  Lifestyles have to be reduced, but it's amazing what can be cut when one thought there was nothing more.  I have dipped into my house equity - so what if it's never paid off.  That was a dream that won't be fulfilled - and I seem to make just enough money to pay income taxes so the deduction helps, both from the mortgage and the equity line.  I needed a new roof.

I pay zero for entertainment. I eat at home or go to finance meetings to learn how to spend the money I don't have and they provide me with a lovely meal for listening.  It's like the old days when I went to conferences and listened to boring speeches while dining.

On my birthday, I collect everything that's birthday free and have a grand, extravagant time.

The beach is a treasure each morning for walks, swimming, and just daydreaming and gazing.  And let's not forget the sunrises, sunsets, moon rises and moonsets - and how about that Harvest moon a month or so ago with the eclipse.  Wow!

I also walk in the swamp on lovely trails at no cost.  Gas is amazingly affordable.  I do receive a gift now and then of a show or entertainment venue.  I occasionally go to the $6 movie theater with friends.

I work very hard at promoting my books - and try to enjoy the hard work that pays minimal dividends.  I work on my newspaper articles and do hear that others enjoy reading them.  I don't earn any more than if I was bagging groceries at Publix - but I do meet lots of interesting people and am in the "know" about town.

I have been responding to job ads for five years now, and I don't even get a "no thanks" response except occasionally. 

I go to gardening meetings sponsored by the State of Florida that are lots of fun with great people and bring home cuttings.

My costs of living continually go up but I am a coupon expert for the things I must have - face cream, toothpaste, laundry soap, etc. 

My income is very modest as I'm one person.  Two times Social Security does help. The mortgage is my biggest expense and it's the same for one or two.  Pretty much the utilities also.  Yet two incomes help from whatever source.  Can't quite create that these days and I've known such wonderful love experiences, family and all that - so I have my memories and they get better as the years go by - as the mind erases the stuff not worth remembering.

And dear Betty, you and your lovely spouse will erase these troubling days too as you stumble forward in a new direction, even finding the right employment to fill the gaps.  It feels ugly to lose one's employment - but it only continues to feel that way if that's the story one continues to write.

Remember, we are the writers of our own book, the directors of our own play.  We can write in how we will respond to the troubles that come our way.  Do the characters in our play give up and allow challenges to sap their joy - or do they charge forward with determination to love each day in spite of rain and stormy weather.

My love to you and your spouse, Betty.  Feel all the warmth from your friends here and may it give you both the strength to see a better tomorrow. love, dk

10/13

                Yes there are so many free things to do ! This morning I went with a 
friend at 8:30 AM to the Mountains to see the Fall leaves, it was beautiful and crisp
weather and the Aspen Trees were awesome...Here's a photo...The Temp was 45 !

                                                      Cheers.....Joe....

Wow!

Everyone is so helpful and kind.  I am over the shock.  David is still a little bewildered.  I have filed for his ss and unemployment.  We will be ok with the hydroponic farm.  It does not make much, but every bit is a help and now with him home and able to pay attention and help with the growing and the delivery and mostly the marketing, I hope we will be ok. 
I must say that I am exhausted from the concern of it. 
I do love you all.
Joe, that is one fine picture.
Love,
Betty

10/14

                       Betty..

                                You and David are always in everyone's prayers and little by little
the light  with shine through the dark clouds and things will be better, thank you for the
compliment for my photo...

                                                             Love Joe......

Joe, I always see you as a light in the gloom.  You have been through the dark and know when to spread a little light around.  You are one special person.
Love,
Betty

Sometimes I have access to so many magnificent sunsets that I forget to look - isn't that something.  Tonight I remembered - and it was spectacular.  The sun just dropped into the sea.  When it was halfway, I took a picture with my cell phone.  When I looked at the picture, the sun was fully round instead of half, like it was sitting on the sea instead of the horizon cutting it in half.  Where did that vision of the half on the sea come from?  It was as though the horizon cut through the sun with half still above and the other sitting on the sea.  My oh my, nature is a wondrous thing.

Love those Aspens, Joe.  I remember walking in the Georgia mountains in fall or the swamp in the fall with its sunflowers - as if the sun was spilling gold everywhere.  My oh my again, such wonders.  Perhaps the awesome beauty is to remind us that our troubles are fleeting things just like the changes in nature and beauty is lurking still for all to see and admire.

It makes me think of the little bits of green that find their way through solid rocks or appear in sand in the desert.  A bit of green can be so beautiful.

10/14

                  I believe nature is a tranquil way for us to deal with stress and the
world around us.....Just sitting on a bench way up in the mountains and looking
down at the valley you feel almost like you were small and yet you become one
with nature , it's amazing what mother nature can do and you think to yourself
these trees survive harsh winters and come back year after year to perform a
miracle of color change, here's a small Aspen I photographed...

                                               Cheers..........Joe......

10/14

                   The Aspen leaves almost hypnotize you with their beautiful gold
color, the way the light shimmers on them and when it's windy their leaves 
begin to shimmer in the light looking almost like gold...

                                                Cheers.Joe...

I love the beauty of nature.  As DK mentioned, sometimes we just fail to look and miss the beauty around us.  There is something special taking a walk with eyes wide open. 

Betty, things will get better.  Just believe it.  It is true that we attract what dominates our minds.  Let the attraction be that of success and see the light at the end of the tunnel.