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ColesCountyDem

(6,943 posts)

87. I was contacted just this morning by a reporter for our regional 'daily'.

Thu Apr 24, 2014, 01:21 PM

Apr 2014

Last edited Thu Apr 24, 2014, 01:57 PM - Edit history (1)

She is going to write a series on the long-term unemployed, and some how saw this post as a result of someone here sharing it on Twitter. She is keeping everyone she interviews 'anonymous', but she wants to help dispel the 'lazy moocher/freeloader' meme that's so prevalent.

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107 replies

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My story can be found on page 137 of 'How to Destroy the Middle Class' playbook .... [View all] ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 OP

I am so very sorry about your situation. KatyaR Apr 2014 #1

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #2

We have a lot in common. xfundy Apr 2014 #3

I'm so very sorry! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #6

if this is an option do it and sounds like docs are willing to sign -my cousin was sick lunasun Apr 2014 #30

Don't mull it! abakan Jun 2014 #104

I have a "dumb" question.. sendero Apr 2014 #17

The short answer is 'no'. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #18

How could it be impossible..... sendero Apr 2014 #20

Its hard to fight my mother got it and she's the mackerel Apr 2014 #29

hospitals aren't the only place... Agony Apr 2014 #36

Fair enough... sendero Apr 2014 #68

I had surgery in 2007 to prevent a repeat of a bad diverticulitis attack happening a second time and CTyankee Apr 2014 #66

Try applying for Social Security. mackerel Apr 2014 #4

Good advice. And I've also heard that most people are denied the first time, pnwmom Apr 2014 #5

90% are denied on their first application. mackerel Apr 2014 #28

yes, try again lululu Jun 2014 #105

Jinx! *grin* ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #8

Yes, this is true. The unions have won this battle quietly. Many people in pain from work or illness freshwest Apr 2014 #15

When you stop and think about it passiveporcupine Apr 2014 #57

Yes, it was... And it's why the media and the GOP went bonkers. They want us to fail. n/t freshwest Apr 2014 #71

My husband applied when he was 58 and was approved within six weeks without the assistance of an SammyWinstonJack Apr 2014 #16

It's too bad that the people who really need to read this probably never will -- pnwmom Apr 2014 #7

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #9

Some people can't even blame a health crisis Warpy Apr 2014 #10

From your keyboard to America's ears! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #11

I am appalled by what has happened to you. The is a modern day version of "The Grapes of Wrath". kairos12 Apr 2014 #12

I am so sorry all this happened to you. MadrasT Apr 2014 #13

Kicked pnwmom Apr 2014 #14

All The Best To You - Good Luck Moving Forward cantbeserious Apr 2014 #19

Jesus, I cannot believe the misfortune ballyhoo Apr 2014 #21

I'm so sorry this happened to you... blue14u Apr 2014 #22

I am speechless. LiberalEsto Apr 2014 #23

You were treated like dirt by your former employer. I wish you would name this company totodeinhere Apr 2014 #24

I am so sorry. I agree with Mackerel, try social security disability and much good luck LoisB Apr 2014 #25

I'm sorry, Coles. I've been laid pretty low myself from time to time. toby jo Apr 2014 #26

As I read your story (and we're about the same age), I couldn't help thinking... Sancho Apr 2014 #27

@ColesCountyDem let me know if you mackerel Apr 2014 #31

I too am really, really sorry about your situation Samantha Apr 2014 #32

How did you lose 94% of your 401k? taught_me_patience Apr 2014 #33

It was heavily tilted toward stocks. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #35

How were you not 100% vested in the pension plan? spooky3 Apr 2014 #38

That applies to pension plans to which both my employer and I contribute. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #39

I do believe his advice to be incorrect. The relevant law is the law at the time you were spooky3 Apr 2014 #43

This is VERY useful information. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #76

There are FREE resources available to you antigop Apr 2014 #81

You're welcome and no problem. But as others have said, spooky3 Apr 2014 #86

Based on what I read, and my own knowledge of my employment with MegaCorp X, ... ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #88

