WHY I WILL NOT VOTE THIS YEAR

Myself -- | 4/6/2004 | migjagger

[Migjagger]

The following e-mail was sent to a friend who's an expert on certain political issues and editorializes (as I have) for many renowned newspapers--including The Wall Street Journal.

Dear friends:

Had a talk with a Chilean best friend this morning regarding Bush, etc. She believes that he won't get reelected because the economy (which the administration refuses to discuss) is in dire straights. They say that 350,000 jobs were added to the economy but over three million have been lost. This is insane! People I know are literally going crazy with worry.

I have to tell you that I've just about had it trying to survive from month to month. My saving grace is that I have a big house (although it's mortgaged) and rent the guest house out back and have a roommate. Not the most desirable situation, but there you have it. I need to work and find myself constantly looking for a job without ever finding anything that pays barely above minimum wage--like retail. Had to quit my retail job because being on my feet all day on upscale pumps and slides to comply with their dress code was killing me and my knee swelled up so much I couldn't put my foot down. I have reapplied to UCLA Law School in hopes that I can get some kind of job after I graduate--assuming I get accepted there because apparently everyone else has the same idea and UCLA has a huge and excellent pool of applicants. In the meantime I am trying like heck to get decent work. Looking for work and is depressing because since it's mostly done electronically, it's impersonal. Therefore, I never hear back from anything or anyone. It seems, you need contacts to get a job at McDonalds these days.

To illustrate my point, here's a note I got from someone from whom I was seeking some assistance in her large company's Human Resources Department.

"As I explained when we met I don’t have a local contact for hiring. I had suggested to you that you go on the internet and see what jobs are open. I did forward your resume to External Affairs, if they have and opening and exhaust internal applicants they will call you. Mine is a large organization and there is no local H.R. person that I can refer you to. But I thought I could send your resume off and you may get lucky. Try the website and see what they have open and good luck."

I tried the website and never heard back. You need a contact from within the company--any company--and this woman who wrote me back is not someone I know well at all--so that's the way it all goes.

Frankie lost his job at Disney a year ago and has been struggling by with free-lance and living off credit cards ever since. First time since age 14 that he's been out of work. This is the pits. With our academic and professional background (and related credentials) we should be able to at least get employment. Why is this happening?

Love --

Mig

[TheBigB]

Hey Gang, geddaloadda this!

[EternalVigilance]

Please refrain from personal attacks. This is a personal statement.

I take it you had some inkling that this whining screed, utterly unconnected to political and economic reality, would not be too well-received around here?

*Disclaimer: this is a personal statement.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Why did you choose this title? Unless I missed it, it never connected to the body of the post.

Moby doesn't want to give away his identity.

[hellinahandcart]

More about retail---it can be a real bitch, but it can also be a good way to get you over the hump financially, depending on who you work for. The higher-end companies give a lot but also expect a lot more from their employees; if the product is designer clothing, they WILL expect you to wear their clothing, which costs a lot even with their clothing allowance and discount. So you will have to sell more in order to compensate for that outlay with commissions.

Everyone wants to work in a posh boutique, until they've actually worked in one, and figured out they might come out ahead financially by, say, selling major appliances at Best Buy. Where, incidentally, you can work in sneakers.

[sam_whiskey]

Why do people think that these personal anecdotes trump positive economic statistics?? This country could probably gain 1.5 million more jobs between now and November and people would still have this same mentality. I don't get it...

[cwb]

"I'm taking a leave."

I thought you were already on one:)

[daisymae]

You need to get off your whining butt and do something. I lost my job two weeks before 9/11 and it took me more than 14 months to find a job. I did not blame anyone for my misfortune. Granted, I'm not making what I was making but I have a job that keeps a roof over my head.

You're talking to a South American about our economy? Funny all the South Americans are coming to the US and using up the resources that we Americans pay taxes for! Maybe thats part of the problem. Tell your South American friend to go back home if she thinks our economy stinks.

[mhking]

I've been looking for a job since October.

My job situation, however, is not the fault of the Administration. I'm not so naive to believe that the President pushed a button that said, "Layoff Michael King."

Likewise, I'm not so jaded that I could believe that (unless I were to get a job working directly for him) that whoever is in the White House post-November would magically give me a job either.

It doesn't work that way.

Life's a bitch, period. You buckle down, skip some of the extras, send up a few extra prayers and pound the pavement.

As for not voting at all, if you do not vote, then your opinion counts for jack squat. As far as I'm concerned, you don't have a damned thing to say if things aren't going your way in that event.

