Posted on 07/31/2006 8:08:04 AM PDT by redstates4ever
Alan Beggerow has stopped looking for work. Laid off as a steelworker at 48, he taught math for a while at a community college. But when that ended, he could not find a job that, in his view, was neither demeaning nor underpaid.
So instead of heading to work, Mr. Beggerow, now 53, fills his days with diversions: playing the piano, reading histories and biographies, writing unpublished Western potboilers in the Louis L’Amour style — all activities once relegated to spare time. He often stays up late and sleeps until 11 a.m.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Photo Caption: "Alan and Cathleen Beggerow have been scraping by since he lost his job in 2001, and he is not seeking work."
They'e obviously not scraping by *that* much, as their individual weights look to be around 300 lbs. Where is their sense of shame? A generation ago, men like this would have been scorned by their communities
Well,that's *two* votes for The Former Twelfth Lady in '08.
Good liberal voters!!!! A good sterotype.
Part of his daily routine does not appear to be pedicures. eek!
>>Where is their sense of shame? A generation ago, men like this would have been scorned by their communities<<
A person or a couple have a right to work less or not at all if they are living withing their means - its only if they want the government to pay for them that I have a problem.
Cut off the damn welfare! When he gets down to a svelt 250 he'll go back to work!
He can thank his (former?) union for artificially elevating his sense of self worth to the point of being unemployable. Simply put, he can't find a job because he thinks he's worth more than the market does.
If he can't find a job he likes, why doesn't he at least start a home business selling stuff on Ebay or something? If you work for yourself, you can't gripe about the boss.
I think that concept goes a bit further back in history.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Ditto!!! I agree. The less stress, the man probably would live longer and have less health problems. As long as he is living within his means and not demanding the government for hand outs, I agree with you!!! I knew a guy who retired early, took his pension (half of his regular pay) and moved out to Idaho where the cost of living is low and life is quiet. He is living the life of leisure, pursuing hobbies, fan fiction writing and enjoying life in his late 50's.
They are also white, a statistical aberration, and the New York Times has once again shown us their visceral hatred for the average Joe.
I agree. If they are the government dole, shame on him, but if not more power to him. I don't think work for the sake of work is necessarily a virtue. Work is a way of supporting oneself for most people. He appears to be at least trying to improve his mind, unlike many people who actually do work.
I'm not sure this is the best example of what the Times story wants to illustrate. He isn't spending his entire day watching Oprah. Reading, learning, and writing aren't the worst things a man could be doing on what used to be called a sabbatical.
Who knows ? Those unpublished novels might reach a publisher yet. A new Louis L’Amour wouldn't be a bad thing.
I'm so lucky I didn't end up with a loser like this. 0.o
Sad! My husband said he would work at McDonald's if it meant work. Some jobs that may be temporarily "demeaning" can lead to better things. My husband worked as a temp driver for less than his previous job. He became a contractor and now makes more.
Or maybe a couple of "how to" books so we can all learn how to finance our own personal "learning agendas".
It is also what they said in Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen in the much-derided-here Mexico after the were almost destroyed by 2 hurricanes. No $2K debit cards and no free rides in luxury hotels there. They worked for no wages -- food only -- until the resorts were back up and running. IN RECORD TIME!
I am anti-illegal-alien, but people who don't know Mexico shouldn't really put it down.
Since the two are mutually exclusive </sarc>
How's he paying the bills? If he's living off his savings or investments that's his business but if he's on the dole...including unemployment then I say he should be cut off and forced to work. Otherwise...enjoy it while you can.
inneresting
I know a guy who did this. He lived off his 401K for a few years until he found out that he had to pay it back and pay taxes on it. 'Course he was 45, single and sort of a vagabond type. No real responsibilities so that sort of lifestyle would be a lot easier.
Mrs. Beggerow seems to be a total moronic dupe dishrag. A usefull floormat to a lazy loser.
"Most of these missing men are, like Mr. Beggerow, former blue-collar workers with no more than a high school education."
How could he have taught math at a community college without a degree himself??
Couldn't find a job at was not demeaning? Give me a break!
how do you teach a college class with no more than a high school diploma?....this one doesnt add up
lazy sob, I was filling out hundreds of resumes and applications from 2001 uhntil 1.5 years ago, went through 18 jobs I hated...
And this scumwaffle just sits back and writes novels??
Unemployment isn't a governement dole, really, but I do agree with you. Good for him if he can make this choice with his own finces, screw him if he's freeriding off my work.
finces should = finances.
He taught at a community college, so he must have gone to college.
I wonder if he learned anything?
Of course not, but I know plenty of 9-5ers who haven't read a book in 20 years. At least this guy is doing that.
If your outgo exceeds your income...
Your upkeep will be your downfall.
from deep withing the link
To make ends meet, he has tapped the equity in his home through a $30,000 second mortgage, and he is drawing down the family’s savings, at the rate of $7,500 a year. About $60,000 is leftThat give him eight years of getting by before our munificent government will force us taxpayers to pick up the tab for this worthless sack of lard
further
But the fastest growing source of help is a patchwork system of government support, the main one being federal disability insurance, which is financed by Social Security payroll taxes. ...We who work are paying for the worthless sacks of crapNo federal entitlement program is growing as quickly, with more than 6.5 million men and women now receiving monthly disability payments, up from 3 million in 1990.
They call him "Bigfoot."
