Again, how wonderful for you that you were able to do that. And again, just because you, personally, were able to does not mean everyone who is laid off is capable of doing so. The whole fallacy of “pulling oneself up by one’s boot straps” is obviously very strong with you. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: you’re not every programmer. You’re not everyone who ever got laid off. Not everyone can do what you did. I know that’s going to be difficult to accept because, after all, you are the center of the universe and model for all good citizens everywhere, but it’s true.
It isn’t always possible to go live with mommy and daddy, because sometimes, mommy and daddy don’t exist. It isn’t always possible to go to school while holding down a shitty job, because sometimes it takes two shitty jobs just to pay the bills. And sometimes, it isn’t possible to relocate overnight because not everyone is single or without a mortgage or other things that tie them to an area. Yes. I know. These are difficult concepts to accept. And yet, they are very real circumstances for many people. I’m very glad you were able to do what you did; it shows a lot of strength. But you need to get your head around the reality that not everyone has those opportunities available to them.
I’d just like to thank the Democrats who, by their ineptitude and poor leadership, have given the Republicans control of Capitol Hill and a clear run of 8 years in the Presidency. Way to go, guys! I know you won’t disappoint in 2008.
Blah, blah, blah, waah, waah, waah. As fush said earlier “The Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity, not of result.” On one hand we have someone like Jinx, whining and crying because life isn’t being served to him on a silver platter, and on the other we have Crotalus who goes out and does what has to be done to be successful. What’s the difference between these two? Here’s a hint, this ain’t Crotalus. Pulling oneself up by one’s boot straps is not a fallacy, it’s what built this country, and it’s still the key to success.
Beautifully put, Dave. Spoken just like someone who has never, ever found themselves in the position of having no way of providing for his family and no plan to fall back on. Thank you for exemplifying the right’s total rigidity in refusing to see things from any view point but your own.
Actually, it’s spoken like a man who worked two jobs and started his own business on weekends when he found himself in that position; you know, I just fucking did what I had to do instead of blaming everyone but myself? Thanks, though, for exemplifying the left’s victim mentality and disgusting propensity towards depending on the governement for everything. If you’re healthy, there is no excuse, ABSOLUTELY NONE, for not pulling your own weight. Not. A. Single. Fucking. One. Get a job, you bum.
Wow–not to mention those who cannot work d/t illness or disability. What slackers-taking the taxpayer’s money…bunch a damn freeloaders.
I say put all the ones who “say” they cannot work–you mentally retarded, severe cerebral palsy, Alzeimer’s people–put away or better yet, shoot on’em sight. You don’t produce in this society–you are outta here.
And you out there who got injured on the job and have multiple herniated discs–let’s cut off their stipends, and let 'em get jobs at Walmart–that’s the American way! Lazy ass bastards.
For all those mothers who just keep having children (but remember, contraception is BAD. Abortion is BAD), why, they just shouldn’t have those kids at all. Punish them for daring to be fecund and expect a handout for their grotty kids. The nerve of some people! So she can’t work because her son is autistic and she has no health insurance–so? Not my problem. She should just get a job and stop whining. If I can find a babysitter/daycare and pay for it, so can she. Bitch.
I most sincerely hope, Weridave, that you are many paychecks away from personal bankruptcy, that you never succumb to illness, that you are never downsized and unable to find a living wage job. If you do find yourself in that position, I do hope that you will do migrant farm work or clean hotel rooms or what the hell, prostitute yourself for that almighty dollar. We wouldn’t want you to ever apply for public assistance–that would go against your Republican principles, no? Or is it OK when you need it–but it’s not OK for anyone else?
What a charming rant eleanorigby. Of course, the entire thing completely ignores what I actually said;
But don’t let that little things like facts stand in the way of your righteous indignation, please, continue.
You’re goddamn mother fucking right I would. I have before. One summer I bought an old Snapper mower for 50 and ran a lawn service to support my family. Another time I worked lunch shift slinging hash as a short order cook and worked every evening as a waiter to make ends meet, plus I put out menus for carry out restaurants on weekends for the princely sum of .035 each. You do what you have to do.
If I am healthy, I’d rather cut off my nuts with a weed whacker then go on the dole.
Actually, I’m a Democrat. Nice try with the partisan labels though.
What a charming rant eleanorigby. Of course, the entire thing completely ignores what I actually said;
But don’t let that little things like facts stand in the way of your righteous indignation, please, continue.
You’re goddamn mother fucking right I would. I have before. One summer I bought an old Snapper mower for 50 and ran a lawn service to support my family. Another time I worked lunch shift slinging hash as a short order cook and worked every evening as a waiter to make ends meet, plus I put out menus for carry out restaurants on weekends for the princely sum of .035 each. You do what you have to do.
If I am healthy, I’d rather cut off my nuts with a weed whacker then go on the dole.
Actually, I’m a Democrat. Nice try with the partisan labels though.
Actually, I have one. And I happen to be lucky enough to be in an industry where I can find work no matter where I go. It’s good to be in health care.
However, since you want facts and not “excuses,” how about this:
When the tech industry bubble burst, hudreds of thousands of people found themselves out of work. Hundreds. Of. Thousands. That’s not “victim mentality,” that’s economic recession. Much like when all those auto plants closed back in the 70’s in Michigan, this area was affected on virtually every level. Housing, teaching, military contracts, plus the energy crisis (thanks, Enron)…virtually every single industry in the area was affected here. That was over 5 years ago and the state still hasn’t recovered. It has nothing to do with “pulling your own weight” and everything to do with recession on a massive scale. That’s not something you just pull yourself up from your bootstraps over. Thanks, though, for trying to wave off a major economic change in an entire state as just one of those things people have no excuse for.
Absolutely. I spent a couple of years unemployed every day looking through the want ads, applying to any jobs that I could physically do. restrants were closing right and left and they were asking for 2 years experiance and a college degree to bus tables (an exageration…but not by much). It still pisses me off when I hear blowhards like Dave here say there is no excuse. I didn’t ask to be in that situation.
I was only out of work once, and that was only for 2 or 3 months (long ago). It was no picnic. The bills don’t stop just because you are between jobs. Even with the right qualifications and experience in a good field (engineering), you have to wait for a job opening. The kicker is, while you are waiting, you can’t tell a prospective boss to only call you after business hours because you are waiting tables or scrubbing floors (or whatever). Plus, you are going to be competing against people with equal or better qualifications and experience. Let’s not even get started on the ones who say you are “overqualified”.