Unemployment and its effects on the CD community
I just wanted to take the time to see how this issue is affecting this Community of Debaters. It hits home for me. In the past year my entire family, including myself, have become unemployed. Some have found jobs, some have not. These include family members with High School diploma's, Associates Degrees, BA's, Masters,and other qualifications.
Here are just a few examples of questions; Have you recently become unemployed? If so, how do you feel about it? Do you know anyone who has? Are you fearful of losing your current job? How long have you been unemployed? What do you do with your time? Is unemployment insurance enough to pay the bills? If not, what are you doing to pay them? What are the reactions of friends and families? Do you feel any sort of hostility towards you from others that are employed? Do you feel hostility towards those that are unemployed? Is the job market that bad? What is your states unemployment rate? What are you doing to keep up spirits? Does the unemployment situation have any effect on your spending habits?
I would like this to be an inquiry into the phenomenon that is becoming more prevelent as the economy continues to tussle.
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I personally know 13 people who have used unemployment benefits in the last two years because they were laid off. 5 now have a job while 8 people still do not. 3 of the 13 were people planning on milking the system. The 5 that are now working Interestingly, 4 out of the 5 were making upwards of $90k per year and found(1) equivalent work when they actually looked for it. This group of 4 people who were making $90k + per year includes the 3 that were planning on milking the system and milk it they did for more than $650 a week (minnesota). All three conveniently found jobs just as or just after the unemployment benefits expired for them. One even pushed his start date out for 30 days so he could keep collecting the checks. The three milkers do not have children or dependants and two of them let their property go into "strategic default". The big earner that did not milk the system required 60 weeks to find a job and was saved in several ways (has kids, has mortgage) by the unemployment extensions. The 5th, who is a mom, found work well before the initial 26 weeks ran out. She took a job well below (20% reduction) the paygrade she was used to but continues to work (and struggle) at that rate while looking for a different job. (1) All 5 of these now employed people found work through friends or relatives. All other methods of finding work failed miserably or weren't attempted. The 8 that are not working Well one probably shouldn't be mentioned as he got in a car accident the day he was laid off and has since recieved a very large settlement. so... The 7 that are not working All 7 have at least one child and have been looking for anything that will pay the bills. None of the 7 made more than $40k before they were laid off. All 7 have had to move in with friends or relatives. All 7 have been turned down for jobs simply because they've been unemployed for so long. All 7 have decent resumes (some thanks to me) and have applied for multiple (100s to 1000s) jobs online and in person. 3 of the 7 have exhausted their unemployment benefits. 3 of the 7 (not same three but it overlaps) lost their vehicle while unemployed. (Repossessed and couldn't pay lawyer for bankruptcy) While two more of the 7 have their cars in "hiding". 2 of the 7 have actually had job offers that were turned down for logistic reasons (Pay isn't enough to cover gas required to get there, too far away now that there is no vehicle, pay not enough to cover child care expenses, etc) 2 of the 4 who still get benefits, will lose them at the end of this month. Side: Need more UI
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