Despite what some may think, I have dreams. And I get tired of hearing I don't.

[The Straight Story]

It will be 1 year next month I have been unemployed.

And I have heard from folks on the right, including some 'friends' on FB, that folks like me are just lazy and aren't looking for work because we are living off the government teat.

At one point in my life I made 76k/year, not including bonuses and such. Now I did not make that much most of my life, in fact it was the last year I worked my job (started there making 45k). Most my jobs before that were from $3.35/hr to $8.50/hr.

I busted my ass, worked my way up in jobs. I have run factories at night, churning out more parts then the day shift with my crew with less hours to do so - while making $8/hr. All the while keeping up on the chemical tests, driving forklift, and keeping my folks busy by getting them the parts they need. Not to mention the reports I had to fill out for my bosses and the EPA.

Starting out as a lowly site engineer of a data center for a small bank I worked my way up to the technical manager of 4 data centers (3 main ones, and one we should not have had) for the 2nd largest bank in the US.

Companies going bankrupt (I lost 4 jobs that way) and positions being outsourced have forced me out of work. My best job ever I ended up leaving due to the illness of my now X, but even then they kept me on as a coder until the work ran out.

In May I spent 2 hours in an interview, which was only supposed to be a half hour long. The CFO loved me, but said I had two things against me - I was way over qualified and the CEO preferred hiring people from his home country who had come here and were fresh out of college. Which was a problem she said, because they had no real experience. Last week they called me finally, the director of HR wanted me to know that instead of hiring me for 80K to run their HR dept they had, as they did before, hired two other people for less. I was thankful that he even bothered to call me.

In an interview last week, for one of 10 temp tech positions, the hiring managers that interviewed me and said "Wow, you are way over qualified for this job" it pays only $15/hr. Told them I was fine with that, and I would be willing to start at the bottom. I am now considered an alternate for the job (so if someone fails a drug test, does not start, etc, I will start next week).

I blew them away and discussed things with them that they are just now coming up to speed with technically.

--Point is-- I have heard for YEARS from the RW how businesses will hire only the best. Do your best, pull yourself up. Work hard. Study hard. Trust in capitalism, trust in a business because they will do the best for their investors by hiring the best people.

No.

They won't. I have worked for many companies. They don't hire the best.

They hire their friends. They hire people with good credit scores. They ignore real world experience for those with degrees.

And they fail - and are then bailed out.

I have dreams. Hopes. I worked my ass off to get my certifications. To learn how best to do things. My directors called me the best manager they ever had. Won many awards. Saved the company millions and pulled their ass out of the fire many times on issues that would have made the news if I had not stepped up to the plate.

When I worked at the one manufacturing plant I broke several company records. But was let go. Why? Because after 90 days they hired people in, and then 90 days later they had to pay health insurance. And I was told by several people that workers with kids were used and then let go after that time. I thought it was dumb and a lie. Two days before I was due to get insurance I was let go.

Factory before that? I was hired in because I broke 2 company records in production. Went on to have one of the best teams. Got injured. Worked with the injury for over a year. Finally took time off for it, got fired. The company sent me to their own/Workers comp doc - and he found in my favor. I could still be collecting on them, I settled out of court just so I could get back to work. Two weeks later I was working again (in an office job, have not been able to work in a factory environment since then, and I suffer from the pain still).

I have dreams. And I try hard for them.

A job. A decent wage. Some security. I want to buy a car. A house.

If you think I really enjoy getting an unemployment check that is a mere pittance compared to what I used to make, then you are an idiot.

I have dedicated years of my life to companies I have worked for. And for what?

To be tossed aside time and again.

[OhioChick]

1. Welcome to the Corporate States of America....

I've heard many stories similar to yours and it's awful.

I hope you find something good out there soon. :hug:

[Odin2005]

2. A-FUCKING-MEN!!! K&R!!!

My mom has a degree in accounting, but yet the local bank in my hometown will never hire her. Why? because she doesn't have the right connections and because she isn't originally from that little town.

