WHY I WILL NOT VOTE THIS YEAR

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.

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?

Thanks for your reply. I don't know where you live. I also have a non-practical degree from one of the best universities in the country--the one to which I have applied--and I realize that lawyers are a dime a dozen. My going back to school has more to do with getting a job than working as a lawyer. I believe that a doctorate increases your chances because a college degree is just like a high school diploma these days. I've been told here privately that certain fields of Law are actually booming. In the meantime, I continue to plow along. The "security" option is not a bad suggestion. I'll look into it. I'm 5' 2" and weigh 114 lbs. but I'm strong. L.A. can be a dangerous city. We'll see.

trust you? based on what? i have a nice life, am a faithful catholic, married to another lawyer, also a faithful catholic. we have three beautiful children who attend private catholic schools. we are conservative and i will put my TRUST in God, thank you very much : ) that may be the source of your troubles, trusting someone other than God. That is another reason that we support president Bush. we believe he trusts in the same Person that we do.

I guess I'm not following your line of thinking either - yes many people have lost jobs but, as in the case of my husband, the attack on American by Islamic fundamentalists caused his industry to crash - We drew unemployment, I got a job - we lived on savings - we survived -

Is it the President's fault that Enron cheated millions of people? Is Tyco the fault of President Bush? These huge corporations hitting the ground caused a wave that changed many companies across the world - this is not the fault of President Bush any more than their grafting and corruption was the fault of the previous President (although many want to say so...;^)

Is this the only issue that concerns you? Abortion, taxes, gun control, Homeland Security - they mean nothing?

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

You make a vanity post about your personal life and then you request no one make personal comments about you? Get a life, better yet -- get a job. Pity parties are not a pretty site. Try rereading this thread and seeking some good advice from those who answered. College is supposed to prepare you for the job market, it it hasn't so far what makes you think it will in the future? The one who needs to change is you, only you have control here. Good luck.

Once upon a time, I was a single mom working two jobs and going to college. It was hard, but I made it and so can you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and ask God to help you through this difficult time-He will do it.

I have worked retail jobs during slumps in the construction industry for years, and they all have a contract that states you will sell a certain dollar amount of merchandise as a condition of employment-it is called draw against commission, also. The job is selling-not framing houses, answering phones or programming a computer, so what's abusive about that? If you can't do it, get another type of job-the employer is in the business of making money, not keeping people on the job who can't produce. I have never encountered the contact problem you are referring to, either, and since I've only had my own business for just over a year, I'm sure I would have-it may also be in vogue just in the area you live in.

I'm really happy you will never vote again-I don't want people that think the government owes them a job, food, medical care, housing or anything else voting-it just leads to more taxes on the rest of us for supporting everyone else for their whole life. And the president can't "make" real jobs to "give" to anyone, either-only by private industry making money can jobs be created and offered to those qualified for them.

I don't understand. The President should NOT be held accountable for the loss of millions of jobs? Something here is amiss. Go ahead and vote for Bush. If something doesn't change soon, he will lose. If Kerry or Bush decide to pull out for whatever reason and some reasonable alternative comes up I will vote for that person. Condaliza Rice is a good choice. Even Bill O'Brian questions the war in Iraq and the conomy. Are you not paying attention?

I got your reply, but it hardly connects with my comments to you, perhaps that is why you are having trouble connecting with a new employer, work on your reading and listening skills.

Our economy is doing fine, hiring is up in our area, I question your conclusions. And as for the war, I for one am glad our President is focusing on the securtiy of our nation - just how does one ignore a huge part of the world that wishes us dead? And for the record O'Reilly is an idiot, I respect his opinion, but he is hardly a great intellect. I do agree with your opinion of Condoleeza Rice, isn't she an awesome role model?

Again, good luck with the job hunt, I do wish you well.

Thanks for your good wishes. I don't think the economy is doing fine--unfortunately. A lot of people I know are living off their credit cards. People with GREAT credentials (such as myself) are out of work and trying everything they can and laboring at three or four jobs to make ends meet. Some of us can't relocate. I actually got two responses this past week--not counting acting auditions, which are totally a crap shoot and an act of desperation on my part. But nothing--no job interviews--nothing. I'm starting to send my picture along with the resume in hopes that someone connects. Those two entities who responded kindly apparently did. But it's not always possible to send a picture through Monster or Hot Jobs, etc.

Bill O'Reilly is NOT a great intellect but those who possess great intellect are only defending Bush's record, feebly, because they fear the other side more. Indeed why can't Condaliza run? Wishful thinking on my part. At least she got her degree on her merits not riding on daddy's coattails. Bush is an intellectual midget. You must admit that much. Everytime he speaks I cringe--so many malapropisms. It's an embarrassment. There has to be someone better in the Republican party than this rich idiot.

Gotta go. And I'm under the weather, to boot.

Mig --

Oh good grief......I can not believe this pathetic pity party is still going on..............SHEESH!!!!!

As much as I would like to have one, I don't have a job.......but I sure as heck am not blaming the President for that. As far as I am concerned, if any politician is "creating" jobs that means s/h/it is EXPANDING governemtn.....and that is the last thing on earth I want to see happen.....we've got too much government in our lives as it is.

The job of the government (and elected officials) is not to "create" jobs......their job is to promote an environment in which the private sector can flourish and thus create jobs.

At least she got her degree on her merits not riding on daddy's coattails. Bush is an intellectual midget. You must admit that much. Everytime he speaks I cringe--so many malapropisms. It's an embarrassment. There has to be someone better in the Republican party than this rich idiot.

Bush has a strong Texas accent and may mispronounce words, but sweetie - he HAS a job. I am proud of him and completely devoted to him. Get over yourself and solve your own dang job situation. I am sick of your whining, so are prospective employers..........! You seem to be under the false illusion that everyone but YOU are responsible for YOUR lack of a job. Grow up.

In retrospect, I apologize for my last comment. Instead, try growing in your political views. I have no right to judge you from a few comments you made on the internet, but your logic regarding national politics does not hold up with very many on this forum. The president has indeed some influence on the national job market, but he does not "create" jobs, private industry does. Clinton and his administration trashed the economy in my area, more people were out of jobs, many with families and children to support, this has improved for all in this area in the few years that Bush has been in. When the phony boon from the 90s came to an end and companies were exposed for their phony accounting the market took a major dip again. Who profitted from that phony accounting boon? Clinton cronies profitted from this practice and his administration allowed it to happen. Bush inherited from Clinton a failing economy, which thankfully is now on the upswing.

Regarding your personal perspective, what I hear over and over again in your comments is that your focus in life is on what you cannot do. Instead focus on what you CAN do. It is never going to profit you if you focus on the downside, it's always going to get you farther in life to focus on the positive. Good luck to you, and let me know when things improve, you will be in my prayers.

Hey, friend. You're not reading very well. I have repeated time and time again that I know a number of people with great credentials who are out of work. Moreover, the only thing I HAVEN'T DONE IS SLEEP WITH SOMEONE FOR A JOB. I am not ALONE, okay? Go ahead and defend Bush all you want but he's not a good president. Sorry. I voted for the guy. Nevertheless, his wife seems a beter prospect.

Working hard-living below your means and saving for the rainy day that is always coming, sooner or later.

You have to wonder just how far beyond their means a lawer or any other well educated person had to live, during the time of their well paid employment, to be so destitute during a minor reccession.

When Carter was president I can remember layoffs the which I have never seen. We visited families as if they were in mourning and expressed our condolences. It was freaky, they all ended up better off. During clintoons' eight years we had layoffs here. We are now recovering. I heard you -- you have friends without jobs, you are not the first person on this planet to know people out of work.

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