The American Dream. You know the white picket fence and 2.5 kids and a dog? Yeah, that dream. It is a big joke. America wants to lure us into thinking these are achievable dreams we can all reach and obtain. How is it possible to reach these goals if we are all looking for work? I swear if one more fucking asshole tells me to get a job, I might come fucking uncorked on them.
I quit a job I had because of many reasons. The main one was my employer was abusive - verbally. I hated going in to work because I was never sure what he would say or do next. The rules were always changing, which I am ok with, as long as you tell me what the rules are so I can follow them! He would also threaten often to fire someone, there were 3 employees he had and this threat would wear on me daily because of money. When I heard he was threatening to fire me I walked out. I could not handle anymore abuse. That was in October, it is now November. I had hoped to be a full-time employee somewhere by now. As I am sure several unemployed people had hoped to be gainfully employed by now too.
I have road blocks in my way while looking for work. I avoid anything that requires drug testing because of my choice of medication. That weeds (I really did not mean for the punny) out a LOT right there. Employers do not care if I partake in my medication while at work or not, since it is federally illegal, I am breaking the law. My frustration here is I am probably one of the best people for these jobs I avoid applying for. So, if I quit smoking pot I could get a job.
If I were to quit smoking I would not be a normally functioning member of society. I would be in so much pain. The muscle aches that won't let up. I in fact wondered the other day if what I was trying to rub out was bone and not muscle. The hollow ache inside my sciatic nerve would increase in intensity and eventually make me bed ridden. Then the depression sets in because I cannot do anything without the pain. That is when I start wishing for death to come take me away.
If I were to take the drugs prescribed to me by doctors for my pain as I have in the past, well, that is a long story. So let's get started. I was a HORRIBLE human being. First we shall start with the affects the meds had on me. I was ALWAYS sleeping. My friends stopped calling me to do stuff because I would be sleeping and grumpy they woke me. When I was able to do things I was a complete and utter bitch. I was pissed off at EVERYTHING! If I thought someone was looking at me sideways too long, I tore into them. And if I forgot to take my meds on time and I was out with friends, oh fuck, it was bad. Withdraws started and my bitchy pantaloons turned into psycho bitchy pantaloons. There was absolutely no reasoning with me. I was very dishonest. I lied to people who cared about me. I cheated on my boyfriends. I was numb to what my behavior and actions caused others. Numb. That is the perfect word - numb. I caused pain and heartache and I did not care.
I am now honest with myself and others. I admit my mistakes from my past. I am so proud of the person I am now. I KNOW I am good human being and I DESERVE to have the American Dream. But how can I achieve MY dream if the government puts road blocks in my way? The research is all there - in plain black and white. Marijuana, cannabis, weed, pot, ganja - whatever you call it, it is safer than anything else out there. But since someone somewhere thinks the US is making more money off it being illegal, it stays illegal. How is that helping ANY of us achieve the American Dream? There are no jobs for those of us truly looking. Make jobs for us by legalizing this plant. I will open a cafe, I will follow the rules, and I will help others in my situation. I have dreams too. Why throw around something you can't back up America? Now with that said, I am broke and close to being out of my meds so I am going to scrape what resin I can find and continue my job hunt.
Verbal abuse is a real problem among American employers these days.
ReplyDeleteI think it is highly unacceptable to treat your employees this way. And when it is a small company and it is the boss treating people this way, there is nobody to turn to to resolve this behavior. Especially when the boss is a child in a grown-up's body.
ReplyDeleteHello-My name is Charlotte and I am in a similar situation. I was let go from my job in July. Because I am nearly 70, I do not have a job either. Also I am a patient and without the medicine I would be blind - I am half blind now due to glaucoma. I too will not apply anywhere that gives drug tests and that plus my age, plus having a felony from 1992 for growing pot I am unemployable. I do get unemployment but it will not last forever. My husband and I are getting by now on that plus our social security and that is not much. We are in danger of losing our house and I feel very victimized. They fired me and I signed a gag order so I am not at liberty to disclose who, but I signed it to get a small amount of severance pay and had I refused and stayed the verbal abuse would have been intolerable - it already was but I forced their hand. Contacted an attorney and the fee would have been over $400 an hour which is not in my ballpark. There is no American Dream for any of us who were not born wealthy and certainly not for patients who choose a safer medicine. peace to you sister.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte - I admire you. And I am saddened by your story. This country is in dire need of change (that thing Obama promised us). I am sick of the government choosing what medicine I should be able to take and still be employable. It is ludicrous! I am so much happier and my pain is better controlled with marijuana! Nerve pain is the worst, but tolerable. And I have no healthcare. I can afford the cannabis without healthcare but not the morphine. Bottom line, the laws must change and I promise you I am trying to make it happen. I wish you the best and thank you for reading :) peace be with you as well
ReplyDeleteI want to do something to help change these laws but am clueless other than being somewhat involved on facebook etc. with local groups. I understand about not having insurance too, although I was fortunate that when I lost the job, was able to get medicare right away. The eye drops I need to use in addition to mmj are quite expensive without insurance. Fortunately, my physician gives me samples. I am an avid yoga practicioner and have been for more than 20 years. It is exciting for me to see things like Shabad Singh Kahalsas post that yoga classes are being held for patients because the majority of the yoga community that I know condemn its use also. Hope we can meet one day. Enjoying your blog.
ReplyDeleteBeing on Facebook is making change. Every person who tells the truth to the people they know is changing what the government has done to brainwash us. Keep fighting the good fight and contact NORML to see if there is anything else you can do :) If you want/can/are able.... :)
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