The TV Won't Tell You This, but....(Part 2)

America is facing an invisible epidemic that goes by unnoticed by the majority of the people.

What is that epidemic?

"Companies pretending to hire"?

As I writer, I have a large network of independent sleuths who don't get paid any money to do their work, so the incentive to lie in the name of profit isn't there. What have these folks have discovered is that many franchise companies, Subway and Natural Grocers just to name a couple, will have "Now Hiring" signs up year round, year after year, without ever hiring a single person.

You might be wondering, "how do they know?" Easy, friends. Let us take a look at "Tom's" story.

Tom is just like you. He has smarts and skills but finds that his smarts and skills are not so much in demand. This has forced this man, who did go to college and score quite well, to seek low-paying, "every man" work. In this search he learned some things about some employers.

Tom moved to Portland, OR in the year 2012. While there, he wanted a simple job that was within a walking distance so he checked out a Subway about 4 blocks from his home. The Subway clearly had a "Now Hiring" sign out front so he went inside to apply. He did so and spoke with a Manager who told him that he should be contacted within a few days for a job interview. The Manager informed him that they were truly hiring.

Tom did not hear from Subway so decided to make an appearance at their establishment. Again, he spoke with a Manager and was told the same thing he was told before.

Do you think it ends here, bro? Ha ha ha! You are sadly mistaken......

This went on for months. Tom would return every week to inquire about the "sandwich artist" job. He was told each time that they were still looking at resumes, that they were indeed hiring, and that he should hear about an interview within a few days. Tom noticed the same people were working there as always. Considering this was 6 months after his initial application, it was becoming painfully clear to Tom that this establishment really wasn't hiring.

Spoiler alert, this trend just kept going for months. Finally, Tom "lost his mind" and while being told the same thing for the 60th time, grabbed the "Now Hiring" sign and threw it in front of an SUV that was passing by. That sign is no more and Subway got exactly what they deserved for maintaining a crippling illusion. Though, Tom felt they deserved a lot worse.

Tom assumed this problem was only in Portland, OR, so Tom decided to try other cities.

Guess what?

It was the same in all cities he had encountered in his travels. It wasn't just Subway, either. Natural Grocers in Idaho Falls, ID and Kansas City, MO did the exact same thing. Popular thrift store chains were doing it as well. Any jobs that were by online application only were also guilty. Something started to become clear to Tom.... because, ya know, Tom isn't dumb.

They are pretending to hire, aren't they?

That would be my guess. What incentive exists that a company would pretend to hire? What would be the benefit of doing such a thing? Think about it, what is the only thing that it can do?

Make your economy look as if it is doing better than it actually is?

"Yop!"

Guess that recession never really came to an end.......? Be careful out there, people. There is a world full of illusions out there. Don't fall for the illusion. Just because places look like they are hiring and there are hundreds of jobs to apply for on CL, Monster, and other sites doesn't mean that any of those jobs actually exist.

I hope you all have about a years supply of canned food hidden under your house. This is going is going to be a "stoopid" roller coaster ride. Keeping that in mind, don't scream at unemployed "bums" to "get a jerb", because for all you know, they job hunt everyday and constantly find these places that lend their selves to the illusion that "the US and Capitalism are doing just fine."

Sorry, it isn't if you pay attention. Have a good one, people. Stay awake and aware! Much love! <3

Lucy Sage Dreamtree