My family is very blessed and thus far we have been sheltered from nearly every aspect of this significant economic downturn - but what has been, will not always be and issues are starting to crop up close to home...
My wife's employer laid off four more people this week after letting two go early last. As a physician's service rep, she caters to doctors hoping they will, in-turn, direct more business her way. Problem is: Even the health care industry is feeling the pain of this economic downturn. As the Las Vegas unemployment rate ticked up to 7.4% many thousands lost insurance coverage and with family budgets stretched to the max, health care became a secondary rather than a primary concern... She has also witnessed a growing trend, by those who still have insurance, of delayed physician visits - possibly related to co-pay and prescription costs??
Just today, in speaking with one of her physicians, she learned his practice received six cancellations before noon - he's worried... Additionally, one local hospital she deals with has turned down (mothballed) an entire floor due to the significant decrease in patient volume and bed requirements. It's scary to know that she could potentially fall victim to the next round of company budget cuts.
Moving On:
My 18yr old UNLV student son has worked for Best Buy Electronics for a couple of years now. Throughout the course of his employment there, he would typically receive a 25-30 hour a week work schedule, but that was cut back to ~ 11 hours a month ago, and recently was reduced to just 5 hours a week - he's currently looking for another job.
Thus far, I am under no threat of job loss, but who knows what the future will hold.
Closing:
Though I'm certain many readers here have far bigger problems - making mine seem trivial by comparison, I felt these concerns were likely indicative of the employment insecurities being felt by many these days.
Well, just heard from the news running in the background - Obama has won the election. Lets all hope and pray he can make a difference. Personally, I don't think so, but I'll say a prayer anyway - we're all going to need it.
Please feel free to share your personal issues of concern and/or thoughts.
Best regards
Randy
8 comments:
When times get hard. When times get hard people become "ripe". When the "meek" become "ripe" it's time for GOD to harvest them and bring them into a "peace" that passes any carnal understanding a.k.a. conventional wisdom.
Job 36
15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
"openeth their ears in oppression"
I truly appreciate you Randy as well as many others who frequent your blog. True peace and liberty is not subject to circumstances. Wisdom from our CREATOR is to be sought after more than material riches.
James 1
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
It's truly easier said than done to count trying times as a blessing. But for those who are mindful of our CREATOR will see trying times for what they really are.
GOD bless you Randy,
Justin
Randy,
It is really tough when it hits close to home. I appreciate you sharing. I have seen some alarming activity close to home too. Without going into detail, it has to do with private owners and tenants, also privately held mortgages in default and refusal to leave under foreclosure. The activity has come close to being violent. And in both cases, these are people who knew each other before entering into a financial arrangement. And they are both high-end properties, one residential and one commercial. Desperation surprisingly exists on BOTH sides of these relationships. Witnessing two such incidents close to home is startling to me as I too have felt insulated.
As anecdotal evidence goes, what I have seen tells me the "fun" is only just beginning.
Dear Randy:
Please, get out of LV. It is a place that will come close to being worthless. There is no future in LV without AC, water and expensive gas. Just cut your losses and go to where water is and where farmland is plentiful. Good luck to you.
Best,
Chuck H.
Randy,
my heart goes out to you. This nation's leadership has not been looking out for its people, its well-being, or its sustainability. It has only been about greed, and a how-much-can-I-get-while-the-gettin'-is-good philosophy. We have to give Obama a chance to do what he can. The negative momentum is incredible! Europe, Eastern Europe, the hostility felt by Russia and China, two wars, etc. Obama has so much to deal with. It is a huge undertaking, and it would have been for anyone.
Through tough times, one begins to reassess what is important and what is not. My grandfather left Russia in 1909 fleeing oppression and persecution. He left with only what he had to carry. From Russia to Poland. After a few months, then on to NYC. Immigration would not let him stay in the US, so off he went to Toronto, at the age of 19-alone.
He used the skills he had, and created new ones. He worked long hours and carved a meager life for my grandmother, aunt and dad. They were happy. They lived below the poverty line much of the time, moving once the rent came due; but they persevered.
There are millions of such stories. Studs Terkel documented many. I know you will figure it out. You are a smart person. You have a strong family connection. I am sure you will find your way.
jerry
All,
Thanks for posting up and I really appreciate your concern.
With that however, my intent was not to seek sympathy from others (as I am doing far better than many); I merely wanted to reflect on my thoughts and share some building concerns that I'm certain many others are feeling.
Randy,
This is probably just the beginning. America will be full of victory gardens before you know it. And, for the first time in our lifetimes, the average weight will go down.
If we do have a depression or collapse of the empire, just about everyone is going to regret how this came to pass. An unbelievably rich and successful country 40 years ago into a mess.
In a sense, though, "no pain, no gain". The young ones didn't deserve this, but the country as a whole is like an alcoholic who loses his job and his health. We feel sorry, but he needs to come to Jesus.
I know you aren't seeking sympathy, Randy, but God Bless you and your family anyway.
God Bless us all. May we somehow help each other survive. May we remember that no matter our political leanings, no matter our religion, no matter our skin color, no matter which state we live in, we are all Americans.
Please, God, help us to reach out to each other during these times, help us remember our strength as Americans and our unity, help us remember that America has always been about courage and resolve and strength, and not fear or hate or division. Help us be, indeed, ONE nation under God.
LL
The bottom in real estate in vegas has not been reached.
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