Cold Turkey Workaholic

Hello,
My name is Rick and I am a Workaholic. All I can think of is when I can get a job and start working again. I have had to quit cold turkey. It is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do...

Are you unemployed and seriously looking for work? Do you have a family dependent upon your income to survive? Have you been laid off of work a month after getting a positive review and raise? Have you been told you will be called back to work, but two years later see your benefits expiring and no jobs available?

Yeah, me too! I have read countless articles saying that there is no real shortage of jobs, just people unwilling to work. I have seen numerous broadcasts describing the wonderful drop in the unemployment rates, mainly due to benefits expiring... The United States government proclaims that they are building new jobs daily. Where?

I started this blog to help relieve some of the stress that I feel about being unemployed. I have been told that I still do not have a job after 2 years of being unemployed because I am lazy. I am far from it. I love working. My wife was, more often than not, upset with me because I spent so much time working. Yes, I worked over-time whenever possible to earn more money to pay the bills, but also because I loved being able to do more work. I enjoy working hard because it gives me a huge sense of self-worth. The more I can accomplish, the better. Being unemployed for 2 years has been hell. I WANT to work. I seriously look for work. I enjoy working long days and feeling like I have gotten something done.

My unemployment benefits are going to run out in about one month and I still do not have any good leads on a job. I can do nearly anything, given minimal instruction. I have great problem solving skills, good people skills, the ability to communicate thoughts and ideas well, and an aptitude for learning. One thing I am lacking is an opportunity. Every job I have ever had I have taken pride in doing. Another thing I am lacking is a degree. This I am in the process of remedying. I am attending online courses with the University of Phoenix and maintaining an A in every class, thus far.

I am trying to increase my value as an employee by getting a degree, but for how much longer can I attend classes? As I have stated, my benefits run out at the end of the year. How am I going to pay for internet access to attend classes once my benefits expire? Better yet, how am I going to pay the rent, the utilities, buy food, pay for fuel to take my son to school in a county with no busing? Do I sign up for welfare and be labeled as an even bigger failure by those who actually have a secure job?

I wrote a letter to my local Representative explaining the situation my family is facing and actually received a reply. Basically, the reply sympathized with my families problem and offered a promise to try hard to find solutions to the economic problems of the country. Very comforting. Not that I really expected a lot from government officials that gave trillions to the companies that caused the collapse of the economy. Has there ever been a time when our government officials actually concerned themselves with the average citizen?

I understand that there is a common goal of wealth building the world over. But if you become rich only from stealing from others, who will you look to for support when you fall into hard times yourself? Our government only seems interested in offering support or help to those that are financing their campaigns. Where is the special interest group for unemployed workers? Oh, yeah. You need funding to become a special interest group that the government will listen to.

I know this entry has a bitter sound to it. I can not say that I am not bitter, but I mostly just feel frustrated and terrified. I want to work, not only because I love to actually work, but because I want to support my family and carry on with my college classes. Looking at a future, approaching very quickly, where my family will not have the income to pay our rent, buy food, or heat the house for the winter is more terrifying than anything you can imagine. Unless you are one of the millions of Americans in the same situation.