There are numerous postings on the internet by desperate people who have been deeply affected by this recession. There are also articles and responses to these people telling them to focus on the positive, keep the faith, be creative, stand out from the rest in your job search and my favorite, get off your ass and find a job. These responses are asking the chronically unemployed and underemployed to put on rose colored glasses, put their head in the sand and keep trucking in the face of some very harsh realities. Their well meaning, well intentioned advice and sometimes, callous, insensitive remarks fly in the face of what the everyday stress and strain is putting on those unfortunate enough to have lost their jobs in this economy.
The Facts: Twelve million jobs have been lost since 2008. It will take until 2022 to recover those jobs. To quote Ben Stein, “Unemployment is a real pain.” Well, if that isn’t the understatement of the decade!! Thank you Ben Stein.
The Realities: the system is broken; most will never return to their previous economic status; the lucky will only have to lower their standard of living their lifestyles; the others will face foreclosure and bankruptcy through no fault of their own; many are depressed; many are angry and dejected finding themselves in a situation they never imagined; many have been left out and left behind. All have been treading water thanks to the unemployment extensions. Millions are underwater, way in over their heads. Never say it can’t happen to you.
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