A Proactive Force For Change

This week has been a depressing loss not only for the stock market and our retirement plans, but as well as our hope and faith in this nation.  I'll admit that I watch the stock market much more than I should.  After all, I have an updated ticker on my computer screen all day.  This issue goes beyond losing all of my gains this year. 

I've always believed that after graduating college I would be able to find a job that not only challenged me intellectually, but also compensated me fairly.  Now, I really don't yearn to be wealthy, but I would love upper-middle class.  Why is this so hard to find?  And I realize that this is not a problem unique to myself.  And I certainly don't believe that it's an issue that only college educated people have to deal with.

It's hard to fathom how many people are really suffering.  The kind of suffering that doesn't even allow you eat dinner out two or three times a month, or makes it difficult to pay your bills on an ongoing basis.  I understand the need for the employee to make a healthy revenue; however, I don't understand why there is such a pay discrepancy between the two.  I believe that when people are payed a low wage then they're quality of work will be lower.  How do people increase their quality of life when everything around them rises except their pay?  Gas prices increase, food prices increase, insurance premiums increase but your pay stays nearly the same.  Not to mention, the worker is left to fend for themselves when it comes to benefits.  Can you imagine how much more money your employer is making when not only do they pay you a low wage, but they don't pay for any of your benefits.  It is time for the tide to switch and for the employee to be the one to call more of the shots. 

I realize this is probably a Socialist thought - but why isn't more pay equal?  What would happen if you is similar wage between the person who sold the product and the person who provided the customer service?  Is this too radical? 

I'm frustrated because I know that I'm not the only one suffering.  Why are we paying the people who take care of our children and elderly wages that are too low to imagine?  I think it's totally insane to take a quick search through open jobs and see how much work they want you to do for so little work.  Puh-lease...$12/hour...oh, don't be too generous!  Can you imagine how a difficult it would be for a single woman to get ahead.

This morning I was watching the news and one of the people said "whether is a recession or depression, people suffering."  I don't want to be somebody who just complains about the issue.  I want to be the person who works for the change.  Does anybody know where to begin?

Enjoy one of my favorite songs of all time!