What Economic Stimulus Means for Someone Bouncing Back

Just about every day for the past month as I tune into the news I hear about the "failing" economy. Thousands of people are losing their jobs, military people not getting adequate health care and let's not get started with the gas prices. So, economic stimulus is being paraded as a knight in shining armor for the economy. Seriously! Are we really supposed to take a $300 to $1200 check and revitalize the nation and our lives? How?

In 2002 I was amongst thousands in the technology industry who lost their jobs. We were told our positions had been "outsourced" (which was supposed to be an economic stimulating move as well). Many of us did not worry because we had advanced degrees and tons of experience - - those are always the first to go.

Oct 2005 I was able to obtain a full time position as a receptionist at a police station. So what happened from 2002 to 2005? I lost my home, I exhausted family members who did their best to help in the end, I lost 20 pounds because I couldn't afford food and then Katrina showed up and I gained 40 due to the stress of not knowing if I could help family who had lost everything!

In watching the news today it was announced that Wal-Mart was going to wave their check cashing fee and have sales on certain items to help people utilize their economic stimulus check. No WM. There are a few people in line before you for this bit of pocket change.

- My god-brother Chris lost his job last week due to the failing economy. Since he and his wife helped me get my lights turned back on when I was going through shaky times, I would be stupid to even drive by and wish for something at Wal-Mart.

- My sister Sean and her husband forced me to swallow my pride and take care packages when I was down and out. Their primary car broke down this week. Nope. I won't be going to Target either.

- My god-sister Candy paid for me to go on a trip to Mexico because she needed a vacation and knowing what I had been going through she insisted we both just take some time away from the madness. I can't think of a reason to even go to Kmart.

- My god parents have loaned me a ridiculous amount of money to help me get back on my feet, not to mention co-signing on a loan in order for me to finish an education that has put me in a "over qualified" bracket. Doubt if I make it to Circuit City.

- My cousin's Irlene, Ethan, Patricia and Diane all collectively went into their pockets to assist me financially even though they have children to care for, homes to repair and one is on disability. Really can't see being up in Ross this week either.

· My sister's Linda and Gail along with my brother's Tyrone and Walter, grouped with their kids and actually gave ME money in spite of the tragedy brought on by Katrina which left them (literally) with nothing, to get me back on track. Hell no! I won't be at Fry's Electronics either!

NO, this check that is being sent to me as a means of me stimulating the economy will not be spent on toys or frivolous, meaningless items that will corrode and dissipate in a matter of years. I am still bouncing back from something that should have taken weeks (not years) to rectify. I am still trying to make sense of having skills and talents that were shelved because I was too over qualified to re-enter the job market. I am still a bit pissed off at the fact that the position I was downsized from was posted with that company for months after my dismissal, yet I was not a candidate to re-enter that position.

And may I suggest to those who think spending this check on whims and fancies take their asses down to New Orleans and other places that have been hit with natural disasters over the past three years (heck the past few days in North Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia to name a few) and realize that shopping is not what people need to be doing at this time! Shopping may be a momentary fix. But it makes no sense to put a Band-Aid on a severed arm; and that is what this is the equivalent to.

So, no! Do not expect to see me at the midnight sales, grappling at items that were marked up 100% and then discounted by 15% for my amusement. I'm too busy trying to stimulate the economic status of my return to sanity and to be a support system to those who helped me when I was going through it.

But, thanks for the thought!