I Believe I have lost Faith in Humanity & This Country......

[Corey_Baker08]

I am pretty sure that my parents both recently losing their jobs, my parents recieving an eviction notice because they couldnt pay their rent, we havent had hot water in going on 3 months now, and the overall financial hell my family is going thru and the grim outlook on the future is what is keeping my mind wondering what the hell is wrong with this country?

Its almost like I feel like giving up but I know im stronger than that, I am not one of those bitching about why the economy isnt fixed yet, I am one wondering why if there is a god that he would sit back and watch as my family loses everything they have ever worked for and why he would watch me torment and beat myself up just wishing there is something I could do to help the ones I LOVE!!!

It just almost seems amazing to me that in my 19 short years of life, after watching my parents work factory job after factory job, after watching them scrape to make end meet over the course of my life that now, now of all time, Under the presidency of a man I have the upmost respect and admiration for and campaigned so hard for, that now I as well as my parents who work their asses off all their lives are only 1 week and $400 away from being homeless. I do however want to make perfectly clear I AM NOT BLAMING OBAMA FOR THIS In fact him being our President is what gives me the little bit of faith in humanity that I do still Have!!!

Anyone else experiencing a situation like this? If so feel free to share, let me know im not the only one living in hell right now!

Thanks for letting me Vent, It really does help.

[eridani]

1. I'm seeing it around me

And if we don't get a decent health care reform package, I may be joining you.

[Corey_Baker08]

5. On a Positive note I was Approved for Medicaid today...

Which will hopefully cover the cost of my 4th ear surgery I am about to endure- but yes I absolutely agree we cannot afford to wait any longer for affordable, accessible, healthcare FOR EVERYONE!!!

I wish you the best....:hi:

[nannah]

90. if you are eligible for medicaid, you are also eligible for SSI income

unless you have substantial resources or income. do you have a hearing problem?

[Corey_Baker08]

91. Yep I am supposed to be preparing for my 4th Ear Surgery

But the hearing loss is not even half, nothing Ive ever considered significant yet I have lived with it my whole life. What would be my first step in applying for SSI?

[nannah]

94. in which state do you live?

also, what other issues affect your ability to work in most jobs?

[Corey_Baker08]

107. I live in Ohio now....a former resident of Indiana

I have actually held a steady job since the age of 14 when I began at a restaurant and since then have worked my way up the ladder actually becoming one of the youngest managers in the restaurants history. I have never considered myself unable to work nor will I ever.

Through the better part of 2008 I worked at a factory that was the main supplier of all of Obama's merchandise for the official website. After the election was won I was laid off from this position in January, since then I have went to every temporary service in my area just looking, hoping that I would be able to find a job, yet here I sit 6 months later unemployed and looking hard. In my part of Ohio we relied strongly on the automotive industry and the job loss associated with it has left my local economy crippled-I believe our county alone has a nearly 12% unemployment rate mind you my county is not that big.

[TexasObserver]

2. Recommend

[Corey_Baker08]

11. Thanks...

:hi: :hug:

[babylonsister]

3. Corey Baker, I remember you and your enthusiam during 2004, when

you were a kid.

Everyone who responds better remember that, and Corey, :hug:

And don't lose faith. Let's talk it through. OKAY?

[Corey_Baker08]

6. AWW Thank You....Yes I was just 14 years old when I joined DU...

and havent taken a break from it since then....

Thank-You once again and I hope everything is well for you :hug:

[leftstreet]

4. So you blame God rather than the economy?

:shrug:

[Corey_Baker08]

8. I know the Economy is the reason my parents lost their jobs....

and I also know the economy is why they are having a hell of a time finding new ones...yet I dont understand why if there is a god (and I am not really religous) why he would sit back and watch as my family gets denied for every assistance they apply for and not even give a sign that things will turn around!

I apologize if my rambling dont make sense but im just a little upset right now.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

43. It might not be the economy

When you were born, George Herbert Walker Bush was president.

That's what happened to America.

As for God, there are Seasons. You might have to look for His signs.




I'm sorry for your hopelessness and living situation.
I hope things work out for you, and your family.

[DUlover2909]

44. I'm not religious either, but I know what a Rabbi or Priest would say.

Look at the story of Job.

I hope things improve for your family soon. In the mean time, keep your chin up and try to find a way to learn from misfortune.

[surfinshell]

50. I use to look at Job as an inspiration

until I looked at it differently one day... God and the devil are speaking and the devil challenges God to strip his most faithful follower of his family and health just to prove a point? I always saw God as a sort of "parent"... but as a parent myself... I would NEVER put my child in that sort of position.

[Christa]

59. Not, not Job

Job lost all his children and gave gave him new kids?

How cold.

Don't use Job as an example, please. Anyone who has lot a child knows how horrific and how painful it is.

