Jobless and hopeless in America

[discouraged]

Agreed, and today the paper outlined some of Obama's budget cuts; reductions in airport grants, grants to states for water treatment plants and similar projects, public health and forestry. Home energy assistance to low-income families & community service grants will be cut in half (boy - these make a lot of sense-wth), and an initiative to restore the Great Lakes' environment health would be reduced by one-quarter.

I'm not seeing any hardships or cuts for the wealthy - only those who have a hard enough time surviving. This is sickening and a disgrace to the american people.

[tobee43]

no...obama is absolutely single handedly wiping out the middle class in one full swoop.........

we are going to be blown off the planet ....what a future for our kids and their kids.....

[RichM]

I'm one of those who believes that government is the problem, not the solution. My opinion is based mainly on my own experiences with government-run programs, of which I've found very few to deliver anything of value, much less in an efficient manner. If it were up to me, the 16th Amendment would be repealed, the income tax abolished and replaced with nothing, and every federal agency and program not required by the Constitution dismantled. I'd also take a machete to state government while I was at it.

But I would be the happiest guy on earth if government would get out of one endeavor in particular: education. If I had my way, every public school in the country (along with the federal Department of Education) would be abolished, the schools sold for a dollar each to non-profit groups, and the entire educational funding system (for K-12) replaced with vouchers. I believe the public school system is a plague on America, and is the single biggest reason our young people can't compete any more.

Again, my opinion is shaped by my own experiences, so let me share them as such, not claiming that they represent anything else. Let's start with my own experience as a youngster who attended a Catholic elementary school and a public high school (then, and now, considered one of the best in America). In the Catholic school, we had about a thousand students, 27 teachers, the principal, two secretaries, two janitors, a nurse, a cook, a librarian, and a guidance counselor. That was the entire staff.

In the public school, we had about 2,800 students, more than 100 teachers (not all of whom did any actual teaching), the principal, six assistant principals, eight department heads, 24 assistant department heads, five deans, four librarians, at least a dozen janitors, more than 40 secretaries, eight guidance counselors, four nurses, at least a dozen people who worked in food services, and two elevator operators (despite the fact that there was only one elevator, and it was automatic).

There also were a whole slew of "Professional Development Specialists," whose exact duties no one seemed to know. The general consensus was that they were such utterly shitty (but nonetheless tenured) teachers that even the NYC BOE was embarrassed by them, so they promoted them out of the classroom. Their duties, as far as I could determine, primarily consisted of sitting together in an unused classroom, holding desks down with their feet, while closing their eyes to better focus their concentration on the task. I never did determine what caused the force of gravity to be inoperative in that room, but I'm sure glad the "Professional Development Specialists" were there to hold those desks down. They could have done some real damage otherwise.

The only reason I know the above facts and numbers is because when I first started attending the school, I was flabbergasted at how many staff members there were. So I made it a point to count them over the course of my four years there. My opinion was (and remains) that any positions between the teachers and the principal were (and remain) pretty much a waste of money. Why? Because my Catholic elementary school managed to do quite well despite not having a single "department head" or "professional development specialist," nor the cadres of secretaries assigned to them.

Nonetheless, the school did turn out quality students. But then again, it also started with quality students. There was an examination for admission, and fewer than 10 percent of those who applied were accepted. I'm not trying to pin medals on myself, mind you. I'm just stating the facts. In addition, it was a specialized school, and the students were passionate about the specialty being taught. We had average attendance rates in the high 90's percentage-wise. There even were a few days when not a single student was absent. So suffice it to say that it was not a typical public high school.

The more typical schools, unfortunately, are those like the ones from which job applicants graduated when I was employed as a district manager for a large, regional industrial services company back in the late 1980s. "Social promotion" and other idiotic policies have made diplomas from most public high schools utterly meaningless. I encountered more than a few applicants with high school diplomas who couldn't read the employment application (some actually brought people along to read it to them); and many more who made errors and omissions such as answering "USA" for "County of Residence," not knowing their own Social Security numbers, listing their jobs in the opposite order from that requested, and even misspelling the names of the towns they lived in.

