[ottbmare]

I dunno, fellas. Sure, there is an ample amount of guff delivered toward the sorry, shiftless welfare sort. But I simply don't recall seeing much static directed at the so-called "working poor" -- aside from those who argue that the minimum wage should be a "living wage".

First off, I'm not a fella. I'm a lady. A mare is a female, yes? And my tagline says I'm the mom of a Marine. :-)

Second, Gabz and I were both unemployed during the darkest period of the recession, and for me, at least, things are still pretty rocky even though I eventually found two part-time jobs. You would not believe the ugliness that was directed at us by our fellow FReepers when we were out of work. I was not on public assistance and did not get food stamps, help with utilities, or any aid, but nonetheless many FReepers insisted that we were lazy bums who just weren't trying to find work and it was all our fault and we had made every possible mistake in life and were probably selfish socialists who were collecting welfare until we were offered fancy executive jobs. Only one Freeper, 2ndDivisionVet, offered to help with constructive advice, for which I am lastingly grateful.

I've concluded that there are some FReepers who want to believe that if anyone who is down on his luck in the US, it's his fault. Because if you can point to a definite mistake someone made that got him into trouble, then you can say to yourself, "I'm safe. I'm never going to become poor because I'll never make that mistake." It makes them feel more secure.

But no one should feel secure in life. Everything can go away in the blink of an eye, no matter how carefully we plan and how intently we focus on making the right decisions.

[2ndDivisionVet]

And I extend that offer of help to anyone here, their families, neighbors, friends and co-religionists.

[okie01]

But no one should feel secure in life. Everything can go away in the blink of an eye, no matter how carefully we plan and how intently we focus on making the right decisions.

I understand exactly what you're saying. From personal experience.

I apologize for the mistaken gender. And for anybody who took you to task in your time of need.

All I'm saying is that, after being here for 15 years, I've seen relatively little of the criticism you've experienced. Some misdirected animus, yes. But the vast proportion has been aimed at those who won't work. Or have an unrealistic evaluation of their work's worth.

And, as I said, many of the folks on this website probably qualify as "working poor" -- but don't think of themselves that way. Or they are intimately acquainted with hard times themselves as, evidently, we both are.

I generalize, of course, without benefit of reviewing the adverse comments that were directed at you specifically -- which were no doubt painful.

[steve86]

But no one should feel secure in life. Everything can go away in the blink of an eye, no matter how carefully we plan and how intently we focus on making the right decisions.

Very insightful comment.

[Gabz]

Thank you.