I worked in a job that I hated for nearly fifteen years. It simply not in my knowing that I could look for another job...I know.. WHAT?! I was raised that you get a job and retire from that job. Loyalty!

I was "let go" because of downsizing. Basically my job was eliminated and I was not offered a replacement because the company had no money to do so. I’ve applied to every job posting that looked like I could do the job. I’ve been unemployed for over three years. I’ve given up.

I’m fifty three years old but I look to most about ten to fifteen years younger than my age...but when there are one hundred people applying for one job....well, employers can be VERY selective. No, I don’t blame them. They want the best for their company.

My husband, age fifty five, looks much older than his age. He quit doing garage/commercial doors and openers after twenty six years because it was too much for his back, etc. He started working for a "Mom and Pop" welding company. The pay checks began to be later and later and finally they stopped. His Boss continually said...they will be here next week or next Tuesday, etc. I think this was to keep the guys coming in the doors. Yes, there was work being done but apparently, no money coming in. I know, I was thinking the same thing. But my husband is loyal to the end. If the Boss says you’ll get payed then you will continue to go to work.

The entire process took three years. Working but no money for about a year. The company closed. My husband went to work for another "Mom and Pop’ welding shop. History repeated itself after about two years. The past couple of years he has been unemployed about as much as he has worked.

We have long sense gone through our savings and closed our retirement accounts. At first we lived on our credit cards thinking around the next corner we’d be OK. Now we have over six thousand dollars in credit card debt we can’t pay plus two voluntary car repossessions. With late fees and everything else collection companies put on top of that amount...at least forty thousand dollars we owe to someone.

It got so bad last year, we had to get food stamps(If we hadn’t had our grandson, we would have done without)and we had NO money for two months while the unemployment office deliberated as to whether we’d be allowed to receive any more assistance. We got two eviction notices during this time. Talk about humiliating.

My husband is laid off, again. He works about every other month. We’ve learned to not spend anything over and above our minimal living expenses because anything extra is held back...JUST INCASE".

I keep hearing the "government" saying the country is getting better. WHERE?!

I would like to see these government officials live on less then eighteen hundred dollars a month...this includes food.