A sad happening on Henry Street

[oneighty]

and it bothers me. I need some trash removed from my property so I call a telephone number advertised in the local paper.

The not young couple drive up in a old station wagon rusted beyond hope.

He carries a clipboard and jots down my instructions (I guess). He is dirty as a trash hauler might be expected to be. She is unkempt as well. I wonder if she stinks. I feel terrible thinking these thoughts-guilty.

They are both about as rusted out as the car they came in. They are the mirror image of the time I was just like them. Down and out in America.

He gives me a price. It is far less than I expected. Far less in fact than what I would require.

Gasoline and dump fees are going to be at least $25.00; extra help to move the heavy objects will be another $30.00. That will leave about $55.00 for the couple to take home to their family. It will cost them the better part of the day. Tomorrow.

I think I will pay them more. A bonus.

180

[Art_from_Ark]

1. When you're down and out, even a little seems like a lot

At one time in my adult life, $10 seemed like a lot, and I worked most of a day at a farm to earn it.

[oneighty]

3. I scrubbed a house trailer

exterior for twenty bucks. Took better part of the day. I was pushing fifty years old. Ah how far one can fall. My bad times faded over time.

It does not reduce my compassion for the right now couple I speak of.

How are you getting on Art? I treasure those pictures. Thanks.

180

[Art_from_Ark]

8. Getting along OK, I guess

Thank goodness providing an environment where the average citizen/resident can earn a decent living is still a priority here in Japan.

I might be taking another trip to Enoshima, or Kamakura, or both, during Golden Week. The crowds will be nearly insufferable. A great time will be had by all.

[oneighty]

9. As soon as I win the lottery

I will maybe go there again myself. Have fun.

180

[seabeyond]

2. what a story

i see this more and more

[oneighty]

4. Yes

It is so hard to put it in words.

180

[catmandu57]

5. Yes this is going to be common

in the greatest country now, used up throw away people. I believe these folks could walk past people of means and except for the smell they'de never know someone else was there.

Give them a bonus, but carefully, they're proud people.

[signmike]

6. Last week I tried out for a job...

a driver/ delivery job. It took 9 1/2 hours to complete 21 deliveries, I made every one on the list, costing me $14.00 in gas, and I collected $175 for them. For this I am to be paid $25. I've asked them to mail it to me as it cost me $7 to drive to their office, but they won't - they want me to come pick it up.
I'm 60 - been out of work for 3 years. Let's see . . .10 1/2 hours for $4 is uh. . . not worth calculating.
x(

[oneighty]

7. Yes

And the more you appear to need a job the less you will be paid.

It is sad.

At sixty a person is in double trouble.

180

[brook]

10. I am so grateful...

to have a job at my age.(72 in August). I'm one of the lucky ones. In the past 11 years, I've delivered newspapers, done gardening, home health care and sold many of my better belongings. Now I work part time for a non-profit Senior program.

These tough times are hitting everyone hard and will get much worse, I think.

Yesterday, a young man came to my door asking if I had any work for him. He introduced me to his young wife and baby son in the driveway. Obviously they haven't a car and were walking the area together. They were scrubbed and neat as a pin, polite and their eyes were filled with hope. We agreed he should come next Monday. Since he said he wants to start his own gardening business, I told him that if his work went well here, he could put a sign in my yard - which is on the main residential street in town. I can't do very much for him - but want to do what I can .probably because he made me think about my father going door to door during the depression when I was a baby.

[Bouncy Ball]

11. That's very nice of you.

I'd do the same. It's heartbreaking, isn't it?

:cry:

[earth mom]

12. You are a good person. Your story brings tears to my eyes...

when I think of how many more may soon be in that same boat with the way things are going...it is heartbreaking. :cry:

[MuseRider]

13. You are a very kind person.

We always tip one of the guys at the grocery store even though we take our own groceries out. We have heard his stories and know the hard time he is having. This is the way it is going to be in this country more and more I am afraid. You are a good man.

[Eloriel]

14. Another idea

Instead of just giving them extra money (which is great), help them understand that they can indeed charge people a little more and still be competitive and still get work.

[earthboundmisfit]

15. Sad & scary thing is that at one time they probably had decent jobs.

Lower to mid, middle class jobs paying a livable wage. Maybe manufacturing jobs, which are now overseas so the CEOs can have bigger salaries & bonuses. Maybe service jobs, which are being given to (also victimized) illegal immigrants at many dollars below minimum wage, with no benefits. And maybe they had a catastrophic illness in the family which drove them to bankruptcy and/or the time off cost them their jobs.
So many possible scenarios, and having been there - actually I'm STILL there - once you hit close to the bottom it's damn near impossible to claw back up. The obstacles compound so quickly & heavily once you're down that it's very difficult to keep a positive attitude, though you absolutely must in order to survive.

[Ironpost]

16. A pretty good chance that one of them are veterans