And please, don't even get me started on their test results. One of our better-paying entry-level jobs (spraying herbicides to kill weeds) required a rudimentary knowledge of algebra (ninth-grade math) and geometry (tenth-grade math) in order to calculate area and mix and apply the chemicals at the proper rates. Fewer than 20 percent of applicants passed, and all of them had at least high-school diplomas (that was a requirement to even apply for the job).

We're not talking brain surgery here. They had to know how to calculate the area of a piece of land, and based on that, determine how much water and chemical to apply. For example, one question was worded quite similarly to the following:

"An acre consists of 43,560 square feet. You are using a chemical whose label requires that one pound of the chemical be mixed with 100 gallons of water to treat one acre of land. How many gallons of water and how many pounds of the chemical would be required to treat 65,340 square feet of land?"

So much for public high school diplomas.

I didn't have great luck with BOCES grads, either. I once hired an applicant for a truck driving job who'd completed a commercial driving course at BOCES (and who had the then-equivalent of a present-day CDL). He couldn't figure out how to shift the gears on a truck with 10 forward gears because, he said, the trucks at BOCES had 15 forward gears.

More recently, my then 9-year-old goddaughter was left back from third grade because she'd failed to master the subject matter. Fine. I don't believe in social promotion. But the school's solution was to send her to summer school -- with the same teacher whose class she'd been in for the past two years.

That was unacceptable to me. Not to blame the teacher, but obviously she and my goddaughter had never really connected. Nor, quite frankly, was my goddaughter the world's easiest child to teach. She was strong-willed, hyper, stubborn, and often defiant. (She's much better now, thank God.)

Because she'd failed to make any progress in two years with the same teacher, I didn't think that spending another two months with her was likely to do very much good, either. So I hired a private tutor for her for the summer -- an educator with almost 30 years of experience, a New York State license, and nothing but the best references. I arranged for her to receive one hour of private tutoring a day, four days a week, in my home.

Would you believe that the school (and especially the teacher) opposed my plan? Their reasoning was that my goddaughter needed to be taught "in a structured, classroom environment." Never mind that she'd made zero progress in said environment for the previous two years. Their solution was to throw more of the same at her, and then promote her -- regardless of whether or not she actually made any progress during summer school.

In addition, they were troubled because the tutor was certified by New York State rather than the state where my goddaughter lives. I told them that she would be living with me full-time (in New York) for the summer, but they still had a problem with it because a New York teacher couldn't sign some blasted form that would be required for the tutoring to be considered the equivalent of summer school.

It was only after repeatedly visiting the school to argue my case (and becoming an increasingly cantankerous old bastard every time) that I either won the principal over to my side, or got him to the point that he'd agree to anything just to get this obnoxious old sonofa***** to leave him alone. He agreed to counter-sign the form himself if my goddaughter made acceptable progress.

And indeed she did: She made about 14 months' progress in two months of tutoring, which brought her almost up to grade level. And because of the study skills she learned from the tutor and her new enthusiasm for learning, she's since brought herself up to grade level. She even calls me so I can provide homework help via Skype.

Now don't get me wrong: I know there's a difference between individual tutoring and what a classroom teacher is realistically able to provide in terms of personal attention. I understand that, and I'm not saying that the teacher was inept. Like I said: My goddaughter wasn't the easiest kid in the world to teach.

Rather, my problem is with the fact that both she and the school officials initially objected to the plan because of idiotic policies that don't allow for creative solutions. Ultimately, I got what I wanted for her. But like I said: I can be the world's most obnoxious bastard when I need to be. I know just how far I can go on my own; and if that's not far enough, I'll find the most obnoxious lawyer in town to take it farther.

