In today’s world, you must look out for yourself

By Eric Stevenson 

Throughout the past few years, bad fortune seems to have come down on people all over the country. With the financial collapse of 2008, resulting unemployment numbers, or even the recent budgetary issues, there are always things that go against the grain of thought. Many people have the mindset that because this is America, that there’s some sort of extra layer of protection to the citizens. In reality, the citizens of the US are no more protected than any other country. Being a citizen of this country allows us to take advantage of the freedoms that come along with it, by setting up ourselves in the best situations possible. In the end, people must look out for themselves and their families, because if not, there won’t be anyone looking out for you.

Essentially, the people and groups in all levels of politics aren’t necessarily looking out for the bulk of us. When you think about the shear mass and volume of people in this country and the fact that each of us is entrenched in our own, individual situation, it’s truly hard to believe that any person can be protected and supported by people in politics. Sure, a party may please one or two of our most important issues and morals, but anyone who says that a party is completely identifiable with their own thoughts is lying. The human form comes complete with too many individual sets of emotions, thoughts, opinions, and feelings. It seems that more and more people are making their political choices less often as a satisfaction of a particular candidate or party, but rather finding the lesser of two evils in a certain election or vote. In the end, politicians are looking to fulfill their own needs and wants, as well as those close to them. To say that they are looking out for the “people” is an inaccurate statement, because the variety and types of people make it impossible to be protected as a whole.

As we trickle down from the government, who else would we expect security and support from besides our close friends and family? Maybe in some situations or past lives, a job was something more secure. A job may have had a family atmosphere. Sure, it may have felt like a family, but essentially it’s a false front. Through the past three years, many Americans have been learning this the hard way. Long tenure, experienced, senior, or entry level, no job class has been left unharmed throughout the financial crisis and employment collapse in the last few years. As many US citizens continue to rebuild their lives in 2010 and 2011, it’s likely that many of them will carry a new mindset into their next jobs and careers. The same look over your shoulder, watch your back ideal that must be carried into the future. Even for people who may not have lost their jobs during the collapse, we all know someone who has been directly impacted.

Outside of just losing a job and saving company money, many of these companies are looking out for their revenue. For example, look at the business eruption over greenhouse gas emissions or the cases of asbestos and mesothelioma in the workplace. In some cases, forget about job security, a company can disregard health problems and risks at work for their own fortune. This insecurity about health has caused a number of workers to fight back. For example there are a number of litigation cases over work infection because of the severity and shortness of something like mesothelioma life expectancy. In the end, not just our income and job is at stake, for some workers in plants or the construction business, health may be an issue too.

In the end, all we have is our family and close friends. With the recent financial, employment and political issues, most of us have a more firm grasp on the mindset to take into the future. Although some of us may feel secure and protected, having the feeling of looking out and being prepared is a must in the dog eat dog world of 2011.

 

Note:  This is Eric Stevenson's first article here at Right Truth.  Leave him some feedback and let him know what you think and welcome him to Right Truth.  Also hit those Facebook and Twitter buttons below and share the article with others. --Debbie

   

Comments

[Perri Nelson]

Good article. It's amazing how many people EXPECT others to take care of them or watch out for them when it's each person's responsibility to watch out for their own interests.

[Debbie]

A great first article here Eric. Here at Right Truth we are all about personal responsibility.

[Layla]

Excellent article. Self accountability and responsibility are integral to defining character and integrity. Debbie has done a wonderful job of setting an example of both here on Right Truth.

[missouri mesothelioma lawyers]

I think we can say that employers are much more protective now of employees working around asbestos...finally.