Modern Day Jobs

The continuing problem of a jobless economic recovery in America is plaguing us. One of the differences between this recession and several others that I have lived through in my sixty-five years is that many of the unemployed have done everything right in their lives up to this point. In the past many being counted in the job lines were not educated beyond high school. As I matured, however, I was virtually assured as I rose from my underclass background that a good education would be a panacea of protection from unemployment. Today that assurance has failed us.

Just as Job in the Old Testament had done nothing wrong and yet a series of catastrophes befell him, many in the U. S. are also reporting similar problems. A few examples will suffice from my family. Our daughter, who had worked tirelessly for ten years for Microsoft with a master's degree from the University of Southern California was downsized in March of this year, our niece who has a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University in Psychology was downsized, and my brother-in-law who had worked for Boeing Aircraft Company for over twenty years was downsized a few years before retirement. The list goes on and on.

Downsizing obviously has a top down effect because house payments can no longer be made, houses generally cannot be sold due to the flood of them on the market already, and foreclosures seem imminent. Yes, unemployment does put food on the table and keeps the new rental apartments heated, but it cannot be stretched enough to buy health insurance at spiraling rates and clothes for growing children.

We as Americans are caught up in a downward cycle. Where are the thinkers who can provide answers for us? We need jobs, and we need to develop an economy not based primarily on consumer spending. It is not our choice as families to be modern day jobs.