It's Time.....

It's been quite a while since I last posted anything to this blog. I guess I was going through a period of indecisiveness. Or I was just uninspired. So I decided rather than continue with the same old same old, I would just keep quiet. I can't keep quiet any longer.

I work at a North Carolina prison in unforgiving, unhealthy conditions, earning less than poverty wages by today's standards, with no hint of a pay increase, not being able to afford to do anything that might be considered fun, let alone paying for things that might be considered necessities such as new glasses or hearing aids or dental work. Yep, you guessed it, the benefits offered by the State are minimal at best. I found out this week that the BSBS policy no longer covers even a single eye exam! But yet, an inmate has all his medical issues paid for. Including, and get this, an inmate receiving hormone injections to create breasts!!!!!! That I think was the final straw for me. Governor Purdue, has not got the decency to take care of those who take care of the citizens of NC, and would rather take care of those who harm the citizens. I'm sorry but this State's political views are so far out of touch with reality that I am no longer proud to be a resident and State Employee of North Carolina.

And as long as I'm talking about Insurance coverage when I started working for the State, I took out additional insurance to cover things like Extended Illness and Cancer and a life insurance policy. All of which decreased my take home pay by about $200.00. When I transferred from 2nd shift to 1st shift, I took a sizable cut in pay. I contacted HR to remove those "optional" coverage items and was told that I couldn't until "Open Enrollment" in November. I was appalled that I am unable to lessen the insurance coverage, even though I can no longer afford it! I will certainly not make use of any of it before November. How is it that an insurance plan ironically called NC Flex is so non-flexible that it does not allow an employee to control his or her own out of pocket costs! Frankly, this type of a "forced" deduction is down right thievery, should be considered criminal and warrant a class action law suit! And the next big hit, will be when they lower our coverage to a 70/30 plan for those who do not quit smoking on their own time!

I was born and raised in NJ but after moving here some seven plus years ago, I used to say that "I was born and raised in NJ but I'm home now!" Truth is, I truly am embarrassed to say I live here. Now I'm sure that there will be some die hard red necks out there that will say "Yankee go home" and to them I say, open your eyes. You can't farm any more, tobacco is no longer a prime crop, our education system is going down the tubes being accused of promoting segregation! Our politicians are all under investigation for fraud or other criminal activities. You don't know who to trust, who you can talk to or who's looking to get over on you. I hope my Freedom of Speech right hasn't been taken away yet or I might be crossing a line by even writing this blog. If you don't see it coming, I'm sorry for you. We can''t continue to be apathetic and expect to survive.

It's no wonder the inmates get everything and the State Employees get nothing. The politicians again will benefit from the free medical care, education, job training, three meals and a bed after they find themselves behind bars.

Wake up North Carolina. Especially NC State employees. It won't be long before they will again try to cut our pay or take something else away from us and give it to the inmates. They've already transferred our rights to them. What do you think will be next?