General Discussion

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)

44. Seriously.

Wed Apr 23, 2014, 12:27 PM

Apr 2014

Congress simply isn't going to fix the labor market. Nobody's holding them to it, no massive public works, no jobs programs, trimming unemployment, you name it.

There are jobs out there, but since the job market/environment isn't being supported in any way, you're going to have to adapt. That means taking ANY job that you can perform. That means public defender's office, law enforcement, tap any and all skills you have.

The safety net just ain't there anymore. The final safety net is your own flexibility. Even if it means starting over in your 50's.

The problem (unemployment) ain't going away. There are still some things that can help, but the only thing with any power to help your situation now, is you.

But thank you for sharing all of that. Your story, and millions more like it, SHOULD be the motivation we need to politically re-build those safety nets. I don't know why it's not happening, but thank you for sharing, one more voice showing WHY we need such safety nets.

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My story can be found on page 137 of 'How to Destroy the Middle Class' playbook .... [View all] ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 OP

I am so very sorry about your situation. KatyaR Apr 2014 #1

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #2

We have a lot in common. xfundy Apr 2014 #3

I'm so very sorry! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #6

if this is an option do it and sounds like docs are willing to sign -my cousin was sick lunasun Apr 2014 #30

Don't mull it! abakan Jun 2014 #104

I have a "dumb" question.. sendero Apr 2014 #17

The short answer is 'no'. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #18

How could it be impossible..... sendero Apr 2014 #20

Its hard to fight my mother got it and she's the mackerel Apr 2014 #29

hospitals aren't the only place... Agony Apr 2014 #36

Fair enough... sendero Apr 2014 #68

I had surgery in 2007 to prevent a repeat of a bad diverticulitis attack happening a second time and CTyankee Apr 2014 #66

Try applying for Social Security. mackerel Apr 2014 #4

Good advice. And I've also heard that most people are denied the first time, pnwmom Apr 2014 #5

90% are denied on their first application. mackerel Apr 2014 #28

yes, try again lululu Jun 2014 #105

Jinx! *grin* ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #8

Yes, this is true. The unions have won this battle quietly. Many people in pain from work or illness freshwest Apr 2014 #15

When you stop and think about it passiveporcupine Apr 2014 #57

Yes, it was... And it's why the media and the GOP went bonkers. They want us to fail. n/t freshwest Apr 2014 #71

My husband applied when he was 58 and was approved within six weeks without the assistance of an SammyWinstonJack Apr 2014 #16

It's too bad that the people who really need to read this probably never will -- pnwmom Apr 2014 #7

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #9

Some people can't even blame a health crisis Warpy Apr 2014 #10

From your keyboard to America's ears! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #11

I am appalled by what has happened to you. The is a modern day version of "The Grapes of Wrath". kairos12 Apr 2014 #12

I am so sorry all this happened to you. MadrasT Apr 2014 #13

Kicked pnwmom Apr 2014 #14

All The Best To You - Good Luck Moving Forward cantbeserious Apr 2014 #19

Jesus, I cannot believe the misfortune ballyhoo Apr 2014 #21

I'm so sorry this happened to you... blue14u Apr 2014 #22

I am speechless. LiberalEsto Apr 2014 #23

You were treated like dirt by your former employer. I wish you would name this company totodeinhere Apr 2014 #24

I am so sorry. I agree with Mackerel, try social security disability and much good luck LoisB Apr 2014 #25

I'm sorry, Coles. I've been laid pretty low myself from time to time. toby jo Apr 2014 #26

As I read your story (and we're about the same age), I couldn't help thinking... Sancho Apr 2014 #27

@ColesCountyDem let me know if you mackerel Apr 2014 #31

I too am really, really sorry about your situation Samantha Apr 2014 #32

How did you lose 94% of your 401k? taught_me_patience Apr 2014 #33

It was heavily tilted toward stocks. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #35

How were you not 100% vested in the pension plan? spooky3 Apr 2014 #38

That applies to pension plans to which both my employer and I contribute. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #39

I do believe his advice to be incorrect. The relevant law is the law at the time you were spooky3 Apr 2014 #43

