Some of you have seen me around here, answering questions and helping others with there work-related issues, but I've neglected to say anything about myself. Since I'm here tonight, I thought I might as well tell you my story, and perhaps it will help others. To get where I'm at - or should I say "where I'm NOT at and why. First, kinda gotta give out a little background so you can all relate.

Most of my adult life I've been a paramedic. I began at the tender young age of 15 working on ambulances as an EMT, that was back before they required everyone to be at least 18 to hold a certification in California. A few years later I went back and got my Paramedic. I was married the first time at 21, and two years later went to the JC and took the classes, next thing you know.... paramedic.

When I retired from the field, I had put in 30 yrs total on the rigs and in the field, but wasn't finished - I had gone to the University of Missouri, and received my degree in management, because with all the horrific things I'd witnessed over the years (you name it, I've either done it or had my hand in it to some degree - multiple plane crashes, trauma, trauma, trauma, Pooped on, pee'd on, barfed on, had building come down on me and been there not long afterwards, I could probably tell you how many different ways to mutilate a human body with full details).

Basically it was time to move on in a manner of speaking. I ended the field aspect of my career on December 31, 2008 and took a management job in the EMS field, and eventually ended up at an agency in San Diego, where it all started. That was in 2009.

I was hired as the Marketing Director for a local ambulance agency there - handling everything needed for contracting with facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, etc) bringing more business than anyone else including those half my age. I save their sister company from being closed down. It had been losing money for more than 6-years, and was asked to save it by the owner (was given only 90-days to create a financial turnaround, and did it in 45-days, generating more than $1,000,000 in gross revenue that year with two contracts piggybacked), and after accomplishing that feat was fired by the then GM of the LA operation 28-days later, only to be rehired by the owner the very next day. The GM was the one ultimately let go.

I continued to earn my keep and impresses the owners of the company. Eventually the owner retired and not long afterwards was laid off by the company's CFO, as a result from his misgivings over ObamaCare reimbursements. Too much uncertainty existed in the new Obamacare programs, or so I was told.

I never had any reason to believe that I couldn't get a job or rehired. I have always had a job or was able to find one in a very short time frame. But, after 3 weeks, then a month, a year.... and nothing...

In three and a half years, I have submitted 723 resumes and have interviewed 5 times. Discouraged? No, not so much as I am disappointed in this economy. Something that was really never fixed and remains inrepaired even now.

I went my first year and received unemployment, but once it runs out, there really is nothing else for you. So with my final amount of savings, I opened a company (consulting and outsourced marketing for medical practices and small businesses). It's been rough. I've made some money at it. But seems everyone wants to hire you and the when the time comes they don't want to pay you what's due. Since starting my company, I've lost more than $15,000 in revenue from my clients not paying what's owed.

I still go out an submit at least 3 resumes every day, but never get called in for interviews, and I've paid to have my resume re-written 3-times in three years. I have learned that never to answer age-related questions or provide anything that may giveaway my age. When they didn't know I was 55, or were able to connect my age to anything on my resume, or online, Like I said - I had five interviews, but when I go in for the interview, I never receive a call back to move forward.

All I can tell you is this...

In all my years, I've never seen an economy as bad as this. My father likened it to the Great Depressing, the other thing I've learned is that "Millennials" do'nt hire anyone over 50... period!

Our economy has not recovered fully to the pre-2008 economic levels, and who knows whether things will improve or whether they'll get worse. I do know this; our economy will never fully recover until the banks take their "bullet", nothing will improve for any of us.

People aren't happy any longer, and while tey may hate the next batter coming to the plate, perhaps Mr Trump is just what the country needs to get it back on track - who knows?

But if there were any one that probably deserves to be bitter about this situation, it should be me! And, here is why..., I have sacrificed quite a bit for the sake of others unrelated to me. I've lost two wives, lost my child, lost every penny I've ever made, will be declaring bankruptcy this year, and have more debt that I know how to deal with, and live in a rented trailer which I'll be evicted from only to move on to the streets... and in all of that, this is really the very first time I've ever spoken of it.

All I can say to you is this... in your misfortune, never quit, or give up on yourself... you do have value and worth... and of course, you always have yourself - you're your best and most valuable asset. Without you, there is no tomorrow, and the sun will literally never shine again.

So, even though it's getting bad... it can not only get far, far worse but it can also improve exponentially. So when you fell depressed or down on yourself... stop! Reset your head, and do something for someone else! It really will brighten your day and make your corner of the world a whole lot better.

Good luck everyone. I hope to hear from you soon and will help you all I'm able. I may be heading into the streets and homelessness, but at least I have everyone's ecouragement, support

God Bless you all... now get a job!