But why should that be necessary? Why should I have to abandon my naturally charming and endearing demeanor simply to secure a solution that is so obviously in a child's best interests, and which will cost the taxpayers nothing?

The answer is simple: Because I was dealing with government. Government has a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach to almost everything it does, complicated by a belief that only they really know what's best. They view the rest of us as clueless idiots, barely able to get dressed in the morning, much less make education decisions on behalf of our children. And when one encounters such attitudes from a public school, the school's government affiliation lends de facto credibility to their positions -- regardless of how idiotic they may be.

The condescension coming from my goddaughter's teacher, for example, was so thick and so sweetly applied as to be sickening. She actually told me that she had earned not just one, but two college degrees, so I shouldn't argue with her about nor worry about what was best for my goddaughter. Talk about arrogance.

I countered that I had earned not just two, but three college degrees, and that I was well aware that the main requirement for success at the post-grad level was a more finely-honed ass-kissing technique. I added, however, that I was confident that she could also master the fine points of ass-kissing, based upon my observations of her interactions with the school's administrators; and that once she did, and earned her third degree, we would be able to engage each other as academic equals.

-Rich

[tobee43]

rich, i agree with you with so many of your points...i'd have to rewrite your entire post!

it appears the "general" answer has always been throw more of our tax dollar at the problem and that will resolve the issue...whether it's a social program or a educational system.

i do know this...both my kids married teachers...actually my son in law was unable to find a job in nj because of his duel masters degree....since the state mandated a higher pay for his level...so he was shut out of all opportunities since the schools didn't want good teachers...just cheap ones. (he's duel masters is in education and special ed....k-12). my daughter tired of holding the weight of the family on her shoulders they decide to go to another state where teachers are in demand....and get paid almost min. wage! but he's just happy to be working and i know he does his best with his kids.......odd thing is both my kids married first grade teachers...i have a son and a daughter.

getting on to the social programs....most only lined the pockets of those "special" uneducated and unqualified persons to run the programs...they need to be trashed.

personally the only social program that should exist is how to master ass-kissing techniques ....as apparently, my experience being similar to yours.....and perhaps i would be in support of A.S.S. as well...LOL!!!

i do believe that the privatizing may be the answer to many of the problems...less or no government involvement in everything or anything....i'm with you on the tax issue as well...

we got our 1099's....we took taxes out of our unemployment insurance to the allowable max.............we now owe over 5k in income tax from unemployment benefits.........if that's not the cat's butt i don't know what is....

i'm sure we are not alone...it took us a week to get to the unemployment office saying the government changed the cap on the tax from the UI....so, let's see how many people can dig up 5k by april 18th to pay when they don't even have a pot to cook in....

a sad state ...indeed.

[helpme2010]

I would disagree that solutions are "complicated" -- politically difficult/impossible yes. 1. Let all of the Bush tax cuts expire. 2. Have a public option on health care such that everyone has the right to buy the same health care as congress at the same price they pay. 3. Get out of Afghanistan 4. Declare war on energy dependence - promoting American manufacturing. 5. Put a 10% surtax on incomes above 1 million and close more loopholes. 6. Tax estates over $10 million at 50%. Do not allow corporate deductions for compensation packages over $1 million or political contributions or lobbyists. These would be a good start to the road to recovery.

I agree with these ideas. I would say get the heck out of every country we are at war with. The problem with us playing #1 is that we will eventually become #2.

If we have to help some government military, then give them some of that support, but don't go to war. Next, start pulling back on most of that funding for so many countries since we have to borrow that money from China, making them faster becoming #1 and us faster becoming #2.

Penalize companies that outsource, while rewarding those that hire Americans and give incentives to companies that are building infrastructure and building new hi-tech and green technology alternatives.

If our country focuses on building jobs and keeping jobs, more people will pay more taxes and we can sell more to foreign countries. You know like we used to when we were a respected economic super power.

