I never said it was simple. It was a very hard decision; one that I have second guessed more than once for a number of reasons. I had to go to places I had never been. My family was (and some still are) in Century. I get to come back often to visit. I’d love to be back living there…but, alas-no work in my field.

Keep in mind that corporations are in the business of making money; employees are a necessary means to that end. Once an employee is paid for their work, everyone is even; corporations don’t owe us any more than that, do they?

I have sympathy for people who lose employment through no fault of their own; it could be, and has been, me.

I ask these questions: Just exactly what authority does the government have to take money from taxpayers to fund someone else’s lifestyle who is not working? Wouldn’t there be much more of an incentive to find work if these ‘entitlements’ didn’t exist or be more motivation to find work, even work that they don’t like, if they knew the next meal, payment, or bill counted on it?

Life is not fair. I may be next, but I don’t think it’s the government’s job to take care of me-it’s my responsibility to earn money (honestly, of course). I may have to lower my lifestyle or relocate again in order to survive; but that’s what I would have to do. It’s not your responsibility to support me, or vice-versa.

I’m sorry if this comes off harshly.

And as for paying taxes, wouldn’t it be nice to have your money back, now; instead, your tax money quite possibly supported someone else’s lifestyle in some way or another.

I’m sorry, I am all for helping folks out; but I don’t think it’s the government’s job to do it.

I do work, and was quite fortunate to find a job after the loss of my employment just shy of working at the same plant/facility for 21 years. And with my husband, losing is job after 22 1/2 years, not so. He and I both search many times daily, even thru the night, for jobs that he is qualified. And highly qualified he is, but his age is the factor. We know it is, but unfortunately are unable to prove so.

Trust me, he’d much rather be working than drawing an unemployment check. He has many good years left to his work life.

As far as the comment to relocate and go find work elsewhere, that’s a bit of an understatement to even suggest. I have several friends who did just that when our plant closed it’s doors. Miserably, the adjustment for their entire families was not worth it. Open minded they led their families away to unknown territory, only to have a far more troublesome situation than that of a job, a near family loss. When unemployment does strike, it affects so many lives, that corporations never take into consideration. There are so many underlying conditions that go along with it, and you think that it’s a simple matter of picking up and moving on, literally. It’s not that easy to do. Children’s lives are affected, as well as your own marriage. If you weren’t able to witness such, praise to you and your family. But many I know have.

I praise you for what you have risen above and what you have achieved and become. But not all are able to do so whether it be financially or even emotionally worth it. So please don’t be so hasty to judge. Not all are sitting waiting for that check to come in and think they do not need to find work. Agree, some do, but not all. And yes, we’ve paid our fair share of taxes, still do. And no, we haven’t once asked for Food Stamps, not that we would even qualify, or do we qualify for any WIC program. But my husband and I both have paid our fair share over the years.

And agree, I do, about the Tourist State that Florida is. In all honesty, there is no industry here, anymore. Slowly, it is dwindling away. There do need to be more jobs created than have Florida depend on tourism as it’s main capital.

At what point do taxpayers have enough of this and either join the crowd or take lower paying jobs to avoid tax liabilities?

Okay, so don’t relocate to find work (by the way, the whole family doesn’t have to relocate, just the money earner); don’t just sit around the house waiting for the check to arrive-go to school to increase marketability, be creative-invent work for yourself. So let’s see, Burger KIng, Dollar General, Winn Dixie, Wal Mart, CVS, or anyone else is hiring?

As long as Florida depends on the tourist dollar for income and other private sector opportunities (Monsanto, Champion, etc) remain limited, there will never be an abundance of high paying jobs. Florida is a state of retirees, tourist service industry employees, and government employees. The only ones that seem to be doing well in this type of economy are doctors and lawyers.