This story reminds me of a radio interview I heard when I lived in California. A single woman was explaining why she quit her job at a bank to get pregnant, have a child, and go on welfare. She wanted a child and didn't want someone else to raise it. Unfortunately no one ever asked me how I felt about paying for her bastard child.
An employer risks his business by hiring felons.
Good to see he's taking advantage of his time off to get in shape.
[ open on suburban family crowded in the family car at the Burger Barn drive-thru ]
Voice on Speaker: Welcome to Burger Barn, how may I help you?
Dad: Uh.. yeah. We would like five burgers, please.
Voice on Speaker: How do you want 'em? They come with mustard, ketchup, pickle and onion.
Dad: That's what we want.
Mom: Oh, honey, could I get mine without onions, please?
Dad: Okay, alright. One without onions.
First Son: And extra pickles on mine?
Dad: And extra pickles.
Voice on Speaker: So, one with no onions and extra pickles?
Dad: No.. no. Three all the way, one with no onions, one all the way with extra pickles.
Voice on Speaker: Alright.
Dad: And five Cokes.
Voice on Speaker: What size?
[ family starts talking all at once ]
Dad: MEDIUM!! Medium, please.
Grandma: I don't want a Coke, I want a glass of water.
Dad: Okay, four medium Cokes, one glass of water.
Voice on Speaker: I can give you the water, but I'll have to charge you for a Coke.
Dad: Alright. I'll pay for it.
Voice on Speaker: How about fries?
Dad: Uh.. yeah! Make it five orders of fries.
Grandma: Uh, well, if he's gonna charge you for a Coke anyway, I'll just have a Coke..
Dad: Okay, okay.. make it five medium Cokes, and just forget the water.
Second Son: [ pointing ] Hey, Dad, look! If you order a Buster Burger, the fries come with it! And that's cheaper than a regular hamburger and fries!
Dad: [ thinking ] Wait a minute.. wait a minute..
Voice on Speaker: Yes, sir?
Dad: Uh, yeah.. make it five Buster Burgers, three all the way, one without onions, one with onions and extra pickles, and that all comes with fries, right?
Voice on Speaker: Yes, sir. And with lettuce and tomatoes.
Dad: Good. Well, put it on all five.
Mom: Honey, if I'm getting lettuce and tomatoes, then I don't want mustard.
Dad: Okay, hold on here, we have a change.. We want five Buster Burgers, two all the way, one all the way with extra pickles, one with ketchup, pickle, lettuce and tomatoes, and one with mustard, ketchup, pickle and onions..
Voice on Speaker: Okay.
Grandma: Excuse me. Excuse me, but I'm just thinking - if I'm having a cola, I can't have red meat. Now, it's just gonna be too much acid in my stomach. Can I get a piece of fish, or something?
Dad: Alright, alright.. cancel one of the all the way Buster Burgers, and give me a fish sandwich..
Grandma: Without fries.
Voice on Speaker: It comes with fries - no charge.
Dad: Oh. Well, wait a minute.. [ turns around ] Uh, who has the burger without lettuce?
Second Son: I do, I do, Dad!
Dad: Okay, bear with me one minute: give me three Buster Burgers, one all the way with extra pickles, one with ketchup, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes, one fish sandwich, and one regular burger with mustard, ketchup, pickle and tomatoes.. [ turns around ] And when the order gets here, you can have Grandma's french fries.
Second Son: Cool!
Dad: Okay!
Grandma: I can't eat fried foods..
Mom: Well, Mother, the fish is fried!
Grandma: What?! Well, then, can I just get a couple slices of bread?
Voice on Speaker: What's that?!
Dad: Uh.. can we cancel the fish, and get two pieces of bread, please?
Voice on Speaker: We don't have bread. I can give you a bun.
Dad: Fine! Fine!
Voice on Speaker: But I'll have to charge you for a fish sandwich.
Dad: Well.. hey, why don't you charge me for a burger?! It's cheaper!
Voice on Speaker: I thought the old lady wanted a fish sandwich?
Dad: Well.. she wants a burger now! You got that? [ silence ] Hello?
Voice on Speaker: I'm confused..
Dad: Okay.. Three Buster Burgers! One all the way. One all the way with extra pickles! One with ketchup, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes! One regular burger with mustard, onions, pickles and ketchup! One burger plain, with no meat..!
First Son: Dad! If Grandma doesn't get her fish sandwich, then Doug doesn't get any fries.
Dad: Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!! Hold it! Hold it, hold it! Cancel the burger!
Voice on Speaker: Uh.. would you people, maybe, like to come in..? Take all the time you want, you know, maybe visit our salad bar..
Mom: [ excited ] Oh, a salad bar!
[ everyone in the car starts talking all at once ]
Dad: No! No! NOOOOOOO!!! Okay, starting OVER!! FIVE burgers with EVERYTHING!! FIVE medium COKES!! THE END!!
Voice on Speaker: Right. $11.65. Please drive around.
Mom: [ chipper ] Well, see, there you are! That was easy, wasn't it?
[ zoom out to fade ]
|
** Burger Barn ** Saturday Night Live Just was looking for an excuse to post this sketch! |
A perfect picture of "fat, dumb and happy."
He obviously does not have time to work with all the treadmill and stairmaster time he is putting in....
So long as Uncle Sam isn't supporting him, and his wife is willing to put up with it...what business is it of mine? I'd like sleep in every day, and do exactly as I want, when I want.
Of course, I also like to eat, and live in a house, and support my family. That's why I work.
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