So now, I go home. A rant on health care, employers, and America

[The Straight Story]

A year ago in May I left Ohio for CA. I left a career I had and my house, as well as my car and all that I knew.

I did all that for my wife (and to be honest, partially for me and what I was going through). We came here to CA to be near her family who was supposed to help us out as my wife was getting worse.

They haven't helped much (spent more time bitching at her for being ill) and my job wrote me up for missing a few days when she was sent to the hospital (et al, see previous threads).

The care she has gotten here has been shit - a nurse in the hospital telling her they could not do jack for her because she has Parkinson's. Yeah, we know.

Having my daughter call me in the morning at work and telling me that mommy won't wake up - and being faced with going home to take care of her or keeping my job and meager income.

My daughter wins. Every damned time. So now I go back home to Ohio, to live in my dad's basement where the wife and I started out 10 years ago.

WTF happened to this country and employers here? I have worked since before I was 18, busted ass at every job I have ever had and excelled (been promoted many times at jobs because I work my ass off), watched as old companies I have worked for have been bailed out via tax dollars, and when us 'little people' have a crisis (not of our making) we get shunned.

The company I am with now whines about cuts in medicare and how it will affect their bottom line, and beg for relief. When I do the same I am met with 'so sorry, it is company policy not to have any mercy'.

They, and other companies, beg for relief but don't give their own employees the same.

In a few weeks I will pack up a truck and drive home, and my wife will see the south west one last time.

She is still smart as a whip, still able to talk (and to those who have called her, thank you, she needs to talk at times), but her body is kicking her ass. And now she feels guilt on top of it all because I put in notice at work today.

Health care in America sucks. Period. These big (and sometimes small) companies in the US who spend a ton on influencing politicians to help them suck as well - because the very thing they plead for they don't give.

Sorry - just had one messed up day and needed to vent.

[uppityperson]

1. Damn, best wishes to you all, do what you have to do and you are right.

However, nothing wrong with going home. We have families and it is ok to use them to take care of your family. Health care sucks, insurance sucks, politicians suck.

I hope things work out for you back home. Yes, it is difficult to go home, but it is ok to do that. Recent generations are the first to actually NOT have to continue to live in the place you grew up, and we will be returning more and more of us to that as time goes on. That said, it still is hard and I wish you all the best.

[PDJane]

2. and you're allowed to vent.

You have reason to need to vent.

I don't think I can even go down there anymore; the last time I tried I was given a hassle and a half before I ever got on the plane. Now? I don't know. I have a habit of speaking my mind....and signing petitions. I don't think it's safe.

On the other hand, do I want to go where there is no healthcare, where employees are treated as disposable, and where the minimum wage is so far below living standards as to be pathetic?

Hm. Maybe not.

[hedgehog]

3. This is why we need health care reform, not just guaranteed health insurance.

People in your situation are falling through the cracks. How many bombers would we have to give up buying to be able to afford home health aids for people who need them?

[antigop]

4. Best wishes to you. I really hate what this country has become.

I hate how people are treated.

NO ONE should have to go through what you are going through and have been through.

NO ONE.