12 Devastating Testimonials from Americans Who Did Everything Right Still Fell into Economic Ruin

http://www.alternet.org/hard-times-usa/12-devastating-testimonials-americans-who-did-everything-right-and-still-fell



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What follows are a dozen excerpts from this archive. Their circumstances are haunting, because they are not that far removed from the struggles of millions of Americans.

1. “Constant Fear,” from Baltimore, Maryland: I can’t pay little bills: gas and electric, phone, or car insurance. Also, I am finding it hard to pay my mortgage and I don’t want to lose my home. I am in constant fear of that. I don't want my family and myself become homeless. In addition, I am finding it hard to put food on the table (shameful). We need help and we need it quick, fast, and in a hurry!

2. “So upset, depressed, hopeless,” from Massachusetts: I was just informed the foreclosure process on my home is going to begin. I am a single mother, and I have nowhere to go but a shelter. I cannot believe I live in America. I have always been employed since I was a teen; I have lived in the middle class, but now am close to poverty. I spend every day working to find a job. The jobs are heavily applied for and the interview process is long. The job opportunities have not come back. The mortgage company is hot to sell my home in foreclosure. I am so upset, depressed, and hopeless. I have signed petitions, e-mailed news media, senators, House Speaker Boehner, and President Obama. I don’t know what else to do or say anymore.

3. “No hope of getting a job,” from Pickens, South Carolina: I am a single person who has always worked since the age of 16. I find myself unemployed for the 2nd time since 2011. You spend all day, every day on the computer submitting resumés, filling out applications, and doing interviews with no hope of getting a job. With no extensions, how do you pay your bills? They don't stop coming in. You have no job, no unemployment, no money coming in... I am 55 and have no retirement or anything to look forward to.

4. Over 50 and “flat broke,” from Bothell, Washington: My husband and I are both over the age of 50 with post-high school educations and on-the-job experience… We went through our $10,000 in savings and have recently had to dip into one of my retirement accounts to relocate in hopes of earning an income again. We were unable to afford payments on our mortgage-modified home due to our over two years of broken or complete lack of work. I am currently in the worker retraining program, updating my education, but I am concerned that even with this, I will not find work that will be sufficient enough to keep the bills paid. My husband and I are flat broke, and last week was his last week of unemployment. My unemployment is due to end shortly after the July 4th holiday this year.