First Time Ever

For the first time since I was sixteen years old (and that's roughly 23 years, for those keeping track), I have been forced to file a claim of unemployment.

Obviously I am not happy about this first-ever event. I would honestly rather stick hot branding irons in my eyes than go down this road, especially considering that my husband has been unemployed for what will soon become one solid year. But, the circumstances are what they are... my company, like SO many others these days is struggling to stay afloat.

As of today, my first-ever stint of unemployment is temporary. I will be "enjoying" two weeks off without pay so that my company might save enough to continue paying me when this furlough is complete. (Insert here gratitude that my job hasn't been eliminated altogether.)

I am SO sick of this shit economy and the barrage of "it'll get worse before it gets better" news small businesses like mine are receiving from the government. I can't even discuss the crap-ass "it's not so bad" spin from the media. In what world is nearly 10% unemployment "not so bad?"

I firmly believe that the health care bill's passage, combined with the potential passage of the Cap & Trade bill is what's driving our economy at this moment. Employers are faced with a giant question mark regarding their role in insuring their employees, and where their (potential cap and trade induced) taxes might fall in upcoming years. This inability to forecast income/outgo/employee expenses is paralyzing... especially so for small businesses.

There is a direct correlation to companies choosing to put their growth potential on the back burner. They have been given neither the hope nor the desire to expand their operations, because they're unable to forecast what regulations the government might set upon them next.

I don't pretend to have an answer for this mess. I am not an economist or a politician, but I am aware enough of my business and the surrounding environment to know that the current state of affairs isn't moving our economy toward growth.

I pray - fervently - that the voters of my country will decide that what we're experiencing now is not the brand of "hope and change" they wished for in 2008.

Completely Frustrated.
Jodi