Rodney Ringler is an unemployed blue collar male without a college degree. He’s hardly alone. Men like him have been the main victims of the current recession in the United States.
“I haven’t worked since December of 2007, around the time this recession started,” Ringler, a 49-year-old computer technician, said as he walked his dog in a Dallas suburb.
He sees little light at the end of the tunnel.
the descendants of the Reagan Democrats who soured on Jimmy Carter – but can a Republican win them over like the Gipper? I think Sarah Palin can…..
I like Palin and think she has mostly the right ideas, but her woeful ignorance of important issues and events is what sunk her chances last year. Whether she can overcome that is still a question, but vilification she’s received from the Left and its mouthpieces in the MSM might make it impossible.
I think, were she to run, that there would be a backlash against the MSM (who will pillory her) the likes of which you have never seen. And I think anyone who says she has a “woeful ignorance of important issues” has been unduly influenced by the MSM. It’s just a canard.
I was a 38 year old plumber and heavy equipment operator who became unemployed in the late 70’s in Wisconsin. The recession in the Midwest at that time was so bad, there was reportedly a sign which read, “Will the last person leaving, please turn out the lights”. Anyway, I went back to school and got a Doctorate and became a college professor. So, if an ordinary person like me can do this it proves that unemployed folks don’t have to be victims and you’re never to old to learn something new. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
sarah palin winks at the camera like a blushing school girl during debate….hmmm who do you she was trying to impress there??? can’t blame the MSM for that. she did plenty to show the limits of her intelligence without their help or hindrance.
this chick wasn’t impressed. speaking as an independent, you guys need a moderate conservative; which mccain would have been perfect…but for her. they say that extremes/base of the parties cannot get elected; that did happen with bush so you never know, americans have very short selective memories. depends on how angry people will still be with bush in 4 years, cause she is after all dubya in a skirt, right down to her cute little ‘nukuler’ tonguetwisters.
It’s not just the ‘blue collar’ workers. Here in Florida, our High School just told 36 yearly contract teachers that they won’t have a job next school year (including the Middle School principal).
At one elementary school at which I was applying for a teacher’s aide position, the principal told me, “I’m really sorry, we set up these interviews a few weeks ago. But I just got back from a School Board meeting where they told me I have to let 24 contract teachers go. I’m going to give this position to one of them.”
FSU let go 225 faculty members, and more staff.
Not to mention the hundreds of sales people who just lost their jobs thanks to Chrysler closing dealerships for no reason other than the Government recommended it under their bankruptcy threat.
Some Libraries in every state to which I’ve applied have sent back notices reading “Due to the financial crisis, our hiring has been frozen until further notice”.
I’ve been out of work since October. Two positions closed on Friday, and I’ve been praying like crazy that the one in North Florida will at least call me in for an interview. If not, then the one in Tennessee will do.
Jim Elliott
Florida
Magnolia,
In every instance where Republicans moved to the center or moderate positions away from the conservative base, they LOSE the elections. Voters don’t want to choose between a Democrat and a moderate “democrat-like” candidate. They want someone who puts forth clear values and offers a difference that distinguishes them from the other party.
McCain lost in large part because he was not all that different from Obama. If you are going to have someone who promises change, we go for the one who sounds like he means it. Unfortunately, the MSM didn’t examine what Obama wanted to change TO.
If Republicans want to win, they must recapture the conservative, small-government, low taxes, limited spending values that characterized the Reagan/Gingrich years, not the high spending style of the Bush 43 years.
This is a list [url=http://www.hannity.com//Article.asp?id=1193278]Sean Hannity[/url] proposes:
1) To be the party of National security and:
2) oppose Appeasement of dictators and terrorists:
3) Support Tax CUTS, and fiscal responsibility, balancing the budget:
4) Realistic “Energy Independence” including nuclear and increased domestic production, while developing alternate forms of energy:
5) secure our borders completely:
6) Non-Socialized Healthcare plans:
7) Reform Education to include choice:
8) REAL options to save Social Security and Medicare:
9) Interpretive Judges not legislative judges
10) Uphold and defend the American Dream:
#6. libraryjim,
Jim, I can tell by your postings that you are a bright, conservative individual who is not acting like a victim. You are also a Christian and not the kind of person who fouls their own nest. If you read my posting in #4. you know I feel your pain. Since the Church is made up of at least two people in agreement then I will agree with you to God that you need a job. I realize how serious the job situation is but that is where God can work his best miracles. Sometimes when we are stuck it is God waiting for us to say, “Thy will be done.” Whenever God brings your name to my remembrance I will pray for you. Blessings,
Thanks, Dcn Dale. I appreciate — and welcome — your prayers.
JE