When I look at news, one of the stories which always gets my has to do with jobs and statistics. As rule of thumb, I believe things are good when the number of jobs is growing. And, as a rule of thumb, the real unemployment rate is about twice what the government says it is. In Canada, the United States, and elsewhere, I suspect.
But, in relation to unemployment, I also think of the 1930s. Like the years since the 2008 financial near-total collapse, those were hard times.
My long-time friend The Blog Fodder sent me a note about this some time ago. It is Mavis Staples version of Stephen Foster's old song, Hard Times Come Again No More.
That is something I think we would all like to see. The end of hard times. For everyone.
Sadly, I believe there are those who get rich when the hard times come, and who wouldn't want to see that reality change.
19 comments:
I agree that hard times have been with us since 2008's awful recession began. Hopefully we have begun to recover, but it was pretty awful there for awhile. I wish we could leave hard times behind.
Yes, Bear, history does sort of reveal recurrent themes. Still, we individuals can keep on appreciating good things every day ... doesn't mean ignoring what needs fixing!
xo
I agree with you - there are those who profit and benefit from the hardships of others, and it's usually the government and 'inside' workers. The world seems to be manipulated by a handful of rulers and we're just the puppets.
Interesting.....I listened to the song and it clearly is a spritirul song referring to the end of life where hopefully we leave the hard times behind. Not sure how you are applying the rich getting richer and not wanting the change but do wish things would get better for all.
I believe its the 1 percent that don't suffer in hard times, and worse, they don't care. In the US there's been a slow, but steady, upward trend in job growth, stock market, car industry, etc., but it seems that now The European Union is headed for a disaster that would affect the rest of the world as well.
I think that all suffer in hard times.
I look forward to better times...if not here, then in Heaven with our Lord. In the meantime, I know that He will be with us...no matter what. Continued blessings to you.
Jackie
I'm grateful for what I have but I would love to see fewer skilled workers without jobs. I agree that the unemployment rate is understated.
It needs some light at the end of the tunnel.. I need some light too, it's been two and a half years... I keep moving forward.
Happy... to the challenge "H" is for Harmonious!
Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
A to Z Co-Host
My New Book:
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Well, without the hard times we wouldn't appreciate the good times so much, right? Sorry, that's the only positive spin I can think to put on it. I'm afraid we humans are destined to live in repeated cycles.
No one wants "hard times" but sometimes we just have to choose our attitude when dealing with whatever comes our way.
I'd have to agree. It seems there are always individuals who profit (and enjoy profiting) from other people's hardship.
I don't see my own situation improving. Nobody is waiting for a bipolar middle aged woman to return to the work place when jobs are scarce. A lot of people over 55 are lucky to find a job at all. Things are pretty dire out there. xox
Hi Bear! I agree that the actual unemployment/underemployment numbers are much higher than those touted by the government. Though I have to admit that my personal finances haven't taken too much of a hit in these hard times, other than my retirement funds. I'm applying for a state university job right now because I no longer want to contribute to the ponzi scheme that is Social Security.
That small percentage who make the most money while others suffer the hard times seems to have been around during the Great Depression, too. It would be nice if we could even out the wealth some...no one needs to have vast wealth Really.
I agree with the H for Hard Times. Seems that there has been a lot of that - but H stands for hope too! sandie
I couldn't agree with you more. Luckily, it's not as bad as the 1930's - YET and unfortunately there will always be those who take advantage of anothers hard times. So sad that the human race has not evolved into a better version of itself. We know it's possible!
® DJan: I also wish we could leave the hard times behind.
® Frances: I think it is important that we celebrate the small "victories" in life. As you said.
® Marta Szemik: I'm not sure how a government benefits from hard times. But I know from history that people with money know how to benefit whet others are losing.
® Changes in the wind: You and I are perhaps interpreting the song differently. Here is an example of what i am thinking. When businesses close in North American, and re-open in the Far East, jobs are lost here, but corporate profits can (and often do) rise. The shareholders get money; North Americans get unemployment.
® Inger: I'm sorry that you're experiencing "hard times." And the times we have been facing in North America are reflected in many other places around the world. Sadly.
® Jackie: While we all suffer hard times, there may be ways we can help each other. Except some of those are becoming illegal. (See Wednesday's posting this week.)
® ReformingGeek: The better times are slow in coming. It would be so much better if things would hurry up!
® Retro-Zombie: The light at the end of the tunnel is good, as long as it is not a huge train coming toward us!
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