Once-prosperous family struggling on the edge

The Dallas Morning News ^ | Aug. 18, 2003 | SHERRY JACOBSON

[I still care]

You are right - mea culpa.

[John Lenin]

Poor baby can't find a $45 an hour job so she would just assume go homeless. Why do I not feel sorry for these type of people ?

[natewill]

Thank you for your compassion. I was beginning to think that FreeRepublic had become composed of nothing but cruel people.

Good point Iwo. I must say that the overshadowing belief in FR is that if something bad happens to you, then it was your fault, and you should have done this, or done that. Yes, everyone should save for a rainy day, and yes, people should have a back-up plan to life, and yes, carry a spare gas can in your trunk, and yes, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

But c'mon folks, this kneejerk reaction to spit on someone who is having a hard time is ridiculous. If you can't see that the over 50 crowd has a hard time getting a job, then you're blind. If you can't acknowledge that layoffs do affect real people, then go post on some other website. And not everyone is in a position to start their company or business. Your pipe dreams don't excuse you from at least considering that bad things happen to good people.

And before you start thinking that I am some liberal bleeding-heart POS, I am trying my hardest to live the American Dream: sales position with 1099 income, no kids or wife to feed because I want to be able to support a family before I have a family, smart financial decisions, hard-working, and I am struggling. So your rules for success don't always work 100% of the time immediately. So get off your high horse...

[new cruelty]

Why do I not feel sorry for these type of people ?

Where did you read that she was homeless?

[laconic]

Just because you point out some things this woman could do for herself and her family in her present circumnstances (and some resources available) doesn't mean you don't have compassion for her and her situation. Also, I know plenty of people who live on far less than $15 an hour; it isn't easy and it ain't preferable, but there are adjustments you can make in a lifestyle (I know, I've done it). I remember reading a story a few years ago about a wealthy Florida builder who had gone bankrupt and into hard times; his wife complained that the best she could do for work was in a department store as a clerk and I don't know what he tried to do. Anyway, they could make it in reduced circumstances but the lack of country clubs, high-end meals and making the impression got to these people so much that they decided to commit suicide and kill their ten-year old son. I'm not saying that situation is analogous to the one in the story; its probably far from it, but the bottom line is that sometimes you have to adjust to changed circumstances and you adjust as best you can, even if it involves moving to another city, taking help from relatives, or working at Starbuck's.

[John Lenin]

Where did you read that she was homeless?

Standing on a corner with a tin cup in your hand ? The next step is homelessness. I know people who took this exact route to poverty, their pride got in the way of common sense. There are plenty of jobs out there, maybe not the $45 an hour types but if you want to work you can work. It beats pimping yourself out on a street corner.

[new cruelty]

I must say that the overshadowing belief in FR is that if something bad happens to you, then it was your fault, and you should have done this, or done that.

Perhaps the Wessenberg should post a Vanity thread

[new cruelty]

The next step is homelessness.

LOL.. ok. just wondering if you actually bothered to read the entire article or just plopped out a post in haste.

"We saved our house," Sheila Wessenberg says of their now caught-up mortgage payments. "The American public has come to our rescue in a major way."

[Dems_R_Losers]

This story disturbed me, too. My brother is 51 and has been unemployed for several months. I worry about whether he will ever find another decent job in his field. Fortunately, his wife is able to work and they only have one child left at home. But it is very tough out there for older workers.

It is not fair to criticize this family because they once lived a nice lifestyle on a six-figure income. Show me a family living like monks on that kind of salary. What is the point of being successful if you do not enjoy the fruits of your labors? Nobody at that level thinks they are going to end up unemployed and broke.

[John Lenin]

Read this real slooow. There are jobs to found that pay better than welfare. Any questions ?

[Iwo Jima]

I appreciate your insight and understanding into this woman's problems, but after chastising her for not putting her children on various government programs (which are scarce and hard to qualify for in Texas), you then state that you don't like people who "complain how the government should take care of them..."

Which is it -- to be acting responsibly in your opinion, must she accept government assistance or reject it? And I did not see any complaint from her about having to sell her jewels and mink coat. It was just mentioned that she had done that.

[Redcloak]

You know, if these guys actually had a sign that said "Need money for booze," hell I'd probably give them some money just because they're honest about it.

We used to have a guy who hung out near Topanga Canyon Blvd. and the 101 with a sign that read "Why lie? I need a beer." He did quite well with that sign. (He also looked like a hobo, as opposed to a mere bum.)

[new cruelty]

Yeah, why are you telling me that?

[Dick Vomer]

Just had the same article "type" about high tech workers and was told I was "cold".

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/964847/posts?page=1,50

This is the beginning for the democrats propaganda blitz.... we're all one paycheck away from homelessness...... I wish there was a "Fox" network for the print press instead of AP/Reuters et al..

[willieroe]

Nobody at that level thinks they are going to end up unemployed and broke.

Nonsense. Plenty of people manage their income "conservatively" at that level. Nobody writes about them, though.

[TheOtherOne]

Public begging was a last resort in a long and painful process of dismantling their previous life. First, they liquidated his pension plan and cashed in their stock portfolio. Then they moved out of an expensive condominium in Las Colinas, Texas. And, finally, they sold off nonessentials such as her fur coat and jewelry, any furniture with value and even their washer and dryer.

Hmm, maybe sell the fur and the condo before you have no health insurance.

[John Lenin]

I've been self employed for 28 years. Thats why I find it hard to have sympathy for people who watch their lives go up in flames because they feel taking a job below their qualifications is beneath them.

[WOSG]

"We need to start teaching our kids the following message, once you reach the age of 40, forget about working for somebody else. "

More than that ... pay off your mortgage by 40.
Dont get 30 year mortages, get a 15, and keep paying it down so it is gone in 10.

These recessions come up every 10 years, so you get a good run for 8-10 years and you have a level of financial security.

I like your point of entrepreneurial skills too. You cant be at the mercy of a fickle employer, job market or business conditions.

[biblewonk]

So much sap I need a pancake to blow my nose.

[radiohead]

You have to pay for membership

If you can afford to. When I was widowed and unemployed, my synogogue wouldn't take dues. There are many levels of membership as well - college kids don't pay the same as families w/children. The Jewish charities are very charitable.

I feel sorry for this woman, but having rec'd different forms of assistance myself, and helped people to get assistance when I practiced law, I can't believe she has no where to turn but begging on the street. The Salvation Army helps families. The various VFWs help veterans down on their luck. There are food banks that will give you a week's worth of food at a time.

I don't know what happened here...