As most of you know,I’ve worked as an independent contractor for a transport company that provides rides for medicaid patients the last few years.Yesterday the owner called me into his office and told me we’re shutting down as of Friday.
The state of Illinois is in arrears in their reimbursement payments to us to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.The owners have exhausted their credit with the banks and our suppliers and now its come to the end.They said we could start up again if the state sent us enough to cover payroll,insurance and fuel.
The problem is Illinois is billions in debt due largely to exorbitant pension costs.I doubt paying their small vendors is much of a priority.Like a mobster who owes money to a bookie–its cheaper to kill him than to pay him to wipe out the debt.
I exhausted what unemployment benefits I had before I got this job two years ago.Since we were not employees,the owners paid no tax,so we have no claim to benefits.I have enough in my savings to last about a month,then I’ll be penniless.My wife has worked part time for years and will be receiving social security probably starting in December.Still not nearly enough to survive.
I’ve done one kind of work all my life and my age and physical condition limits my options.None of our children have spare room and I wouldn’t ask them anyway.I’ve been to every public housing facility in the city and I can’t live like that.
I may be able to pay for my cable and internet access for another month before I go under.After that I just don’t know.
Its been a fun ride,and I loved posting here every day.Unless a miracle happens in the next few weeks,I don’t know.I just don’t know.
God bless and keep you all.
polination.blog 
Dear Pete,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your job. My thoughts are with you along with heartfelt prayers for that miracle.
Best,
Kelly
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Hi Pete…
Not a regular commenter but a regular reader, and I’m so sorry to hear about your job loss. I echo Kelly’s comment: lots of prayers for a wonderful miracle for you.
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This is very disturbing news and I am going to start thinking about some options for you, while praying along with everyone else.
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Hey, comment to site email…..
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The North Dakota job opportunities are wide open. It has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, starting 1/4 mile away from where I live. While you still have internet access, look at some of the listings throughout the whole state. I know that Williston (90 miles away) has pages and pages of them.
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I also know someone who might be hiring. He installs satellite systems in the man camps going up all over the place, and has more work than he can keep up with. You could be trained, if your health doesn’t preclude you working some outside during the winter. There would also be lifting of TVs and screens, etc., involved.
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Hey, Pete, I know several people who accepted jobs across country without even knowing where the money was going to come from to get to the new location. or how they were gonna get there….and they started right on time! You and your wife will make it!
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Pete, I too will be praying for a miracle for you. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.
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Oh, Pete – I’m so sorry. I know you been to this rodeo before. I’m sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way. As FTN noted above, there are lots of jobs to be had just a little further to the west – if you can find your way that direction.
God bless and lots of love!
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PP, I am so sorry. Cyber hugs. The real misery that is accompanying the left’s grab for power makes me so angry. So much for the DemonRats compassion for the poor.
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I wish someone who’s good with a video camera could get interviews with the folks Pete drives to their medical appointments, who now will have no way of getting there — thanks to the malfeasance of the corrupt politicians who run Illinois. Someone needs to make a video montage of their reactions to this, that we could circulate on the web.
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That is a GREAT idea! Pete, do your children have a video camera you could borrow? I think Auntie Lib’s son knows how to edit video. We can find someone to help put it together, I bet.
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I think it would be DYNAMITE. People need to understand that the stuff politicians do has real-life consequences for real people — especially poor, sick, frail, vulnerable people. Pete, you find the camera and cameraman, and after you get the interviews on video, we’ll take it from there.
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Pete, I don’t post much, but I read regularly. Praying for you and your wife!
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Pete, So sorry to hear of this. It’s so completely aggravating to realize what is happening to normal Americans because of the incompetence and destructiveness of our so-called leaders. Hang in there…..I pray that you will have the peace you need to be able to think clearly….to think what to do and how to proceed. Post a report now and then…..take care. Sharon/Emma
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