I need some hope. Seriously. Will things get better under Biden?

[hamsterjill]

Today’s a bad day. I have good ones and bad ones and today is a bad one. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

I’m not criticizing Biden in my thread title. I think he will be a great leader. But I think he is going to have one hell of a mess to clean up. Maybe the mess is so great that it’s humanly impossible to fix.

I’m 61, jobless and about to run out of unemployment. I am desperately job searching, but getting no responses. I’m sure it has to do with age even though there’s not supposed to be discrimination.

I think it’s hopeless for people my age. What can Biden do for us? In the amount of time we have left. Can someone convince me that there might be a future?

Thanks. I’m not giving up. But today is just a bad one.

[LizBeth]

1. Things are always better under a Democrat. Working on 59 and needing a job I have the same concerns

and I do not know that the Dems can do anything to get me hired. Ageism is real.

[hamsterjill]

16. It's very real.

Thanks for taking the time to read and understand my concerns.

Here’s hoping...

[LizBeth]

33. It is scary. I am still on UI and may get the 300 3-5 weeks, or not. But figure I am covered

one way or another until January. Then I am up shit creek. I am looking to see if there is any certificate or license I can earn that will get me a job and stay at home would be the best.

[SharonAnn]

66. When Clarence Thomas was head of the EEOC, he pretty much destroyed that.

He was appointed under Reagan, held suits until they “expired”, pretty much invalidated the “sexism” and “ageism” grounds for suit. Welcome to Reagan’s and the GOP’s America.

This Lon-term effect is deliberate not accidental.

[MrsCoffee]

2. How could they not?

[hamsterjill]

18. I'm sure they will, generally, but my post has to do with time.

Are people my age just screwed? We don’t have a decade to wait for things to turn around.

Have you seen anything specific that Biden can do for my age bracket? That’s NOT sarcasm. I’m hoping he may have addressed this somewhere, sometime that I haven’t seen. Maybe you have.

People who are roughly ages 55 to 65 are in a specific predicament. Too young to retire but too old to hire.

Peace.

[LisaL]

3. Not a doubt in my mind that things will get better if we elect Biden.

NT

[GeorgeGist]

4. Yes.

[Aristus]

5. For starters: they will stop getting worse.

And Joe Biden, with our help, (and no doubt a little advice from President Obama) will start to make things better. Even for the people who still cling to Trump like a disease. Trump hasn't made their lives better in any way save validating their racism and bigotry.

[katmondoo]

6. He will have a lot of people helping him. It will get much, much better

So many of our leaders have had enough, they want to save America. They need the power back and it will only come back when Biden is Elected.

[lame54]

7. On daunting as it will be...

It's better to start a clean-up than to add to the pile of rubble

[cwydro]

23. Well put.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. It depends on what you mean by "things" and "better."

[PoliticAverse]

9. Best wishes to you....

[hamsterjill]

44. Thank you.

I’m trying. Not giving up.

[0rganism]

10. we will need a massive federal investment in public works to fix the damage

whatever your skills are or have been they will be needed to rebuild better

should we be so fortunate as to have a president Biden next year

[hamsterjill]

21. This is what I'm hoping Biden will do.

But have you seen any specifics? I haven’t. I may have missed something so this is an honest question. Not sarcasm.

Has Biden addressed the specific issues of unemployed older Americans who are too young to retire?

[List left]

50. Besides reversing The Butcher of Maralago's executive orders and replacing all of his appointees,

a massive public works project, putting people back to work, repairing the failing infrastructure, supporting renewable energy should be one of the top priorities!

[gibraltar72]

11. Yes it is a hell of a mess.

I choose to think we can change the whole damn system under these circumstances. One thing is certain, Joe will have the best minds available to help and he'll listen.

[hamsterjill]

24. I hope you are right.

There is a lot that needs to change. My specific issue is people like me who are too young to retire but at an age where no one will hire them.

We are a big enough group that we need to be getting some specifics from the Biden campaign.

Certainly there are other issues. But this is the one keeping me awake at night these days.

[Spazito]

12. Don't forget things got better after Obama/Biden were elected...

in the midst of the most critical financial crisis since the great depression at the time. Biden was heading the Administration's response to that crisis and did an excellent job, he knows what to do and have done to address this one as well. Electing a Democratic Senate will hasten the fixes needed so that should be a focus as well, imo.

[OAITW r.2.0]

13. Biden would be a good start, but getting a majority in the Senate is critical as well.

The do nothing Republicans under McConnell have effectively kneecapped our country's ability to fix structural problems. Infrastructure, Energy, Healthcare - things that affect every American have taken "0" priority with Republicans whose only "solution" to every problem is more taxcuts for the top 5% and corporations.

[hauckeye]

14. Are you willing to take any job?

I’ve seen signs at several fast food places looking for adult workers

[consider_this]

19. at that age, who wants to work in an 'out in public' job?

