Tenchusatsu, it could be worse:
tinyurl.com
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The Working Poor: Invisible in America
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Trapped by the American Dream, June 14, 2004
Reviewer: Tara Marshall (see more about me) from Phoenix, AZ United States
Shipler does an excellent job of describing how many of the working poor are doing "everything right" according to the American Dream, but still failing to make even a living wage.
I know, because I am caught in that trap. I went to school, and educated myself, because the public school was a waste. I earned excellent grades, and then went to the university, working my way through but still ending up with thousands of dollars in debt. I am handicapped by student loans that ammount to over twice my yearly income. If I declared bankruptcy, and paid the price of ten years of worse than no credit (which I would happily do), I would STILL owe all of these student loans - which are the vast majority of my debt.
My Bachelor's degree hasn't helped me get a single job. Instead, I have relied upon the skills I learned while working as a secretary and a tutor in college. I can't get into graduate school because I have too many college loans already (and one private loan, held by my university, which is also holding my official transcripts until I pay them off - despite the fact that with that transcript, I could get a better paying, untaxed job in Saudi Arabia...)
I work two jobs, for a total of 51 hours a week. I take classes at the local community college (the university costs too much) to keep myself from getting too depressed, and to improve my qualifications if I am ever able to afford to go on for a graduate degree. I do not have health insurance, I do not have dental insurance, I do not have eye insurance. I do not watch television, since I simply do not have the time.
I have a 5-year old vehicle that is in desperate need of maintenance. I live in a friend's house, renting a room. My idea of a luxury is to take myself out to dinner once a month (especially since I am saving up to get my divorce).
I am not precisely living in the lap of luxury, as the neo-con types repeatedly portray the working poor. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I went to buy "new" clothing (as oppossed to Goodwill), or the last time I bought an alcoholic beverage (probably back in college).
THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN. That goes for the educational system, the social welfare system, and the political system (since politicians never listen to anyone without sufficient money to get an appointment). And I (among many others) am tired of treading water, with no hope for "rescue" or any chance to help myself in sight.
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What stunned me about this story was this part:
"I can't get into graduate school because I have too many college loans already (and one private loan, held by my university, which is also holding my official transcripts until I pay them off - despite the fact that with that transcript, I could get a better paying, untaxed job in Saudi Arabia...)"
Since when can't people go to grad school because a university is freezing their transcripts? Do schools really do that? That's counter-productive.
Regards,
Amy J |
