If you have read this with any regularity, you know that I have been running my own small store for about a year. I have shared most of my frustrations with the endless red tape that is involved in opening a business now. I have posted pictures of the remodel, the expansion, and the building. For the most part, I love that I have been able to do this. Being my own boss is an exciting prospect, and knowing that my fate is in my own hands is both wonderful and scary.
On the other hand, I spent 78 hours working last week. I do not receive over time, of course. If I wish to make money, than I have to be open. I have said before that I would like to hire someone part time, someone that could be here when I was enjoying a half day off. So I wish I could hire someone for maybe 10 hours a week. It's not going to happen. It's not that I have a shortage in applications, no. I have maybe five to eight people per week who ask if I am hiring. Unfortunately, I am not.
I have listed the reasons before, but a new reason that I won't be hiring is the recession that is not only not over, it is dug in. My business is hanging in there. Luckily, I have low overhead, and I have no problem with long hours. The thing that I cannot overcome is this craptacular economy we are experiencing. I sell things to people. I also find things that people are looking for, and then I sell them those things also. A customer that taxes my patience often complains that I just buy things and sell them for more than I paid for them.You think? Welcome to capitalism 101.
The current, uncooked unemployment number sits at 14.58%. That's the real number, not the heavily redacted, eliminating the people who are underemployed, or the people who have stopped looking and given up, or the people who have run out of benefits. Can you imagine the panic of looking for two years and still not having a job??
How are we supposed to thrive when one in six people does not have a job? One in six people has no money coming in, or not enough money coming in. While it makes buying things for the store much easier, what is the point of buying things for the store if there is no one able to buy those items?
I don't want tax credits. I don't want some sort of easing of money. Printing more money is the reason that gasoline is so expensive. I don't want magic beans, I want a strong, robust economy where everyone who wants to work can find a job, a good paying job.
Get involved. Volunteer your time to a group that is working to fix the problems we face. Write letters, make phone calls, demand that your elected officials earn their pay. Learn to read their double speak, and don't accept it. If you didn't do your job, would you be able to keep it? Me neither. The Senate hasn't passed a budget in three years. That is one of the only things spelled out for them in the Constitution that they must do. If you just showed up for work without doing anything for three years, how do you think that would play out? Demand that the Senate do their job. You'll thank me later.
No comments:
Post a Comment