Is There Anything Sadder Than A Sad Panda? [VIDEO]
Meet Jialing Chen. He’s 62 years old and works on Wall Street. He’s not an investment banker, however; he’s Sad Panda (and SpongeBob SquarePants some days). The Guangzhou-native-turned-permanent-U.S.-resident–who lost his Chinese restaurant waiter job in 2007 because his mother died and, as the eldest son, had to return to China to make funeral arrangements–makes $30 on a good day as Sad Panda. His wife works 7 days a week as a private nurse so that they can afford health care. Nevertheless, at the end of this month, Chen will lose his health insurance.
(interview/video by Columbia J-School student Michelle Tay)
When people talk about the recession being over, think of Sad Panda (and the other 15 million unemployed Americans). When people drag their feet on health care reform, think of Sad Panda. Shoot, when you think your life sucks or your job blows, think of Sad Panda.
[via Gothamist]
[Michelle Tay's Blog: always one foot on the ground]
Thanks, Jong!
Filed under: Forgotten People, Health Care, Health Care Bill, Health Care Reform, Immigrants, Jialing Chen, Michelle Tay, Pandas, Sad Panda, The Recession, The Recession Over, The Working Poor, Unemployment
This broke my heart.
The video moved me to tears. I’m going to go see if I can visit him.
The new Health Care bill won’t cover everyone. It will leave about 24 million uninsured. The democrats don’t the backbone to demand a better alternative. While the reform may help a lot of people, it will hurt some people too.(for example, if you’re a self-employed struggling artist making 35000 a year, you’re screwed.) The greatest beneficiaries will be the insurance companies.
I hope they know what they are doing with our “resource”. No one or nation can spend and borrow wantonly without dire consequences.
“An astonishing 43.4 percent of Americans now pay zero or negative federal income taxes. The number of single or jointly-filing “taxpayers” – the word must be applied sparingly – who pay no taxes or receive government handouts has reached 65.6 million, out of a total of 151 million.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/15/politics/otherpeoplesmoney/main4945874.shtml And the top 15% pay very little compared to their income; and corporations very often pay no tax at all, and even when they do they just pass it on to the lower middle to middle class in increased prices. And not to mention the astronomical national debt, plus the ongoing wars.
I’m not pandering, but it’s always a little sadder when first generation immigrants have a difficult time making it here.
Chen’s story is very sad am far too common these days. I was, however, more struck by his determination and his resilience to do whatever he can to help his family. Despite all his hardships Mr. Chen didn’t approach his life as a victim.
post coital combustion and baby aids are the only things sadder then sad panda