[DUlover2909]

64. I said that's what a Rabbi or Priest would say. Not me.

[surfinshell]

48. God doesn't pick sides

I always find it interesting how God is praised when things are going good and asked why oh why when things are going bad. I'm not religious either and it's because I learned that lesson long time ago. I am so sorry for what you are going through, this economy for me is no different today than it has been for the last 20 years. Trust me, I use to ask the same thing when I was your age, now I'm 42, still feel a connection with a higher power but I no longer wait for "Him" to help me... now I work with "Him", keep your eyes and ears open, it will get better!

[sledgehammer]

52. I think that you've answered your question

"yet I dont understand why if there is a god...why he would sit back and watch as my family gets denied for every assistance they apply for and not even give a sign that things will turn around!"

The answer is fairly obvious, at least IMO.

Look, it's not a bad thing to find strength wherever you can get it. But my personal advice to you (after having gone through some rough patches myself, though nothing remotely close to the situation you are facing) is to believe in yourself, your family, and your closest friends. And use your own personal efforts to get you through this.

Don't wait for an external power to intervene, and don't waste your time wondering why that intervention has not come. Hundreds of millions of people have suffered needlessly of war/starvation/disease waiting for intervention - it's human intervention that decides their fate.

Really sorry to hear about your situation. At 19 I was pretty excited about everything the world had to offer, and still consider myself very fortunate and somewhat optimistic. I really hope things turn around for you so that you can experience that.

[saltpoint]

83. Actually, you make a lot more sense than any number of

Republicans in the 111th Congress, CoreyBaker.

Quite a damn bit more, in fact.

[Fedja]

102. Everyone's religious in a foxhole

...or so they say. :) The point being, gods are appealing in a moment of personal desperation and lack of visible options.

The advice I have to offer isn't what you want to hear, but still... Sometimes tough love is better than blind love. When I'm down and out (or what I perceive as such), I tend to remember that things could be way worse. Now bear with me for a second, I'll come around full circle.

If the perception of life is limited to desires and a false sense of what's "normal" and "needed", many solid situations may seem as catastrophic. Lost jobs, lost houses, death in the family... Still, you can easily find people who have it far worse - and shockingly enough - seem happy.

At times like that, I remember my grandpa in Belgrade during the NATO bombing. He lived on a pension of 30 USD, and there were planes and Tomahawks blowing up buildings around him. Yet still, he smiled. When the power went out, he lit a candle. When the meat ran out, he cooked some hideous vegetable broth he aparently liked. Whenever we spoke on the phone, and later when I visited, he said they were doing great.

Were they? Probably not. Still, we all are indeed doing great compared to where they used to be. And therein lies my point, satisfaction with life is a matter of perspective. Furthermore, when perspective is focused so that you're no longer burdened by despair, it's much easier to make the most of the situation. Dig in, embrace the good moments in life, and you'll see it improving slowly. And besides, even if it doesn't really improve, you'll smile much more than you do today... and in the end, that's all you take to your grave. The total tally of smiles over a lifetime. :)

[Corey_Baker08]

104. What an inspiring moving post for me to read

Your personal stories and your outlook on life is what reminds me that we are Americans, we have been through rough times before, and with perserverance and a positive mental attitude, I too now believe that my family can weather this storm and come out stronger than before.

Thank-You

[DWilliamsamh]

46. Yeah don't blame God ....

- since there is an excellent chance it is a complete waste of time attributing anything to "god".

[DWilliamsamh]

47. Yeah don't waste your energy blaming God......

....since there is an excellent chance it is a complete waste of time.

[ClusterFreak]

84. That's all you take away from Corey's post?

None of the raw pain and emotion?

Talk about:shrug:

[vadawg]

7. well hopefully ive helped you with your sleeping problem

i guess all i can say is another method for getting through life is to remember it could be worse, you still have your parents etc etc etc, i know it dosent sound like much but when i was lost when younger i always remembered the words of my mother that there are people worse of than me, it kinda helps. good luck with everything especially the insomnia.

[Corey_Baker08]

9. Yep im takin your advice on the Insomnia For Sure....

I agree wholeheartedly that there will always be someone worse off then me out there, and also one piece of advice my mom told me was "To never use money as a weapon because someone will always get hurt"

Thank-You

:hug:

[vadawg]

14. best advice my mother ever gave me was

if my face was my fortune i would be lucky to pay taxes........ took me a long time to undertand that one, old git.

[emilyg]

10. I see it around me.

:hug:

[Corey_Baker08]

12. Best of luck to you...

Its not a fun situation to be in to say the least but I guess this is a test we must all pass and I believe in the end we will be better people for having gone thru it!!!

:hug:

[napoleon_in_rags]

13. Yeah, you're not alone at all.

I just had dinner with my ex-roomate, she's facing the big 40 without any kind of a high income job, any expectation at all of having the American dream. Its not that she's lazy at all, she does no drugs/alcohol/smoking, smart and works hard with her own business, just never got the break, stayed at the low income level. I struggle too. I have a college degree, I'm smart and non-addicted, but I am repulsed at the thought of the game, in many ways I don't want to be one of the money makers who's taxes pay for the torture machine to run. I look at how people are making loads of money: snuggling up to rich people and playing numbers games with interest to acquire wealth from workers without providing any real products or services. And I don't want to be one of them. Because I want to be something more than the guy who can live by the golf course because he is good at fooling people.

