Where Does A Very Bright But Aging, Non-degreed Man Find A Job In High Unemployment Area Metro Detroit?

Married, mature, all-around good guy who enjoys life and people. Well read, well traveled; excellent social skills. Effective communicator; team player with a can-do attitude and leadership ability. Dependable, focused, willing and able. Much experience; quick study able to master new methods and technologies. But getting old and, alas, no degree. Army veteran. What can I do in the highest unemployment area in the country? Who needs good help? Where do I look?

The Donut Crew

I was having coffee and donuts with neighbors this morning as we do every Friday when the fast-paced conversation suddenly jackknifed in the middle of the table just like a big rig would, causing a verbal pile up about the unemployment situation in Oregon. Presently we’re at a little over twelve percent with rural counties running higher than that. Oregon! One of the first to get hit in the ass and the last to recover.

Consisting entirely of seniors, the donut crew as we call ourselves, are not immune to what I refer to as the Socialistic policies of the Obama administration and how it’s destroying our economy. I realize at this juncture that who we voted for is water under the bridge and exactly who is responsible for the job losses and high prices remains unknown. What we do know is that we’re all Americans and we all feel the results.

Maria usually sits on my right. She’s the matriarch of the donut crew. At 85 she has a very good federal retirement which allows her to have a landscaper do her yard, travel when she wants and basically enjoy a trouble-free life. The subject of the economy interests her a lot though, because her three boys with their families all live in California which is in real trouble right now.

Pete sat on my left. He’s in his seventies, has some disorder that causes him to shake a lot yet doesn’t let it affect his great sense of humor. He seems to ignore the economic plight of our country as he says he can’t do anything about it anyway. Across the table, his wife Doris looks worried. They’ve already had to sell their home because it was too much to afford and now they live in an apartment. What with Pete’s health I’m sure she wonders what will become of her when he passes away.

Bob, the diabetic and his wife Paula sit together. Bob just had part of his stomach removed for some reason and lost some weight, too. He and Paula (both in their sixties) are officially retired but Bob still has to do the books and taxes for some local companies in order to make ends meet. It seems they’re feeling the pinch, too.

As for myself, I’m sixty-six and supposedly retired, too. Funny how people automatically think when you look a certain age or they know you’ve actually reached that age you can kick back and enjoy your silver years. Well, stop the presses! Here’s a news flash! Not all of us can. Quite candidly, I predict that not many people will be able to from here on out if things continue as they are.

Back to me for a moment. I write and submit articles online. This is an example of just one of many that are published all over the Internet. It’s how I continue to make a living . Social Security doesn’t pay me enough to live on and I don’t enjoy any kind of pension. It’s just the way it is and as long as I can write and maintain my websites I’ll do it as long as I’m able.

In any case, next Friday the donut crew will gather around the table again, I suppose. The talk will be about the news or whatever and life will continue. At least until the day comes when one of us eats their final donut. Until then, our gathering represents a microcosm of seniors who are pretty much ignored in this country including how our sabotaged economy is affecting us.

I find it interesting how politicians become so concerned about seniors at election time. They’ll promise everything they can for us when it’s not theirs to promise. Their rhetoric is convincing, slick and attracts the votes of so many gullible, trusting seniors. But when they’re voted into office they’re not to be found and their promises fade to dust just as the politicians know that those seniors who elected them will soon do. But no matter, our politicians know there’s a whole new crop of seniors that should be just about ready to be manipulated during the next election cycle.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, Ron Knowles reveals insightful lessons on how to learn and earn at home from his website and even authors an educational newsletter that helps people choose the logical vehicle for doing so. For those who need to make more money and stay at home, his system is insightful.