[movonne]

11. Little towns can be very clanish..or klanish...

[Bozita]

39. Yes. ... a-fucking-men!

The perfect word.

[SocialistLez]

3. ::hug::

That 90 day thing is pretty fucked up.

Just don't even offer health insurance or something.

Stories like that are why we need single-payer.

[awoke_in_2003]

42. +1000 nt

[BeyondGeography]

4. That's an incredible summary...loaded with honesty and wisdom

So much of what happens out there is subjective and irrational.

Please let us know when things break your way.

[mrbarber]

5. After six years with the company I work for, all I have to show for it.:

Is an empty bank account and a bad back/joint problems.

And I still bust my ass everyday, even though I'm now part time again and making a little over 10 dollars.

But hey, at least I have a job, right? This country is a fucking joke.

[Berry Cool]

6. It's been almost a year since full-time employment for me

and all I can say is...K&R

[midnight]

7. I really enjoyed reading this. I think the skill that springs off the page is time management.

Very impressive! My uncle was an engineer for Nasa. When he was at the top of his game, they replaced him with four other engineers or some no. like that. That started in the 80's. And while I don't think that can be changed, I just hope things turn around for the working people who are hanging onto their dreams. Our state just finished up our democratic convention. Our candidate for gov. is talking jobs, jobs, and jobs to differentiate between him and the other two Republicans running against him.

[Bonobo]

8. But isn't that the whole point of technology in a way?

Drive-through restaurants obviate the need for waiters.
Self-checkout lines eliminate the need for cashiers.
Washing machines result in the firing of dish-washers.
Drive-through car washes. self-service at the pumps, adobe photoshop, make your own business cards, automatic machine translation, ATMs, downloadable content, homecenters, etc, etc.

I am no Luddite, but this wntire process of making life "easier and quicker"... What has it been in pursuit of? So we have more time?
More time for what exactly? Shopping? Watching TV? Eating?

Life is chopping wood, life is washing dishes, life is long, tiring walks to your downtown community, kneading bread by hand, THAT is life.

NOT sticking dishes in a dishwasher and pressing a button so you have more time on the internet, or to go to the mall. That is a false god.

Discover pleasures in the simple rituals of daily life. That is what humans did for thousands of years. And back then, more people had a place.

But what place is left for ANY of us if this goal of ultimate ease is achieved?

I am sorry Straight Story, you are facing problems that we all will face at some point if not now. It is a problem that goes to the very heart of our modern civilization.

[Odin2005]

15. Calvinistic nonsense

The "work is virtuous and purifying and leisure is corrupting" attitude is very annoying and is one of the mindsets, IMO, that is driving Western Society into the ground.

The goal of "ultimate ease", as you put it, is so that no one will have to worry about making ends meet, a "post-scarcity society" like in Star Trek. A society where people are free to achieve self-actualization.

[Bonobo]

16. "A post-scarcity society" like in Star Trek"

Ridiculously naive.

THAT is what I find annoying and THAT is what is driving Western society into the ground, IMO.

[Odin2005]

25. Why is it naive?

Maybe it's because our society assumes that "work" is morally good and part of "how things will always be"? "The way things of alwaays been" is never a good guide.

[Bonobo]

28. You ignore the true economic incentive behind things like ATM machines, etc.

It isn't to make life better for you -or as you put it (to paraphrase) to "make a society where everyone is free to self-actualize".

It is so the banks can lay off tellers and increase their profits.

I could come with an example of the true economic incentive for everything I listed.

On the other hand, where do you think the incentive lies in making this ideal world you imagine?

Do you not see that we are building ourselves up by stepping on the rest of the world? That capitalism only can thrive when there is a class of permanent underpriveleged people to provide cheap labor?

If you recognize that, then how do you think we could ever possibly achieve a "Star Trek-like society" where everyone is happy while diddling around with their tricorders and playing 3-d chess?

