I'm sorry life is so difficult for you and many others. I support progressives, like Bernie and AOC. I've been disabled for about twenty years. I'm struggling to regain my ability to walk, and want to work again. My wife, a school teacher, works 12 hour days, and often six or seven days a week. We are one major illness away from bankruptcy. You aren't alone.

@EdEarl We built, own, and run our own business that is practically 24/7/365. We start early and sometimes work until late at night. We’ve had people drop off before 6 am and pick up later than 11 pm. I’ve answered inquiries and booked clients after midnight. Small business owners never stop working. I also do the bookkeeping, accounting, tax filing, and marketing. I maintain our social media pages. I have 55 pets of my own from tarantulas to horses. I also dance though not as much as I’d like to. We are DIY people so we fix our own house, build our own business building, fix our own cars, etc. It’s a bit tough starting a business in a crappy economy but we are crazy enough to work our asses off. I can’t really afford to hire anyone as our minimum wage is $15/hr. Really I wish I could because the local folks need jobs but we just can’t do it right now (also have to get insurance coverage for employees).

I hope your progressives can do your country a lot of good. I adore AOC and wish my country could adopt her. I’d vote for her. It’s tough in the US just to get the health care you need. We Canadians at least don’t have to worry so much every time we need to see health care professionals. I hope you and your wife can manage to get ahead. I know what it’s like to be just inches away from losing everything.

@graceylou At least, walking a tightrope is exciting.

@EdEarl But not fun.

@graceylou I know what you mean. Until the day I retired, aged 68, I was working 14 to 16 hour days, and sometimes doing non_stop stints lasting 40 hours over the weekend.
The crazy thing was that the more successful the business became, the harder I had to work. I did employ people, but each extra employee increased my workload.
At least today I enjoy a "comfortable" retirement. Good luck - you have something to which to look forward.

@Petter I don’t want to ever retire. I hate the thought of not having work obligations. Since I own the business I will likely keep it going all my life. I can’t stand rest and relaxation. I will always find something to work on. Part of the reason I don’t have employees is the fact that I can’t trust anyone. I want to do everything myself because I believe no one can do it just the way I expect it done but me.

@graceylou I understand the sentiments, but there are rare people you can trust. I always took on people on 3 month's "instant dismissal" trial, followed by a 6 month's probation. I gave away a section of my business to one person who had worked well for many years.
Retirement is anything but boring. I am writing ( an autobiography, a couple of plays and much "proper" poetry) , I am performing in theatre, I am indulging in drone photography, I am maintaining a web site and I am travelling. In fact, right now I am in Italy, after being in Switzerland, Belgium, England and France for the past 7 weeks.

@Petter I can do a lot of things and still work full time. At the moment, all my finances are tied up in the business because we put everything into building and launching the business. I'm slowly going back to dance. I've always been involved in rescuing and helping animals. Travel is a bit difficult because of all the animals in our care and because you know I'm the boss at work.

Most people who retire do some sort of work anyway, at least they do here. You can't keep living on heavily taxed RRSPs, the meager amounts you tried to save while working, the pissy amount of pension you get at retirement. My SO is retired but he's working the business everyday with me. He didn't want to retire but at his age he was forced to retire. We are both workaholics and we like to make money, but it all goes to necessities and for taking care of our animals (most are rescued unwanted animals and former strays). We aren't frivolous.

Lazy geniuses

LOL

If that means Praise The Latte, I am down with it!

@Joanne that's a good one. In the big box churches (Six Flags Over Jesus) it stands for "Pass The Loot"

@Freedompath Yes, giving thanks to those who figured out that adding sugar, and a few other ingredients, to cacao makes it delicious...sinfully delicious! And, further thanks to those who said "hey, let's add this chocolaty deliciousness to some concentrated coffee and steamed milk."

@Joanne And whoever first controlled fire, and other things to bring you a cup of mocha.LOL

@EdEarl Oh, yes, they cannot be overlooked! And, thanks to Breville for making the espresso/latte machine that makes it possible for me to create my own sacraments.

@Joanne @EdEarl @Freedompath
Heavenly Bean. In meekness we plead that thou unlock thy mighty spirit upon us. Raise up our tired, exhausted frames with the aid of thy holy emanations, your Robusta son Caffeine, and the Uplifting Member of the Trinity, the Intangible Arabica. Grant us this day our daily dose, that we loaf not in lassitude, and forgive us our lapses into that satanic imposter, Postum. For thine is the latte, espresso and mocha, for ever and ever.......

@Petter Arabica is my supreme bean.