- Almost every day we have read in newspapers, on Internet
websites, and see on TV, a story about another "resignation".
These resignations are coming from the political arena, the military and
Corporate CEO's and top executives. As you know, this has been going on
at an unprecedented rate, since our illustrious Supreme Court appointed
Bush President in 2000.
-
- Professionals in many categories have been resigning
in larger numbers during these Bush Years. In whatever profession, it is
increasingly a direct reaction to the policies, laws and agendas of this
administration.
-
- As I was reading an article in the New York Times about
"over 100 Law- makers in Iran resigning," I began thinking of
all the other surprising resignations in our country, England and other
countries. I'm wondering if we might be reaching epidemic proportions of
this increasing trend? Perhaps in the past many resignations didn't get
as much media attention. Maybe these high numbers over the past year are
not as unusual as it seems to me?
-
- But, I think not.
-
- There are, in some men, deep rooted moral consciences,
which, even when they've stepped in do-do and have for awhile prostituted
themselves and enjoyed the perks of going along with a government policy
that is ruining their country, they one day realize they can no longer
ignore their consciences.
-
- Others are involuntarily resigned when they've failed
to do the job the way their masters have instructed. Still others are put
out to pasture when they are replaced by those fresh faces that the Bush
Gang hopes we won't realize were hired to carry out the same administration
agendas as those familiar faces and names,who resigned or were
early-retired.
Or in more shocking instances, those who were apparently in good health
suddenly drop dead of heart attacks or "suicides" or plane
crashes.
-
-
- One example of a man who knew when to leave is Ari
Fleischer.
At least he was good at the job he had to do. While we (or I) could read
between Ari's words easily, I was appreciative of his talent. He was the
best liar I've ever seen in public life! But, I was happier of course,
that I was not buying any of it either.
-
- Scott McClellan has looked uncomfortable since his first
day on the job. He just doesn't seem to believe what he says! He also
doesn't
seem to remember all of what he's been instructed to say. He stumbles
enough
to make me think this, anyway. If Bush 'wins' the 2004 election (God
forbid)
I expect that Scott will be 'retired' or 'resigned' before the Jan. 2005
inauguration, if not sooner. Then again, this may be only my wishful
thinking.
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- Years ago when I worked in Corporate America I saw the
same thing happen to many dedicated and long term employees. Usually,
they'd
be found suddenly lacking (read as incompetent) near their retirement
dates.
Sometimes, the official reason was that company cutbacks were necessary.
Sometimes, if they were lucky, the company would send them off with a
fairly
decent early retirement package.
-
- When I was 50, I was earning a comfortable $50,000
annually,
in 1991, with a very uncomfortable commute and on-the-job stressors that
caused me to spend a good portion of my weekly pay on medicines and doctor
visits. I had perfect attendance and performance records thanks to Bufferin
and antacids.
-
- When my doctor told me that my declining health was
caused
simply by stress of the rat race, I decided to retire. But, not just from
a particular corporation from Corporate America, completely.
-
- I had worked for many years in various large
corporations.
The names and faces were different in each company, however, the game was
always the same. Hard working very dedicated employees, in general, always
lost. Even at the top, Presidents and CEO's were not safe from the game.
I was never fired, but I resigned a number of times and then retired in
1991.
-
- I'd seen and learned all there was for me to know about
the end of the people-oriented companies era. What I'd seen and learned
through those many years told me clearly that it could only get worse.
And, now we see that it has. It's much worse than I imagined it would be,
back in 1991.
-
- One of my sons had a similar experience a few years ago
while he was a computer Specialist at a major corporation. The $90,000
annual pay was excellent, for a young 30-something. Unfortunately, the
stress got to him after only two years.
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- He had headaches and was sick to his stomach every day.
So, he took a stress leave that gave him several months to recuperate.
Fortunately, when he recuperated, he realized he could never stay healthy
if he returned to Corporate America. He also knows he doesn't want to end
up being resigned or retired at 40 or 50 from a company that had guaranteed
him a wonderful pension package for his 'golden years', in order to entice
him during an interview.
-
- He told me, one day two years ago, that he finally knew
what I'd been trying to tell him when I retired. However, the opportunity,
the large salary and the promised benefits won the youth over. I'm sorry
he had to learn these things the hard way, but at least he learned it in
his 30's instead of in his 40's or 50's!
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- My other son, also a 30-something, saw at a much earlier
age that all businesses were not only disinterested in employees' welfare,
but that they were just using up their employees and unceremoniously
spitting
them out. Additionally, in the past several years we've become a country
with more part time workers without benefits than full time workers with
benefits.
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- Speaking of benefits, I would guess that the 20-something
generation has never had a job with health benefits, paid vacations, and
other company perks that used to be the norm before the end of the 1980's.
It wouldn't surprise me if they don't even know how the word benefits used
to apply in business. Now what they do know is that 'benefits' refers to
the companies' gains. Nothing of benefit but low pay and job insecurity
for the employees who do the work that keeps the companies in
business.
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- Even 'retirees' are taking another hit this year. Have
you read about it?
- (See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/03/business/03CARE.html?
- ex=1077080400&en=461492b1d70756ed&ei=5004&partner=UNTD
- New York Times, Companies Limit Health Coverage of Many
Retirees, Feb. 3, 2004) So it seems to me that 'resignations' and early
retirements are becoming a 21st Century phenomena, both in Companies and
politics (which I realize is really the same business). Now we see people
moving from job to job within very short time spans not even thinking about
a five year company plan.
-
- Remember the old days when you were interviewed and they
seemed to think that you should want to stay for at least FIVE years? Those
good old days when they energetically pitched wonderful retirement plans
after 20, 25, or 30 years of employment. Ya don't see that anywhere now,
do ya? Well if you do, let me know because I know some people whose
unemployment
benefits have run out, who would be standing in line for an
interview.
-
- Nah, it's too late. They probably wouldn't believe it
now.
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