Good luck to you both!!!! spooky3 Apr 2014 #93

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #95

Coles, be sure to update us! spooky3 Apr 2014 #102

That still doesn't explain how you lost 94%. joeglow3 Apr 2014 #74

On *average* it was. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #75

What the hell company lets individuals invest in individual stocks in their 401(k)? joeglow3 Apr 2014 #82

Edward D. Jones, actually. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #83

I feel for you joeglow3 Apr 2014 #84

As a result of the good advice and information I've received here, I've contacted an attorney. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #85

My employer (who will go nameless here) allows me that option. mwooldri Jun 2014 #103

k&r for the truth, however depressing it may be. n/t Laelth Apr 2014 #34

when you say your pension "vested" in 2015, are you referring to your 401(k), or antigop Apr 2014 #37

Please see post #39. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #40

So you had a defined benefit pension plan IN ADDITION to your 401(k)? antigop Apr 2014 #50

I will, and thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #77

ColesCounty, there are FREE resources available to you antigop Apr 2014 #80

Your story is a little long for a letter to the editor (LTTE), CrispyQ Apr 2014 #41

I was contacted just this morning by a reporter for our regional 'daily'. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #87

I don't think your story is typical hfojvt Apr 2014 #42

Seriously. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #44

okay that was not a reply meant for me hfojvt Apr 2014 #46

I flipped a mental coin. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #52

In the case of the OP, he wrote about a very extensive job search. pnwmom Apr 2014 #47

And the poster's relocation funds are low/gone. AtheistCrusader Apr 2014 #53

I heard about an over-supply of lawyers hfojvt Apr 2014 #61

Everyone's employment niche is different Patiod Apr 2014 #48

My son had the good fortune to have the then Brooklyn, NY DA teach one of his law school courses. CTyankee Apr 2014 #67

That's the thing - his story IS typical TBF Apr 2014 #45

One of my good friends is incredibly frugal Patiod Apr 2014 #49

It is really hard to watch - TBF Apr 2014 #51

No its bad for young people too BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #58

That makes sense unfortunately - TBF Apr 2014 #60

but you do NOT lose savings in a crash hfojvt Apr 2014 #59

That's an excellent point. Patiod Apr 2014 #65

I think that was the really sad thing about 401K - TBF Apr 2014 #69

When people sell in that situation it isn't usually because they're "foolish." pnwmom Apr 2014 #72

That was my situation. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #79

That was my situation, too. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #89

a couple job openings are not really a universal solution hfojvt Apr 2014 #64

I would 'knee cap' someone's grandmother for a $12/hour job! (j/k) ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #91

I didn't mean to slam GM or the banks. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #78

his story is typical lululu Jun 2014 #106

Two headlines on the front page of the New York Times today (4/23/14). maddiemom Apr 2014 #54

Sorry about your misfortune, ColesCountryDem. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #55

I'm both sorry and angry to hear this story. SpankMe Apr 2014 #56

Sorry that such a crappy thing happened to you. truedelphi Apr 2014 #62

I'm sorry. Swirling the drain here, too. GoCubsGo Apr 2014 #63

:( neffernin Apr 2014 #70

As a family, we've never done the 'inherited wealth' thing. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #90

Best of luck in your recovery neffernin Apr 2014 #92

Thank you! I plan to continue the family tradition, God willing. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #94

prior, active assistance of our Congress lululu Jun 2014 #107

i am so sorry about your situation. i hope things improve for you - someway, somehow Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #73

Amazing and chilling story. Puglover Apr 2014 #96

Thank you, and I think I will land on my feet, too! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #97

I'm so gad you're receiving the healthcare you need. myrna minx Apr 2014 #98

Thank you! ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #99

While the ACA isn't perfect, I'll always be grateful for the life saving care it allows to those myrna minx Apr 2014 #100

It's not perfect, but it's there, thank God. ColesCountyDem Apr 2014 #101