Posted on 04/23/2006 7:49:45 AM PDT by SmithL
One of my readers is an underemployed 59-year-old man from among us here in the South Suburbs. Call him Harry. He works in information technology. Slowly and wearily, he says: "Once you get past 50, I swear, it gets tough, it gets really tough."
For instance, Harry applied for a job with a city of Chicago department that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He got an offer for some contract work. There were no benefits, but it was a paying job.
A woman from the city called him one Monday morning and wanted to know if he could start at midnight. Harry said he'd like to give his current employer a week's notice. That wasn't good enough. The job was gone. The caller told him: "This is a brave new world. Learn to live with it."
(Excerpt) Read more at starnewspapers.com ...
I know exactly what you mean by the gratification from the adopted life styles of the children. It took what it took (quite a while) with my son of 38 but he and his sister are now quite responsible citizens of this Republic in that they believe it is above all else "their responsibility" to "make it happen" if they can. And trust me I didn't enter into early adulthood with any sense of responsibility. Some of us it just takes time and some nudges from those significant ones in our lives. The best "luck" if one needs luck in life was my finding (and her pluck in nudging and prodding me along) the lady and soul partner of my life some 39 years ago.
I think you were intending should've as a contraction of should have.
Hopefully, he'll get over it. My hubby soon came to realize I'd probably extended my lifespan by many years by getting out of the rat race. Happy wife=happy hubby. He's still working, and just a little jealous. I keep telling him he can retire in two years. (I've been telling him that for three years, now). My co-workers gave me the book, Freedom, as a gift. They "get it"! Good luck to you, and enjoy!
As you say, I'll be able to take better care of us.
Anyone who thinks their job is secure (unless they are self-employed) better rethink that!
My retirement plan is genetic and fool proof...Work my ass off and die in my mid forties like everyone else in my family, make my wife and kids insurance million heirs.
Should of works for me:')
I know, it's pretty hypocritical. The Director expects 2-4 weeks notice when people leave, but was wanting someone to start immediately.
The absolute height of hypocrisy is the practice of demanding two weeks notice from employees who are quitting, but, providing zero notice when it's the employer who decides to get rid of the employee.
If you want to take a new job, you're "required" to give two week's notice. If you're getting dumped, it's "come into my office at the end of the day" -- and then, when there, it's "don't come back on Monday."
I'm sure the "captialism as religion" crowd will chime in with how it's the employer's right to do anything he wants, and the employees have no rights other than to be paid for work performed, and since "it's the employer's business", they should just shut up and get out.
Legal? Oh, probably. But,it sure does create resentment, cynicism, bitterness, and, in the long run, results in employees who have no loyalty whatsoever to the employers. Why should they be loyal to someone who has NO loyalty to them?
In the final analsys, we end up with a culture in the "end stage" of its course, with foreign competitors eating our lunch.
Don't know about that, and of course, "rich" is a relative term. There's no question we're a society of spenders. What I do know is that a 50 yr old single man who's had a good run of work with nothing but his own needs to consider, has no business criticizing the guy who spent his life raising a decent family ($$$$) and now worries about getting the shaft in middle age.
With the exception of contractors, and employees released for specific reasons like violating company policy I cant say I much disagree with you.
Uh, oh, now you've done it. Better put on your asbestos suit. The money worshipers will be out in force to get you. For many on FR, the Unforgivable Sin is to even think about (much less voice) concerns or questions about the FR version of "capitalism" (i.e., greed). You can't even think about doubting that Holy Of Holies, "The Free Market". Quaint concepts like decency, morality, doing the right thing, treating your fellow citizens with compassion and respect, etc., have no place when all that you are is bought and sold in the marketplace. And forgot about placing any stock in that obsolete concept of national sovereignty and security, which we can't let stand in the way of globalism-driven profits.
Never said kids shouldn't help pay for their college. However, part-time jobs don't pay 10 - 15 times what they did 25 years ago whereas college today costs 10 - 15 times what it did back then. It's simply a lot tougher today than when I was a kid.
Today there is a lot more assistance and scholarships that buffer, which we didn't have. I don't know about you but I paid 100% except for a department 100 dollar scholarship that was given to me without even asking for.
Decency and morality in business should be inspired, not regulated IMO. Treat people right. If you don't , they can leave.
It's tougher today for middle class families to send their kids to college. That's just the way it is.
Ain't life a bitch.
Pass the crying towel.
College costs being what they were 25 years ago I was able to finance my education via a part-time job and a partial scholarship.
So do I. But then, I'm working a full-time job.
I know what you mean. The BS on this thread is just out of sight. I can't believe how many "perfect people" there are on this site, unbelievable. As for those who think people shouldn't take SS and Medicare, I say stuff it. I got my last statement from SS (I'm 58) and it shows that my employers and I have been taxed over $250,000 by both SS and Medicare over the years and I intend to get some of it back when eligible. Too bad for those who don't think I or others should.
"Stop crying."
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I didn't read any words of self pity in that article. The guy who was downsized could have taken the road that many take. He could have opted for food stamps and Medicaid and government housing. He could have stood at street corners with a phony sign promising to work for food. He could have sent his daughter to do naked dances for cash at Duke lacrosse players' parties. Instead, he is working, not for the wages he was making before, but there's no crying the article, just a statement of the facts.
Glad you have been able to put your education and experience to work for you in your own business, but why are you so judgmental of someone who has sought to find his own way by following a different path?
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