It seems, IMO, the health risks are too much to take, esp for such a low wage job. I think it is bad enough to have to try to look for work at this age, and now have the pandemic risk added to the mix.

That said - it has to get better with Biden. I shudder to think of the alternative. I am been shuddering for almost 4 years already.

Sending you postive vibes!!!!

[hamsterjill]

31. The problem with this is

That you’re stuck in a schedule and can’t continue to interview, etc.

There’s also no possibility of health insurance which is a big need for my age group. Too young for Medicare.

I will mop floors and clean toilets if it comes to that. I am no better than anyone else. But this age group needs some attention. The other reply to your post referencing age and health is also a legitimate concern.

[consider_this]

39. I don't know if this helps...

but I have been pouring over job posting for quite some time, and notice there are quite a few customer service jobs that can be done remotely (from home). Not sure if they pay what you need or if that is even your cup of tea, but at least it is a chance at a job where you don't have to put your health at risk from Covid.

[LizBeth]

35. I can work in a hotel with 80-100 bodies in a small lobby and people in our face sitting in covid

load for 9 hours. At 59, I am not willing to die for minimum wage. No.

[DFW]

15. About 6 years ago, someone close to me lost their job at about age 60

Granted, it was before Trump, but he was a well-paid specialist suddenly tossed out into the cold. He had lived frugally, wisely below is means, and had savings, but even so, it was an unexpected blow. He kept knocking on doors until one did open up, about a year after he had been tossed out. His new job didn't pay as well as the one he had lost, but it was enough for him to get by, and he will probably retire next year at 67.

You just have to keep at it. I know the mounting rejections will weigh on you like a boulder, but you have to keep at it. Somewhere, there just might be someone who will say, you know, you are just what I was looking for, and all that misery and frustration will melt away like a bad dream. This is a best case scenario, of course, and it might not happen, but you have to allow for the chance that it will. It will help you get through the dark times.

[hamsterjill]

32. I have no expense that I can get rid of.

I have lived very frugally all my life. I do have a small mortgage but it’s less than apartment rent would be. Other than that, utilities, health insurance through COBRA for the time being. No credit card debt. No car loan.

I hope you are right. And I am NOT giving up.

[LizBeth]

38. This is another thing. I have cut living expense as low as I can, literally. I haven't had

restaurant or fast food since May. I spend on nothing. Ok, every once in a while I will buy a big bottle of wine for $12. A treat. When you have cut all expenses and still take home doesn't cover monthly expenses, not a lot to be done and this was while I had a job working over the 40 hr week and getting some overtime.

[hamsterjill]

42. Thank you.

I haven’t been out to eat or ordered food since March. There’s nothing left to cut.

This age group all worked our asses off and now we are going to wind up scraping by because our livelihoods were ripped away. We aren’t going to have the time needed to recover because Trump will leave things in such bad shape.

And I know other people, all people are affected. Not just us. But the topic of THIS thread IS us.

[LizBeth]

43. +1

[7wo7rees]

45. Fellow Texans here hamsterjill. Take DFW's words to heart.

This is Ms. 7wo7rees.
I'm about to be 63. I've decided to go ahead and file for early SS. We are fortunate in that 7wo7rees company is letting everyone work remotely.
We live with my mother taking care of her (84 with dementia, aggravated exponentially by the "rona&quot .
You are not alone. But together we will see it through. All the suggestions here are good.
Wishing you the very best. Much love to you......

[DFW]

46. Here's hoping you get lucky.

I know all too well that it doesn't always happen.

[cayugafalls]

17. Things will get better under a Biden admin.

But today is your concern. Take a deep breath and list all your positive attributes that could possibly be worthy of a job. What field are you in, what are your strengths, who might be looking for your talents but may not be advertising?

I have had some success in calling small businesses and just asking if they had any work. I start by confidently telling them I can do any job they throw at me, because I am experienced and talented.

Have some tea while doing this exercise. Each day you can take a breath is a blessing, there is no such thing as hopelessness, if you choose to be hopeful. I know it is hard to be hopeful when the future looks uncertain, but there is always something to be done. Do an assessment of all that you have and how you can stretch it out.

Thanks for reaching out here, I wish I could do more to help.

[LuckyCharms]

20. You are valuable. You are not terribly old. You have skills.

Under a leader like Joe Biden, your value will be recognized. There will be jobs programs, there will be help. There will be leadership that recognizes what the problems are, and there will be solutions to make things right.

We will all have a rough ride for some months ahead. You will get through it. You will find a way, because this horror will not last.

You will be alright. You will manage...and then, you will thrive.

You will not let Trump's policies defeat you. You are stronger than you know. Just imagine our collective jubilation when things start to turn around.