If you don't vote, you've checked out of the system entirely. You may as well pack up shop and leave the country, because your voice will be about as effective to Washington as Joe Canuck in Winamucca, Sasketchewan.

You want suggestions? Crack open a Bible, then crack open the want ads. It ain't gonna be easy -- nothing worth having is. But you will find something.

[Irene Adler]

"Gosh are there bitter people here. I'm taking a leave."

Classic projection. Enuff said.

[Texas_Dawg]

Bush will NOT get reelected. Believe me.

You are mistaking your ignorance and emotions for the facts of the situation. Just FYI.

I will not vote for Kerry either, so I will refrain from voting for the first time in my life.

Good riddance. Please don't come back.

[Texas_Dawg]

Unreal.

[Sloth]

I don't understand what voting for Bush has to do with your job situation. I'm not voting for him, either, but at least I can state my reasons why.

[Migjagger]

Your response is very well thought out. My post was simply an e-mail to a friend. Not something that could be held to serious scrutity--like an article. I don't have the time right now to write articles about my predicament.

I do have an Honors degree from UCLA but I realize that my degree is not very practical. The only thing that I prepared for is a Law degree, so I'm trying to go back to that. You can only apply once a year. The cost of UCLA, as compared to the other private schools, is more affordable.

My competition to Law School is quite fierce (meaning qualified and competitive) this time around. I've applied to Public Interest Law because I'm fluent in several languages and thought that might be of some help. I have some very positive things to offer this world even if they're not as practical as nursing--something for which I have no aptitude. But I believe that I'm personable and a hard-worker. I am very fit and healthy (except for my recent knee setback)--thank God for that.

Incidentally, the retail store at which I worked, offered NO benefits at all. The contract which people now have to sign to keep their jobs is, to me, an abomination because if customers don't come in to buy why should the salesperson be blamed. No one can force people to buy anything. This contract is just pressure coming down from a mismanaged company with a CEO who makes 40 million a year, plus percs, to pretend and make inane decisions. I think that's but one example of how difficult the economy is and how the average person has it. We'll see what happens.

God bless.

[opbuzz]

Fifteen years ago I moved from California to Florida as a single Dad of four.

I bought a four bedroom house for $130 less than I was paying for a three bedroom apartment in San Diego.

No wonder FL is growing so fast.

[4mycountry]

According to your email, you quit your job. It's best to either have (a) another job opportunity secured before you quit or (b) a plan to for a type of in-home work. Quitting midair is risky, good economy or bad economy.

Besides, did your really expect a job to just fall into your lap right after you quit? That's foolish. It will always take a while to get a job.

[4mycountry]

Howdy, B.

[Migjagger]

Indeed. I had no idea about retail. There's little or no money and much pressure to sell at the higher end places, like you said. I did not buy a lot of expensive stuff for myself to wear but did wear appropriate attire. I bought their shoes, which caused a bump on my toe which led to the knee problem. I'm glad I'm not there, to be honest. I hated the pettiness among some employees and management, and although I was very helpful to customers, did not push people into purchases they wouldn't otherwise make. Made some great friends. Was a star there of sorts with my UCLA and entertainment pedigree. But the knee put me out like a horse that had to be shot.

[Diddle E. Squat]

because if customers don't come in to buy why should the salesperson be blamed.

So then why should the President be blamed, either?

[Cuttnhorse]

We were fortunate enough to escape Santiago after living there a year...we now live about 6-hours north in a pretty coastal city. Very laid back, but a little too much fog for me. I'm lucky, I escape the fog up here where I am.

Chile is a nice country, and I can say that after working in Peru, Africa, and Argentina. It is the best of the lot.

Oh, and just to keep on topic...I ended up working overseas because the job market for which I have a BS degree, dried up and it was either do something else, at 50-years old, or sit around and write silly posts to FR complaining about how much I deserve a job.

Regards

[N. Theknow]

Ummmm....lemme see....

has a big house....

with a big mortgage....

BUT, rents out a guest house...

has a roomate....

had to quit a RETAIL job????? because it was hard on the feet having to wear pumps....

would have had to sign a contract to perform at the RETAIL job or would have become unemployed (like now)if unable to perform to expectations....

BUT, is going to call timeout and apply to UCLA law school?

Ummm....*shakes head*....*sigh*

Has been a FReeper since 1998 and finds a friend from Chile more enlightened into the vagaries of a capalistic society than anything read on this forum?

Best of luck in law school. You've got the perfect mindset for the legal profession.