John

John, a 59-year-old Vietnam veteran and former officer for the U.S. Air Force, was laid off from his job as an auditor because the firm he worked for, Profit Recovery Group, significantly downsized in the spring 2002. After aggressively searching for employment for over a year, John has started applying for low-wage, nonbenefit jobs so he can manage financially.

My Story
In the past 10 years, two of the professional firms I’ve worked for have been downsized and I’ve subsequently been laid off. I’ve worked as an auditor and CFE for many years and I have an MBA, but the job market is terrible right now and I’ve found that it’s virtually impossible to find a job.

I’m finding it very difficult to pay my bills and live my life. I’ve even started applying for minimum wage jobs, and I’m consistently turned down due to being “overqualified.” I realize I’m competing with thousands of people and, at age 59, I’m much older than most. I’ve been a hard worker all my life, and I never thought I’d be in a position like this. I worry that my children will have to support me financially in the future.

When a Vietnam veteran, former fighter pilot for the National Guard and successful businessman, such as myself, can’t find a job for all he’s worth, you’d think the government would recognize the job crisis is real and not going away—but things keep getting worse.

I have a problem with elected officials who aren’t doing anything to ensure jobs stay in America and who aren’t working to ensure that jobs are created. I wish President Bush would realize people who aren’t employed don’t spend money. The job crisis is causing a chain reaction, which I believe will be the downfall of the United States if we don’t change our policies fast. We need to help and focus on people in the Untied States by keeping jobs instead of sending them overseas.