[shanti]

22. Can you hold out for another year?

My bro is your age and is hanging on until early SS kicks in. He is resigned to not having another job. What Biden can and will do is ensure that SS and Medicare will not be destroyed, as Chump and the R's wants to. That's enough for me. Hang in there

[sarcasmo]

25. Uber and Grub Hub while you look for work?

[LakeArenal]

26. Hell yeah things will be better.

I lost my job in 2009 during Bush’s housing collapse. Circumstance made us lose up to 75% of our retirement.

My age and need for orthopedic surgery made it impossible to find a job.

Obama made things better but we never recovered.

Worry and hopelessness are never a solution.

Keep counting your blessings. Take one day at a time.

We are renters now in our retirement. Income very limited. But I bless that my spouse a I came through it. My surgery be fore ACA was killer money. But the blessing is surgeries were successful and I can walk upright without canes or crutches.

[Yavin4]

27. Yes. Things will get demonstrably better rather quickly.

First, you will get UE benefits extended right away. Second, handling of the virus will improve as Biden will listen to top scientists. We will have a workable vaccine in the first six months of next year and will probably be back to normal by Christmas 2021 at the very latest.

In 2022, we will be at full capacity. New small businesses will emerge and things will start getting better for everyone.

Then Republicans will complain about the deficit. The media will take their bullshit seriously and we will have to fight like hell to hang onto the House.

[JI7]

28. He will try to make things better. Having the Congress controlled by Democrats will help

[JI7]

29. What State are you in ?

[hamsterjill]

34. I'm in Texas.

And I don’t care what the polls say, this state is still red. Bunch of Trump idiots in charge and they have a lot of backers.

[JI7]

67. Being in Texas makes it more Difficult since the Republicans in office often deny

the state things which are available such as ACA .

[hamsterjill]

69. Yes. We have real winners in charge.

Like Dan Patrick who thinks people my age should die.

[cwydro]

30. I don't know how far you are from 62, but you can start getting SS at that age.

That’ll give you a cushion assuming you’ve had a good, steady working life.

Check out county jobs. I’ve been hired twice by the same county (different jobs in different years) for part-time jobs. A part-time job can give you a little extra to supplement the SS.

Unfortunately, I decided not to continue with the latest one when the pandemic hit because it was public facing. I’m lucky, and I don’t need to work, but I was still disappointed because I enjoyed it.

At any rate, check it out. My county is always hiring.

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. It's up to us to hold their feet to the fire

If you haven’t already, put your legislators on speed dial, and call them weekly after the election and let them know your priorities for the new administration.

Dream big, as, despite the multiple crises America faces, these crises present a once in a century opportunity for substantive change that benefits all Americans.

If Biden and the Dems act fast and aggressively to implement tangible improvements to the lives of all Americans (jobs, min wage, healthcare, voting rights) Dems could control the government for a generation.

Appointing an Independent Prosecutor to address the crimes of the Trump era would free Biden’s administration and congress to focus on substantive legislation that translates into tangible improvements in everyone’s lives.

[BGBD]

37. Well

The biggest difference will be that Biden actually will give a damn and have the will to address the problem.

All Trump is worried about is what would be in it for him.

[Blecht]

40. Of course things will get better

The mentally ill will no longer be in charge. They will be relegated to the sidelines where they will still be dangerous, but at least they won't be making policy.

We will have to be vigilant so they don't take control again.

[stillcool]

41. I don't think you can wait..

for Biden. January 20th is a long way off, but your state government should be able to help you stay afloat.

[H2O Man]

47. Good question.

While we all know that Biden is both a better human being and politician than Trump -- and will be a much better president -- we need to take a good, hard look at the USA today. And that includes, of course, our country's position in the world.

One obvious area where things may become more tense, and indeed intense, will be the behaviors of the alt-right. They will be convinced, in the face of overwhelming defeat, that the "deep state" stole the election. Their reactions to things such as wearing a mask in public will be increasingly unhinged. They will be looking for confrontations.

The economy will continue to be good for some, and bad for others. While President Biden will promote increased fairness, corporations and the opulently wealthy will continue the economic warfare against the shrinking middle class and the growing low-income segments of the population. Thus, it is essential we take back the Senate, although that alone will not resolve all the problems, or heal all the suffering.

The environment will continue to get worse, though hopefully at a slower pace in the US. On the positive side, President Biden recognizes that we are rapidly running out of time.

I said all that, to say this: it is really up to people -- including you and I -- to create the necessary change that we desperately need. We do not have the luxury of clinging to the delusion that any one president can save us -- though we are witnessing how one foul president can substantially increase the country's rate of decay.

All of that is remarkably difficult for those who are 60+ and unemployed. Yet with Biden in the White House, there will be a much better chance for us.

