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Recession or Depression?
The economy sucks right now and I'm sure it has affected many on this site. I thought it would be interesting to share stories on how this recession/depression has affected your lives, whether it be positive or negative.
I have been unemployed for almost 2 yrs. Lost my home, my job and my self dignity all at one time! I was lucky to find a friend who allowed me to move in with her. My unemployment is running out now, and I'm struggling to find a job. The only avenue of looking for work now is via the internet. Employers will not accept applications face to face, which is absurb to me!! And, it seems to me that once you are over that "50" mark, they won't give you the time of day(they ask for the year you graduated high school). Believe it or not, I cannot even get a job at Walmart!! It's very frustrating to be able bodied, have years of experience, and the employers judge me via a piece of paper submitted on the internet!! Times have changed, I understand, but I am NOT a senior citizen yet, and I can wrap corners around alot of the younger generation. My good ethics and can do attitude does nothing for me now, as I'm at the mercy of the internet employers. What's your story?? |
If this were a Poll, I would click 'Depression'...cuz that's what the economy has induced in Millions of people
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I'll share a few details. :coffee: Mrs. Daywalker (aka Lady Flamezzz) is a Nurse...a multi-certified, multi State licensed LPN-2 to be exact. Last year we relocated back to my home state of California. Over the last year it has become painfully evident that my working abilities that I have enjoyed all my life are now at a close, because my health sucks ass and is not getting any better. So the Mrs. was left to Job Search solo when we arrived. Fast forward past the bullshit of taking 4 months longer than necessary to get her Ca State Nursing License, we been in a heap of trouble for months, bordering on losing all we had left and making a tent house on the street. Ok, so she gets online and applies to many places. She takes the test for the State Prison System; every interview was followed up by a Freeze in hiring. Same seems to have happened with most of the places, even Flu Clinics that we sent hella paperwork to, that costs us money to have Notarized, etc...all of the sudden no one can afford to hire the Staff they advertised as needing. 6 months ago, we pounded the pavement, so to speak...and drove to a few of the places that we saw online. I waited in the car for hours while she went in, handed them her packet of goodies n credentials...maybe filled out an Application or did some testing. :glasses: No response from them...until just recently. :nurseshot: One of the places we visited in person months ago...called! :phonegab: For the last month she has been working her ass off to take a Full Time position, and she just got notice the other day that she is gonna get 3-12 hour shifts per week. This has saved our asses like you just don't know. Yes, she is a woman of size and over age 50, and yes...we know this has been a factor in the hiring process. :dots: But she is also a woman of substance who has many many years of experience to share and these folks called her, interviewed her for a brand new ward they were opening...and she is now employed. :dance2: So online was not the only place to find jobs, turns out the old fashioned in your face method worked for us in this case, in her field. That's just pieces of our story over the last year. :seeingstars: In the darkest times, our Friends and Family have gotten us through and at times it has brought me to tears knowing that so many cared and prayed and gave us support when we most needed it. :bouquet::praying: :bouquet: And I wish everyone who is in the suck ass position we have been in the same kind of support that we have been fortunate enough to receive. :gimmehug: We're still in many binds and it will take a couple months or more to see through the dust, but we have something to hang onto now and are grateful as hell for it. :bowdown: :daywalker: |
Thanks so much for sharing Daywalker, it gives me hope and others too, I'm sure. I'm glad you all found a job through tenacity and hard work. This inspires me to do the same. :)
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I most definitely would have to say this is a depression. Too few have decent jobs. Too many folks are working at jobs that they are over qualified for, or have 3 or 4 part time jobs to just keep surviving. Many have had no raises or bonuses for a year or longer. The US is in trouble. I think as a country we need to stop out-sourcing jobs, and start creating jobs that pay decent wages/benefits once again. |
Daywalker
I am so glad somethig has worked out for u and Mrs.Daywalker,Good nurses are very hard to find,congrats to u both.
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My parents were of the Great Depression era. Now let me explain why I think we are in a recession and not a depression. Our banking system though bruised is still functioning, our supermarkets still have food on their shelves, and though there are millions without jobs, there are millions more who do. While some may be eating from soup kitchens, I dare say it isn't in droves like it was in the early part of the 20th century. This rescission reminds me of the 1970's when gas was rationed and layoffs due to government (Reagan) regulations, and union unrest. That recession I am a product of.
My folks ate more potatoes than meat, and they owned a farm, so no not a depression but a deep recession. Housing starts are up, but that could be due to the improved weather. Small businesses are improving, this from direct observance, and the stimulus is working, slowly but it's working. All of this wasn't true in the depression. I hope you find work, keep plugging away, there are resources out there. Good luck. |
In our little corner of the world...
