LAZY? Uh people do that all the time for a ton more money? Not because they're lazy but because they can. Although yeah... people just get scared. Lazy? Pressure? Trap? What trap? Whatever it is, people know what they're doing. It's on purpose. I'd do it for more money. Even though I'm LAZY
He not only went there, he came back with all his faculties. Of course, he did not do it all alone, and he has always been very quick to point that out. But that moment was a pivotal one in the history of the human species, more meaningful than any of the battle victories in our long history. We have backslid somewhat, and lost focus in favor of more short-sighted goals, but the moment remains. We have crossed the void. One small step.
It's not a canned essay if the paper is written specifically for their needs and only used once. The place where such students get caught is when they attempt, later in the semester, to write their own essay and the narrative voice/style suddenly change. If they use the same writer all semester, they can avoid it. I'm not saying that the practice is honorable, but if a person knows that they do not have the skills to write an 'A' paper, and they have the money to hire a ghostwriter, how are they any different than a CEO who hires a professional writer their business?
I'd consider this very, very heavily before you do. Speaking from one of the few who has a semi-decent paying job (slightly above minimum and under the table so sans tax) I can tell you that it's hard. Unless you have something lined up or you're willing to take the risk and maybe a few knocks along the way, I wouldn't do it. Not that I don't love my country, but our government is an utter mess and is having a jolly old time sticking their nose where it doesn't belong these days, and I detest it greatly. I'm seeing people who don't work a lick of their lives dressed to the nines and getting free government money, while those who do work can barely stay afloat. Five out of the seven of us work right now, and we're okay, but I can say without a doubt that if the economy gets worse, or if something happens to either of my parents, we may sink under. Truth is, it's depressing wherever you go these days. It's just a matter of trying to see the glass half-full in the face of it being half-empty. ...now I feel like the depressing party pooper. Go figure.
Truth is, it's depressing wherever you go these days. It's just a matter of trying to see the glass half-full in the face of it being half-empty. ...now I feel like the depressing party pooper. Go figure. AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH mwah.<kiss
Where are you seeing these people, because everyone I see at the food bank (where I volunteer), WIC office (near my home), and free health clinic (cross the street from my office) are far from styling. Most are overweight, have ratty clothes, and drive 10+ year old Hondas with no air conditioning. I always hear about these mythical iPhone chatting, Gucci wearing, party-drug taking welfare recipients, but I can never seem to find any solid evidence of their existence.
So I have a swimming exam tomorrow. Not hard at all, really, just 25 meters breaststroke with the right technique. The thing is though, I've just learned how to swim very recently, and it still freaks me out a bit. So many things to focus on at the same time! Ah well, guess I can only try my best... (and not drown)
Good luck, Lydia! I'm a terrible swimmer. On the rare occasion I go swimming, I always make sure I'm near the edge and just end up doing doggy paddle haha.
Strangely enough, I haven't seen them either. There are people who are bilking the welfare system when they have no legitimate need for the money. The do spend it on Gucci and iPhones. Then they get caught. Every year we see it on the news. In New York, the state seems to love nailing them all at once. If you are spending your welfare check on designer clothes, one of two possibilities. The first is that you are don't it to the exclusion of other necessities such as food. The other possibility is that you are committing fraud. If you see it, you need to report it. I will also say that people often THINK they see instances of Beau Brummell welfare recipients when they are not. Example, locally, you can get into subsidized housing if you make less than $35,000 as a single person. When I first left my religious order, I made $28,000. I was able to get a regular apartment, but had to settle for an inferior car (old Saturn) while I got back on my feet. Had I settled into subsidized housing, I would have paid significantly less rent and would hae been able to afford a car that wasn't held together with rubber bands and good intentions. Then I would be one of those folks with a newish car parked in the projects. That doesn't mean I would be "dressed to the nines" or receiving government money. And even now that I make more money and have found more success in the workplace, I still buy my clothes at TJ Maxx. I still check the Goodwill before I buy new. A lot of people do that. So be careful about judging people. Just because a person isn't wearing tattered rags doesn't mean they aren't poor. And just because a person is poor doesn't mean they are "taking government money."