But I sure as hell don't want to be poor either, because that basically means to get my daily bread I have to be the guy who cleans the toilet of the guy who is good at fooling people. There is nothing particularly noble about that either.

Its a huge shit sandwich,a and one way or another we're all taking a bite. If you're not in rags with the hunger isn't gnawing at your body, then you're dressed in riches with it gnawing at your soul. There's no way around it for anybody in these times.

[Corey_Baker08]

16. I agree completely with your post...

It is not my dream to be a rich stuck up jerk, yet it is not my dream to be begging for change, however the real middle class in this country is slipping away, The middle class values I have always believed in is owning your own modest home, being able to provide the basic essentials for the ones you love, and yes maybe even having a savings account to fall back on in the event of hard times...but in this day and age, that dream seems almost impossible.

[surfinshell]

51. You probably aren't old enough

to remember the 80's Reagan years... bad unemployment and increase homelessness... this is the effects of "trickle down economics". The rich get richer and poor... well who the hell cares right?

The only reason we aren't homeless is because we have a saint for a landlord... we are about 8k in the hole to him... thankfully, he understands.

[Ignis]

101. Reaganomics was a mortal wound.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Laelth]

36. That was beautifully said, napoleon_in_rags. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[hfojvt]

54. speaking as a guy who cleans toilets

I am not sure that is the bottom. I make decent money doing it, and if I was doing it full time, then I would make even more. I actually have a decent job and own my own home. The work isn't really any worse than making satellite dishes or pudding snacks in my experience.

I don't think it's the "sh*t sandwich" you describe it. At least some people are doing okay.

[napoleon_in_rags]

66. No, I clean toilets now and again too.

And there are worse things in this world than my job. My point is just that we are all invested in this system, and its not necessarily a meritocracy. When you see some of the people who succeed, its hard to get motivated and say "I want to be like that". But my point is NOT being like that doesn't free you from the system at all, you just end up working for those people.

I honestly think its a problem with the American left. Before I was a Dem when I was younger, I was a Libertarian, much more right wing. I don't need to explain problems with that philosophy to a DUer, but I will say that it was EXTREMELY motivating, it got you up and working everyday, there was an almost naive optimism to it. To put it in politically neutral terms, the philosophy was marked by the belief that capitalism was a meritocracy, so in striving you were doing both the profitable AND the moral thing.

But then you take the red pill, you see nasty drug dealers making a killing on the free market, and that destroys the optimism, wakes you up to what the left is saying. But that motivating optimism is GONE.

As far as moving the party forward in a positive way, as the Obama movement is supposed to be about, I think we HAVE to get beyond the demotivational depressed mindset so many of us exist in. We seriously all walk around with the weight of the world on our shoulders, and it renders us less effective. We need to be thinking about moral frameworks for financial success, or something.

Sorry a quick response turned into thinking out loud at you, but that post made me think...

[Betsy Ross]

68. Thank. Got some insight into the mindset of

the Right/Libertarians. Good to know.

[napoleon_in_rags]

72. Yeah, its good stuff to remember.

I honestly don't think there is a lot of evil in the world, for the most part people want to do the right thing.

[indimuse]

74. hmmmmm..

well said. ;)

[sledgehammer]

117. IMO, you're way off

There are a hell of a lot of people who make a decent living and don't have to "snuggle up to rich people."

Every company/organization has got all sorts of positions. Yes, you have a top brass and some ass-lickers. But there are lots of honest, hard-working, straightforward people. They don't make millions, but do make enough to get by, and then maybe some. We're talking about the staff accountant, the business analyst, the facilities manager, the shift supervisor, the nurse, the teacher, etc. etc. etc. The workplace is not the black and white scenario that you paint it to be.

Yes, these are tough times and many are suffering, and many have lost their livelihoods. And some people have had it rough for much longer. But tens of millions of Americans are making an honest living, and they are not "dressed in riches" and nothing is gnawing at their souls but your cynicism!

You can live in your cynicism, but I choose not to ding those who have tasted success through honesty and modesty. Life is not fair, and not everyone will get the same opportunities. But for those who have worked hard and honestly, and who have been successful (and possibly even fortunate), they deserve better than cynicism and degradation.

But I guess according to you, all they are doing is supporting the torture machine because they make enough to pay taxes! Classy way to view gainful employment.

[ZombieHorde]

15. "I am one wondering why if there is a god that he would sit back and watch"

Reasonable question, the answer is probably the obvious one.

"In fact him being our President is what gives me the little bit of faith in humanity that I do still Have!!!"

I can relate to this feeling. I am surprised that the country which voted for Bush's second term is the same which voted for President Obama.

[Corey_Baker08]

18. I Absolutely Agree With You....

:hi:

[FlyingSquirrel]

17. Good luck, friend......

And if you really believe in God, (I'm not sure at this time if I do myself), I'll pass on something to you that someone sent to me in time of distress:

Sometimes God breaks our spirit to save our soul
Sometimes our heart to make us whole
Sometimes He allows pain so we can be stronger
Sometimes sends us failure so we can be humble
Sometimes He allows illness so we can take care of ourselves
Sometimes takes everything away so we can learn value of all given to us
Plan your life; Plan ahead but understand we only live by God's Grace
& the Will of God won't take you where the Grace of God won't protect you

Faith is definitely a difficult thing to maintain in times of distress, especially for a former atheist like myself who is still struggling with the concept. I remember at one point asking, "Why me, God?" and the answer that immediately jumped into my head was "Why NOT you?" Difficult one to answer in reality, because the fact of the matter is that I've done plenty to deserve misfortune, and many who have been hit with misfortune have probably done nothing to deserve it - how do I know? Anyway all I have to do is read the paper or look around me to see others who are worse off than I am and would gladly trade places with me. Hope this does not sound insensitive, I really care about your situation and will pray for you. Hope someone is up there listening when I do.

[Corey_Baker08]

19. Faith is one of the hardest thing to hang onto right now...

And no absolutely not did I think your being insensitive, in fact i agree 100% that there will always be someone out there worse off then me, and there will always be bumps in the road no matter what direction you take, and I also believe that its not the road you travel, but the choices you make along the way!!!

I do appreciate The saying someone sent you in distress, it rings true, and the fact that your pretty much paying it forward by sending it to me shows me that you have a big heart!!

Thank you very much and I wish you and yours the best!!

[Chemisse]

24. Many people believe that things happen for a reason

Recently my niece had a miscarriage - a sad event for her and her family. Her Dad - who she hadn't seen in perhaps 8 months because she lived an hour away and has a busy life - came to visit and help her out during the hard time. A week later he had a massive heart attack and died. If she had not had the miscarriage, she would not have had that time with him before he died and she would've had gnawing guilt for the rest of her life.

Perhaps 10 years from now you can look back on this really tough time and see that it all worked out in a good way.

[Jakes Progress]

62. I'm not the most religious person around

but don't let those who keep using your situation as "proof" of nothingness keep you from any kind of belief you want. Some will bend any situation just to get a shot in at their favorite rant. (I often wonder why those who don't believe find it more needful to proselytize than those who do.)


I find it easier to blame the devils (bush, cheney, corporations) than I do god for this crap.

I'm glad you still have both your parents and that you look to a better future. There is no guarantee, but there is hope.

[sandnsea]

20. Sorry for your troubles

I know it's hard to believe, but everything will be okay. I don't follow any of those platitudes about everything happening for a reason, etc etc. But having gone through some tough times, including homelessness, it all works out eventually. Keeping your dignity when everyone around you expects you to hang your head in shame, that's the trick. And helping your parents keep theirs, reminding them of how much they have done for you. The love, the appreciation, that really is what's important.

Matthew 5
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
45
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
46
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors 28 do the same?
47
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 29
48
So be perfect, 30 just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

[lindisfarne]

21. Corey,

I remembered seeing a post from you from the end of last year (a while after you wrote it). When I read that I thought you might qualify for a Pell grant. In a way, if your family has a very low income, the worst thing you can do is save money for college, because they then reduce any grant you might qualify for and make you use some of your savings.

Did you ever apply for financial aid at a community or technical college? You should qualify for a Pell grant, given what you've said.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/36318.html

If you do qualify, that could cover most, if not all, of your tuition, based on:
http://www.ivytech.edu/indianapolis/why-ivy-tech/affordable.html
(it looks like you're in Indiana so I just picked one of the community colleges off of google - look at one that's close to you).

If you haven't, just look into it. If you're working, maybe you can go part-time, or just keep this in the back of your head. Or, you can decide it's not for you (but you sound like you would do well!)

You can call the Financial Aid office and they can tell you what to do. You will need to fill out a form called the FAFSA (it's free), and if your parents have lost their jobs, tell the Financial Aid office that. That's important because your financial situation has changed since 2008, and usually, they look at the most recent year's tax forms (2008) to establish family income. Based on what you tell them, they then establish your "need" for financial aid - whether you qualify for Pell grant, any state grants your state might have, and so on.

Sometimes Financial Aid offices can be a bit intimidating, or even not as helpful as they could be (they forget that young adults really don't know the questions to ask and they're not good about making sure you get the information that could help you). But try to be friendly & pro-active.

(If you get the Pell Grant, the following may not even be necessary but I'll say it: Be cautious about taking out loans, esp. ones that are not subsidized by the government (many financial advisors strongly advise against unsubsidized loans, for the most part). The best subsidized loans to get are called Direct Loans which come straight from the government.)
=========
I think the last sentence in the first link is incorrect; see this site which is the official gov. site:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm
The 2009-2010 School Year (July 1st, 2009 - June 30th, 2010):
FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30,2010.

[nannah]

93. if your ear issues made school difficult in the past,

that could be different now; if you have a sensory deficit you are likely eligible to get accommodations to facilitate your education in the college and community college system. you may find a scholarship that could fit your needs.

[pamela]

22. Corey, check out this website. They may be able to help.

http://www.modestneeds.org/

More about Modest Needs

Founded in 2002, Modest Needs is an award-winning public charity with a simple but critical mission: we work to stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for the low-income workers whom conventional philanthropy has forgotten.

We do this by empowering compassionate members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses that we've all encountered before: the unexpected car repair, the unanticipated visit to the doctor, or the unusually large heating bill, for example.

Since 2002, by working together in this very 'modest' way, Modest Needs' donors have stopped 7345 low-income individuals and families from entering the vicious cycle of poverty and a lifetime of dependence on the public welfare system for their survival.

And, through our unique Non-Profit Grant program, we simultaneously empower our donors to invest directly in small non-profit organizations struggling to serve their communities, but whose needs are generally too small to be considered a funding priority by larger, more conventional grant-makers.

Discover your power to instantly change a life. Please join your friends and neighbors in supporting Modest Needs.

Because Modest Needs has earned the highest possible charity ratings from both Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, you can give with confidence, knowing that we won't abuse your kindness.

But more importantly, together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.

[Corey_Baker08]

30. I Submitted an App for Modest Needs Today!!!!

Thank-You so much for this site and lets hope for the best!!!

[pamela]

70. That's great. Let me know what happens, please.

I've been looking into this organization and was planning to donate when I get caught up on a few recent expenses. If you get picked, it looks like they assign you an ID number. Let me know your ID number if you get it, ok?

[Corey_Baker08]

73. I absolutely will....

Thank-you for your big heart and charitable ways...

[Chemisse]

23. Hang in there Corey

Don't let this topple you. Keep hoping and keep trying. 'This too shall pass.'

[Corey_Baker08]

113. Yes I believe it will pass too, and me and my family stronger for it!

Thank-you

:hi:

[shadowknows69]

25. Welcome to the club. Not that it helps any to be in it, but welcome anyway.

[TheUnspeakable]

26. Corey-I remember you from '04

You were so young and so enthusiastic-I'm a lot older, but I was just as hopeful as you were-that's
all gone now-I find myself losing my faith, too. I feel like the bad guys have won-forever. Just what you needed to hear, huh?

I wish only the best to you and your parents- and somehow you all will survive and things will probably get better. :hug:

[ipaint]

27. Your not alone

Keep educating yourself. Your not alone and your parents are not to blame. The system is set up so this type of transfer of wealth from the bottom to the top is a fairly regular occurrence. The working class gets hit the hardest every time because they have the least and cannot afford for it to be stolen over and over again. It's a recession for the middle class but a depression for the working class and there isn't much help. Suck it up is basically what all the advice comes down to.

As a non-believer I prefer to put the blame exactly where it belongs- on the greedy hoarders at the top of the ladder and their gatekeepers in the middle and upper middle classes.

I wish your parents luck in navigating the results of this latest massive scam.

[Raster]

28. Your words speak truth.

[Corey_Baker08]

29. Thank-You To Everyone Who Has Responded...

I woke up today knowing that it is up to me to make my tomorrows better than my yesterdays, because of you I know that I am not alone in this battle, and I know that there are a heck of a lot of people out their that is in a worse position than I am!

Also I did submit an application through Modest Needs please hope for the best!!!

[ProgressiveFool]

31. gotta get my glasses checked... read that as "Hannity"

Thought I was in for a good satire thread.

[Corey_Baker08]

32. LOL Nope Never No Faith In Hannity

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. It is not god, it is the system

things don't last forever and yes, as hard as it might seem things will get better for you and your parents.

It will take time.

As to humans and loosing faith in humanity... I did a long time ago... but for other reasons.

Hang in there... things cannot go completely to hell and a hand basket or societies face things like oh heads rolling...

[SidneyCarton]

34. I'm sorry.

I know it's no consolation, but what you're feeling is par for the course for our generation (I'm 26) unemployment among Millennials is significantly higher than the national average. I'm facing the possiblity of layoffs (I work for the Univ. of Calif.) my Father has decided to take an early retirement after facing being laid off for the 3rd time in 2 years. Times are very bad, and probably worse for you in Ohio than for many of us, because they are essentially pounding the economic rubble there. Try and hang in there, and take care of yourself. We will get through this. Things may never be the same, but we will survive.

[Corey_Baker08]

35. I Absolutely Agree "We Will Survive"

[Juche]

55. I'm unemployed too

Turned 30 a few days ago and live with family. I graduated college in spring 2007 and had a job that lasted 14 months, but they laid me off last month (most jobs lost in this recession are in construction and manufacturing, and I worked in quality control in a manufacturing plant). In some ways it sucks but in others it is a good excuse to try a new town and a new job. However being unemployed when people are losing half a million jobs a month is unnverving, especially considering it took me a year of searching to find my last job.

For me I have had to really up my efforts to stay mentally healthy. I am prone to depression, and when I face alot of upheavals I can easily slide into a miserable mental state. So I am trying to stay on top of it by eating healthier, making sure I meditate every day, get back into exercising, take my vitamins and supplements every day, and everything else I do to keep my mind resilient and focused on the positive. When I do that I think I will be fine, but when I start backsliding it can be hard.

Which campus are you working for?

On another note here is a reason to be hopeful about the future. As the elderly conservatives die off, they are replaced by socially and economically liberal people, which will change politics.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/10/opinion/oe-winograd-hais10

Only 41% of all millennials were eligible to vote in 2008, yet their overwhelming support for Obama transformed his win from what would have been a squeaker into a solid victory. Obama's popular-vote margin over John McCain was about 9.5 million nationally; millennials accounted for nearly 7.6 million of those votes.

In the 2010 off-year election, half of millennials will be eligible to vote, representing about a fifth of the overall electorate. By 2012, 60% will be eligible to vote, and they could make up about a quarter of the American electorate when Obama runs for reelection. By 2020, when virtually all millennials will be over 18, they will represent 36% of the electorate and will completely dominate elections and the political agenda of America.

And it seems likely that this civic generation, like its "Greatest Generation" great-grandparents, will vote in big numbers. Turnout among voters under 30 has been rising steadily since millennials began to replace the alienated and more cynical Gen-Xers in this age group. From a low of 37% in 1996, turnout increased to 53% of all eligible millennials, and 59% in the key battleground states in 2008.

[SidneyCarton]

79. I work at UC Riverside.

I'm a purchasing clerk in the Library. I buy the new books for the collection every year, and do a lot of record maintenance.

[Juche]

82. Ah

My brother is in grad school at UCSD and I was just there a couple of weeks ago.

[Vidar]

37. I still have hope for Latin America, Europe & Canada.

[mzmolly]

38. Corey

you have put a human face on the dilemma so many face. I felt much like you do now, after Reagan left office. Bill Clinton changed things in a relative hurry, and I believe Obama can too.

I'll be thinking of you and your family...

[Corey_Baker08]

39. Thank-You Soo Much

Those are kind words...

[Fire1]

49. Amen msmolly! I remember oh so well! It will get better and

for many who've hit rock bottom there's only one way to go and that's UP!!

[Mari333]

40. I know it hurts to watch your parents now but one thing they still have

is a wonderful son.
and thats the most important thing to a parent.
:hug:

[bobbolink]

41. I lost faith back when it was only us poor folk who were suffering.

We're still invisible.

Where were you then?

[Corey_Baker08]

42. When?

[StrongBad]

57. Are you for real?

Seriously, are you?

[bobbolink]

76. Just as real as a "strongly bad"

Go look down on someone else.

[Flying Dream Blues]

98. I really don't think so. nt

[Evoman]

65. Dude, the kid is 19 and his family sounds low income.

i.e. he is poor folk.

[bobbolink]

75. Try again, DUDE.

Thank goddess I'm not a DUDE!!!!!

[proteus_lives]

67. Ok, you want a pissing contest.

Which one is more oppressed?? Taking all bets! :rofl:

[Raskolnik]

77. You certainly do speak for all the downtrodden, don't you?

How's it feel to have the market completely cornered on that?

[saltpoint]

81. If you're that bitter, you're no help.

The OP appears to be clear-headed and genuine.

Your response was crap.

[twop]

85. I don't believe you

I want to see proof that you're really a poor person. Posting it constantly on a message board doesn't go a long way in terms of credibility.

[lindisfarne]

95. Welcome. You may not find this board your thing.n/t

[DWilliamsamh]

45. While I can't say I am going through the same thing......

I have been in your position a couple times when I was in my early 20's and and mid 30's. It is DEVASTATING. The good news is an attitude like yours really WILL make a difference in your ability to get through this. Just remember: there are no jobs below you. There is no honest work that is shameful. Oh, and don't accept any crap from anyone for signing up for any assistance that you qualify for. That is why it is there. I only wish that we as a nation made it more comprehensive. Just keep doing what you have to do to get yourself and help get your family through these tough times.

Good on you.

[surfinshell]

53. As horrible as the economy is

it pales in comparisson to possibly losing a family member to an accident or heaven forbid my son to a child abduction. You can recover from this, what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger, keep perspective.

[zeemike]

56. The financial and social systems use us and abuse us

because we let them.
And we let them because we are not united, and depend on a very good system of government...the Constitution, to provide for the common good like it should. And that government is corrupted by the same ones that take advantage of the regular people..(those not in the elite class)
They own government and spend a lot of time and money on maintain that ownership.

But the ultimate power and the source of there wealth lies with us...the non elite.

