My job has become totally depressing. In fact I sicken myself at times. You see I am one of those dreaded bill collectors for a small local business. It's never easy to have to pick up the phone and make repeated calls to collect money. It is never easy to stop providing service to someone because they don't pay. I would get through it by telling myself that it is money owed to the company for services provided. It is this money that pays our employees. Most of the time it is greedy lazy people that don't want to pay. But the trend has changed. Now people can't pay. People I have dealt with for 17 years can not take on the rising costs associated with having a small business. More taxes,higher taxes,increased insurance premiums,increased utility and gas prices. All of this of course leads to higher wages needed for employees. The problem is ,wages can't rise enough to support the high cost of living. Consumer spending is down,so businesses close. They can't absorb as much as the big chain locations. But sadly the company I work for can's absorb all the losses either. It is a two way street. My heart is heavy because I know how much people ar struggling and I can't bare the thought that I am adding to their stress. I wish I could do more to help them.
The loss of these small businesses is great. They are the ones that sponsor your childs soccor team. They are there to provide a free meal at your church or fire departments annual fundraiser. They donate to project graduation and other school events. They are the little businesses that make your ever growing town feel like home. They give us roots and remind us we are "home". It's sad to me because most people don't really grasp the impact of loosing these businesses. They are taken for granted. Other people don't really realise their importance until they are gone. Who will sponsor the baseball team? Who is going to host the Spaghetti Banquet? Where can we hang our school flyers?
I feel as though I am loosing long time friends. I feel some how as though I have let them down. I only pray that the communities they have served for so long will now be there for them. The next time you walk down the street and happen upon a mom and pop shop be sure to stop in and thank them. By pass the big chain shop and pay the local guy a friendly visit. We need them. I want them to know that I realise their importance which makes my job harder. I do take it personally.
This is one of the most important elections of our times and I am very concerned about the motives behind the way Americans will vote. This is a time for everyone to forget about their political affiliations and do some real research. Every blog I read every opinion I hear is a direct quote from some newspaper reporters obviously biased opinion or a direct attack on a specific political party with no real foundation except for a preconditioned line of thinking towards one party or the other.
I have no idea how I am going to vote. It is hard to find straight 100% facts without some form of biased or misleading information. We all need to look for the facts right now. I don't know how much I support Pailin, but there are a few qualities that draw me to her .I wish theses were evident in McCain and Obama.. It would deffinately make things easier. She never waivers from what she believes in. She is open and honest about what her talents and experiecs are. She will call you on your lies and speek to you in real language you can understand. Beyond that it is up to you yo decide if you aree with her and like her.
Neither candidate is in a position to promise the American people much of anything right now and mean it. Our economy has never been in this state. Voters beware of the one that makes such promises. Don't get caught up in other peoples biased beliefs. Think for yourslves and do your own research and vote wisely even if means voting for a party you have never supported before. Now is not the time for Labels.