THAT is why you sound naive. Because your statements are divorced from economic reality.

I am not advocating Calvinistic ideals. You are the one that threw that ridiculous red herring into the mix.

What I DO advocate is that people find pleasure in life and not HURRY to get things done. Because as it turns out, those "small things" (Yes, like chopping firewood or doing dishes ARE life. Your life does not come AFTER you finish doing things. THAT is the secret to enjoying life. To not hurry up and wait, but to be in the moment.

As John Lennon said "Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans". Was he a Calvinist too?

[obxhead]

9. Good luck chasing that dream. It's tough to do. rec

[handmade34]

10. "They don't hire the best.....

They hire their friends" The old cliche, "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is more true now than it's ever been.

Wish we could all do more to support each other.

[elehhhhna]

51. Most of 'em also hire people who are no threat to them, professionally.

OH, AND ASSKISSERS. Don't forget them. Most bosses love them, a lot!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. I know you have dreams, my dear Straight Story...

And my heart breaks that you cannot fulfill them.

People like you, people who know how to work hard, have made this country great. Only to be tossed aside again and again...

:hug:

[cameozalaznick]

13. You seem like a smart and capable person...

Have you ever thought of going into business for yourself? There are programs to help. And the SBA is working hard to lend money right now. It's the American dream, man. Go for it!

[clyrc]

14. I get furious when people say that hard work is all it takes to make a good life

I have several relatives who work hard and still have to worry about money. Hard work is no guarantee of security, and it is insulting to ay so when it so obviously isn't true.

[lib_wit_it]

38. And so often those making the most money are not the ones doing the hardest work. And don't tell me

they got there by their previous hard work--not that you would, but the Rs would. As you said, they often have moved up due to who they know, who they schmooze, and, often not mentioned, they've been moved up because they sucked at the hard work and so were promoted to an easier position.

[Go2Peace]

54. If that were true we would all be rich. Because Americans still work harder than any other country

per capita. That is not a brag, just a fact. And it is not healthy. But indeed if the adage were correct than why aren't we all rich?

[Bryn]

17. That's why we need to get rid of bad politicians

who are so out of touch with working people/middle/poor class. They live in glass house and are elites. They ignore us once they get into offices. Too many corporatists there are destroying us. Time for us to start standing up!

I am so sorry you're going through a hard time. This is so unfair. Here's a big hug from me :hug:

[Taitertots]

18. This is the inevitable result of the economic policies from both parties

It doesn't matter if you have certifications or work hard. There are simply not jobs because concentrated wealth is preventing you.

[laughingliberal]

19. K & R nt

[Hydra]

20. My saga too

Although it's been my entire worklife. I've been at the same company for 10 years off and on. I've worked every which way to contribute and move up, and been blocked every step of the way. They phased the last department I worked in out and outsourced it.

I've applied to all sorts of companies, and I'm lucky if I hear back from them. 9 months out of work last year(Thank Obama for the Unemployment extension), but I'm back out of work again 6 months later.

I don' expect this to change, either. The green shoots aren't coming, and in fact the second dip is almost here.

In this kind of climate when there is only so much room in the lifeboats, it's understandable that the businesses are only hiring their friends...doesn't make it any easier for me and my family to survive though.

[TriMera]

21. +1...

:hug:

[skygazer]

22. Great post

They don't hire the best - they hire the cheapest.

I work retail and I'm Union. Right now my store is closing to remodel and the employees are being farmed out to other stores. One of my close friends has 30 years with the company, many awards for her outstanding customer service skills, experience in all departments. You would think store managers would be fighting amongst themselves to get her.

But none of them want her because she has seniority and full-time status and they want new hires who are part time and at a lower pay rate.

She will be placed somewhere because we still have some tenuous protection through out union. And we are thankful to have a job. But the myth of "work hard and get ahead" is just that - a myth.

Good luck to you.