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/...e.cfm?ID=18322 and unemployment funds running out... http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/08/news...less_benefits/ One of our two grocery stores closed down recently. Food Lion and a Lowe's Food's were the only competition for Wal-mart until FL closed in the past month. Like the good capitalist pig they are, Wal- mart immediately fired quite a few full time employees replacing them with part timers now displaced from FL. We do have one tiny little pvtly owned market that is of course understocked and over priced, but we buy our meats there as they are fresh cut and better than the other options. The median income for a household in the county was $28,705, and the median income for a family was $36,232. Males had a median income of $25,391 versus $18,711 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,574. About 9.60% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 18.00% of those age 65 or over.( This paragraph from census reportings) So, around here.. whether it is a depression or recession, it's pretty damned depressing. |
I appreciate all your replies and insights to our nation in general. It is not easy in todays environment to survive, and yes, I do believe it will get better, but not anytime soon. Obama needs to figure out how to create new jobs, and helping the middle class people, before I see any turn in employment.
Until then..I think we all are in survival mode and need to help each other. |
I know that what is upon us does not fit the technical definition of an economic depression, but this recession depresses me! I mean it, it does affect my moods.
I have seen a lot of local businesses closing down here, yet, I know that there are several other areas of the US that are far worse off. Thinking of Michigan as one. There are certainly others I have never felt anger as deeply as I do right now with such institutions as banks and Wall Street. Its a very different kind of anger... more personal. I'm part of the Baby Boom generation that has contributed throughout my working life to the Social Security System and supported those that retired before me. I paid in for the previous generations to have security in old age- Now, this is being threatened. Of course, I developed other sources of retirement income- and that was pilfered by the banking industry and stock market! And my current tax contributions were used to bail-out these assbites that make millions!! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for what I have. However, there is something really wrong in this picture! Truth be known, my kid and his kids do owe me the same economic contributions that I (and the rest of us) have made. There are no exemptions due anyone! I'm tired of the whinning!!! Billions of dollars have been spent on a war that has been the main source of our deficit rising as it has. We were lied to about that war and are now being fed BS about Afghanistan! Do not take this as any ill will against our troops. They do not make policy and I have no problem with backing up what they need financially now that we have put them in harms way. We need to help them out after leaving the military as well. But, I'm tired of all of the belly aching about the younger generations not deserving our debt. Those before them deserve what they worked hard for in contributing to. Also, the majority attend publically funded schools, drive on publically funded roads, etc. They have reaped the benefits of past generations. They are as responsible as we were, to maintain these systems. No, there is no free lunch… I am absolutely outraged at particular congressional members halting unemployment benefits! This in an insurance system, that workers pay into so that during times like this, there is something to fall back on!! It isn't an entitlement! The money is from the labor of workers that need it at this time! Yes, I’m ranting… |
hey everybody!!!
great thread!! long story short i own a buisness i bought back in 2005 i was doing great up until the bailout of October 2008 then the consumer panic button went off and the service industry took a turn i have been fighting this recession for almost 2 years now and i am running out of cash to keep it afloat *shrugs* :deadhorse: my life is too short to keep swinging are we in a recession or a depression?? i think we are in a recession heading towards a depression...why?? because i think wall street's greedy philosophy is partly to blame...i read an article a few years back that explains it fairly well...i am gonna go find it do i think it is gonna happen in 2011??:eek: i dunno what i do know is that we will continue to be told "it is gonna turn around soon", but I don't see it. here is the article *this is not the only one i based my thoughts on* http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wel...ression-2-2011 i am all about SLOW MONEY Capitalism/Natural/Nuture capitalism i feel it is a start |
I am lucky, I have a job, but my G/F lost her job with General Motors. She is back in school and I am paying the bills. We are making it work and I feel very lucky to live in an area not as heavily hit as many others.
Luckily, I have some money in the bank or we would be mega screwed. |
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Thanks for sharing your views. :) |
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Apocalipstic..I'm happy you and your g/f are making it. Sorry to hear your g/f lost her job and hope she finds one again. I wish you both good luck! Thanks for sharing. :) |
In reading the thread, I am thinking a lot about organizations like Kiva.com (http://www.kiva.org/) and how this concept could be applied to the queer community at large.
