Seek unemployment. You paid into it, so it's your right. I would do it if I got laid off (which is not far-fetched -- business is not exactly booming for us right now and I'm the newest face). I, and most everyone I've met, have no problem with using the unemployment safety net -- it is exactly the kind of "welfare" that benefits society. It is not the same as long-term AFDC benefits, and Clinton's tightening of the system (even with Bush's dilutions) make it such that only people who are really seeking work can get the benefits. And, they last only 1 year, IIRC.

No guilt should be associated with this system. My dad was making 6 figs under a contract, and when it ended he took these benefits because there was not more work to be found. I mean, I respect your view, but please don't let your social responsibility prevent you from using the reasonable social tools that do exist.

COMPLETELY [img]graemlins/offtopic.gif[/img] I know. :shrug:

<font face="COMIC Sans MS" size="3" color="#7c9bc4">
Sorry to hear that Chewie..but TL is right. Unemployment is something you and your company have paid into, you should take it...It isn't all that much but it helps get you started on finding a new position.

Back On topic....

I would have more faith if the ACLU weren't completely off base as much as it is on. It is another group which like greenpeace has strayed from it's founders original ideals.

I am looking forward to see what shakes out of the Patriot Act. I believe it will end up not being as bad as the doom sayers think and not as effective as it's supports would like.
</font>

I endosre this thread going back on topic after this, but I just wanted to say thanks for the good words, Ya'll. I will keep an open mind about UE because I hadn't thought about it that way before. Fortunately, I doubt it will come to that, even though some types of jobs are hard to find around here, retail managment openings are abundant and I have a solid resume!

Okay now back to the Justice department misleading us about the Patriot Act! :D

Chewie, sorry to hear about the job situation. Good luck finding a new one. Till then go on unemployment - like others have said you already paid for it.

Barden. What the average Joe on the street knows is pretty pathetic. Americans do have a tendancy to be very apathetic. If it don't affect the pay stub (I mean litteraly, if it's not printed on the pay stub), the house, the kids, or Opra - it don't matter. Jay Leno from The Tonight Show does a segment where he interviews random people on the street. Asking questions of the vein "Who was Samuel Adams?" "Where was the Constitution signed?" "Who is Sandra Day O'Conner?" "Where is Australia?" "Who is the King of Africa?".... the answers are just sad.

Anyway this is rather appropriate for this thread:
by Metallica

<c>...And Justice For All
Halls of Justice Painted Green
Money Talking
Power Wolves Beset Your Door
Hear Them Stalking
Soon You'll Please Their Appetite
They Devour
Hammer of Justice Crushes You
Overpower

The Ultimate in Vanity
Exploiting Their Supremacy
I Can't Believe the Things You Say
I Can't Believe
I Can't Believe the Price You Pay
Nothing Can Save You

Justice Is Lost
Justice Is Raped
Justice Is Gone
Pulling Your Strings
Justice Is Done
Seeking No Truth
Winning Is All
Find it So Grim
So True
So Real

Apathy Their Stepping Stone
So Unfeeling
Hidden Deep Animosity
So Deceiving
Through Your Eyes Their Light Burns
Hoping to Find
Inquisition Seeking You
With Prying Minds

The Ultimate in Vanity
Exploiting Their Supremacy
I Can't Believe the Things You Say
I Can't Believe
I Can't Believe the Price You Pay
Nothing Can Save You

Justice Is Lost
Justice Is Raped
Justice Is Gone
Pulling Your Strings
Justice Is Done
Seeking No Truth
Winning Is All
Find it So Grim
So True
So Real

Lady Justice Has Been Raped
Truth Assassined
Rolls of Red Tape Seal Your Lips
Now You're Done in
Their Money Tips Her Scales Again
Make Your Deal
Just What Is Truth? I Cannot Tell
Cannot Feel

The Ultimate in Vanity
Exploiting Their Supremacy
I Can't Believe the Things You Say
I Can't Believe
I Can't Believe the Price We Pay
Nothing Can Save You

Justice Is Lost
Justice Is Raped
Justice Is Gone
Pulling Your Strings
Justice Is Done
Seeking No Truth
Winning Is All
Find it So Grim
So True
So Real

Seeking No Truth
Winning Is All
Find it So Grim
So True
So Real</c>