I think everyone's noticed how my posting style has changed recently. I normally don't discuss my personal life too much, but I lost my job six months ago. I haven't been able to find one since. I did get through the door at Boeing, a government contractor. However, when I got the job they declined my insurance because of a previous illness (Obamacare doesn't fix that loophole for adults until 2014). It then came out that I previously had cancer, and even though I'm in remission, that seemed to spook Boeing. They told me they had decided to outsource the position I was going to be given. I don't know if that's true or not - they might have just wanted to give it to someone that would likely take less sick leave. About two months ago, the bank foreclosed on our house. We were stuck in an ARM, and it adjusted upwards at the beginning of year, taking my house payment from $2500 to 3250. We couldn't pay that on one salary. My wife decided to head back to Canada because living here was too hard. She took my son. She made it clear that because of how dark I was getting over all this shit that I shouldn't show up until I got my head together, got a job, or preferably both. Not sure how I'm supposed to get a job in Canada - they have a law that favors citizens. There's just too much broken shit in this country now. I really think we are killing ourselves. The top 1% make all the money - because they make all the rules. This is no surprise to anyone I'm sure. I'm continually amazed that people here don't understand that - that the deck is stacked, and they clearly don't give a shit about Americans because they can exploit us at will when they own congress. And dangle a job in front of us while they do it. Then there's the crap with the economy. Everything is more expensive - why? Because the assholes who defrauded us fucked up the economy so bad the braniacs at the Fed believed the only way they could fix it was to dump massive amounts of cash. So my gas costs more, my food costs more, unemployment wasn't extended so that will run out soon. Honest to god, I don't know what I'm going to do. This isn't a oh my god, I'm going to end it all message. That's just pathetic. It is a 'I'm seriously thinking about taking matters into my own hands' message. Criminals walk among us, and they are fetted as the best people we have, even as they rob little old ladies of their pension plans. Enough. Just fucking enough. I thought I deserve to be honest with people. I'm probably not going to be posting any more, because things need to be done and this is just a fucking waste of time. Goodbye.
I think some of that was implied elsewhere, but I hadn't thought that things were that bad. It would be a pity if you stopped posting. When you say "things need to be done", does that mean job searches and the like? Or the aforementioned "taking matters into your own hands"?
I can empathize with you, Demiurge. I was out of work for over 13 months and it was a bitch of a time finding another job. I've been back to work for almost a year now, and I still wait for the ground to drop away from under me at any moment. I sincerely hope things turn around for you, man.
Not to be insensitive or anything... wait, scratch that, yes to be insensitive... I'm going to be a bit skeptical until you repost this tomorrow. I don't believe anything I read today, no matter how personal.
I know there is nothing that can be said that will help. Just don't do anything stupid you will end up regretting for the rest of your life. Also...stick around. WF can be a useful distraction/place to vent when you need one.
If this isn't an "April Fools" post, then I sincerely hope things work out for you. I had figured things were going pretty badly, because we've all seen how your posting style has changed (not just a fairly hard left turn where economics is concerned, but a much more agressive personal approach), but I guess none of us expected all of that added up on top of everything. 'Fraid I don't have any advice to offer; my own situation is too radically different from yours for me to have any experience that would help you. But I hope you pull through anyway.
Like Async said. It's so much bad, and hearing about it on April Fool's, I'm really hoping it's a gag. If it's not, though, god damn, man. Here's hoping it gets better lickety split.
Demi, let me give you something from (where else?) Confederate history. Just before the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox, there is an indication that General Lee considered suicide. I'm quoting (or paraphrasing) from memory here, but he told a confidant something to the effect that, All I would have to do is ride over that hill (towards the Union army) and this would all be over for me. Of course, Lee saw it as his duty to hang in there and be a good example and leader for the Southern people, so he did the right things. He went on to serve as the President of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, and is one of the most revered figures in American history. Had it not been for Lee's leadership, that college probably would not exist today, and there is a strong possibility that some aspects of the war might have continued for several more years. Lee was the one who told his men to go home and be good citizens. Things will get better. Hang in there. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I recall an April first a few years ago when a good friend emailed everyone that he and his gorgeous wife of 30 years were getting divorced. We all laughed and said, yeah, sure, April Fool. Turns out he was telling the truth, he just picked a really stupid day to make the announcement.
If I was listening correctly during my law class, they technically discriminated against you because of your health, which I'm pretty sure is not ok. Could have misunderstood.
It's not unreasonable to view as a less-attractive applicant someone who is expected to take more sick time. It's not nice, but it's more practical for anyone who isn't in the business of delivering warm fuzzies.
There ya go, Demi -- your new career should be in the Warm 'n' Fuzzy Delivery industry. I could never hack it. Too much of a misanthropic jerk.
So your wife is leaving and taking the kid when you need her support? Anyway, try not to get discouraged in your job search/home search.
Well if it helps, I don't think Demi is suicidal or even homicidal...I've known him for god...2 decades (fuck I'm old) and I don't think he's going to flip out. That said disillusionment in a system he supported for quite awhile seems natural to me. *shrug* I'll see if he answers his phone later.
probably all for the best mate. A woman that leaves you when things get rough, is not worth having around.
Don't kid yourself. The dollar value of what the top 1% consumes is nowhere near as large as the number of dollars they make. Whatever they don't consume is either left on the table for everyone else to buy even cheaper, or it gets invested in some job somewhere. One thing that it is not, however, is a zero sum game. Nobody with that kind of money believes it comes down to paying you or paying them -- they all believe employees are very much worth paying for. If I had the option of hiring you, I can tell you I'd be wondering if your head's on straight. I hope when you're considering employment you're not thinking in your head that the position is anything other than a partnership between you and the employer, expected to make both of you money. The reason I know the deck is not stacked is because the top 1% shows just how many people made it. If the deck was stacked, I daresay a lot fewer than 1% would be where our top 1% are, and none of them would have made it on their own. The rules are not fair; they do advantage the rich. But the rich's interest is to increase and protect their wealth -- not to shut you out. If you want to be angry, be angry at government. They make it very expensive to hire you, and as a result it's difficult for you to compete with the subjects of governments who charge less tribute. Our top 1% is not the problem -- they would much rather hire you if it was profitable. It's not easy, and I'm sure you're legitimately discouraged. But you might want to consider getting an attitude adjustment. I want to say "good luck," but that's only part of it. Just be ready when the luck comes by.
Pretty intimate knowledge of the inside of these people's skulls. You wait their tables? How d'ya hear this shit?
Already mentioned, but do not jump on the "class envy" bandwagon. That will just put you in a mode of negative thinking. If you believe you'll never catch a break, you won't.