How bad is it in terms of job prospects for someone like me? I mean, if I was prepared to work minimum wage somewhere would I have problems in getting one? If I could get a job that'd enable me to get by I'd be reasonably happy. After all, I wouldn't be going there to make money to hoard; I'd be going there to meet new people, experience a new environment, culture, night life. Everything really. I'd aim to do that on a shoestring if needs be!
It really depends on where you move to. Trying to get by in NYC or LA on federal minimum wage ($7.25 an hour, I believe) is laughable. There are jobs out there, the problem that many are running into is that minimum wage has not grown at the same rate as cost of living. Working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year at minimum wage will earn you $15,080 before taxes and deductions. That will not get you very far at all. San Antonio, where I live, has a fairly low cost of living. A small apartment here will run you around $500 a month plus another $150 for utilities. That would leave $7,200/year for food, entertainment, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. If you have student loan debt, expect an additional $400 a month ($4,800 a year) to pay those off. Texas has a low unemployment rate, compared to the rest of the Nation, but more minimum wage jobs then about anyone else as well. Perhaps that is why it has one of the highest rates of poverty. There are lots of these low wage jobs out there, but people who have earned a college degree cannot live on such low pay. That is why so many people are in trouble and upset. The federal poverty level for a family of 2 (single parent, for example) is just over $15,000/year. However, several 3rd party organizations cite that the poverty guidelines (based upon a formula from 1960) are out dated. According to them, that same family would need ~$33,000 (for food, medical, housing, etc) in San Antonio. In NYC that family needs to make over $50,000 to survive ($24/hour). So take it all with a grain of salt, but expect times to be tough if you want a major city on a shoe string. People clearly do it all the time, but it is really tough.
It really does depend. Kyle did a very detailed (and accurate) analysis on living on minimum wage, but it may be possible to make more than minimum wage depending on your skills and education. Also, in some cities, even unskilled jobs pay more than minimum wage (state or federal). There are factory jobs in Pennsylvania that pay $12-$15 per hour (average rent is $500-$900). I live in New York and the folks at Starbucks start at $10/hr. But if you have a degree in say, economics, you can find junior professional level work. If you have a degree in the liberal arts, you may have to hunt around, but you may still be able to land a decent job (my BA is in Philosophy, I got a job as an insurance agent and earned an MBA, now I'm a risk analyst) There are options.
As a nyc resident, even in the outer boros, the cost of living is climbing with no signs of stopping. Unless you are willing to do busboy or barback detail, have a trust fund, or have a job lined up, I would recommend one to consider other American cities to relocate to. Been hunting for steady work for a while now, running on savings going onto fumes, and it is supremely unpleasant. I meet plenty of people from mid-western states that were goaded here by the shine or a sense of adventure only to be making plans to head back, but of course everyone's story can be different.
This is pretty disheartening tbh...Its going to take a lot of thinking over. I have a friend who's living in the NY area atm, and there's a small chance that if I ever go out there, he might be able to set me up a job in construction. I'd be happy with something like that, even though it's completely unrelated to the university degree I'm doing at the moment.
Well, it won't be an easy climb up at any rate, but I wish you good luck. As with anything else, you'd have to be ready to tackle the challenges thrown at you. But if you desire it, and work toward it, you'll get there. Good luck, Mackers!
There is also the whole, "we hate immigrants" mentality that's so popular these days. In your defense, you are Irish, so you'll likely slip by unnoticed. There's just a bunch of narrow minded silliness in America these days. I still believe in the ol girl, but it's certainly not the best time to try and immigrate and find work.
Even then, Mackers may still find ignorant fools asking if he's British, or if he likes to drink a lot of alcohol because he's Irish. Stereotypes are prevelant, no matter where you are, or who you are. And if any dumbass says you are Brit, when you are from the Republic of Ireland, tell them off. A'course, if they genuinely do not know, inform them in a kind, bracing manner.
Yeah, I'm not that good yet, but at least it went alright. Just need to keep practicing now so I'll get better. But for now, I think I'll stay out of the pool for a while. There's a shark in the pool!
