wal mart, buying american, unions, governtment help, life

[The Straight Story]

If you have seen my posts of late life ain't exactly a bundle of joy. Even had a talk with the wife this morning about when she gets bad enough dementia and/or physical issues putting her in a home and taking my daughter away from it all.

I am all for supporting the people I live with in this country and keeping them working making good wages, keep a good product we can sell to the rest of the world, in sourcing, shopping locally at farm markets and super markets (which I have done a lot of over the years when I could, even though it cost me more in some cases), unions, etc and so on.

I am on the workers' side and liberal side here - BUT my day to day life is restricted by income (or lack there of right now) - and while I want to always do the right thing for the greater good I am left with taking care of a sick wife and daughter with what little I have and others help me out with. Is it God and country first and then family, or country first then family, or family first etc?

It will be a LOT easier to sacrifice on those things when we have a good health care system in this country and social welfare that supports the people that need it the most. If I get food stamps and can stretch them the most at store X to feed my family, I am going there - unless there is some restriction saying you can only go to certain stores and they increase the amount (if needed) to compensate to protect American jobs (which I want to do of course, but come choices are harder than others when they are immediate).

If I have to try and save as much as I can in the near future to get my wife into a good home if she gets worse then the choice is a simple one for me and decidedly selfish. If I can get meds for $4 at some large chain versus 2-3 times more than that elsewhere I will get the cheaper meds for her and I and still have enough for gas and food.

Does that contribute to a larger problem over time? Probably so, but I don't have a whole life time here left to do the best I can for those I love and I take the course of least resistance - it's not nashian in methodology (do what is best for yourself and the group and everyone benefits) - it is do what is needed in a crisis for those you most love and know. It's a short term game versus a longer term one.

*** What I want is for the wife and I to both be able to have jobs and work for the simple little goals, but what I have is an ill wife, no job, no security, not sure where the next tank of gas will come from or the next week's groceries (though I am working on those things and god willing will get my first unemployment check in 2 weeks and life will be better for a bit). I made a choice between a high paying career and being home with my family - I gave up my dreams and my career for the right reasons and I won't feel guilty now for making decisions that are right for them that others may see as bad, because there is no balance to that equation.

Due mainly to the kindness of a few folks here I have some food and such, and some of that money was spent at chain stores like wal mart and save a lot, some at gas stations whom am not even sure who owns them and just don't fucking care.

I'll have $2 to my name until my first check gets here (around dec 14th give or take, the CA gov is a little slow in paying out unemployment). I can't afford to get my daughter a cat from the shelter, which I want to support and think I should. But what the hell am I supposed to do, go beg on the street corner?

My times WILL get better, especially come Mid January when most companies do their hiring, plus when my CA unemployment runs out I will have some left over from Ohio so should be OK for a spell. And I will try to be more liberal in how/where I spend the money I have. I will rise again from these ashes of hell I am in (though I think the wife won't, but I don't want to get into that depression tonight right now) and I will work harder like I once did to 'do the right thing' by my fellow citizens and help out my local merchants like I once did. But right now I have to do all I can to see my family make it through this, and I have enough hell without being guilt tripped.

Maybe it's like making a deal with the devil to some, but right now no one is dealing with me on terms I can meet.

I want to help others here by doing the right thing, it pains me when I am faced with a choice between doing that and making the most of what little I have for my baby girl and momma. I promised her I would be there in sickness and health, whether the sickness was mental/physical/whatever and I promised her I would try my best to take care of her and make her dreams come true.

I pledge allegiance to her and my daughter more than I do anything else, and while that may be selfish of me it is just the way I am. If America wants my allegiance to it's flag it needs to give me something back in return - like good social services so people in my situation (and maybe yours) can survive without stressing each day and losing sleep each night.

Doing the right thing is not always a black and white choice, there is a huge gray area but I think, I hope, we liberals can make enough progress in this country to make it easier.

-TSS

[tbyg52]

1. I'll rec yours ( well, already have) if you'll rec mine..... ;->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4559912&mesg_id=4559912

I had a bunch of things to say after watching PBS this PM, but have forgotten and am tired and must go to bed.... :hi:

[tbyg52]

2. Hey, TSS - if I'm not up early enough in the AM, wouldja pls self-kick this?

Nite, and best wishes. :hi:

[The Straight Story]

5. Will do when I get up

Thanks.

[elleng]

3. Would like to read again, but

keep in mind that medicaid + soc sec. will pay nursing home for your wife; when I was in FL, with my mother, I met a woman whose mother has been in for some years, with no outside form of $.

You are doing the right thing; its family first.

[The Straight Story]

4. Will look into that, but did security for a similar nursing home for a spell

and it was depressing as hell :( I want my wife in a much better place, but maybe things have changed since then. Appreciate the idea. I don't want her in a home. Have a friend helping me with her (long story, see other posts) but is still not ideal and a lot of things I have not posted here in relation to it all and probably won't for a spell.

Guess I am just scared about the idea and am not ready to deal with all that tonight.

[elleng]

6. DEAR Straight,

I understand.

Any time you want/need, we can talk about 'homes' stuff; been there.

EllenG

[BrklynLiberal]

7. It is terrifying to feel that you have your back against the wall and no place to go.

I understand, being in a somewhat similar situation, except that I have only to worry about myself..no spouse and child are depending on me.
I am sure that your concern and anxiety is for your loved ones much more than for yourself. I wish that I was in a position
to actually do something for you. Right now I can only tell you that while you may feel alone, you are not. There are many of
us who understand and share your fears.
I hope that the coming year is a good one for you and your family. May it be filled with happiness and pleasant surprises.
I want to hold onto some optimism, and prefer to believe that P/E Obama will be able to turn things around. I do not expect
miracles, but I do expect hopefulness.
I have always enjoyed your posts, and hope that I will continue to see them here at DU.


:hug: for you and your lovely family.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

8. I don't blame people for doing what they need to do to get by

In a society where the deck has been stacked against them by forces much more powerful. I do what I can to not feed the beast (i.e., WalMart), because I'm fortunate enough to do so at this time. But who knows what the future will bring.

[Hekate]

9. Bravo for saying it all so well. It's ALWAYS "family first" when you come down to it...

People with extra cash on hand every month and a whopping load of self-righteousness to share really Do Not Get It.

You not only get it, you live it every day, and you have just spoken out for so many others. :hug: -- and one for Hannah. :hug:

Btw, if it's okay to ask, which city did you end up in?

Hekate

[The Straight Story]

10. Columbus

For now...

[qwlauren35]

11. "Balance" requires money.

I think there was a simliar post recently that America's "best" cities,
"healthiest" cities, "safest" cities, etc. were all unaffordable for the average American.

Subway's healthy meals are not as affordable as McDonald's Dollar Menu.

All of the energy efficient cars are expensive.

Everywhere we look, one has to pay in order to be able to make their lives into political statements. Most people have neither the money or the energy, even when we have the inclination.

You have just put your money where your mouth is - you have declared yourself family first, and that's where your money goes.

K&R