I am included in Mitt Romney’s 47% -

I arrived in Atlanta Tuesday, July 8, 1997 @ 8:30 pm. Relocating from Los Angeles to a city that I’d never even visited before yet I’d read so much about it on the internet, I really felt this was the place for me. Moving to Atlanta with no money or employment was not one of the best decisions I’ve made in life, however I sincerely felt if I could just find employment I could start over again. Arriving in Atlanta on a Tuesday and starting work on Friday of the same week of my arrival, although it was through a Temp Agency was just what I needed. I was making $10.00/hr.

I was sent to an energy company July 28, 1997 which was temp to perm. I was hired full-time as a Receptionist at that company November 1, 1997, starting salary $22,500.00. I loved the company and was extremely happy to have a job. Starting the job at age 47, I felt I’d work there another 19 years and retire.

I worked really hard at the company, during my first three years only taking off for vacations and holidays, never getting sick or calling off sick. I received several promotions during the next few years, finally being promoted to a Manager.

Fast forward 14 years, the company merges with another and relocates to Houston, leaving more than 450 employees without employment. December 31, 2011 was my last day of employment with the company.

I now receive unemployment as I seek employment. I presently have a full-time job of “seeking employment”, applying for more than 10 to 15 jobs per week.

And now I’ve heard Mitt Romney’s video comments about that 47% of Americans vote Democratic because we’re dependent on the government? Those comments make me so ANGRY. His comments to me suggest that after working the past 14 years and growing my salary to $72,000.00 per year, plus a 15% yearly bonus, an income that allowed me to purchase a home, which I didn’t lose during the housing crisis. I truly believe there are a lot of Americans like myself who have worked hard to build a better life for themselves and to suggest that the ONLY reason we vote Democratic is to receive government funded unemployment is hurtful to be perceived in that way. For me in the state of Georgia the maximum benefit is $330.00 per week – so you do the “ARITHMETIC – an $80,000.00+ yearly salary vs. $16,640.00 unemployment benefit is why I vote Democratic? I am not voting Democratic because I feel I am “entitled” to unemployment benefits as it does not cover my monthly expenses and I believe there are numerous Americans like myself that are actively seeking work however we have not been successful – YET!

So Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, yes I’m included in your 47%, however I am not voting Democratic because I am comfortable receiving a whopping $16,640.00 to “fund my life”. I honestly believe there are a lot of Americans who vote Democratic because they believe it is the party that truly and clearly understands our struggle, the party we believe that can help get us back to work, we believe the Democratic party shows concern for All Americans. And no we do not consider ourselves “Victims”, we’re just unemployed!!!!!

I am a 60 year old woman not quite ready for “Social Security”, so to hear that Romney and Ryan look at the government assistance I receive now for my present circumstances as "socialism" and "welfare? I AGREE with you, I do consider myself on welfare right now. But please believe me, I have not worked hard all my life to be excited and comfortable receiving your defined “WELFARE”. So you see I AM in “your” 47%, however I WANT employment. I have worked very hard during the last 40 years and my career goal was not to “receive WELFARE at age 60. I also don’t blame the present administration for my job loss, as they were not in the boardroom when the CEO, Board Members and Shareholders of the company I worked for made the decision to merge the company with another to increase their profit share.

So Mr. Romney I sincerely believe there are a lot of hardworking Americans like myself that are unemployed and every day we look for employment, hoping to get a job offer so that we can no longer receive your defined “WELFARE”. And yes, I will vote Democratic, however it’s not for the reason you believe or speak of! I vote Democratic, because I believe in my heart they hear and understand, millions of Americans like me, they know we have an “economic crisis” and I “TRUST” them to make the best decisions that will “benefit ALL AMERICANS”.

Evelyn Stewart
Employment Seeker
Evejs4b@yahoo.com