Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

[Jimjamesak]

Yep. No debt here, 5 weeks vacation every year (IIRC, I'll get bumped up to 6 weeks in 2016, since I'll have been with my company for 15 years). Good benefits, and heckuva retirement plan.

There is also the stereotype that blue collar workers are generally more loyal to their company, and change jobs less often, but that could be a dated concept, even for them.

I'm two years away from 5 weeks off (I've been here 8 years). I've got debt because I wasted time going to school (yes I consider it wasted time) but I've got good benefits and a good retirement too.

[Jimjamesak]

When I lost what I thought was my career job 11 years ago I took a part time job with UPS a year later (I sold insurance in between and hated every minute of it). 6 months later I was promoted to part-time management and at the same time took a second job as a bill collector of all things. Within one year I was promoted there as well.

I did that for six years working 65 hours per week, with a wife and two kids. I sacrificed a little bit of sleep but still managed to spend quality time with my family. Four years ago I received a promotion that allowed me to drop UPS completely. I'm now in SE Asia with an opportunity for a position that will afford me early retirement. No masters, no PHD, and I paid for college out of pocket.

One size doesn't fit all I get that, and income disparity in this country is sickening and a real problem that needs to be dealt with, but let's not blend the issues together.

That's all good. The major difference I'd mention is that you had a wife to help with things. It's a completely different situation for single parents. Yes it is possible to get through that situation but it takes a lot of luck. For every one success story there's probably ten that aren't one.

[Kepler]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

It's a completely different situation for single parents. Yes it is possible to get through that situation but it takes a lot of luck. For every one success story there's probably ten that aren't one.

I'd say that ratio is more like 1:50. For the vast majority of people, there are no second chances. I've often wondered how the "this is the best of all possible worlds" right explains homeless people. Do they think, "boy, that looks like an easy life -- I can see why people aim for it!" ?

[Slap Shot]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

My life could have easily gone into the crapper, Jim. I refused to allow it.

[The Rube]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

My life could have easily gone into the crapper, Jim. I refused to allow it.

This.

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

Who's life hasn't almost gone into the crapper?

[Jimjamesak]

My life could have easily gone into the crapper, Jim. I refused to allow it.

I understand that. Just keep in mind there's plenty of people who's life goes into the crapper despite hard work and the will not to.

[Kepler]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

I understand that. Just keep in mind there's plenty of people who's life goes into the crapper despite hard work and the will not to.

The fact is you need hard work and luck. But if somebody points that out, people react defensively and say, "whaddya mean luck, I worked hard!" Nobody is doubting they worked hard -- it's just that many people worked very hard and were still screwed, and they aren't posting about it on USCHO.

[Slap Shot]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

Yes, but I think that's the exception.

My best friend is an example. Smart man, educated, extremely responsible with finances, etc. Put himself through college (with some student loans), bought his first house on his own at 26, solid career started.

Married a woman he never should have, popped out three kids in 4 years, the wife never left her 70's New York disco lifestyle behind and he for sucked into it.

Within a few years lost his job, his house, then the wife and almost completely the kids. Every bit of it was his fault and not only could it have been avoided, but he did a**** poor effort trying to recover. (btw I lost my first house, but I came back from that)

I don't believe for a second the majority of the have nots had no choice in the matter even though I'm sure some didn't.

I don't think out biggest problem is lack of opportunity, it's the hoarding of the 1% for starters.

And Kepler please save the condescending accusation that I can't think outside the box. I'm about as far from a card carrying GOPer as there is.

[geezer]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

I'd say that ratio is more like 1:50. For the vast majority of people, there are no second chances. I've often wondered how the "this is the best of all possible worlds" right explains homeless people. Do they think, "boy, that looks like an easy life -- I can see why people aim for it!" ?

There are relatively few homeless people that don't have either a mental illness or a drug addiction that actually does push them to make that a choice (running towards or away from their demons). Still, we ought to make it a lot easier for them to get stable too. As well as the hard-working unfortunates.

[Kepler]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

And Kepler please save the condescending accusation that I can't think outside the box. I'm about as far from a card carrying GOPer as there is.

Can you point out where I said that? I sure didn't mean to, and I'm pretty sure I didn't.

[Kepler]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

There are relatively few homeless people that don't have either a mental illness or a drug addiction

Source?

[geezer]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

Source?

Dimly remembered journalist anecdotes.

[Jimjamesak]

Dimly remembered journalist anecdotes.

Well, it's better than Wikipedia...

[Kepler]

Re: Riots and Racists and Looting...OH MY!!!

Dimly remembered journalist anecdotes.

I'll allow it.