I’m not sure how to begin this tale. It seems like a fruitless endeavor, a constant push that yields little result but loss. I’ve watched the company I came to as an opportunity for a new start some five years ago slowly dwindle through decreasing ups and increasing downs to the point that I find myself frustrated with an inability to keep up with the disappointments.
These images I use are meant to be hyperbolic, nonetheless, they do well to express this lament, my own and others in this country, that I’m losing the fight.
The past weeks have seen our shop lose half of our workers due to layoffs, and more to leaving the fight to better opportunities elsewhere even as I am also dealing with reduced pay.
I thought I would learn so much at this job, and I have – though not quite the way I’d hoped, and not the things I’d hoped. And, now… Now I find that I am faced with a decision to fight the good fight and do what I can to save this floundering vessel, or am I committing slow suicide riding a sinking ship.
I am faced with the question of who is owed my loyalty? When the stone reaches the tipping point, do I push harder or do I get out of the impact zone? Our jobs are more than a way to put beans on the table; it is our identity, our productivity, our impetus to face the day and the very slings and arrows of life. I’ve sacrificed blood, sweat, tears, agility, health and a great deal of my sanity. Now I wonder if I’m too old, too broken down and jaded to begin anew.
These are the thoughts that have ravaged my spirit these past weeks. Some days reality sucks, the sky is dark and storms rage, but does that define my life or does it just describe my moment?
So, now, here I sit. A generally frugal nature and a number of blessings in my life has allowed me to realize some things: I’m not going to starve, I’m not going to be homeless, I’m just going to have a bit more time. The horror of being forced to deal with many of the things I just didn’t have the time or energy for earlier!!! So, no, I’m not worried for me. And, if I am so fortunate to ride out this storm I will be better for the opportunity to care for the things I’ve allowed to wallow in neglect. But, I very much do worry for those who will truly suffer under our Dear Leader.
-randy
Scottie's Playtime 
Hi. Randy my wonderful brother. I hope we can talk this weekend. Remember Ron and I are here for you. I am surprised your pay got cut, your salary. As for staying or leaving. Your leaving would close the plant I think. Plus if you stay the owner has other places you might fit in at. But as you say you have a powerful resume and you need to think about retirement. The older you get the harder to find work in the management level. I would talk honestly with the owner and see if he has plans to get more orders in. Ask if he wants to keep the plant running or what his plans for the future are. If he is not trying to get new customers / orders then I would say he is going to let the place die with no fight, he is running it to wind down everything which allows the few remaining customers to find new suppliers. Hugs
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Hi Scottie; I’m home all weekend, so looking forward to it. I think you hit it all on the head, and I have to consider what my future will be. He may seriously start pushing his own products, he may do as you say and wind it up. I think you are right that, no – I’m definitely NOT irreplaceable, but there comes a moment of reducing too far to continue with unfulfilled jobs tasks. I fill a number of slots and I try to look ahead while the other workers simply do what is placed before them. I would be very sad to see it all fail.
I’ll add this: In my years I’ve watched the ups and downs of business. Perhaps it is coincidence rather than cause, but… every business I have worked for has done well under a democratic president and struggled under a republican. Once, twice, coincidence perhaps. But for the last 80 years?
I think the days of people working their lives for one company and retiring to a comfortable coast are done. The smaller companies are not going to be able to exist in an environment of hostility by our own government, and the larger companies have no care for their human resources beyond their dollar generation.
hugs.
randy
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Amen.
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Hi Randy. All you say is true about how the economy does under the different parties. That is because of the fundamental difference. The republicans worship greed and profit. The democrats want to help the lower incomes and make sure there is a social safety net. Or used to. With Pelosi and Schumer they went republican lite to get the corporate money they craved. They forgot that if you inspire the people they will donate to you for your ideas, but that won’t give you the big cushy well paying nongovernment job after you leave the congress. Hugs
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