Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A 99'er Says Goodbye


Zero Hedge reports on a 99'er (someone who's been drawing Federal unemployment benefits for the maximum allowable period of 99 weeks) who decided to commit suicide rather than struggle on after his benefits expired. He gives his name as 'Mark'. Here's an extract from his letter.

I am college educated and worked 35 years in management, receiving written references and praise from every boss for whom I worked. Yet, after thousands of resumes, applications, e-mails, phone calls, and drop ins, I've failed to get a job even at McDonalds. I've discovered there are three strikes against me -- most 99ers will understand. Strike one -- businesses are not hiring long-term unemployed -- in fact many job ads now underline "the unemployed need not apply." Strike two -- I am almost 60 years old. Employers prefer hiring younger workers who demand less and are better pack mules. Strike three -- for every job opening I've applied, there are over 300 applicants according to each business who allow a follow up call. With the U3 unemployment holding steady at 9.6 percent and U6 at 17 percent for the past 18 months, the chances of me or any 99er landing a job is less than winning the Mega Million Jackpot. On top of that, even the most conservative economists admit unemployment will not start to fall before 2012 and most predict up to seven years of this crap.

I believe the Congress and President have no intention of really aiding the unemployed -- due to various political reasons and their total removal from the suffering of most Americans, their cold-hearted, self-serving natures. Had they really wanted to help us, they could have used unspent stimulus monies or cut foolish costs like the failed wars or foreign aid, and farm subsidies. The unspent stimulus money alone cold have taken care of ALL unemployed persons for five years or until the unemployment rate reached 7 percent if Congress and the President really wanted to help us -- and not string us all along with a meager safety net that fails every few months. In any case, if I were to survive homelessness (would be like winning the mega-millions) and with those three strikes against me, in seven more years, I'll be near 70 with the new retirement age at 70 -- now who will hire an old homeless guy out of work for nine years with just a few years until retirement?

So, here I am. Long term unemployed, older man, with chronic health problems, now totally broke, hungry, facing eviction. My landlady should really be an advocate for the unemployed -- she bangs on my door demanding I take action. A phone call and a "please" are not enough for her -- she is angry. She is right to be angry with me, I am unemployed -- as apparently everyone is now angry with us unemployed.

. . .

So I have the "freedom" to be homeless and destitute and "pursue happiness" in garbage cans and then die -- yay for America huh? It's the end of November and cold. A diabetic homeless older person will experience amputations in the winter months. So I will be raiding garbage cans for food, as my body literally falls apart, a foot here, a finger there. I have experienced and even worked with pain from my diseases -- hardship I can face. I just cannot muster the courage to slowly die in agony and humiliation in the gutter.

I have no family, I have no friends. For the past two years, I've had nobody to talk with as people who knew me react to the "unemployed" label as if it were leprosy and contagious. I am not a bad person, in fact people really like me. But everyone seems to be on a tight budget these days and living in incredible fear. It is hopeless since we all are hearing more and more that we unemployed are to blame for unemployment, that we are just lazy, that we are no good, that we are sinners, that we are druggies, yet we are the victims who suffer and are punished while the robber baron banksters and tycoons become senators, congress, presidents and petty kings. So the only option left for me is merciful self euthanasia.


There's more at the link. Recommended reading.

I'm in two minds over this letter. Part of me agrees with the writer that the State could do more to help the unemployed, as he points out. Enormous sums are being wasted that could be more profitably diverted to helping the long-term unemployed.

On the other hand, however, should the State be helping - even more than it is already? I ask this, not because I'm heartless or unfeeling, but because I don't see it as the State's obligation to take care of most citizens from cradle to grave. That's a socialist, statist perspective that I cannot and do not share. I agree that it's society's collective responsibility, from a moral perspective, to help those among us who are in need; but how should that help be provided? Can private organizations not provide it more efficiently and effectively than the State? Furthermore, a government-sponsored 'safety net' may be a good and worthwhile thing, up to a point; but not if it permanently replaces the need for a normal individual to support himself. (Obviously, I exclude those who are unable to provide for themselves due to chronic illness or disability. I do believe there should be a 'safety net' for them. Others may disagree with me about that - which is their right, of course.)

I also have to question Mark's approach. If I were in his shoes, I can think of several organizations I could - and would - approach for assistance. The Salvation Army does great work with those who lack any resources of their own. The Red Cross is there. There are numerous local church-sponsored assistance programs. I could go on . . . but I think it's clear that if one doesn't want to live on the streets, one doesn't necessarily have to. If one reaches out for help, it's available. If he has skills he can offer such organizations in exchange for their assistance, he can keep body and soul together while helping others who are as badly off as himself. I don't see the need to despair, as he seems to be doing.

Finally, I also have to ask what Mark was doing during his working career. If he's almost 60 now, and has 'worked 35 years in management', as he claims, what provision did he make for his own retirement? There are pension plans for private citizens. There's disability insurance. There's long term care insurance. If he'd invested in these things, the health problems of which he complains would be covered, and he'd be taken care of now. He could afford to retire, if not in great luxury, then at least with enough income to keep the wolf from the door. These are all things we should be providing for ourselves - but clearly, he didn't.

What say you, readers? What do you think of Mark's perspective - and mine? How would you approach someone in his position? How would you help them? Let us know in Comments.

Peter

17 comments:

Will Brown said...

Mark serves as a prime example of why we "baby boomers" enjoy the reputation we do for selfish childishness. I won't comment on his choice of action beyond saying that I profoundly disagree given the circumstance he describes.

Melody Byrne said...

"There are pension plans for private citizens. There's disability insurance. There's long term care insurance. If he'd invested in these things, the health problems of which he complains would be covered, and he'd be taken care of now. He could afford to retire, if not in great luxury, then at least with enough income to keep the wolf from the door. These are all things we should be providing for ourselves - but clearly, he didn't."

Disability and long-term care insurance aren't just for those approaching retirement. My husband just got diagnosed with thyroid cancer (in his 30's) and should his recovery take longer than his company can handle we will still have income because he had the sense to sign up for long-term disability coverage.

This is exactly why insurance and savings exist, to keep us afloat when things go wrong.

And I agree, I don't know of any true religious organization who would let him live on the streets if he were willing to work. Sometimes you just have to let the ego and expectations go.

Carolyn said...

I think that Mark's perspective is that of someone who is severely depressed. It appears that he has let his situation "get to him." If I was in contact with him, I would try to encourage him to seek help with his depression, and try to show him ways to help himself financially.
I mostly agree with your perspective, Peter, except that there are many possible reasons that his retirement income isn't there. Maybe his company folded, or Bernie Madoff got his savings. Perhaps he spent his last penny on his dieing Wife. Who knows? But you are correct that help is out there in many forms, and there is no reason to off himself.

Tam said...

I was less than two paragraphs into that excerpt before I was tapping my foot impatiently and thinking "Well hurry up and eat your gun already, whiner."

Anonymous said...

I agree that he sounds like someone with depression. That said, I wonder too how someone with his experience could not find at least part time work with a not-for profit, even if it was in exchange for housing assistance rather than a full-time salary.

I think Carolyn's other point shows why you should have an independent retirement and (if possible) insurance plan separate from your work. Yes, Madoffs happen, but after Enron I'm very leery about employer-provided pensions and 401k plans. I've never planned on having Medicare or Social Security, so I don't even consider those in my long-term fiscal plans (I'm closer to 40 than 30).

For the long-term unemployed, I would start with giving them connections to private charities, in case it becomes necessary, and I would strongly encourage them to take what they can find, as soon as possible. For someone like "Mark" with so many strikes (age, medical condition, perceived inflexibility, so long without a job), I'm not quite sure what I'd recommend. The area where I currently live has low unemployment compared to the rest of the country, for the moment, but you still have to do a fair amount of leg work.

LittleRed1

Glenn Arlt said...

I agree that governments are poor at (and really, the US government was never intended to) carry the citizenry in their old age, or infirmity.

Most people do not even consider the fact that in attempting to do so, this reduces the opportunities for Christians to give alms to help others.

Plus there is the old truth of "give someone a fish and they eat for a day, teach them to fish and they can eat for life."

Now we have the worst of all worlds; onerous taxation by government to "help" the helpless (which they are failing to do), which takes away monies from people who would otherwise be able to directly give Alms to good organizations which could help the helpless.

SpeakerTweaker said...

I think dude was dead on (pardon the expression) about the .gov not wanting to help. They are some self-serving SOBs, the lot of them. They could help. Stop spending. Stop legislating. Watch economy recover. Take credit for jobs that magically appear.

But not getting a job ain't an excuse for giving up on life. My sympathy - as well as my help - is reserved for those who would help themselves. Let the emo kids be the ones to bitch and moan about how the world is TEH SUXXORZ. Adults fall off the horse, adults get back on.



tweaker

Boyd K said...

I think he was half right. If the unspent stimulus money, and the rediculous subsidies were spent ... not on unemployment benefits but simply by being returned in lower tax rates or -better- yet never collected, the economy would be in better shape and unemployment would be at a low enough rate that we (meaning here, the gov't) could stop lying to ourselves about it because people would be working. Sorry to disagree even half way with a person who killed themselves, but flowing these funds through the government is the problem. Not the solution.

Anon Y. Mous said...

Whatever happened to self-employement? If he had developed managerial skills over 30 odd years, he had a lot to offer. Tutoring, consulting, teaching would be possible.

I wonder if we're stuck in the rut of expecting help when we are in a hard spot.

I've worked for myself in the past, I didn't particularly like the boss, but it put food on the table and kept clothes on the kid's backs. It was long and ugly hours for the most part.

Where does it say that I get to a point and then I get to coast on easy street? I've convinced myself that I have to be in better shape to be prepared to work until I die. Based on the utter gutlessness of the politicians we have, our way of life is rapidly coming to the cliff of bankruptcy. I am working to deal with a level of survival, not a level of comfort. Mental toughness is what I'm after. Still have a lot of "American Dream" to root out tho. Been soft for too long.

Kansas Scout said...

Being unemployed and out of benefits after two years I fully understand his feelings. Being a non union construction guy I have no union pension to fall back on. My 401 K was tapped out from a previous layoff and our other savings are about gone in a week or two. We have always lived frugally and saved and did what your supposed to do to be responsible.
I am appalled at Tam's comment. I will never read that blog again.
If you find yourself in this position I hope you find some compassion somewhere instead of some dogmatic sermon about "who's responsible"
The aid agencies I know around me are overwhelmed and cannot begin to meet everyone's needs. So that suggestion is not as good as you say.
Soon enough this will all come the way of those who have so far evaded the ravages of this recession. Soon you will find out what it's like. You never really thought you would avoid that did you?

Kansas Scout said...

After reading your list of "ought to have done" I just have to say, I am outa here too.

Dr. Feelgood said...

My only thought was that I'll consider my life an utterly failed waste of existence if I make it to 60 and have nobody to love.

A life consumed upon lusts. If not for the letter, would anyone care?

Old NFO said...

There were options he obviously didn't explore as you described... he sounds clinically depressed, and unwilling to even make the effort to do anything. I'm sorry for him, but I think you are correct, it is not the State's job to provide cradle to grave $$... Those attempts are what have put us in the position we are now.

Fly To Your Dreams said...

He got one thing right: for less than the price of the failed and wasted stimulus money, we could have given family in America $200,000 to pay down their mortgage/credit cards/other loans/buy a new house. Even if you're out of work, it's a lot easier to make a survivable living if you don't have to make a house payment every month.

But for the rest, all I can think of is put down your ego and pick up a fry hat. I'm 30 years old, in a good job, with a good income, but I've got a wife and four kids (okay, three on the runway, one in the hanger) to support. If I ever lose my good job, I hope that I'll be willing to take on part time jobs at McDonalds, Taco Bell, or anywhere else that will have me before I'll accept that I'm going to spend the rest of my life unemployed.

The father of a friend of mine was out of work for a while. He didn't complain about it being unfair, he took a job working as a stock boy for a department store rather than be on unemployment. He also didn't stop trying to get back in the game, and to his credit, today he's back to a job that's more appropriate to his life experience and skillset, but the point remains, there are always jobs out there, but you may have to be willing to send your ego packing for a long while.

Peter said...

Kansas Scout, I'm sorry you seem to think that I'm unsympathetic, or harsh, or whatever it is that rubbed you the wrong way. I posted this article in an attempt to draw out readers' views on the subject, so we could all learn from each other. I think we've educated each other - at least, I've learned from some of the points made here.

It wasn't my intention to criticize or disrespect those such as yourself who are suffering as 'Mark' has suffered. I've been there, too. Since my disabling injury in 2004, I've not been able to work a normal job. That's pretty soul-destroying, as you know from your own experience. I've done my best to find alternatives, including writing this blog as an outlet for my interests - and sometimes my frustration, too! In doing so, I've learned a lot, made lots of new friends, and opened a new chapter in my life.

I'd like to suggest that if you're distressed by others' comments, it would be better for them, as well as you, if you wrote a comment describing how you experienced the reality about which they're so casual or dismissive. It helps you get it off your chest, and it helps them with a different perspective they may never have seen without your help. That way, everyone wins.

Groundhog said...

Likely depressed. Still, there is help out there although I can see the struggle for it getting to be too much. Some funny remarks he made though (I only read what was on your site, not the link). First, he said everyone seems to like him yet he was all alone. Not impossible but doesn't quite add up either. Retire at 70? Pretty sure if he was 60 he'd be looking at social security in 2 years still. It's us younger folk that get to wait longer.

Mike Doyle said...

I do feel sorry for the guy, in a way. I was never an aviator (ground crew - aviation ordnance), but the duty officers didn't mind the squadron duty clerk asking dumb questions about what he'd read in the duty hut. Attack drivers describe a phenonemon in fatal mishaps called "target fixation" - you roll in on your bomb run so focused on the specific task of putting your load on target, you forget about the larger objective of putting your load in, RTB'ing, rearming, and surviving to fly the next sortie, and you actually fly yourself into the ground.

I've been clinically depressed before, and IMHO, that leaves you particularly vulnerable to that sort of thing. It seems to me that Mark got so focused on, "I got sh**canned, and I have to find another job to replace the one I had," that he forgot the overall objective of earning some sort of income to regroup, rearm, and gly again. I had friends who cared enough to give me a gentle boot in the butt to get my attention, then help me refocus on my own overall objective. It's saddening that Mark apparently did not have anybody to help him with getting refocused.

Having said that, I sort of wish that one of his friends could dig him up and boot him in the butt for taking the easy way out and riding it into the ground. Perhaps, when you come down to it, I'm wired differently - I've always leaned more towards the "die trying" approach than accepting the notion of hopelessness. I had a classmate suicide, and I still haven't forgiven him for that. (Yes, I feel a degree of guilt for not seeing it coming, but some of that guilt goes back to him for not letting me or anybody else know there was a problem, damnmit!)

Variation on a theme: "I can't help you fix it if you won't let me know what's broken!" Mark did what he did, and he has to answer for it in whatever afterlife he may find himself in. Bottom line, he made his own mistakes, and let him rest there. And I pray that whatever friends he had don't let themselves get guilt-tripped by his mistakes.

MJD