[SocialistLez]

48. Is your store national? I'd like to do my part to support union retail places.

[MamaMia]

23. Your resume

I'm sure you know that you change your resume to fit each job that you are applying for. If it's a job you really want or need, and you think you may appear over-qualified, you might try to "dumb down" your resume just a bit. Of course, still make yourself look good, and be honest about the basics, such as the position title, but you don't have to include every accomplishment or award, either. You want to look good enough, or just slightly better, than the job you are applying for. Keep in mind that sometimes hiring supervisors don't want to hire someone who may be more qualified than they are... they have their own job security to think about. It's sad, and I wish it didn't have to be this way... but in these tough times, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Welcome to DU, MamaMia!

Yours is a most intelligent post...

Straight Story is a great guy, and you have done a smart thing by posting here.

I hope you will continue to contribute.

:hi:

[MamaMia]

36. Thanks!

Thanks, Peggy!

I think this is a group I could really like! I'll be back. :)

[livetohike]

33. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[bobbolink]

50. You are missing the point in a very big way. All of this is NOT an individual problem,

like you are trying to make it.

This is a SOCIETAL problem, and nothing will change until we grasp that truth, and put our efforts into working our butts off to change the society.

[jp11]

26. Unfortunately this is the America we live in, 'go capitalism, down with workers'

To make more money you cut the employees, downsize, reduce benefits, demand more with less, cut pensions, cut pay, demand more from the ever increasing pool of people looking for jobs but look away from those with too much experience, with too much skill they might take YOUR job or heaven forbid find a better paying job than the pittance you offered them and then you'd have to go hire someone else, the horror.

Greed is the driving force behind our country and it shows, too bad the people in power don't care, can't connect the dots or are far too few to do much about it.

[Spheric]

27. K&R /nt

[TheKentuckian]

29. I feel ya. Since 2002 I've gone through four shutdowns, two cutbacks, a couple more mass pay cuts,

and a few temp contracts to fill in some empty spots. My 30's is pretty much a lost decade, spotted with short term successes.

[KansDem]

30. I hear you!

I've been trying to find another job for over a year now. I'm lucky in that I have one now--it doesn't pay all that well and we've had our salaries frozen this year due to the economy, but I still have a job.

I've "busted my ass" to work as a member of a college/university faculty. Two fucking masters and a PhD. I worked some as an adjunct for a couple of years after earning my doctorate, but that was 13 years ago. I tried sending out resumes over the years while working the job I have now but the more time that lapses between graduation and now makes it more and more difficult.

I despise the whole hiring process! Several positions I've applied to I've heard back through colleagues about cronyism and other factors working against me and more in favor of the person who was hired.

I'd just want to be judged on what I can do and what I've done against all other applicants. No more, no less...

[CLANG]

31. My dream is to just be able to retire before I die

Is that too much to ask? Maybe 5 years of retirement before you have to kick the bucket?

[OneGrassRoot]

32. Poignant and brilliant and honest and wise....

and so much more.

Do you blog, Dear Sir? I'd love to spread your words far and wide. Unfortunately, there are some who wouldn't dare click onto a site with the word "Democrat" in it, but your story will hit them in the face with the brutal reality.

K&R

[Altoid_Cyclist]

34. You really described the problems perfectly.

I don't really have anything to add that would improve upon your tale.

I lost my job in Jan. 2008 due to health reasons. During the next two years I tried for positions that I was perfect for, ones that I was over qualified for and ones that I didn't quite match the requirements for but I was willing to learn whatever was needed.

I never did find another job, but I was finally able to retire on SS Disability in Jan. of this year. Do I wish that I could have found a job that would have paid more than disability? Oh yeah! SS Disability isn't a way to strike it rich. Luckily, I was declared disabled from Jan. 2008 and was able to receive the backpay from SS. That helped, but it's still not a lot of money. However, I still feel as though I'm one of the lucky ones. The worst part is that I have heard so many horror stories about people who keep getting rejected for SS Disability even though they are far too ill to hold down a job that would allow them to live a fairly normal life.