This is VERY useful information. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #76

There are FREE resources available to you antigop Apr 2014 #81

You're welcome and no problem. But as others have said, spooky3 Apr 2014 #86

Based on what I read, and my own knowledge of my employment with MegaCorp X, ... ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #88

Good luck to you both!!!! spooky3 Apr 2014 #93

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #95

Coles, be sure to update us! spooky3 Apr 2014 #102

That still doesn't explain how you lost 94%. joeglow3 Apr 2014 #74

On *average* it was. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #75

What the hell company lets individuals invest in individual stocks in their 401(k)? joeglow3 Apr 2014 #82

Edward D. Jones, actually. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #83

I feel for you joeglow3 Apr 2014 #84

As a result of the good advice and information I've received here, I've contacted an attorney. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #85

My employer (who will go nameless here) allows me that option. mwooldri Jun 2014 #103

k&r for the truth, however depressing it may be. n/t Laelth Apr 2014 #34

when you say your pension "vested" in 2015, are you referring to your 401(k), or antigop Apr 2014 #37

Please see post #39. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #40

So you had a defined benefit pension plan IN ADDITION to your 401(k)? antigop Apr 2014 #50

I will, and thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #77

ColesCounty, there are FREE resources available to you antigop Apr 2014 #80

Your story is a little long for a letter to the editor (LTTE), CrispyQ Apr 2014 #41

I was contacted just this morning by a reporter for our regional 'daily'. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #87

I don't think your story is typical hfojvt Apr 2014 #42

Seriously. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #44

okay that was not a reply meant for me hfojvt Apr 2014 #46

I flipped a mental coin. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #52

In the case of the OP, he wrote about a very extensive job search. pnwmom Apr 2014 #47

And the poster's relocation funds are low/gone. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #53

I heard about an over-supply of lawyers hfojvt Apr 2014 #61

Everyone's employment niche is different Patiod Apr 2014 #48

My son had the good fortune to have the then Brooklyn, NY DA teach one of his law school courses. CTyankee Apr 2014 #67

That's the thing - his story IS typical TBF Apr 2014 #45

One of my good friends is incredibly frugal Patiod Apr 2014 #49

It is really hard to watch - TBF Apr 2014 #51

No its bad for young people too BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #58

That makes sense unfortunately - TBF Apr 2014 #60

but you do NOT lose savings in a crash hfojvt Apr 2014 #59

That's an excellent point. Patiod Apr 2014 #65

I think that was the really sad thing about 401K - TBF Apr 2014 #69

When people sell in that situation it isn't usually because they're "foolish." pnwmom Apr 2014 #72

That was my situation. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #79

That was my situation, too. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #89

a couple job openings are not really a universal solution hfojvt Apr 2014 #64

I would 'knee cap' someone's grandmother for a $12/hour job! (j/k) ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #91

I didn't mean to slam GM or the banks. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #78

his story is typical lululu Jun 2014 #106

Two headlines on the front page of the New York Times today (4/23/14). maddiemom Apr 2014 #54

Sorry about your misfortune, ColesCountryDem. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #55

I'm both sorry and angry to hear this story. SpankMe Apr 2014 #56

Sorry that such a crappy thing happened to you. truedelphi Apr 2014 #62

I'm sorry. Swirling the drain here, too. GoCubsGo Apr 2014 #63

:( neffernin Apr 2014 #70

As a family, we've never done the 'inherited wealth' thing. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #90

Best of luck in your recovery neffernin Apr 2014 #92

Thank you! I plan to continue the family tradition, God willing. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #94

prior, active assistance of our Congress lululu Jun 2014 #107

i am so sorry about your situation. i hope things improve for you - someway, somehow Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #73

Amazing and chilling story. Puglover Apr 2014 #96

Thank you, and I think I will land on my feet, too! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #97

I'm so gad you're receiving the healthcare you need. myrna minx Apr 2014 #98

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #99

While the ACA isn't perfect, I'll always be grateful for the life saving care it allows to those myrna minx Apr 2014 #100

It's not perfect, but it's there, thank God. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #101