The Bear in me is about to growl once again. This time it is about the "privileged" of our society. I, and several others were recently "laid off" from our jobs with AT&T. They sent our jobs to the Phillipines where they will do our jobs for 25% of what we were doing them for. Many of the people where I worked are being let go and their jobs are being sent to India, Slovakia and the Phillipines where they are being paid $600 a month (yes, I said $600 a MONTH). Just 4 days after I was let go, my Sister was "laid off" from her job of 10 years from a semiconductor manufacturer. She was an Administrator for the company. They had just had her orchestrate a move from there current location to a smaller facility. She was congratulated for her hard work and efficiency on Friday and let go the following Monday. They offered her a 7 month severence package.... PROVIDING she signed a paper stating she would not sue them for wrongful termination. She talked to someone still with the company who is "In the know" and found out the not only she, but 199 others were let go. This was done because the stockholders wanted an extra $10 a share on their investments. I tell you this so I can tell another story.
I found a job at a Shell gas station in an affluent community. It's $8.50 an hour but it beats unemployment till I find something better. The community where I work is a very wealthy suburb of Chicago. Last week a man and his wife pulled up in their Mercedes. They were very well dressed and after speaking with the man I knew they were well educated. He was a self-made man. I have no problem with anyone that earns what they have. In fact, I admire it.
However, as our conversation progressed and I mentioned my situation and then my Sister's and what had happened with her and why it happened. After mentioning the stockholders, his response was, "Well.... they are entitled to do that."
Entitled.... no mention made of the 200 people put out of work. Just, "they are entitled."
I looked this man in the eyes and saw the 1000 yard stare. The conversation was at an end as far as I was concerned. This man, like so many other financially comfortable people I have encountered simply did not "get it". No concern... no understanding... no empathy whatsoever. There is a saying that goes something like, "Those who do not learn from History are condemned to repeat it."
Just to name 2 historical figures.... King James of England ignored the common people and lost his head for it. King Louis of France met the same fate. While I am certain that people today think that could never happen now I am equally certain they thought the same thing then.
OK.... I'm done, nuff said.
I found a job at a Shell gas station in an affluent community. It's $8.50 an hour but it beats unemployment till I find something better. The community where I work is a very wealthy suburb of Chicago. Last week a man and his wife pulled up in their Mercedes. They were very well dressed and after speaking with the man I knew they were well educated. He was a self-made man. I have no problem with anyone that earns what they have. In fact, I admire it.
However, as our conversation progressed and I mentioned my situation and then my Sister's and what had happened with her and why it happened. After mentioning the stockholders, his response was, "Well.... they are entitled to do that."
Entitled.... no mention made of the 200 people put out of work. Just, "they are entitled."
I looked this man in the eyes and saw the 1000 yard stare. The conversation was at an end as far as I was concerned. This man, like so many other financially comfortable people I have encountered simply did not "get it". No concern... no understanding... no empathy whatsoever. There is a saying that goes something like, "Those who do not learn from History are condemned to repeat it."
Just to name 2 historical figures.... King James of England ignored the common people and lost his head for it. King Louis of France met the same fate. While I am certain that people today think that could never happen now I am equally certain they thought the same thing then.
OK.... I'm done, nuff said.
