The Failing Economy and It's Effects

As I was reading the end of Chapter 3, I had one of my "good thoughts" the other day while I was freely riding the bus to Mound, Minnesota.

With the economy the way it is, I was thinking that I, right now, have empathy (meaning the ability to re-create another person's perspective, to experience the world from the other's point of view). The reason I say this is because earlier this week, I had the unfortunate pleasure of watching Target workers leaving their Downtown Minneapolis offices with boxes with them. Meaning that they got laid off their jobs because of the ailing economy.

As I was watching them, I had this vision of me doing that. Clearing my locker for the last time, taking my stuff with me as I leave the recreation center for the last time. It's been in the media because of the fact that our governor is cutting funding to cities, cities are left without money to pay for their services. The Pioneer Press reported earlier this week that four departments are on the chopping block: police, fire, libraries and parks.

I was discussing this with a friend that same morning that there's no way that the city will be cutting police and fire. The public will have a fit if there are less police patrolling the streets. You never know when there will be a fire emergency so there will no way that could get cut.

So the next two departments that usually get the ax first is libraries and parks. From reducing hours at libraries and parks to layoffs are all on the table. (Just a note, if this actually happens, the city would need to hire more police since no one will have anywhere to go). If the layoffs where to happen, then I would be the first to go since I am on the bottom of the Recreation Leader seniority list. At this point, I would have sympathy (defined as a view from the other person's situation from your point of view) for people who are in the same boat: being laid off from your job.

But I also see this as a positive. I know losing your job (in anyway) sucks but it will persuade me to do something different. I may take a few month off, collect unemployment and concentrate of school but eventually I'll find something different. Something that I actually would enjoy doing.