The jobs around here are mostly in retail, food service and other part time jobs with no insurance or benefits. I'm luckier than most since my wife is still working and she and I have health insurance through her employer.

The stress that this put on my health and more importantly my marriage was overwhelming at times. It almost destroyed our marriage due to the depression and anxiety I went through.

The ironic part of this is that the decision to allow me to retire on SS came while I was in the Hospital after having another MI at X-mas time. SS didn't even know about the second MI. I knew last year that there was something going on with my heart, but I was at the point that I didn't care anymore. I figured that if something did happen to me, my wife would at least have my life insurance proceeds. That was a lot more money than I was able to provide without a job.

Wow, I didn't mean to be so long winded there. I guess that what I wanted to say is that I agree with everything that you said. Also, it's scary to contemplate how many people might do something such as I did (ignore the heart warnings) or possibly something worse just to try to support their family.

[pinboy3niner]

35. May all your dreams come true...finally

You deserve it.

K&R :kick:

[pundaint]

37. Vote Democratic, or vote Republican, nothing will change. Vote only for incumbents who voted for

change, or new blood to replace those that voted against change. Note: a vote for HCR was a vote against change

[Mad_Dem_X]

40. K&R. Thank you for sharing that.

RW's are so out of touch with reality, it makes me scream. I really hope you find a job soon. Good luck.

[awoke_in_2003]

41. K&R...

like George Carlin said- "they call it the american dream for a reason- you have to be asleep to believe it". Hang in there, I hope you find something.

[indimuse]

43. ugh..

knr!

[Utopian Leftist]

44. It is ATROCIOUS

the way business in this country treats the average worker.

You sound like a very competent and qualified individual. Best wishes to you on finding a job soon.

[rox63]

45. I wish you had the resources to start your own business

Sounds like you have the smarts and experience to create a successful company of your own.

[BrklynLiberal]

46. For what it is worth. I know EXACTLY how you feel.

My last fulltime job was in the beginning of 2001. I made 85K/year as a systems analyst for a big international corporation.
They downsized....
After 9/11 I sent out resumes by the dozens....never heard one word...not even "we will keep your resume on file"

I am now working in a local bakery for $7/hour....and am not enjoying it

don't ask...

[AngryOldDem]

47. You speak for a lot of us.

We're tired of playing by the rules and getting our asses kicked time and again.

I hope you find a job commensurate with your abilities and pays you what you deserve soon.

[lost-in-nj]

49. you know if there were ANYTHING

I could do for you I would.......


:hug:

lost

[Liberal_in_LA]

52. K&R I hope you get that alt position

[WinkyDink]

53. {{{The Straight Story}}} You are very admirable. Best wishes to you.

[NewJeffCT]

55. I hear ya on being overqualified

I've noticed that it's happened a lot since I turned 40 over 3 years ago.... overqualified, too experienced, want somebody more junior, etc. Even if the salary I wanted was in the posted range for the job.

To me, it was a nice way of saying "you're too old" - Thankfully, I was working, but I haven't really had satisfying job since 2001, so I've always been looking for something better.

Not sure how old you are, but that might be it as well.

Good luck to you, though.

[kgnu_fan]

56. I hope your dream comes true, don't give up

[grantcart]

57. I stand with you.

[Liberal In Texas]

58. And that boys and girls pretty much sums up the state of corporate America today.

The F around with people to fiddle the bottom line for the next quarter.

They don't fear not being able to find workers because the pool of them is so deep.

Many managers and supervisors are sycophants and toadies. Upper managers have sweetheart "grossed up" salaries and golden parachutes to float them to the next gig when the company flies into the ground or gets bought out.

Well written, sir.

[sonias]

59. I want your dream to come true

You wrote about your life experience in a straight manner, just like your name suggests. You're not asking for anything unreasonable, just a good paying job to make a good living. I wish that for everyone.

Thanks for telling us about your history. I am so hoping your dream will come true soon.

:hug: