Anyone else get the feeling this is going to make for a not so merry Christmas for many families? I know several families where both the husband and wife lost their jobs due to a plant closing. Unable to find work, both attending college now. Not a good situation at all.
Yes, it will be tough for a lot of families this year. Makes me never want to cuss those 12 hour days I've been putting in.
People can find work. They might have to lower themselves to menial jobs, but there are jobs out there.
THIS is when the heart of man must lend a helping hand, not the government. WE must reach out and help people. We must teach people. We must care about others and their well being. Our biggest enemy is ourselves as we constantly "beg" the government for help instead of manning up and helping our neighbors ourselves.
Yeah I kind of wonder about that too. I have a friend, he's been out of work for about 8 months. He fishes 5 days a week and complains about not being to find a job. He could easily find a job, just not the one he wants. I correct him often. If he would stop texting me pics of steelhead, I might be more sympathetic.
+1 Everyone please consider helping someone you know that is in need this Christmas, lets put the government out of a job (at least with the handouts). Maybe hire a friend to help with that project you are working on.
It's not that easy hooker, sure they could go to Walmart and get a 7.00 dollar an hour job, but it's not going to support their family or pay the house bill. Until you are in their shoes, how do you know what you would do? It's not about finding a job, but finding a job that can support a family.
Gary, you know I hate to agree with you, but I kind of do here. My friend is married (no kids) and his wife makes decent money. In his case, he could get by fine as a greeter at Walmart. Problem is, he collects more on unemployment. Many families need the employment money to get by, while some suck from the tit. My buddy has milk running down his chin.
They aren't supporting a family on unemployment either. I'm sorry, I don't have much sympathy for people who have been collecting unemployment checks for months. If I was laid today and I was supporting an entire family, I would have a day job and a night job within 2 weeks. It might be working hard labor during the day, then tending bar at night, but I'd make it work till I found another steady job. If I also had a job with the possibility of being laid off, I would have saved for at least 3 months living expenses set aside. Instead of the new bow or giant HDTV or 4 wheeler, how about setting some aside for possible financial crisis? Like Vito said, I have a friend who has been unemployed for over a year now. He constantly complains about not being able to find a job and having to live with his parents. Well that's because he is only applying for engineering jobs. I watched my old roommate turn down job after job after being laid off because he felt he above those jobs. All the while, he constantly complained about having no money and maxing out his credit cards. I understand my insensitivity with this issue may come from my experiences with the younger generation, but I've seen it too many times with older people with families as well. Husband sitting at home, brand new 4x4 truck sitting in the drive way, 4-wheeler in the shed, new HDTV...never a thought to sell and downgrade. Just *****. I'm sure there are some wonderful people that I don't know that are struggling, but I've yet to come across them.
Lots of people support their families working at Walmart or fast food. Isn't this part of the problem? We think we "deserve" a $200,000 house and a nice truck and Lord help us if we have more than one credit card. I am not saying I am better than anyone, if I lost my job right now I would be in a very bad place. I have decided that I am going to change that, I am working very hard to pay off ALL of my debt and then I plan to live that way. Not saying people don't need a hand from time to time. I just think our society as a whole thinks someone will save them if they get themselves in a bad spot.
I agree with most of this. But when an area loses 75% of the manufactoring jobs due to plant closures, thats not really getting yourself in a bad spot IMO. Our local community lost 3500 factory jobs, and Walmart/McDonalds/Lowes can only hire so many. When you lose your job due to a closure, I think you are entitled to unemployment....after all, they did pay into it. There should be time limits and yes many people are in way over their heads, but few people have 3 weeks salary in savings, let alone 3 months.
It's not always as easy to go out and get a job. my wife is an RN and has done disease management for years, her company folded and now you had 200 RN's that had been out of the hospital for years and limited jobs from competitors in the area. Then I was told our company was sold and the 1700 employees would be out of work. We had a decision to make and so we relocated from California to Texas because I found a job in the same industry. The wife is not licensed in TX and so is collecting Unemployment.
With everything in life you have folks who need it and get it while others milk the system. Unless you know the person or family personally, you can't tell the difference. I know folks who have been out of work for a couple years. Not sure if they are collecting or not but to me... folks who have been out of work for over a year or 2 year, likely have not been trying hard enough to find work. If you are in a situation of a smaller town with a factory laying off thousands, that is a situation where it would be tough and I understand it takes time. If a larger city is with in 45 miles, work should be had or schooling taking place by now. There are folks who are sitting on government checks because they don't have to support their family and can hold out as long as possible until really taking a job. It would be nice to be able to tell who these folks are and cut their checks off...enough milk, go work. For the folks in tough situations, trying to find jobs everyday, limited skill set but trying...I hope you find a job soon. I hope your checks continue.
I was laid off from a job 2 1/2 yrs ago when the mortgage industry took a down turn. I found another job two weeks later doing something I hated, for much less money and it wasn't at all related to my previous career. I gutted it out for 1 1/2 yrs at that worthless job until I found a much better position back in finance where I belong. I could have just done nothing for 6 months as I was eligible for unemployment rather than go right back to work when I lost my job.
