Looking For MY Bailout Plan

Banks get one...
Auto Manufacturers get one...
Our local grade school gets one...
In a round-a-bout way, my employer gets one...

Yes I understand the economy sucks. Yes I understand that I should be happy that we both still have jobs and that we are not in any financial danger at the moment. However, I think it's time that those who ARE financially responsible get their bailout.

I'm not even going to get into the very controversial and public bailouts of the Banks and Auto companies. It's too broad and I don't have the energy to cover it. They got their bailouts... 'nuff said.

Our tiny little school, that should probably give into the inevitable and consolidate with another school now while there are many options open to them, got a bailout. Their bailout is in the form of a referendum that passed that will raise MY property taxes even more than their already over-inflated cost. All the other schools in the county do it on much less than they received BEFORE the referendum. Somehow I'm not sure that putting a bandaid on a broken bone is going to do much good. I refuse to dive any deeper into this subject. They got their referendum... their bailout... 'nuff said. (Note: Now that the referendum has passed I will openly admit that I voted against this bailout. There were a few teachers at the school that I hated to see lose their job if the referendum failed but that is the only thing I saw positive about it. Remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I do not wish to see flames on my blog over this. TIA)

My company is getting their bailout as well in a kinda sorta way. Between laying people off permanently and making everyone left take unpaid leave and pay reductions, they are essentially getting their bailout as well.

So tell me, where is my bailout? The cost of everything from electric rates to stamps are going up. My property taxes are going up. My health costs are going up...

We've made it through our own economic hardships that have occurred yearly for the past five years. I mean we survived losing two months of John's paycheck two years in a row, having to come up with additional money for our house when the idiot that sold it to us screwed us over, and the horrendous doctor bills of the past 12 months. We managed to keep it together and make ends meet and still be able to cover car troubles, medical expenses, a septic pump going out, and now our pressure tank. This all has been covered while I am getting the 10%+ pay cut and having to pay out more.

Why am I doing so well and big businesses (and schools) doing so poorly? I think it all has to do with common sense. You have to plan for the down times, have plans of attack set up, and be willing to think outside the box. Yes, sometimes you have to sacrifice as well. Do CEOs really need million dollar bonuses? Do people really have to have private jets to go only a few hundred miles? Should we pay to support things that might be better off being let go? I know that I am prepared to sacrifice. I don't rack up huge debts to buy the ATVs that my family would love to have, the new flooring we desperately need, or even hire someone to do repairs around our house. If I don't have a cushion to fall back on and have the money in excess, we don't do it. Why are the people we are bailing out not having to make these sacrifices? Why is it that those so far in debt they can't live get "bailouts" but those of us living in our means go without? (This is directed towards normal people who live outside their means with the assistance of credit cards. Bankruptcy is a bailout if I've ever seen one.) Again, an argument for another time.

While they are getting billions, what is my bailout?

My merit increase was non-existent as part of cuts taking place where I work. Due to the layoff of my co-worker, I now have more responsibility and work. My pay has been cut by at least 10-15% because of mandatory unpaid shutdowns. My bailout is simply... at least you have a job.

Sure. A job. Twice the work... 10% pay cut... A job...

I guess, in conclusion, I'd like to see a REAL bailout any day now. I'd be happy with just the difference between what I should be making and what I will make this year... that's a heck of a lot more reasonable than the money to pay the outrageous debts caused by poor decision making. I think it's time to reward the responsible... not the irresponsible.