Hard times? I am truly blessed by my hard times. I worked 70+ hours a week for my employer for years. I delivered projects that were sometimes very unique one of a kind type projects to demanding customers, and I know I made that company a whole pile of money. All the way to when they met at the door with armed guards and told me the contracts hadn't been renewed and I needed to sign a document and collect my stuff.
I had a vacation with my kids for the summer. I got to spend a two weeks with my family in Florida. I got to take the kids out to walk on Mount Rogers in Virginia. I didn't cost the taxpayers a dime.
Now of course, I'm looking at my savings and thinking of opening my own business. I guess to the DUmmies I am the ultimate evil, a hard working optimist that loves his family and country.