[helpme2010]

Government could be the solution and should be during a recession. Government can invest in companies and technologies that are job builders. But unfortunately, we just aren't seeing it. I am just watching both sides battle and make concessions to help each others special interest groups.

I am really scared what will happen when UI extensions run out in a couple months (if we don't have jobs, how will this play out on the political battlefield? I hope Obama stands for us during the time we need help the most and doesn't cave to the republicans. Perhaps he will have to use some of that TARP money to fund us until we get back on our feet. Either way, don't dangle us and throw us out like bait).

[tobee43]

Government could be the solution and should be during a recession. Government can invest in companies and technologies that are job builders. But unfortunately, we just aren't seeing it. I am just watching both sides battle and make concessions to help each others special interest groups.

I am really scared what will happen when UI extensions run out in a couple months (if we don't have jobs, how will this play out on the political battlefield? I hope Obama stands for us during the time we need help the most and doesn't cave to the republicans. Perhaps he will have to use some of that TARP money to fund us until we get back on our feet. Either way, don't dangle us and throw us out like bait).

helpme....just wanted you to know we were advised we qualify up to tier 5 now.....for EU...did you get your 1099...holly crap ....like i was saying we are going to owe the irs at least 5k....i'll have to print the money tomorrow since where the heck does this government think unemployed people are going to get that kind of money???

[helpme2010]

helpme....just wanted you to know we were advised we qualify up to tier 5 now.....for EU...did you get your 1099...holly crap ....like i was saying we are going to owe the irs at least 5k....i'll have to print the money tomorrow since where the heck does this government think unemployed people are going to get that kind of money???

Tier 5, that is so cool. Congrats That is a huge relief i'm sure. I am really getting scared now as my extended ui and tier 5 will run out in a couple months. I am searching for jobs 7 days a week. I have applied to over 100 jobs this year, and this includes creating a job profile on many corporations websites, plus submitting my resume to about 25 or so staffing companies/recruiters.

5k for UI benefit taxes??? This is scary. I don't ask to have taxes removed on my UI checks. But I do get some write offs such as donations. But I still owe money each year and this year I don't have any mortgage interest deductions, so I will be a little toast like you

Each time you try to climb a little out of the hole, something knocks you right back deeper again. e.g. I just got hit with a $600+ water pump bill for my car -

[tobee43]

Tier 5, that is so cool. Congrats That is a huge relief i'm sure. I am really getting scared now as my extended ui and tier 5 will run out in a couple months. I am searching for jobs 7 days a week. I have applied to over 100 jobs this year, and this includes creating a job profile on many corporations websites, plus submitting my resume to about 25 or so staffing companies/recruiters.

5k for UI benefit taxes??? This is scary. I don't ask to have taxes removed on my UI checks. But I do get some write offs such as donations. But I still owe money each year and this year I don't have any mortgage interest deductions, so I will be a little toast like you

Each time you try to climb a little out of the hole, something knocks you right back deeper again. e.g. I just got hit with a $600+ water pump bill for my car -

yes...i hear you...however, we USE to be home owners...which we are closing on this house TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whopppppppppppeeeeeee


and we use to have over 48k worth of deductions....LOL....this year we don't have much and between the EU, pension and ss.........i was a bit surprised at the total...and i took taxes out of all of them......well at least next year i will have the mortgage interest and taxes....so now i have to take the little we saved and give it right back to the irs.....ahhhhhhhhhhhh

[helpme2010]

yes...i hear you...however, we USE to be home owners...which we are closing on this house TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whopppppppppppeeeeeee


and we use to have over 48k worth of deductions....LOL....this year we don't have much and between the EU, pension and ss.........i was a bit surprised at the total...and i took taxes out of all of them......well at least next year i will have the mortgage interest and taxes....so now i have to take the little we saved and give it right back to the irs.....ahhhhhhhhhhhh

tobee, surprise bills are the worst things in the world to encounter. I get these sometimes such as an unexpected car repair for my car or my girlfriends car, etc. and it really F's with the already spiraling down budget.

