photo #1603751

Ed's heart skipped a beat when he heard the car pull up in the drive. He anxiously went to the front door, but instead was greeted by Phil, a neighbor from down the block. Phil had seen the for sale sign he'd put up that morning, and he was curious. He assumed they were moving, especially with the for sale signs on his pickup truck and 18-wheeler. Ed invited him in for coffee, and Phil accepted graciously. Once coffee was served, Ed explained he didn't want to move, but his big truck was essentially worthless now and he needed to sell SOMETHING before he lost ALL of them. With exorbitant insurance rates, skyrocketing diesel prices, cost of tires, and availability of spare parts, trucking was now officially a losing proposition. With the new CDL requirements, and limitations on miles and hours, he just couldn't break even anymore. Without that income, he'd lose the house and his newer pickup. He didn't have any other skills, and was too old to work in a warehouse or on a loading dock. He was too young for early social security, and didn't qualify for unemployment. He was trying to find a way out, but it didn't look good. He'd spent his every effort advancing his plan, but the world closed in on him too fast to compensate for. Ed asked Phil how he was doing, and couldn't believe what he was hearing. Phil was an airline Captain due to retire after almost 30 years on the job between several airlines, but one year short, he'd been terminated for refusing to accept the mandate. His Doctor had recommended he wait a year, but that wasn't feasible now. His entire retirement was forfeited, and he didn't qualify for unemployment. The Union wasn't backing the pilot's, either. They weren't offering any assistance after his paying dues for almost 30 years. The only good news was his ability to qualify for early Social Security in six months, but it was so meager he'd gone downtown this morning to list his house, too. He was going to have to downsize quite a bit. This close to the culmination of his hard work and efforts to provide a comfortable retirement. Now, he was going to have to see about working at a flight school or advanced private training facility. He had a lot to figure out. Plans hadn't worked out anywhere near what he'd set in motion many years ago. Yes, it was frustrating, but he'd been trapped by recent events just like Ed. As they spoke to each other, the total hypocrisy became clear. The News had been screaming about qualified pilot and truck driver shortages. Essential workers who'd carried this country on their back since the inception of the pandemic were being terminated for non compliance with the mandates without unemployment or benefits, yet unskilled and unemployed workers were being offered hiring bonuses and incentives. They'd collected unemployment, and all the stimulus freebies for many months while doing nothing. Now, they were reaping the benefits of their inaction while the ones who bore the burdens were being thrown out like common refuse. Ed jokingly brought up the obesity epidemic, and Phil didn't understand the reference, assuming it was due to people staying home. Ed explained it. "God put sweat in our bodies to help us maintain our health while we work. When we don't work, it's retained and increases, causing a lot of people to get bigger and bigger". Phil reflected on that, and grinned. Not politically correct, but it DID bring a grin. Not enough work is being done, for sure ! Seems like CONgress is EXACTLY THAT, the opposite of PROgress. My question is, why are Americans comfortable with this hypocrisy? When will these stories end? What'll it TAKE?