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Existential Job Insecurity Should not Be a Function of America’s Economy

In America, we have socialism is for the rich, and capitalism for everyone else.

I have one main job that pays most of the bills. I have had a few side gigs. My wife is always gigging on something. Nails. Voice work. And a product we made out of necessity that we call TranLan. It’s really good for dry, cracked heels. We feel the squeeze and we’re not liking it.

I believe the economy is rigged. I know that if I were to lose my current job, I’d take a big pay cut. I’m an old fart. I’m competing with people who have degrees. I study stuff. I take lots of notes. I learn the critical stuff. I take the hot customers that no one else will work with. I do all that because my job is otherwise, pretty boring. Hot customers make my work interesting.

I do all that because I know that someone higher up didn’t watch the movie, “Up In The Air” with George Clooney. Clooney played an outsourced consultant whose main job was to fire everyone in the wake of the collapse of the housing bubble, even if they did an outstanding job.

I know, that’s a CEOs wet dream. Fire all the labor, boost the stock. Retire like a goddamn king in Thailand.