CNN iReport

I've been working as a contractor for a 'major' cellular infrastructure and cell phone maker for a little over 5 years. Due to government and corporate red tape, you need to reinvent and/or retitle your job title/description every two years just to stay employed.

I just learned today, that due to cutbacks I'll be training someone that's an employee to do my job. My contract won't be extended after this next 6 or 7 months. I used to be an employee of this same company, but was 'right sized' at the end of 2001. Though I've been doing this job very well, as customer and peer reviews note, due to my age and lack of degrees, even with a wealth of experience, I anticipate going from a good income and supporting my family, to the very real possibility to lossing everything and being a Walmart greeter!

I know of another gentleman that was just layed off from this same company in a different division. He'd been a developer in the area I work, but had moved. They are actually hired staff in the group he'd previously been with, but when his resume was presented there, the comment was that they are looking at some H1B visa holders from India. There's another problem right there. Former substantial American wage earners being thrown under the bus by US corporations so cheaper, less qualified workers can be brought in via H1B's to help the 'bottom line' and keep those nice executive bonuses and golden parachutes in place. Don't believe it when you hear that party line, 'We just can't find any qualified, educated people in the United States'.

With the state of 401k's, the economy and corporate greed, in all likelyhood before long I'll be broke, destitude and have gone from a decent living to asking, 'Would you like fries with that?'.

Instead of Inauguration Day, perhaps we need an Bastille Day! Instead of cleaning house though, I'm sure we'll just continue to be the sheep we are and dutifully march to slaughter.