My first title started to be “Holy Sh*t! Has it been that long since I posted?” but since I have both grown ups, (adult-like even), and children, (some for the 2nd or 3rd time), I try to keep the bad language to a minimum so that when it is used the shock value is worth all the email I receive about it. Oh wait, I don’t get email about this site…Well heck, let’s get started offending the status quo.

There is hope out there. Not always sure where the hell it is, but sometimes it peeks in on us and gets seen. Reminds me of an old song from the U.S. Great Depression in the 1930s, “Prosperity is just around the corner. Only question is which corner?”

For those who have worked for years with the promise of a decent raise but never quite getting it, now is the time to start looking. People are starting to see that there is more to life than being on call 24x7x365 after already working 60 hour weeks…or at least I did. I got a new job with a lot less stress, better working environment, an actual weekend off or a few, and a nice boost in pay. And, I get to spend time with my wife…good time, not just the honey-do list.

The problem is, we have millions of people who are out of work, homeless, struggling to do their best while battling the weather, people wanting to hurt them and/or steal everything they have, and it’s damn hard to look for work while trying to protect everything you own from being taken or destroyed. Some of us are doing what we can, but the need is so large, and people are struggling on their own that it takes a real sacrifice to help.

We need help from the Federal Government, but the country is so divided that getting anything passed to help is going to to take a miracle. We need to pass both the infrastructure bills so that the first 2 years of college are free. This will help lots of people, but not everyone can wait 2 years (or longer) before they can get a better (or any) job. How about raising the minimum wage to at least $15 per hour. It’s not a lot, but it would mean the world to someone currently making $7.25 an hour now.

Another option is to offer a safe place to stay where one’s person and possessions will be safe. I know shelters have a bad reputation…mostly well deserved…but maybe something with individual rooms?

Anyway, welcome back to the inside of my head…more to come