n 2008 I became part of what is now known as the 47% of Americans that will never "get" the Republican message, because I wouldn't be concerned about tax issues. No need to worry about me.
I am a 53 year old woman who has worked my entire life. In 2008 I became a casualty of the financial meltdown. I was layed off from the largest mortgage lender in the nation. I worked real hard to do a good job and thought I had a good career. I was making middle class money and paying taxes with few deductions. For only the second time in my life I had to stand in the unemployment line, but this time it would be for an extended amount of time.
Meanwhile I had to listen to all the pundits and conservative politicians blame me. Me for working for that company, Me for overextending, Me for lending to people who clearly couldn't afford it...Me for using taxpayer's dollars to collect unemployment...and on and on. When truly, I was just an average person making a living for my family. The problem as I see it was that because of deregulation and lending strategies that were decided in board rooms, mixed with corporate greed, loan products were developed and given to the worker "bees" to sell for the lending institutions. Simplistic point of view, but true. So I did my job and lost a career.
I sent out resumes, went out looking, put in applications... and I couldn't get a job doing anything in the financial industry unless I had a BA. I could never afford to go to school when I was young. Loans and grants just weren't as available as they are today. I worked my way up and was thankful for the opportunities I was given, even though I new if I had a college degree I would make much more income.
So I collected my unemployment check and went on a hunt. A hunt for a new career and found one. I am happy to say that I finally have a college degree and I am about to start a career that I know I will be truly helping people with their daily lives. I will soon become a certified occupational theapy assistant (I still have to complete my boards.) So yes I am better off now than I was four years ago. I had to work hard and fight my way through, nothing was "handed" to me except the opportunities to make my dream career and brighter future possible.
Now I'd like to take you through my journey....simply:
Financial Meltdown and Nationwide Crisis: Bush years
Lost my Career: 2007-2008
Unable to pay for my home= Loan Modification
to be able to stay in my home Obama
Unemployment extensions x 3 Obama
Eligibility to finance school while collecting
unemployment and recieve double Pell Grant Obama
College degree at 53 yrs of age, enabling me
to return to work and contribute my fair share
of taxes to the economy Obama
Who helped move me from "a taker" to "a maker"? Obama
AND TO THE STATEMENT THAT "THOSE PEOPLE" WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ME"...Mr. Romney:
everyone is entitled to their mistakes..... I VOTED FOR REAGAN TWICE.
