Give it back.
Okay. So I know some people really believe the bailouts were/are necessary. I know that lots of folks are all gung-ho for it because this politician or that politician said it needs to happen.
I, on the other hand, do not hold politicians above the citizen–and I definitely do not automatically acquiesce to their proclaimed intelligence. It is, after all, a vary rare PUBLIC SERVANT that takes a political office to serve. This, then, means the vast majority of PUBLIC SERVANTS seek only to serve themselves and their personal agendas.
But then, I’m not telling anyone anything they don’t already know.
I digress. This post was supposed to be straight and to the point.
Give it back. None of my stuff was invested or handled by these guys, but they have my tax dollars. I want it back.
I don’t care if they get sued for not paying out bonuses. Seems to me it’s our money, and as such they should be asking our permission. I don’t give it. I want it back.
Give it back.
Global Food Crisis
11:43 AM
Working from home has many drawbacks. It also has some surprising, if painful, benefits: like coming to terms with oneself, identifying shortcomings, and exposing areas of one’s life that need work both big and small.
This morning I’ve been struggling with such issues.
I’m on break right now–eating lunch. My food is bland, and utterly dissatisfying. My mind is still stuck on my drive this morning, when I took my two oldest boys to school. On the radio they discussed the Global Food Crisis.
The what? What Global Food Crisis? I mean, I know people are hungry. My family is already supporting two great kids in Sierra Leone. We are doing our part. What is this, then, about a Global Food Crisis?
With skyrocketing global gas prices, and a worsening economy, and a myriad of other issues affecting countries and families across the globe, food has become twice as expensive as what it was–or more. That means, as reported on the radio this morning:
When families all over the world have historically spent 80% of their income on food, and then food prices double–there is not enough food to go around.
I put myself in that situation. Clearly, I instantly think: I would go without food myself to feed my kids. But then, that can’t go on very long, either–without me, it becomes even worse for my family. So then what? Can anyone ‘choose’ which family member eats, and which one(s) don’t?
Unfathomable.
So what do you do? Do you do what mother’s are doing in Haiti? Do you make dirt cookies for the kids? Literally–to put ’something’ in the kid’s belly so they don’t ‘feel’ hungry, families are being forced to make cookies from a bit of shortening, some salt, and dirt. Curbs the hunger, but offers little to no nutrition.
The weight of it is nearly unbearable.
I put my food down. I’ve been terrified for months. No work. Spiraling economy. Will I make my mortgage? Can I cover my credit card bill? Can I put food on the table? And here I stand, looking at my pantry. I have plenty of food. I study my kitchen, my house, my car. Seriously.
I am ashamed. In spite of how bad things are, and how bad they might get–I have no clue what suffering is.
How do you choose between your family members? Who will you feed?
The numbers are staggering. Not ‘numbers’ mind you–people.
Every 7 seconds, a mother or a father collapses to their knees. Some will shout with anger. Some will lash out in hate. Most will simply fold in on themselves and shudder to their core in pain and sadness. Trembling hands will reach out to take up a child–their child–and pull them to their breast. They will sob. They will sob at their loss. They will weep with a sense of failure. They will weep, and nothing will change.
Their child will still be dead.
Every 7 seconds.
Whether through faith based groups or not–I implore you to find a way to give. It doesn’t take much, truly, to make a difference–as little as $13 through some organizations, like Compassion International, will literally feed a child for a month.
Thirteen dollars. I don’t care how tight things are, and how bad our economy is–you can afford $13.
It is now 12:13.
Since starting this post 257 children world-wide have died from hunger.
Unemployed – the interview
You’ve been in a weird mood this week, Joe. Up, then down, then really down, then . . . what gives?
Well, I was employed Monday morning, and then I was filling out unemployment insurance Monday afternoon. Sole-breadwinner, you know . . . so I suppose the roller-coaster emotional state is to be expected.
Seriously?
Seriously what? That I’m the sole-breadwinner or that I’m unemployed?
That you’re unemployed. You were fighting so hard, what happened?
I wasn’t alone, brother. There were a bunch of us. We were all fighting. And yes, we are all now unemployed. It sucks. Figure it’s been in the news enough, though, so I can now mention it here. MPC closed it’s doors forever on Monday.
Man. That’s rough. Um. I don’t mean any offense, but I sense a a little bitterness.
Yeah? Well, of course. When you are let down like that, I don’t know, seems a natural response. Given my faith, I know I really should be thankful–I mean, clearly, there must be better things planned for me in this, the onset of the next chapter of my life. But, I’m human, too. It’s not offered as an excuse, of course. I’m fighting the urge and striving to be bigger than bitterness.
I think I can understand where you are coming from, man. Was it handled, well, with dignity?
No. It happened when virtually everyone was on break for the holidays. Happy New Year, we’re closing the doors.
Well, now, clearly there must have been reasons forcing the poor timing of the event. I mean, MPC isn’t the only company suffering. At least you got severance, right?
No. No severance.
Ouch. Well, now that I think about it, the previous layoffs didn’t involve severance either, though. That does suck. Everyone received continued Medical Coverage for a time, at least?
No. Medical Coverage terminated immediately.
Shut up. Well, I suppose in these tough times, companies have to save every penny, especially when they move into Liquidation. The Creditor Committee has to get paid, afterall. Hey, at least you got your accrued time off paid, even at 50%, right?
No. While they were happy to pay it out while we were on holiday break, they say that all of our personally accrued time off was forfeited on the date of the filing of Chapter 11. Therefore, the accrued time off being paid out is only what was accrued from the date of the filing to the time of liquidation. In other words–not much. At 50%, I’m not sure there will even be a full day’s hours paid out.
Um. Well. Hmmm. Is . . . is that even legal? What about the Warn Act?
No clue. Don’t really have time to worry about it right now. I’ve got to go find a job. Next mortgage payment is due shortly, as is the kid’s school payment. Really hoping it’s a legitimate career this time around. Preferably with people who value ethics and morality.
Are you going to hit me if I wish you a Happy New Year?
No. No. Not at all. Afterall, I’m really fighting to keep from being bitter.
Well, now you qualify for some schooling and stuff through Dept. of Labor, right?
Well, it’s a good program for sure . . . but it’s stacked against me, really. I can’t cover my expenses if I am bound by their restrictions, which means I can’t take advantage of the training/schooling provisions. Basically, I’m on my own.
But what about that comment you made earlier? The one about your faith?
Ha! Good call, brother. Good call. You’re absolutely right. I’m not on my own.
How many Americans
get their news from Conan O’Brien?
And how do we start a grass-roots movement wherein we take back our government?
I don’t know about you, but most folks I listen to, do not feel that their ‘representatives’ in government, at all levels, are actually ‘representing’ them.
Sad. If it’s the majority, then how do we fix it?
