A tale of unemployment

[wtmusic]

An acquaintance who was recently unemployed put an ad in the paper for work as a handyman.

We all have bills to pay, doncha know.

He started to get some work, largely based on his talent. He built a completely isolated recording studio for a buddy of mine in his garage, and it's beautiful - floated floor, double glass windows in the control room. The wood trim is immaculate.

He was called out to bid what looked like a promising home remodel but was in fact a sting by the CA State Contractor's Board. What he was fined, I don't know - could have been anywhere between $700 and $15,000 - but I do know it was money he didn't have. After his hearing he went back to the house and tried to warn other workers showing up to bid the job what was going on. Then he went to his car, took a gun out of the glovebox, and blew his brains out.

The State License Board, on its website, says, "The CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) works to eliminate unlicensed contractors working in California. Undercover sting and sweep operations are conducted weekly around the state. SWIFT encourages you to report unlicensed activity." They did a wonderful job of "eliminating" this unlicensed contractor, but I have to wonder what the fuck that has of value to the good people of CA.

I'm just sick.

[DesertFlower]

1. very sad. nt

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. .

:hug:

Iknow 3 people who took their own lives last year. Two were the direct result of our fucked up economy and healthcare system. Very sad.

[WildNovember]

3. There are fewer and fewer ways one can get by without a "real" job. I've

noticed that a lot of the avenues people used to be able to pick up spare change are now subject to scrutiny by the state or have been taken over by big money.

Sorry for your friend's trouble.

[saras]

4. And the license does nothing except give money to the appropriate part of the 1%

There are no skill or competence tests for a license, merely money. In some places you have to show that you're connected to existing contractors by being employed for a certain length of time, but it's not ability-based.

It is, in general, a subject that it is not safe to talk about on DU.

Snitches are snitches, and in general deserve to be treated like snitches.

[The Straight Story]

5. Here in Ohio you used to be able to just get a job as a security guard

Now you have to go to training and pay for a license ($60 for the license) - and the training is a total joke (you watch some videos).

The number of security companies here has went way down and now only a few control things.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. How awful!

I am so sorry... ;( :hug:

[Zebedeo]

7. Tragic

that he killed himself. Why was he working without a contractor's license? Why not just get one? The licensure requirement is there to protect the public. I do not think the CSLB can be blamed for this man's decision to commit suicide.