Blog #574

Okay. Got all my ducks in a row here, I’m ready for court. Legally I think I’m sitting pretty well; not much is likely to happen because my income level is like, 25% of the poverty line and I have lots of proof of looking for work all over in all sorts of fields. I’d prob still be okay without the looking, but having the proof of looking will only make me look better; it proves I’m not the lazy ass w/ the money who refuses to pay. So that’s good. Then I have bank statements, tax returns and pay stubs to prove my income is terrible. The only major thing I’m worried about is my vehicle. Law says it has to be valued at below $1000 and I think it must be with all the problems it has and how old it is, but I’m not sure. I really can’t afford to lose it though, it’d fuck me bad for any chance of getting a real job. >.<  And then there’s the fact that with creditors they do things more or less outside the law. I really hope that doesn’t happen with me….because what can I do about it? It’s not like I can hire a lawyer and fight it. And I don’t know enough law or how to go about things in order to do it myself. There’s just no recourse if it goes that way. Here’s to hoping, though. 

I was worried a bit about being homeless but I’ve been doing reading and a *lot* of people with outstanding debt, something to the tune of 60% of them, have been being sent to prison. Yes, debtors prison was abolished a long time ago, but they’ve been doing it anyway for contempt of court. Say a court says you have to pay this much but you can’t after rent/food, then they can say you’re in contempt of court and send your ass to prison. Insult to injury, judges in the area have been setting bail at whatever the debt amount is and sometimes giving the money to the creditors. For me…it’s actually not a bad thing if everything goes terribly wrong. Being in prison would be FAR better than being homeless. It could be a great thing for me actually, because the prisons around here make you work so I’d be getting some money to get situated and also they have educational opportunities for free too. Could learn a new skill and maybe get work set up somewhere from it, could be great. I’ve always thought I could do a trade and be good at it. It’s just……money that’s been preventing me. That’s kinda terrible though….we have better opportunities for felons and other prisoners than we do for the poor. Hell, they get free health care too. I’m one of the lucky few who get free health care because a nearby hospital will pay for it with someone like me….but what if you make a little bit more or didn’t get in? It’s bad. And kinda sick that the situation is that way. Not that I’m saying that we shouldn’t provide education + health care for prisoners, I think that’s good, more so that they don’t expand it to others near the bottom. I know I’m not the only person in this can’t-find-any-sort-of-work-that-pays boat. I know there are people worse off than me. People with kids, people with more-severe issues, mental disabilities, physical disabilities, whatever…..it could be way worse. 

I dunno. Hopefully nothing happens. And then one of the applications I sent out gets a reply. Then I’d be happy. I’m going to get in contact w/ Jeff about the lieutenant position. Maybe I can milk EMS to get through this if I’m okay legally and don’t get a job. I know there’s a shortage of people, but hospitals only care if you’re AEMT+. I need to get that kinda training I think. 

I’ll post more after I’m home from court.