I remember that period pretty well. Times got pretty tough as I recall, but I remember the owner of the company I used to work for stood to speak at one of our meetings....
He didn't sugar coat things, and made it pretty clear that the business going through a rough patch, but he quoted an electrical contractor over on the east coast of the state, when this contractor stated in regards to the economic woes of the time:
"I choose not to participate". He rolled up his sleeves and got to work, and do did we. Nobody lost their jobs, we all worked together, pounded the pavement and got through the mess.
I think the moral of the quote was to avoid becoming a victim.
When you become a victim, that means you've lost the fight.
There have been many times in my life where I faced an enormous challenge, many nights I've lost sleep wondering how to provide for the following day. Yes, the covid debacle has been responsible for a few of those sleepness nights, but every morning I wake up, shower, get dressed, and pound the pavement again, and the needs always manage to be met.
I didn't look for reasons to lay out of work and draw an unemployment check. For years and years I've worked and request special assignments, additional training, and when ever a volunteer was needed to do something unpopular, I've always raised my hand. The result of this is a man who despite having a very unorthodox clothing style, managed to remain gainfully employed. Why? Because Andrew gets sh!t done and they know it.
Joe Biden is not responsible for my success or failure, nor was Donald Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, etc. I'm responsible for myself, I take what I earn fairly, give a little back from time to time, and I own up to my screw-ups.
I refuse to become a victim of this world and the society I live in.
You take these local yokels that laugh at me when they see me out wearing skirts, does it get annoying? Sometimes, but I don't go home and cry myself to sleep over it, I don't need to hide in some "safe place", I go right back out there the next day, confident as ever.
Life can suck.
I choose not to participate.
There are two things you can call me to royally piss me off...
Don't call me a "victim" and don't call me a "consumer".
I'm not a consumer, I'm a producer. I work for my bread.