Unemployment Blues for the Employed

As you can probably tell, I am not employed. Well not really. I do a little consulting and have been trying to convince my husband I am a working Trophy Wife, but for all statistical purposes I would be considered purposefully unemployed and I am happy about that. I am much more fortunate than the people represented in the new 17.5% unemployment rate.

This number represents those people who having been looking for jobs for as long as year. Where are the jobs going to come from? How are these people supposed to survive? These numbers are scary and there is really no end in the immediate future. How did we let it get so bad? We ignored it. We watched our country give up manufacturing plants and production of just about everything believing it didn't. Well it does.

Consider also how unemployment rates affect the employed.Do you know anyone who is unhappy in there current position? I do. My friend is miserable in his job. He is being taken advantage on a daily basis. Although he is a brilliant man and an extremely hard worker, he continues to struggle with a disinterested management team, a overburdened staff and no change in sight. In different economic times, he would be actively circulating his resume, going on multiple interviews and considering offers. Not now. Now he is dealing with the lack of money at his company to properly run the business, the inability to perform to his usual standards, and a bout of depression than follows him home nightly. He has kids to put through college, a mortgage to pay and the luxurious need for health care. He cannot quit without knowing where he can obtain the next paycheck.

I also have friend who goes to work daily waiting for the pink slip. She is skilled and makes top dollar for her abilities and experiences. The problem is the company can hire new talent that will work for much less. Some of these people just as experienced but not as lucky, as she is.

Everyone has stories of work place issues and although you want to say "shut up and deal with it - you're lucky to be working", they are not happy and that is permeating into everyones life. Unemployment affects us all working or not working. We all need to be thinking about a way to help. Any ideas?