“It will never happen to me.” Even progressives can fall for this lame line.

[raccoon]

Last night I was at a meeting with two people, “Alice,” and “Jerry.” (They aren’t a couple, nor are they Republicans—they are fairly progressive.) They got to talking about how sometimes things just “work out”—as if they were meant to be.

Alice’s example: some years ago, she and her now deceased husband bought a house which is about 10 minutes from Alice’s workplace. Which was convenient because later on when her husband became ill, she was able to get home quickly. How fortunate that they didn’t purchase the house that was 30 minutes away from her workplace. Alice went on to talk about how when God closes some doors, he opens others.

Jerry’s example: Jerry and his family moved from the West coast a few years ago. It just worked out that Jerry’s house sold quickly, and everything worked out and Jerry’s family was settled happily (at least for the time being) in upstate SC.

My mind is screaming “Confirmation bias!” at this time.

I said timing had a lot to do with such things, and gave two examples from my own family, before the real estate crash, where family members unloaded two pieces of property.

Last year, it was up in the air whether Alice would keep her job or not. She works for the school district. She said at the time that she’d find something, even if it was at McDonald’s.

I doubt if Alice had really thought about how a job at McDonald’s would not even come close to allowing her to maintain the standard of living she has. (She lives in a pretty nice neighborhood.) They probably wouldn’t hire her in the first place—they’d probably say she was overqualified.

I think Alice said that because it sounded good.

I think it doesn’t occur to people like Alice and Jerry that foreclosures, medical bankruptcies, even lack of health insurance, are things that could happen to them.

Or that they could fall from the socio-economic status they’re used to, and end up with a crummy job, crummy wages, and no health care.



edited for grammar

[gateley]

1. You just don't "get it" until it happens to you -- or your pay attention. nt

[WingDinger]

2. Human nature wants to find reasons why it wont happen to you, and happened to that idiot.

And when it DOES happen to you, all those busy finding reasons why it will never happen to them, shun you as evil, and depraved. That is why people eat up that welfare queen shit. Much of human action and belief are driven by in/outgroup think.

[AmandaRuth]

3. This is so unbelievably true

especially with those in the 50+ set. I think there is a lot of deeply seated fear out there with this age group. They have to know that if they lose their jobs, well, it is a different ball game out there. People are circling the wagons it seems. As long as it is not happening to THEM, it is not happening.

[Lucian]

4. Alice and Jerry are idiots.

Get new friends.

[damntexdem]

5. That's true, anyone can fall into such beliefs -- thank goodness it will never happen to me.

;-)

[woo me with science]

6. K&R

There are a lot of people out there right now desperately trying to pretend it isn't happening to them.

[OutNow]

7. Give Alice and Jerry a break

Sure they both gave examples of good fortune, but they have not based their world view on them. If they still vote, and contribute their time and money to progressive causes they know, deep down, that they are one layoff or medical crisis away from sliding down the slippery slope towards poverty.

Many Republicans I've met do feel that any good fortune they have shared is due to their own hard work, which is seldom the case. They therefore like to compare their superior work ethic, financial analysis, intelligence, etc. to all the other "stupid" people. And they always work to keep their "higher" status by voting for and working for Republicans and lower taxes. It's always "I've got mine, too bad about you".

One last thought - when progressive organizations do fund raising for a worthy cause, who do you think writes the big checks? It might be Alice and Jerry.

[catabryna]

8. I can understand Alice's sentiment...

I also lost a husband. When you've been through a loss, you look to whatever might sustain you and get you through the rough times.

There are some of us out here, and YES we are liberals, who DO believe that some things happen for a reason. We just don't usually understand the reasons why.

Others might call it dumb luck. And, ya know, that's alright with me, as well.

I wouldn't question the process that each of them went through to come to the place they are at right now in their lives. They both sound like good progressives and we all handle things differently. If we were all the same, this would be a very boring place.

:hi: