US streets full of formerly middle class

to living in their car. We realize this and try to be very mindful of how we spend our money. We don't really have a savings, but our house is paid off and our taxes are the first thing that gets paid with our tax refund. I still say that people want there to be some reason for someone being homeless that isn't just about losing a job or not being able to pay the bills. It makes them feel safer where they are. But they aren't safer.... and deep down I think they realize that.

and living with a friend I've known for 35 years. At this stage in her life, my friend has OCD and anxiety disorders, and is routinely verbally abusive and corrosive. She also smokes, and I have to be very careful about her second-hand smoke, to which I am extremely allergic.

I have a meager amount of money from my retirement account, and stuff in storage I can sell to extend my viability. When all those resources are gone, I will be destitute.

I've applied for every job in this rural area in the fifth worst state in which to live, to no avail. I've applied for a job as a Family Service Worker, the same job I had when I was taking care of my mom, and felt sure I'd be a shoe-in. They haven't called me for an interview, even though I have the skills and experience to qualify. I have an inside source who told me yesterday they have 73 applicants to interview. I think I'd have grounds for a lawsuit if they don't interview me. But, who has the money for a lawyer?

My Kevorkian Option seems inevitable...

You mention your experience with care work... I don't know if you have contacted the red cross. But they teach accredited nursing aid courses... once hired the facility that hires will reimburse you for your tuition... Before your resources run out. Please look into this... I would look into the nursing homes close by... hopefully on a bus line... I think the accreditation process is a few weeks.. I hope this helps..

so that I can sell my stuff on eBay. I have to give my roomie $50 a month for the service, because we're in an extremely rural area. I can continue to use the internet, as long as I sell most of my art and teaching supplies.

While I appreciate your concern and your suggestions, I have checked with all of the local nursing homes and care providers. Our Independent Living non-profit was supposed to have me working by the middle of last month, but their HR person was abrupt and derisive the last time I called to find out why I am not yet working ("I TOLD you I won't be hiring anyone until we have a placement!".

I continue to do volunteer work: I teach art at the tiny public library closest to my roomie's home, and I will be doing craft programs at the nearest nursing home. I can do that as long as I can put gas in my car, and my car is still running (it's ten years old). (I MUST have creative outlets--as the clever and under-appreciated Abraham Maslow determined, it's as essential to me as food, water and shelter.)

I have said herein before that I will not go quietly into that dark night, but I strongly believe that this economic crisis has not yet wreaked its fullest havoc. I don't know how I'll survive after my tangible resources are exhausted.

I'm sorry that you're going through such hard times. Please remain hopeful, something is bound to turn up.

Virtual or otherwise!

I keep putting one foot in front of the other. I keep doing volunteer work, so that I am giving back to the Universe, even as poor as I am. I keep reminding myself that witnessing these historic events is a wondrous gift, perhaps fodder for my writing.

This economic downturn can't last forever. Sooner or later, things will pick up.

In the meantime, here are more hugs.

of education... Any teachers here can use some teaching supplies for one of your projects.... I'm hoping this is seen... Also I'm wondering if there are any nurses on line here that can hook you up with a activities director.... Anyone here have some
ideas on how to keep chervilant going...

I 'recycled' most of my teaching supplies to teachers in my Freecycle group. I still have the resources I need to teach higher level math, but I doubt that I'll get hired. Ageism is a real issue for us 50-somethings.

I do appreciate your helpfulness, and the concern I hear when I read your posts.

At the time I thought that it was an exaggeration, but it's not. If a regular paycheck is no longer there and the person ran out of unemployment benefits and their savings, how can they pay rent, bills and put food on the table?

Even more depressing is to know that this is happening in CA, a vastly Democratic state which also has a Democrat as governor.

much had to do with Reagan.. His belief in trickle down. has been so disastrous for our Country, I can imagine it's effect on the state of California...

the public... It's going to go fast now....

I apply for jobs whenever possible, and usually don't even get a reply of any kind. I worked for one company for 19 years and rose through the ranks from the sales floor to Human Resources at a corporate office. I left on good terms to care for our first baby for about a year. Applied for my old job at that point, was interviewed by the people that I had trained and was turned down. I have applied for multiple jobs at this same company and usually do not even get a call back (despite having worked there for 19 years).
I am not on the record as being unemployed, which I believe is probably more like 20%.

unemployment seem lower? My friend left her human resource job, said it was so stressful.... She now works for her children's school in the office as the attendance lady.... The benefits are wonderful... But that is a public school...

People are applying to posted job openings and they never hear anything at all. It seems that the longer a person is unemployed, the harder it is to find a job. Isn't it ironic? Employers apparently think that they have lost their skills. Therefore, it may help if you do volunteer work in some field that your are familiar with and that it may eventually turn into an offer of a full time job. For example, I have a friend who worked for Chase. A few years ago they transferred to Tampa, FL and after some time she was let go due to the bad economy. She kept busy by volunteering to some non profit that helped people to write resumes, sharpen work skills, etc. After about a year of doing that she was offered a full time job. She makes less money than at Chase, but she's happy to have a job. Have you tried volunteering? It may get you through the door and prove to a potential employer that you're keeping active and that your skills are still sharp.

Good luck!!!

but I can move in with my son and his wife if I have to.

I live in a mobile home park. I own my mobile home and only pay lot rent. But there is construction right behind me and they are building condos. I have heard a rumor that once that construction is complete that everyone in this mobile home park will have to move because they want to build more condos where we are.

I won't be able to move this trailer because it is a 1982 model and all other parks will not take anything that old. And the park will not pay us the full value of the mobile homes. I have heard that the most we would get would be $1,000. And there are some people with double and triple wides with additions such as closed in patios and garage enclosures. I have a closed-in garage attached to my home. So I will have to take whatever money they offer and walk away.

That is what happened to the people who lived in the mobile park behind me where the construction is. And they were only given 60 days to move, and they all just moved and left their trailers to be mowed down

Get creative. Maybe there is some way to fight the eminent domain. Maybe you can force them to pay a reasonable price to buy you out.

You need to see if their is an organization that meets the needs of the displaced.

Is there a way for you and the other mobile homeowners to hire an attorney? $1,000 is nothing, all of you should definitely get a lot more than that. Don't you guy wait to be victimized by the greedy bastards, fight back!!!

... and I think most of us know this. But most are afraid of the very idea of demanding fair treatment because we've been slaves for way too long. And yet that collapse is coming whether we want it or not, because too many lies have been sold to people as something real and tangible. The chickens are coming home to roost.

Here's the thing: You can't fix corruption. You can't fix cancer. You can't fix capitalism. All three of these things are simply different versions for saying the same thing. For centuries, they've used our ignorance and the prejudices we possess and that they've help to establish within their corrupt society, to keep us from joining together. They fear us joining together more than anything -- 7 billion against chump change.

- And if we don't figure out a way to stop fighting each other to join together to defeat these sick perverts, they'll win.......



K&R

[center][/center]

somewhere... I have to ask myself, how is this not suppose to collapse..

Without a middle class. Bet on it.

And here we are.

We need *real* Democrats, FDR Democrats, to prevent the right wing policies that inevitably lead to this.