The New Reality: it's the stupid, economy
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:43 pmOkay... We've all seen and been a party to many of the unfortunate changes in our nation's economy.
Job losses by the ton. Business closings. Increasing homelessness. And no public resources left to combat it all.
Just this last weekend, I spoke with one man at a local 'con who had a job but no home and was let out of a homeless shelter because they were full.
He was homeless because his job had paid him checks of $0.00 -- That's right, NOTHING -- because of deductions for hiring expenses.
With nothing for rent, he was out on the street with his belongings in two duffel bags.
Another man got paid a zero amount check because his boss made up stuff to spend it on, in order to force the man's unemployment. It succeeded.
In the face of such hard-hitting tragedy, which may or may not be happening personally to you, I as The Aviator must make some tough decisions:
>Despite that my job is anything but desirable, for reasons I cannot go into here, I must keep it and continue to collect my only source of income, for everything including medical expenses. I have no insurance, and state and government assistance both turned me down.
So much the better; the are others who need it more desperately.
>After the July Fourth trip, I must hereby restrict all travel and Skiffy-mission activities to Ohio and nearby areas in adjoining states.
Basically, if I can't make it in a single Saturday and Sunday, I can't make it, period.
This will drastically reduce the amount of activities I can volunteer for, but there are matters close to home that I can and must attend to.
Think Globally, Act Locally will be my watchword until further notice.
This isn't getting any better anytime soon. But we all can do what we have to, to help right here and right now.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Aviator
Job losses by the ton. Business closings. Increasing homelessness. And no public resources left to combat it all.
Just this last weekend, I spoke with one man at a local 'con who had a job but no home and was let out of a homeless shelter because they were full.
He was homeless because his job had paid him checks of $0.00 -- That's right, NOTHING -- because of deductions for hiring expenses.
With nothing for rent, he was out on the street with his belongings in two duffel bags.
Another man got paid a zero amount check because his boss made up stuff to spend it on, in order to force the man's unemployment. It succeeded.
In the face of such hard-hitting tragedy, which may or may not be happening personally to you, I as The Aviator must make some tough decisions:
>Despite that my job is anything but desirable, for reasons I cannot go into here, I must keep it and continue to collect my only source of income, for everything including medical expenses. I have no insurance, and state and government assistance both turned me down.
So much the better; the are others who need it more desperately.
>After the July Fourth trip, I must hereby restrict all travel and Skiffy-mission activities to Ohio and nearby areas in adjoining states.
Basically, if I can't make it in a single Saturday and Sunday, I can't make it, period.
This will drastically reduce the amount of activities I can volunteer for, but there are matters close to home that I can and must attend to.
Think Globally, Act Locally will be my watchword until further notice.
This isn't getting any better anytime soon. But we all can do what we have to, to help right here and right now.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Aviator