[Corey_Baker08]

63. I agree the non elite is the foundation of this country!

[zeemike]

69. Perhaps they should be called Un Elite n/t

[Christa]

58. K & R nt

[MissDeeds]

60. I have not lost faith in humanity

But I am losing faith in the humanity in this country. First, let me say I am so very sorry for all that your parents have had to endure. It is unconscionable that our people are subjected to this kind of pure hell. Do we no longer protect our own? It is abhorrent that we have millions (billions?) to bail out the "corporate elite" who are feeding off the adversity of others, yet nothing to help hard working folks like your parents. I am increasingly ashamed of this country and its pathetic, convoluted set of priorities.

You have every right to vent, and to shout your concerns to the rooftops. I sincerely wish I could offer hope and encouragement, but until the people demand change, it will not come, and good folks will suffer. Stay strong. Be vocal. And speak out for the government that embodies our ideals.

[cheapdate]

61. Hang in there Baker,

we'll be wishing the best for you and your family.

[Corey_Baker08]

112. Thanks and Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Grinchie]

71. The Pwers that be depend on a populace in fear, weakened, and without confidence

Many people are learning that all the possessions, property, and doodads that they thought were so important are meaningful only to themselves. That $70,000 Kitchen upgrade is something that was sold to them, and now they have to face the grim reality of debt, and the reality of being Wage Slaves to the lienholder.

Furthermore, people are trained to be one thing. Fireman, Secretry, Dog Catcher, Scientist. Our educational system churns out specialist that have no clue about providing for themselves. My mom once said "Give me three stones and I'll be able to make a home". She proved it on many occasions, and no matter what shortages we had, we always ate well, and enjoyed the love of life. Money is not everything, and what it taught me is that the real wealth is in coping with life on a day to day basis, and being able to identify the things that help us vs the things that harm us. It's a lot like being able to identify an Asset or Liability.

The Coroporations have taught us to beive that cars are an Asset, when they are really a big liability. The same goes for Housing that is overpriced.

The Government manipulates us daily, but we are not trained to perceive it. They have Computer models that can predict what people will do with fair accuracy. The trick these days is to identify the manipulations as they occur, and develop your own model. Mine says that we haven't seen the worst of it yet, and the lever's the government has are already bumping against the stops, but the fraud is too far gone.

Feeling like you do is normal. There are many victims of the mass plague infecting the social masses, but they are just a part of the mob. They are already too far gone to help. Focus on your mental hygiene and work to better yourself through knowledge and valuable skills. Hard times are coming. Panic resistant personalities will be in high demand.

[Corey_Baker08]

111. Amen To That n/t

[Hutzpa]

78. This is the story that is unfolding

across America, people losing everything they have worked for throughout
their lives.

This is the sad story of America today.


Hang in there and keep Hope Alive.



:thumbsup:

[scheming daemons]

80. No hot water? Contact your local gas company...they have programs to help

And also... how are you connecting to the internet? if it is with high-speed internet, give that up so you can pay for hot water.

I mean... With whatever money you have, you have to set priorities.

Having hot water, to me, is more important than having internet access.



Other than that ... best of luck, sincerely.

[midnight]

I'm recommending this and hoping that this story will be what will

stop AIG bailouts and start a jobs bailout. Thank you for your courage and sharing this with us.

[earcandle]

86. Put energy into thinking about how you can serve others, for cash.

[earcandle]

87. Put energy into thinking about how you can serve others, for cash.

(this post was not numbered so I am posting it again)	
	

I know you are young, and your parents are probably tired and
overwrought, but
if you can think about being resourceful for others, for
money then maybe the three
of you can pull through this.  Forget about God, he is not
looking at anyone, but the repugs
while they fuck you over.

Be an independent American spirit. Find the American way.

Take a look at this Integrity Tone Scale, which can help all
of you a lot, just in attitude.
This was developed for Entrepreneurs to have the balls to
make a lot of money. It has its cost
in letting go of ego, and its benefits in developing services
(no cost) that help you climb the
ladder beyond normal to abundance and power source.

http://www.noodlebrain.com/nbpits.swf  (you need the
adobe,com flashplayer downloaded to view)

There are a few other parts of the educational site that
might help to inspire you to work for yourself.

Services are easy.  Walk dogs, wash cars, sweep sidewalks,
wash windows, clean houses, install
software, babysit, drop by retail stores or law offices, or
anywhere people are busy, and offer to go 
on errands for the staff for a percentage.

Find out what others need and want and offer that service. 
Be innovative. Think of something
and then try it out.  Most important, have faith in YOURSELF,
and KEEP YOUR WORD.

Let me know how it goes!  Good luck.

( I have had no family or back up for a while and got myself
an education and have been in business now for
25 years.  It is up and down.  I am surviving and keeping my
apartment and eating, but in this
economy, just expect to make it, and if you make more, be
grateful. )

[Corey_Baker08]

88. Sounds like good, sound advice....

from what appears to be a self serving independent individual, thank-you for this!

[earcandle]

115. You are welcome.

You gotta serve yourself. 

