Posted on 07/03/2015 5:53:34 PM PDT by House Atreides
I fear you’re correct; this “new normal” seems permanent. We have become Western Europe (few jobs, high taxes, no children, masses of foreigners).
For me, the American dream is dead. And even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t purchase a new house unless I had 5-10 times the cash to do. And I’m not even sure I’d buy in the country, frankly. Though I do like areas in the south.
Even if I could, which I cannot, I would not purchase a new car because of property and sales taxes. So I keep the old one going as long as possible.
For me, the new dream is to survive, stay away from criminalized areas, help a few others when I rarely can, and see if I can regain employment in something close to my field.
It all changed very rapidly 2007-2008. A lot of people think it’s still like 2003-2005. I can assure them it is not. It’s a stark reality. I just returned from late-night shopping, cooking for friends tomorrow. Most of the stores around me, most days per week, even a big store like Target (gag) has maybe 20-25 customers at any time.
There is absolutely no way they’re paying building, lot, employees, utilities and taxes on what little they sell.
It is just a matter of time.
I understand; the dream is dead for many. I’m glad my children never knew how good this used to be, since it would probably depress them (and they are too young for that). I’ve never owned a new car, and my house is an old fixer-upper (thankfully purchased before the bubble). If Americans had continued having families there would be a political solution to this; instead, they are voiceless now at the ballot box.
Stores in my area are staffed at bare-bones levels; the few jobs out there are part-time with various shift availability required (in other words, they are not designed to be a second job - they are designed to be your only job). NJ continues to drive employers away with burdensome taxes and regulations; besides the casino industry job losses, we now have Mercedes moving its HQ down to Atlanta.
It is just grim...
In the 1990’s, my work phone would ring with at least 3 new job offers every month. Always a switch offered, many times better pay. How they found me, I’ll never know. Probably don’t want to know.
For years now, nobody will acknowledge a resume, or even a submission, most of the time. I even tried those ridiculous temp agencies. Yes, one of them in Texas a couple years ago. Lotsa jobs. Or so they claimed. Did all the paperwork, wasted all my time. Found them months later at a “job fair”. I asked them, got jobs? Oh yes, many. Well, why haven’t you ever responded to a drug-free applicant with several degrees? Oh call me in the morning! So I did. Not a peep. Not a single peep. And they had office jobs, too.
A complete waste of time and gasoline. And that’s just one of several experiences not too different. They talk it up real good. This year I got called from 5 different recruiters from the same organization. I told the last one, let’s move beyond talk to action. Haven’t heard jack squat from him in two months (I’m not waiting on him, of course).
It’s beyond ridiculous.
Will happen here as well.
What are the degrees, and how easily can they find someone to pay less for the same work?
Computer Science. I will work for the same or less than offshoring. It’s a whole mindset in I/T these days. Plus I got away from newer technologies, which didn’t help. But there was always legacy work. Was being the operative word.
Now they think it’s like bringing in a plumber for a couple hours. It ain’t.
So I’m trying all kinds of angles. Unfortunately, it’s a strange mix out there these days. I get contacted for stuff on either end of the country. It’s simply not possible, what with hotel prices, etc.
or not
I see; what has happened in the tech sector over the past few decades is also hitting financial services/accounting. Any work that can be sent overseas is being moved as rapidly as possible, while for work that can’t foreigners are being shipped here to do it for less (with no employee rights, hence they work far longer hours).
As in “The Grapes of Wrath”, more and more Americans are migrating, following work; as a result, they aren’t buying homes or having families. Rather than deal with massive de-population, the government simply traffics more foreigners here to fill out empty housing stock (even if they require Section 8 vouchers to do so) and our classrooms. The push for foreign students isn’t just at the college level; many towns need them just to keep their elementary schools open.
I hope you hear some good news soon; you’re in my prayers.
Thanks for those prayers. Definitely need God to open doors that can’t be closed. Appreciate the prayers very much.
Oh, I’ve looked at the whole gamut. Was about to go fast-food, hooboy, in Texas when my plans suddenly changed a couple years ago. And off to another state I was. One that ranked at the very bottom in job creation years ago. Oh well, that’s how the cookie crumbles. But there were good aspects, as well.
Greece is actually stronger than Bulgaria and Albania, according to this list:
http://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.asp
But yeah, what are they going to get?
Stay strong; it can be overwhelming at times. Enjoy those good aspects as they arise!
Yes, one has to change their outlook. Things don’t work out? Well, you gave it a shot. Can’t control people or events. So you have to roll with the punches.
The stories I could tell. But I won’t, not most of them. LOL
That’s a positive attitude; I hope others can have it as the Greater Depression continues.
It did not develop easily. After my mother got cancer, and it eventually killed her, I changed my outlook on a lot of things.
Just being healthy and alive is a gift from God.
Well put; my condolences.
Thank you. She was a believer. I’ll see her and my father again one day with the Lord. Sucks for now, but happy times then.
Interesting list. But for millenia, the single most important factor in military success has been financing. During the Middle Ages, for example, most wars ended because both sides ran out of money.
Greece, of course, has no money.
I’m trying to think of an example in the modern world where a completely broke country invaded another as a way of dealing with its financial problems. While there may be one, I don’t know what it is.
Actually I have trouble understanding those who want to get as many Jews into Israel as possible, just so God can destroy them. Red cows, new temples all that.
This is important because we need to stand up to the likes of Obama, and solve our problems, not look to our problems as “a sign” that Jesus was not being straight up with those he was talking to.
In that instance He is not speaking of the Rapture but of the coming Mount of Transfiguration. And they instantly knew who Moses and Elijah were, despite being separated by about 1400 years and 600 years, respectively.
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