The Struggling Class
Forget the middle class. It's gone. There may be an
upper class. There is definitely a lower class. But the middle
class; it no longer exists. It's been replaced by the struggling class.
And much of the struggling class is slowly slipping away to the lower class.
The unemployment rate is dropping.
That's what I hear. The truth, I believe, is that it has dropped.
It has dropped off the radar. There are way too many people who are
no longer considered "unemployed" because they are no longer eligible
for unemployment. Some are still looking; some have given up hope. Many are working short term contract jobs with no benefits. They are all part of the struggling class.
They are the ones who are trying to stay
afloat. The ones who are overqualified and cannot find employment.
The ones who are just starting off and have little or no experience.
The ones who would take just about anything if offered, but there are no
offers.
The struggling class is scared. Why
wouldn't they be? It's not as if they aren't hard workers. Most of
them are. Many of them have worked all lives and now find that they are
redundant. Or so they have been told.
There are too many in the struggling
class. There are too many good people trying to keep their heads above
water.
I am part of the struggling class, but I
am one of the lucky ones. I have an extended family that has helped to
keep me afloat. I also have a job. My pay is just about what it was
10 years ago. Unfortunately most of my bills are not. But I know
that I am blessed. There are so many who are not.
Some of them are my friends. I wish
I could help them. I don't like the struggled and I certainly don't like
to see those that I love and care about struggle as well. I know way too
many people of all ages, genders, and races who are in need of help.
I want to help. I hope that I can in
some way. As I continue to tread water, I want to reach out to those who
are going under. I can't help financially, but I can keep my eyes and
ears open for opportunities. I can be someone who will listen. I
can be someone who understands.
I have no answers; no solutions. I
don't want to talk the politics of it all. But I do want to see a
solution to this struggling class. I want to see people succeed.
Not just to survive, but to thrive. I want to there to be hope for
better days ahead and not fear of more of the same.
I may not have to offer, as I struggle
myself, but we can all offer a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
We can all say a prayer.
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