The way to serve yourself is to serve others.
The ability to deal with ambiguity is a sign of mental health.
We are all entwined. What separates us is concepts, opinions
and points of view.
but, bottom line is that service keeps us active.
The concept is stated well in an old zen koan:

when I don't know who I am, I serve you.
when I know who I am, I am you.

posting here is one way to serve.
thanks for posting.

Good luck.

[bertman]

89. I'm very sorry for the hardships and heartache you and your family are experiencing, Corey.

I admire your maturity in assessing this situation and trying to improve it through your own efforts. Your parents have raised you well.

Trying to figure out how all of this went wrong--the economy tanking, the political reactions, the failure to help out the Americans who need it most--will eat you up if you let it.

Instead, I suggest you try to be the best person you can be. You seem to have a good sense of yourself and what's right. Don't lose that. No matter what happens, try to always respect others until they show you that they do not deserve that respect. The golden rule goes a long way even in dire circumstances.

You have a good way with words. Use that to work for the political solutions that you feel are needed. You're at the right place to find out the options that are available to Democrats. So become an advocate for your parents and people like them and other families like your own. Write to your congressional representatives at the federal and state level, your governor, our President. Say to them what you have said to us. It is a powerful message that others need to hear.

I wish you well, Corey. Keep us posted, please.

[Corey_Baker08]

116. Thank-You

[upi402]

92. When Repubs took over the Dem party under Clinton

I felt the same way. It comes and goes for me.

Obama is no real Democrats, what with the "former" Republicans and corporatists appointed in the Executive Branch, but light years better than McCain/Palin.
Can you imagine? The game would all be over quicker under those loons, that's one thing. The curtain would be pulled and Oz would be seen pulling the levers with McCain/Palin.

[jotsy]

96. Every where you look, you find situations like this.

And it's absolutely not right. For good people like your parents, (who clearly have raised such an exemplary young person, and will feel success just because of how well they've done at that.) suffer the indignity of trying times, while brain dead tarts who never left the sorority house like Bailin Sarah Palin get multi million dollar book deals makes my stomach turn!

What I really want to say is lose your patience, lose your temper, but we all have to hang on to what faith we've got cuz the worst may not be over. Hang tough and in the meantime, a couple of tools to fight the pervasive machine of corporatocracy: be vocal and buy local.

[Lorien]

97. I'm unemployed too and hanging on by my fingernails

I know a family that has only two fully employed members now. The parents are both unemployed. There are five boys-three are full time students and two work-one in a Burger King and the other at a pool installation company. The parents are three months away from homelessness.

Another family I know only has one member fully employed. Dad and the two adult sons lost their jobs at Pfizer a few months ago. Mom had her hours cut in half, as did their daughter. Now only the daughter's husband remains fully employed, and there are whispers about layoffs where he works.

I feel as you do; this country and humanity seem so cold and uncaring to me now. 30 years after Reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine and GOP group think is now the norm-even among Democrats! The 1970s were hard too, but at least back then many people cared enough about one another to want to make the country better for EVERYONE.

Hang in there. I wish I could tell you something that would help you regain your faith, but I can't think of much right now.

[Joszef Pelikan]

99. You are not alone.

I can not compare my situation to yours, but many of us are feeling the hurt. I am 50k in the hole from student loans, a postgraduate degree, and no job for over a year. On the bright side I quit smoking when it became a luxury I could no longer afford.

[Rex]

100. I'm so sorry you have to spend the young years of your life like this

:hug: I apologize for our moron elders. They cannot act like grownups and make decisions that they know will hurt the working class. All for money they don't need since they already have zillions. I lost my house last year and without family, would be living in my car right now so I feel for you and yours. The economy is destroying millions and the rich won't care or do anything about it. Not as long as money flows into their coffers, we will be getting screwed over each and every day.

Fortunately I have a good, though not good paying, job that keeps me from becoming depressed. Just do what you can to help out, I do. Even if that means just a hug.

[slackmaster]

103. I thought you had lost faith in Sean Hannity

Never mind.

[Corey_Baker08]

106. LOL Someone else Posted the same thing earlier in the day....

From just a glance humanity does look like hannity, yet I dont know to many sane people who ever had humanity in hannity!

Thank-You for replying though

:hi:

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

105. Best wishes for you and your family

[Corey_Baker08]

108. Right Back At Ya....

I know I am not the only one going through this, infact I am sure several members that have replied to this thread also share similar stories, and for them, perfect strangers to come on here and talk me through my hard time I have the upmost respect for.

:hi:

Thank-You

[Stand and Fight]

109. Accidentally pressed the 'unrecommend' button...

Sorry about that.

Best wishes for you and yours. It's rough, but keep your head up. I believe there's a lot of credence in the old adage, "Where there's a will, there's a way."

[Corey_Baker08]

110. I also believe in that saying and Thank-you for your advice!!!

[mp9200]

114. Who isn't these days

We're just starting to recover from the shit Dumbya caused over the past 8 years