|
|
|
|
ispeak: U.S. Recession
We are now in a recession. Unemployment is growing. The housing market is in free fall. Gasoline and heating oil, healthcare, college tuition are all climbing in price. The deficit and national debt are growing and it is now predicted that the cost of the Iraq war will be three trillion dollars. How is this affecting you and your family? Have you had to cut back on things, postpone or cancel activities, work longer hours or extra jobs, etc?
It is terrible. I am struggling to make ends meet these months because my oil bill is so high and the prices in the grocery store are off the wall. I would love to receive some sort of help, so I don ' t lose my house in this terrible time.
Marva Duhaney Unit secretary Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center Brooklyn, NY | The issue of rising gas prices is a sore point for me. I am a home care social worker-- meaning that my job entails traveling in MY car, using MY gas and enduring the wear and tear on MY car, without adequate financial compensation from my institution. The exploited plight of professional homecare personnel needs to be publicized, because it provides a clear and stark example of how the sad state of the economy is adversely and harshly impacting on our lives. Despite these drastic cost increases, our institution fails to offer any adjustment to the reimbursement rate for the use of our car. The result is that the cost increase is fully born by us, resulting in reduced salary/take-home pay. Are other personnel penalized for the increased cost of paper needed for copying machines, or stationery, or ink etc. No, those increased costs are borne by the institution. Bruce Miller Clinical social worker Montefiore Homecare Agency The Bronx, NY | I think that the union needs new leadership, as the raises they have negotiated do not reflect the current economy.
John Fox
Staten Island University Hospital Brooklyn, NY | The way things are now; my husband has not been able to find a job for over year. It did not help that he had become disabled for three years and now has that gap in his work history. So, I have been working 50 hours a week between two jobs and will be looking for a third part time job so that I don't lose the house. I remember when Bush came in to office; gas was around $1.45 a gallon. Then we went to war on false pretenses, knowing full well it is really over oil, and what Bush can put in his pocket before he leaves office, so he can sit nice and cozy in his old age reaping the profits from all of his ill-gotten gains as the Ex Chief of our country, who had no conscience or any real care for the people he claimed to lead.
As the purchaser for the clinic I work for, I have spent the past five years watching the prices climb year-by-year, month-by-month, and they just never stop. Then I watch as the drug peddlers from the pharmaceutical companies come in and give their big fancy drug lunches, that I know the people pay for in the end just to push each version of the same drug made by a different company. And the people here have no idea that they are just pawns in the whole profit scheme. You never hear, from the pushers, buy our drug, because it costs less. Then they leave their high priced glossy brochures, and pens, and cups, and what ever else will keep their name in front of the physicians, but the doctors are so busy and over worked, that they aren’t even the ones deciding half the time what is being purchased, or even know what the cost is. They do know that it the drugs are needed by the patients, and they hope that some how the patient will be able to some how obtain the meds that are need ed.
I am angry, and I am tired. Every day, I get up but feel like I am in quick sand. The more I struggle, the more I sink. Is this what life is supposed to be? Is this what each generation has to look forward to? There has got to be a better way somewhere out there.
Denise Clark Purchaser
Lynn Community Health Center
Lynn, MA
| I think these are very, very serious issues which some of us take lightly. Some folks think that, because they have a job, nothing else matters. It is time we wake up and smell the coffee. I believe the war will never end, the troops will not be out of Iraq any time soon no matter which government rules. It is far worse than we are made to believe and I think it is time that we step down from our comfort zone and educate ourselves more about the war and other issues that affect our every day lives.
Perpetua Henry Home health aide
Partners in Care
Brooklyn, NY
| It was hard before, as I am a single parent and do not receive regular support from the father. I love my job and have been doing it on and off over 31 years, Thanks to our high school for the training. I wish you all well and bless you.
Brenda Leonard CNA
Martha's Vineyard Hospital
Oak Bluffs, MA
| I work at Peninsula Hospital in the financial office. Our salaries cannot keep up with the rising price of this economy. I have a house and am a single mother, and I am worried for my family and surviving this recession. I am looking for a better paying job or even a part-time job to balance out the economy and my salary. But it’s hard to find a job. I have a BS degree and it’s still hard. It is very depressing. Judith Jarrett A/R clerk Peninsula Hospital | We must be able to bring home the Americans from the prefabricated war, save lives, and conserve money and our good grace. We need to implement a new formula for fueling our vehicles, and invest into our healthcare givers.
Rodeheaver Johnson
Nursing assistant
St. Barnabas Hospital
The Bronx, NY
|
What do you think?
SHARE YOUR COMMENTS
|
|
