All blogs are property of authors and copying is not permitted.

Click image to one-click your copy of Soldiers of Fortune

CLICK BELOW & SUBSCRIBE TO THE RB4U NEWSLETTER

Friday, June 6, 2014

Screwed up priorities


For this post, I'm veering away from romance, though what I'm writing about has to do with a lot of my romance writing friends, plus many, many others in the country.

Namely, the whacked out, screwed up, totally crappy unemployment stuff going on.

Almost every week, an author writes that she's been pink-slipped, terminated, laid-off. Choose the term you want - it's all the same. Her economic life has hit a brick wall. If she's lucky enough to get another job right away, chances are the wages will be less, there won't be benefits, and she might not even see full time.

If she's not lucky enough to land a job, forget about any unemployment benefit extensions. That only makes unemployed people - many who have worked for decades - lazy. At least according to some in government.

Several of my writing friends have told me that not only were they terminated at their positions - without warning - it just happened one fateful day, they were required to train their replacement - that is, if they wanted those last days of pay. That's what you get with 'at will' employment. You can be tossed aside if your employer wants someone cheaper, with most of those employees being overseas.

What is wrong with this country? Talk about screwed up priorities.

During the Great Recession, we bailed out the banks. They're doing fine. In fact, the people at the top are richer than ever even though they brought our economy to a screeching halt. No one went to jail for what happened. They got bonuses.

I want a job like that.

When yet another of my author friends posts about a job loss, bills that can't be paid, no employment on the horizon, I'll try to be positive, but it's hard to do that when people are still losing their homes, have to go on welfare (what little there is of it) and beg politicians to help.

During the midterm elections, let's remember those politicians who gave American workers help and those who had the absolute gall to call them 'lazy', 'entitled', 'moochers', and 'takers'. Let's remember the ones who voted themselves a raise when they work only a third of the year. No forty hours for them. No crappy healthcare. No having to do a good job or get fired. No having to clip coupons. They get a platinum parachute when they leave office, most often after they've messed up the country for the rest of us.

This has to be turned around. Especially if you have children, it has to change. If it doesn't, what are we leaving for the next generation?

Tina Donahue

BROUGHT TO HIS KNEES - BOXED SET (Avail Aug 19)
DEEP WITHIN ME (4 Stars - Romantic Times)
SENSUAL STRANGER (Book of the Year 2010)
DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (Holt Medallion Award of Merit)

Website - Twitter - FB - Pinterest - Amazon - Triberr

12 comments:

Rose Anderson said...

A very thought provoking post, Tina. I agree on who the real moochers are. Such economic imbalances generally result in worse things. Organized crime and Nazis coming to power in the 1930's are two I can think of. Screwed up priorities is right. Good luck to your friend.

Sandy said...

I've always said our country is backwards. People on welfare would be willing to work if they could live on what they make.

The welfare can be cut back the amount the person makes at their job, but keep giving them welfare until they're making what they make on welfare on their job. Money would still be saved.

So sorry about your friend, Tina.

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Rose. I agree that if things don't start changing and soon, there will be a revolution in this country. People aren't going to take it when they can't feed their kids any longer.

What really bugs me is that those in power aren't even trying to hide their contempt for the 99%. They're so clueless, it's breathtaking.

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Sandy.

When you consider why people are on welfare (crappy neighborhoods, crappy schools, no opportunities), you can understand why people find it difficult (if not impossible) to better themselves.

It's easy for those in the suburbs and in high-priced neighborhoods to wonder why those beneath them just don't try harder.

I'd like to give those snobs a few years of struggling paycheck to paycheck and see how they'd do.

Paris said...

Even Henry Ford knew that if he didn't pay his workers enough to buy the cars they produced, he'd lose a valuable market. This country ran very well with a strong middle class because we could afford what we produced.

Unfortunately, there aren't too many politicians in either party who believe in this model anymore.

Tina Donahue said...

So true, Paris. That's why we have to vote them out and get people with sense in there. The oligarchy is bleeding the host (us) dry. That has to stop.

jean hart stewart said...

So much needs changed I get terribly discouraged. The politicians are so damn dumb.

Tina Donahue said...

Totally agree, Jean. Not only are they dumb, they're greedy psychopaths who don't care who they hurt as long as they get theirs.

Cara Marsi said...

Amen, Tina! Good for you. I agree. Everyone deserves to make a living wage.

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Cara. I agree.

Just read an article about WalMart and how they're costing the rest of us billions in revenue because their workers are on food stamps and because WalMart is allowed to deduct from its profits executive bonuses. Can you believe that?

Melissa Keir said...

It has been getting more and more uneven. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I have an "at will" employment as a teacher and feel scared each day that I might lose the job and insurance benefits. Those benefits are the only reason I'm working. The cost is incredibly high for my husband and I.

I don't know how people will be able to survive if this goes on. Thank you for bringing some attention to it.

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Melissa. These 'at will' jobs suck big time. I hope your job lasts. It's criminal that the politicians want to cut education and the safety net, but can't wait to give tax cuts to the 1% who clearly don't need it.

Share buttons