[shrike3]

48. There used to be a guy on DU, out of work seven years, hundreds upon hundreds of resume sent out.

He got a job. From the sounds of it, a good paying one. I don't see him around anymore, but I hope it's because his life got so busy he didn't have time anymore. He had really been ground down, but something finally came through. I don't know how he survived, frankly, but he did.

I've been around since the Bush administration, got locked out in 2016, finally decided to get a new account. Hence, I'm an old-timer despite my low post county.

[JanMichael]

53. I got locked out from the hack in 2016 too.

You can get your old ID back.

[shrike3]

54. My original ID was Shrike, so this one's not too different.

But maybe I'll contact the administrators and ask.

[shrike3]

55. I remember you, btw. Not so much what you posted, but your user name. n/t

[Rice4VP]

49. Yes!

It will finally silence the “silent majority” and everyone will just laugh at their nonsense. Plus, Trump will finally pay for something by losing BIGLY

I’m not really concerned about the policies. Biden and Kamala are smart people and a liberal judge can replace RBG

[beaglelover]

51. I'm hoping as part of his enhancements to the ACA, he'll change eligibility age for Medicare

to age 60. I'm 56 now and would love to retire at 60 and that will be a lot more feasible if I can enroll in Medicare at age 60.

[appalachiablue]

65. Lowering Medicare to 60 or 55 would be a great help.

That's what was supposed to happen after LBJ passed it, decade by decade.

[hamsterjill]

70. Agreed.

It would be something specific that would help my age group. Also an enhancement to SSI as an incentive for us “older” people to leave the workforce thereby leaving more jobs available for younger people raising families, etc.

[AngryOldDem]

52. I sincerely hope so.

But we need to flip the Senate. It is also a huge part of the problem. Even if we have both houses, it will take some time to fix all the damage that’s been done.

I am of the same age, and I’m more or less resigned that “retirement” as my folks knew it and some of my friends know it won’t be in the cards for me. All I want now is to not die under a dictatorship.

I hear you. And there are some days I’m scared beyond words. You’re not alone.

[CTyankee]

56. He really WILL have the "best people." Remember that. There is such a reservoir of talent in

our party right now that Joe will have a HUGE group of dedicated Dems to choose from and he will have only the finest, best and brightest ready to take over and set things right in this country!!!

Be of good cheer. Better days are coming!

[hamsterjill]

60. Thanks! I hope so.

I do think that one of Biden’s best qualities is his understanding to bow to an expert when an expert is needed. He understands that he must have a team.

[CTyankee]

61. Yes and the people will rejoice! What a wonderful feeling it will be just to breathe the fresh air

of truth and justice!

[Blue_true]

57. Things will get better. Just stopping the daily chaos and crafting policy that involves

inputs from experts in the field the policy covers will make things better.

[honest.abe]

58. I do believe if Biden is elected there will be renewed optimism in the future..

which should in turn affect the overall economy and boost hiring in all sectors. Also with a Democratic administration and if we control the Senate and the House there will be legislation that will help people in your situation.

Its still going to be difficult for all of us but I do see things getting better with Biden as POTUS.

Take care and hang in there.

[Generic Brad]

59. Absolutely

I was in a similar situation three years ago. Now I am working, healed, and happy. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow.

[hamsterjill]

62. Ah, Fleetwood Mac and Bill Clinton! LOL

May I ask how you got to the point where you are now?

[Generic Brad]

64. Sure

I was working for a large company for nearly two decades. I had accepted a promotion and moved 1,000 miles from home. I was there one week and the guy who promoted me left. After that it was a full year of my bosses pushing me to leave because they had promised my position to someone else. When I dug in,they tried gaslighting, sabotaging, accusing me of things that never happened. It was hell. Finally they simply severanced me and said leave, but only after I had to spend six months training my replacement.

I was devastated because I was too young for early retirement and too old to land a comparable position. I had no support, friends, or family outside of my wife. She had retired before we moved and didn’t have any prospects either. Those were dark times and we felt hopeless.

I decided to rebrand myself. Instead of being an executive in my field I decided to just shoot for a management position with a non profit. Luckily I landed a job in Tennessee with the caveat I get there within two weeks. We did it. We got an apartment, sold our house, and I started my new career one day before my health insurance expired.

The place I am now pays less, but the cost of living, no state income tax, and unbeatable benefits combined has us doing better than when I was an executive.Now I have less stress. I’m heavily involved in my new community. I have a support network I could not have imagined three years ago.

These setbacks are not always as bad as they feel at the time. I never would have envisioned myself in Tennessee or being happy again, but here I am. I was in the same mindset as you three years ago. Just know you are not alone and second acts can and do happen. Life changes and that sucks, but it does not necessarily have to suck for the rest of your life.

[hamsterjill]

68. That's awesome!!! Good for you.

Glad it all worked out. Gives me hope.

[Klaralven]

63. They might at least stop getting worse