00:00 Some say I'm a vulgar man. Hell, maybe I am. But there's often a whole lot of truth buried in vulgarity. Look, if fbombs and real talk crack your delicate little teacup, go elsewhere. There's a ton of corporatized and feminized non-offensive YouTube content out there that won't disturb your fragile sensibilities, make you flinch, or think.

00:28 But for those who can handle it, I live by the words of the late great Jimmyi Hendris. I'm the one that's going to die when it's time for me to die. So, let me live my life and say things the way I want to. If I had visited a mystical seer like 40 years ago, and after taking my money and gazing deeply into their crystal ball, they described to me in detail how up this country was going to become, I totally would laugh them off, thinking any money I paid them was at least worth it for the entertainment value. Hello, I'm Ernest. Welcome. In

01:06 today's episode, I'm going to tell you some really troubling and heartbreaking Because it turns out that if I had visited a sear 40 years ago, even though I didn't want to hear it at the time, that sear would have given me a far clearer view of the future than I was willing to accept.

01:29 Now, it's 40 years later and I'm no seer, but I sincerely hope you'll pay attention to what I'm about to tell you because it's definitely going to affect all of us. Let's jump right in. One of the things I've been in the business of for many years is people. People are my business. People are my life.

01:52 And something that has happened just recently has deeply hurt me because all of the many people that I just told you I know. Yes, some of them are pretty much just people I do business with, but many of them are friends and family and some are seriously being hurt by having their employment and retirement unnecessarily with. Many that have worked very difficult, not very good paying jobs for quite a few years, but were doing so basically because they really love helping other people.

02:31 A concept that apparently escapes the current psychopathic Trump administration. Right now, I want to share the story of one woman, one friend that unfortunately represents millions. This is how a creature in human form, devoid of empathy and obsessed with maximizing profit through endless deals, is making the life of my dear friend Betty, who I thoroughly discussed this situation with an absolute hell.

03:06 Something she had nothing to do with that has been created. And according to her, she has no real alternatives or recourse to change or avoid the situation. Betty has worked in the public education field in various positions in various states and in different capacities. And in the last four or five years, she decided to take a small pay cut to go back to a certain kind of position that she actually really enjoyed.

03:41 and she explained to me was much less stressful. The additional reason for that move was that she is preparing for retirement. So naturally, as a consequence, she made those decisions because she is trying to reduce the level of stress in her life, which totally and completely makes sense. She has always had extremely high marks on her job performance and she was in no way demoted again in light of her soon to be retirement in only 2 to 3 years.

04:16 The move totally makes sense. Now enter America's premier narcissistic who apparently has a super hard on for destroying social security and the department of education. He also just recently stated his intention to reopen Alcatraz prison, which I must admit I also do wholeheartedly support. My only one caveat being is if it is successfully renovated and reopened that he and his entire administration are the very first set of extremely dangerous criminals to use Trump's own words to occupy said newly renovated Alcraz

05:03 prison. Now Trump being a former president would be allowed his choice of two historically significant cells. number 433 or number 181. Both of which were occupied by none other than Al Capone. Something which Trump being an absolute criminal himself should appreciate. Apparently, Big Al preferred cell number 181 as he said it had a good view of the bay.

05:37 So perhaps Trump would set up his new residence there. Ultimately, she explained this is about Trump dismantling the Department of Education and wiping out Title One and Title Three from funding. She was told that her current position was eliminated. Therefore, she would be moved to a different position since she had enough seniority that she couldn't be laid off.

06:08 But it was a position that would create undue stress, something she really didn't need in her last few years before retirement. They never actually came out and said it, but Betty is certain, and I happen to agree with her, the message was clearly coercion. If you don't want to retire, you'll have no choice but to take this position.

06:39 The unspoken but very thinly veiled tactic from the district being, "We know you'll hate this position so much that you'll want to retire and we can then hire someone for a much lower salary." Whatever the message was, she knew she was going to be very unhappy in this new position. Um, this position, by the way, is working with kids with the worst of the worst behavioral issues. So, they didn't fire her.

07:12 apparently for various reasons they can't. But basically told her that if you want to stay employed, you're going to have to give up your current position and go back into a position you held like 15 years ago, which she explained to me can be extremely challenging, which is why she got out of it in the first damn place.

07:37 And I'm sure as hell it doesn't get any easier when you're 15 years older. So imagine that the school slash or district shows their appreciation for years of above and beyond commitment and service, routinely patting you on the back, of course, not offering you any more money for your very modest salary for being such a good and dedicated worker.

08:06 by telling you that just two or three years before retirement, you need to take back a position which you absolutely can't stand or else. Well, or else meaning you're unemployed and you won't receive your full retirement. Now, my emotional reaction to this situation would normally be a lot of cursing.

08:32 Fortunately, I'll spare you that tirade of choice words that would make even a seasoned sailor blush. I promise. And show you what a class act this woman is by letting you hear her forgiving and understanding attitude despite what she's currently going through. Quote, "It's not entirely the school district's fault.

08:55 Given the circumstances, they did what they could by reassigning teachers rather than laying anyone off. Their hands are tied due to funding losses," unquote. Still, the situation has taken an emotional toll on my friend, and she now finds herself in a very precarious situation. I could go on much longer, but I don't want to talk your ears off.

09:23 So, I'm simply going to end it with Betty's final words on this subject. Quote, "What's happening? Trump's dictatorial dismantling of the Department of Education and wiping out the Title One and Title 3 funding in particular isn't just an attack on teachers livelihoods. It's a direct blow to the students who need the most support, to families struggling to access opportunity, and to the very foundation of the equitable education of this country.

09:58 The damage reaches far beyond the classroom. And we're all not only going to feel the ramifications as we currently do, but if not reversed immediately, the situation is going to get far, far worse. I absolutely agree with you, Betty, and I could not have said any of this any damn better myself. Thank you very much.

10:25 So, if you folks are listening out there and and if you care about your children's future and certainly the future of this country, I hope you will give some deep consideration to what Betty had to say and act accordingly. Thank you so much for sticking around and until next Monday or Friday, this is Ernest and I usually always Emma.