“When gleaners wander the suburbs ahead of the trash truck, that’s when we’ll be Argentina.”
Early morning on trash pickup day here in San Jose, several people walk up and down the streets of the neighborhood I live in pulling recyclables out of the big blue plastics bins. I’ve seen many of these people for months, but new ones I hadn’t seen before show up every week or two.
I’ve talked to a couple of the “old regulars.” One is on unemployment, but can’t make it on that alone so he goes out every day following the trash pickup routes before he goes out to look for work.There’s also an elderly couple that live on a fixed income and they make the routes every day after the trucks.
These people are getting by for now, but they are worried about the newcomers that are coming a couple every few days now to every route. They are worried that will mean fewer cans for them and they will have less money for food.
Food banks here are getting fewer donations and though I have not heard of anyone being turned away it is still unnerving.
I am still employed; the only one in my family still employed. Three close friends of mine are on unemployment and since they are in their 50s and 60s finding work in this area is quite difficult. I help where I can, but funds are limited.
I am thankful that I still have a job, but I try to look ahead because I know that can change at anytime. I’ve been there before...not fun. Prayers up for any Freepers out of work and looking.
I lived in California for six months last year in San Diego, and it seemed like there is no middle class left. The people were either fat cats living large in the high rent district, or they were bums going thru the trash looking for soda cans to sell at the recycle plant.
This is not the California I remember from my first trip there in 1969. Of course there was the army of dirty hippies present, but the middle class was doing well.
Well like they say - elections make a difference. In those days California was a Republican state with Ronald Reagan as governor.
I live in Utah now.
The most Republican state in Union.
The unemployment rate is one of the lowest as well.
There is a lesson here.