Saturday, February 14, 2009

Out of Work

These are tough and scary days with so many people out of work and jobs are scarce. Don't ever think that this affects only the young, working population because it doesn't. Our economy is based on new blood entering the job market and contributing to the pensions of retired workers. As the jobless rate increases, there is a real danger to the security of those of us who are retired and dependant on pension cheques.

My husband was out of work for approximately 15 minutes back in the 60's and that was terrifying. His workplace had a fire which shut it down for a few weeks but he was hired immediately to work as a watchman over the ruins. In those days we were living from paycheck to paycheck so any disruption in income would have been devastating to us.

Things haven't changed much today. Young couples still seem to live from paycheck to paycheck so the economical downturn has hit them very hard. It isn't just a matter of giving up luxuries because their regular living expenses are already set. They have mortgages, car payments, etc., that they took on when times were good and income regular.

My message to them is that they will get through this. It is in the best interests of the people who run our world to get people back to work and the economy bustling. It isn't the end of the world.

The lucky ones will have family and friends to help them through the tough periods but even those without such resources will recover in time. Maybe they'll have to set their sights a little lower but that's not the worst thing that could happen in life, is it?

Life goes on and we have to develop the ability to adjust throughout it.

3 comments:

Kim said...

In my experience this is the worst I have ever seen it. I don't remember ever having family or friends out of work without it being their choice. It is very difficult. If anyone thinks their jobs are safe today they are idiots. Its very scary.

Kim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
patsyrose said...

The last depression was in 1929 so I've never lived through one, either. We can only hope that our government leaders are better equipped to lead us out of this one. The last depression required a war to bring us out and we don't want that.