I re-read the title of this thread and it really fits, jobless and hopeless in America. I am so sick of applying for jobs everyday, 7 days a week and getting absolutely nowhere.

I am really hoping UI continues for us 99ers. I listened to MSNBC last night and they were interviewing this poor lady who had to sell her wedding ring, remaining jewelry and husbands golf clubs (after her husband died). She got completely ripped off on everything, but she had no other choice, she needed the money.

They asked her about people that try to deny her UI extension benefits, etc. as being a 99er, she is treated so poorly in the worst time of her life.

[tobee43]

tobee, surprise bills are the worst things in the world to encounter. I get these sometimes such as an unexpected car repair for my car or my girlfriends car, etc. and it really F's with the already spiraling down budget.

I re-read the title of this thread and it really fits, jobless and hopeless in America. I am so sick of applying for jobs everyday, 7 days a week and getting absolutely nowhere.

I am really hoping UI continues for us 99ers. I listened to MSNBC last night and they were interviewing this poor lady who had to sell her wedding ring, remaining jewelry and husbands golf clubs (after her husband died). She got completely ripped off on everything, but she had no other choice, she needed the money.

They asked her about people that try to deny her UI extension benefits, etc. as being a 99er, she is treated so poorly in the worst time of her life.

helpme...i really believe this is just the tip of the iceburg....

these 99ers' are going to be mighty p*ssed off come election time while they are attempting to apply for welfare and living in the streets...

we are not seeing anything more from the media since they are told to hold back the stories ....but i know there are tent cities out there and it's getting worse...

[daylate]

I feel better now- I ranted and now I'm good. Post deleted. :-)

[tobee43]

I feel better now- I ranted and now I'm good. Post deleted. :-)

LOL!!!!!!! ranting is healthy!! it's the safest way to get it all out...especially since we can't hear each other yelling..

[helpme2010]

helpme...i really believe this is just the tip of the iceburg....

these 99ers' are going to be mighty p*ssed off come election time while they are attempting to apply for welfare and living in the streets...

we are not seeing anything more from the media since they are told to hold back the stories ....but i know there are tent cities out there and it's getting worse...

I think I am going to become a tent salesman! Lots of money in this business now!!!

I am really hoping our elected officials, as well as the media stand up 100% for the UI extensions in a couple months when they expire. I am afraid the republicans new stand for cutting the budget, may cause the dems to be afraid to fight for this fight. I will be really pissed if our officials chicken out on this battle. I love MSNBC as they have a lot of people on there that really stand up for the unemployed and people that need the most help.

Plain and simple, if jobs don't exist, then people will be unemployed. Until this changes, nothing changes, so the government has no choice but to continue with the extensions until another solution arises or we all just die!

[jacko]

Your thoughts make no sense in a civilized society and are just generalizations.

I was thinking more along the lines of getting rid od DHS, TSA (especially TSA), ATF, DOE, and other utterly useless departments.

I would also close all foreign military bases except those required by treaties, reduce the size of our active-duty armed forces, and express our national defense policy in these terms:

"We will leave the rest of the world alone, as the rest of the world has requested.
We will not try to be the world's policeman.
We will not attempt to interfere with your politics in any way.
But if you attack us, we will nuke you into oblivion."

As for public assistance, food stamps, etc., I would indeed ban from receiving any sort of government assistance all able-bodied adults who refuse to either participate in workfare or go to school. I'd rather educate a person to be a doctor than pay him/her to sit around watching daytime talk shows.

As for school lunches (and schools in general), I would move to vouchers to give the poor kids (of whom I was one, incidentally) a choice in where they go to school.

We can certainly debate the specifics, and your ideas may in fact be better than mine. But frankly, I think pretty much anyone's make at least as much sense as what's being done now, which is utterly incomprehensible.

-Rich