I remember a time when small personal loans by family members, friends, church organizations, community programs, etc. were made to support small business enterprises and this actually got the business going in the right direction. I am so ticked-off with the big banks not lending to small business during a time when it really could make a difference for so many. People who have fantastic ideas and a good business sense (which I don't) that just need a little help. There are countless people like this right here! If anyone has links that could be of benefit to the queer community entrepreneurs.. please post them. I can’t plunk down a bunch of cash, but what id my $5, $10, etc. could join forces with others and give a much needed boost to someone here or part of the larger LGBTIQ populations? |
Gonna share a quote: "...sometimes it seems our Gov't tries to 'help out' the Middle Class, but then the results are...less and less Middle Class folks to help out. Perhaps focusing on the folks caught up in the Poverty level would be the better approach, then there could be less and less folks...living in Poverty" ~ Sir Day Walker :glasses: :daywalker: |
I was just checking out the Employment website and this is what they said:
As of March 19, 2010, approximately 3,300 individuals in California have run out of all available benefits and EDD estimates a total of 100,000 to 130,000 unemployed workers could run out of all benefits in the next few weeks. With all these peope being unemployed, I hope someone comes up with a scathingly brilliant idea to get the nation back on track! |
Eep.. And we're about to move to California this summer. K will be looking for work in the social work field and has connections so we're hopeful for that. I'm lucky because my work can be pretty much done from anywhere (and the company is going full steam ahead with a work visa). I know some might view me as taking a job away from someone else; the reality is, however, that I'm pretty specialized in my knowledge and skills so puts me in a bit of a unique situation.
That said, I'm leaning towards more of a split: some areas are in a recession while others depression (e.g., Michigan and California have both been suffering extensively for a while now, especially Michigan). I think more support for the smaller businesses (traditionally the backbone of any nation and the driving force behind pushing recession/depressions away) would go a long way, regardless of where in the country someone is. The past is what put us here but we need to move beyond that and find ways -- if necessary -- on our own to support ourselves and get beyond where the world is now. Kiva is one and I'm sure there are others as well. What small business ideas can we toss around to help each other get on our feet using skills we have? |
Thankfully I own part of my land free and clear. I did this in the beginning, refinancing the mortgage on the house and a few acres leaving me lots free and clear. You never really know what's going in the world today and the trends are all over the place often crumbling.
I have fantasies all the time about living with no impact. No electric, simple, free, grow my own food and completely sustain. I play it out in my head all the time. How could I live happy with very little? Is my health good enough to make it? If not what do I need to do to make it so? I have this wild hair up my ass. I work three times harder to make less. Sometimes I feel like a hamster on one of those wheels going around and around. It's just fucking insane and I've decided that come hell or high water I'm going to do something about it. I just cant wait for the government or anyone else to make me happy or take care of me. Screw 401K, putting money in banks (if you have it) and screw SS. I'd rather be spending my money on learning how to escape it all, sit by the creek, ponder, connect with the earth and watch the rest of it go by. What would it really take? what do you really need? Could you do it if you had to? I mean live as people did 100 years ago. |
lol- oh this is for Bit- No stinking toilet paper! lol I know you'll remember some of the post we shared about survival.
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Look at the Amish? I don't want to adopt their religious beliefs but how they live. You don't see solar panels on those houses. lol But seriously I see myself in a small simple cabin heated with wood. Growing my food, selling some of what I grow or trading. Maybe share a truck or my van with a few others, make monthly trips to the big city to buy things I can't make or grow. I'm not going to use paper towels, plastic bags, not even toilet paper. I'm sick and tired of the commercialism and not only do we get to struggle in this wanna be democracy but we get to destroy the planet as we suffer. Yeah its heavy on my mind. I'm tolling a plan and I have my land with a nice creek. Nice cabin with a simple solar system to power my laptop, blackberry and so I can blog and tell everyone else how to do. If the power goes away, I'll still be ok. |
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One little seed can go on and on. I'm still eating tomatoes from seeds I planted years ago. Amazing isnt it? |
Okay, ya'll I have the solution after reading your posts, here it is:
Let's do the ole commune thingy, we all live together, live off the land and promote peace and love!! lol :hippie:Do you think it would work?? I mean, hell, it worked in the 60's and they seemed to be happy! At least now, we could all apply for food stamps until our gardens grow, LMAO ;) I don't mean to make fun of a serious problem, but it appears to me that nothing else seems to be working so we need to get back to basics, ya think! :thinking: |
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Grab a tent, set up in the woods and just go for it. I bet in the end you;ll be healthier and happier. I'll give you fresh eggs if you mow my lawn. lol its only fives acres. Spend 10 hours in the garden pulling weeds, planting, hard work but you'll have all the fresh food you can eat. |
Oy
Necessity is the Mother of Invention but if it doesnt come with hot water and flush toilets, it is just not my thing. :)
It is kind of interesting to browse the help wanted ads, if there are any, to see they are looking for people with impecible skills, bubbly personalities, who are willing to work in hectic environment for peanuts. (Rough translation - non-complaining workhorse wanted to add to the disorganized, wasteful environment we call the workplace for minimum wage and no benefits.) Living in a tourist area with a current unemployment rate of 13%, I was a bit miffed to see that employers are still being allowed to import workers from Jamica, Ireland, Russia etc. And, it is unsettling to have found I wasnt allowed to refinance my mortgage due to idiotic new federal rules that were suppose to help me not hinder me. I am thankful my Dad pounded into my head the need to pay myself before I pay any other bills. Savings have been a God send in this economy. I'm thinking we should band together and become commodity brokers or risk taking bankers. Regardless of how crappy a job we do, we would still get millions in bonuses. :) |
Nothing new under the sun!...
