Tyrone

After 16 years of service, Tyrone, 53, retired from the U.S. National Guard, where he served as a military policeman. After leaving the Guard, he earned an associate's degree in microprocessing technology at the age of 40. Despite his broad skill set and education, Tyrone has only been able to find temp jobs and finds himself applying for low-wage, no-benefit jobs. He's unable to manage financially and lost his house due to lack of income, forcing him to move back into his 76-year-old mother's house.

My Story
After high school, I wanted to serve my country, so I entered the military as a pharmacist. For six years, I ran a pharmacy in a health care clinic during the Vietnam War. I was in the National Guard for 16 years as a military policeman. I left the military after Desert Storm because the physical demands of my job became too difficult.

After leaving the Guard, I went back to school to learn about my passion-computers. At the age of 40, I earned an associate's degree in micorprocessing technology. At the time, I felt I was bound for success because I'd spent years serving my country, and now I was armed with computer skills. The IT field was supposedly bursting with jobs, however, I quickly found out that was just not the case.

For the last five years I've been looking for a permanent job that offers health care benefits and pays more than minimum wage. With the help of a temporary placement agency, I'm often hired to work on projects that last several months and then I'm let go. Lack of income and my unsteady employment status has become an enormous problem.

A couple of years ago, I was forced to sell my house for half its value and move back in with my 76-year-old mother. My goal is to take care of my mother in her senior years, since my father passed away some time ago, but now I'm relying on her to provide for me at the age of 53! I never thought I'd be in this position after working so hard for so many years.

I'd like to own my own home and be able to take care of my mother. I wish I could provide a comfortable life for her and myself. I see other people in my community struggling with the same things—jobs are scarce, businesses are closing and things are getting worse in D.C. I'm concerned about the future of our country. The education system has suffered and I fear future generations won't be able to match foreign competition.

The unsuccessful education policies of the Bush administration and policies that cater to big business and corporate giants have hurt our country immensely. Americans need to be able to make a decent living and find a job in order to be a part of the economy. Bush's policies are hurting our way of life.