The notion and action of creating self sustaining communities ( like the Amish mentioned earlier) is not new at all and I am willing to bet we see a lot more of this type of thinking happening in the least expected places. The idea of bartering and supporting/ utilizing farmer's markets and off grid sources for income/ housing/ healthcare and socialization are bound to make a return and we are seeing it already. The issue with trying to just get a group of folks together to live off the land, as it were, is the same set of issues we have even just with on line communities ( as we have witnessed with many recent threads of discussions). There do have to be rules, unfortunately, or shit hits the fan. Even WITH rules it does, but at least with rules, folks have all agreed upon an ideology initially to fall back on in tiresome times. There have been successful models to build from for those sincerely seeking to do this. The Amish Community for one, is a very successful albeit very sparse form of community. The Federation of Egaliatarian Communities is a good working model that I am familiar with. http://thefec.org/ And Lord knows.. Lesbians have been seeking and sometimes with measures of success to create womens land for evah. An interesting article about that journey ( still ongoing) from The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...02fa_fact_levy Good thread! thanks! |
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I still think there has to be a way for the LGBT community to form a group health plan. I don't know how, but dear god, there are enough of us doing without that it only seems a rational thing to pursue. |
seems to me it's starting to get better, but there's a lag still when it comes to jobs. there's still a lot of net credit loss on the horizon (meaning folks defaulting on credit card debt) and foreclosures coming up, but overall it's trending better. Dow broke 11K for example.
I'm seeing a lot more jobs listed on job sites and corporate websites. I sent out one resume just to test the waters and got a reply a couple days later and a phone interview tomorrow. I'm currently working contract, so a full time job would be nice. Not counting on this to be the one, but its encouraging to get a good response from the first resume sent. Not negating anyone else's experience, just saying that economic indicators are showing an upward trend. It will take a year or so to be fully out, but we may plateau at a "new normal." |
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Good luck lady!!! |
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I really like this model http://twinoaks.org/ its not far from here. everyone works within the community. check it out |
Twin Oaks is part of the Fed. I used to go there a lot for mud baths, womens events or just hanging out. Good example :)
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hi turasultana!!
i am wondering where you get your information about the economy's "new normal" standing. What would be a "new normal'?? I have searched and searched without any luck on this term related to the economy. Would you mind throwing me a link on this please?? Quote:
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Thanks everyone for sharing your stories/opinions/ideas!
I was thinking last night that with all the foreclosures, they could donate(fat chance) a home to the gay community on the premise the land gets used for gardening, etc. We can grow vegtables, sell some and be self sufficient. Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I feel we have to be inventive because it is not getting any easier to survive. |
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I don't have a link. Just something I've heard said by the seniors where I work. And also I believe in relationship to spending /savings patterns overall going forward. I'll try to find some concrete examples of what I mean. (I work in a huge bank/credit card company - we have town halls on this subject every couple weeks, so sometimes the jargon is by osmosis. :>) |
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http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=...bb30ecf4f91972 and pick one! :) |
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My mom was a Depression Baby. I find myself thinking her favorite quote again and again... "Use it up, wear it out; make it do or do without." Quote:
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Land Opportunities
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Hey turasultana-
I did a search when I first read your original post and came up with pretty much the same results. Besides the first link...the buisness week link...most of them portray the "new normal" negatively. I found a couple of articles that tried to spin the idea that we should start accepting a "new normal" when it comes to this economy down turn because it is believed the "new normal" will fall shorter than the old economy "normal". The articles I read tell me cutting back to survive is the "new normal"!! Quote:
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