GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich., June 24, 2008
From Auto Exec To Paper Deliveryman
After The Loss Of One Job, Middle Class Family Now Living In Fear Of Losing It All
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Play CBS Video Video America's Struggling Middle Class A Michigan family that once considered itself middle class is now struggling, with the patriarch taking a job delivering newspapers. Seth Doane reports.
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Mike Remenar used to be an automotive executive, but these days he and his wife, Ruth, work a paper route to make ends meet. (CBS)
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Mike Remenar is losing his neighbors, CBS News correspondent Seth Doane reports.
"The house right there has been foreclosed upon, the one across the street," he said.
His wife, Ruth, is petrified that they might be next.
"I've actually had nightmares where I've woken up and gone 'Ahhh!' like that," she said.
Those bad dreams could very well turn into reality. Mike, a white-collar auto executive, was laid off almost a year ago.
"If Mike does not get a job as an automotive designer soon, I don't know what we're going to do," Ruth said.
Seventeen-year-old Michael, their oldest son, would sure like to help out - but can't.
"The thing is, a lot of adults are taking jobs that used to be filled by teenagers - because they can't find more professional work - so they're taking part-time $8-an-hour work," Michael said. "And kids just can't find work around here anymore."
And he should know - because his dad is delivering newspapers.
Seven days a week, at 2 a.m., Mike and Ruth wake up to stuff papers. They then zigzag through nearby neighborhoods.
It's the only job they could find - a paper route - and it doesn't pay much.
Do they consider themselves middle class?
"Not anymore," Ruth said. "We were."
What do they consider yourselves now?
"Lower class," Ruth said.
The Remenars used to love family vacations. But the closest they can get to one now is when they can book a ticket for someone else.
They turned their den into a travel agency to try to earn a little more.
"Nobody in Michigan is traveling right now!" Ruth said.
Mike says he's applied for jobs at every business and every store around. Kroger's didn't take him - but they do take food stamps he was forced into in January.Couric & Co. Blog: Fear And Losing In Suburbia
"We can make the food stamps work," Mike said.
And without them, he said, "we'd be pretty hungry."
Using them is kind of embarrassing, Mike says, but it's worth putting food on the table.
"We should change our last name to The Worries," Ruth said. "I mean, because that's what we do best. I mean, he's worried about me, I'm worried about him, we're worried about the house, we're worried about the kids - we're worried about everything!"
Worried - about this September. With Michael hoping to go to college - and a lump payment that they don't have due on the house.
"All of my children but one were born here," Ruth said. "It's hard - it's just really hard."
Ruth says the paper route hours aren't so bad - because she really can't sleep anyway. For now, they're just hoping that some good news will be delivered to them someday soon.
If you'd like to contact the Remenars, you can find their information on their travel Web site.
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No one has gotten to me. I just felt when he came on the scene it was a case of too good to be true and took a wait and watch attitude. Many things have came to light. What i am concerned with is the issues that have come to light, and obama has not addressed. Just calling them myths is not enough. His throwing wright and the church under the bus after saying he could never do that shows a lack of character to me. If he believed in them i would have respected him more if he had stood by them. I don''t want to take the chance he will throw the American working class under the bus.
I wonder what they now think of their wizz boy Bushie?
Remember Mike and Ruth, sometimes you get what you wish for and sometimes it goes the other way.
WOW Mike and Ruth are bran new Democrats.
Posted by CZMDM at 10:21 AM : Jun 25, 2008
In 1970 I was a Shift Superintendant making a decent salary, In 1974 I was laid off (Oil Crisis, sound familliar), and took a job in a weaving room. White collar to Blue collar in one (not so easy move) I have since retired as a Tool & Die Maker and own two houses. I sympathize with this family. I was fortunate, lets hope that he is also.
Posted by patriot12436 at 11:45 AM : Jun 25, 2008
I see the "Swiftboaters" have gotten to you. I am not sold on Obama but I am doing ''My own research''. I do not want a third term for Bushy_babys agenda. The Bushes Backstabbing Bunch has established a internet attack force and Lars008 is one of them.
my guess is hes out of a job for not designing better cars...
Now, go figure out what your next career is going to be and get on with it. Life is about challenges and you are defined by how you deal with them.
Congrats. We got execs working at Mcdonald''s now.
Mission Accomplished.
I agree with what you say. I think it is time to vote in all new, but i cannot trust obama. I have written my senators and told them if i do not see drastic changes by November i will look to replace them. I intend to make a list showing who is in office and take with me to the polls so i can make sure to vote agaist them. They have had their chancee and done nothing. If McCain is elected then if we have a democratic congress his hands will be tied on the war in Iraq and impeachment and war crime charges against bush and those who helped him make this mess.
I agree obama is very smart, but i thik he has a hidden agenda and will not trust him. I thik his associations prove he is a racist. I do not want a racist of any color in the white house.
I wanted paul first. Then it didn''t look like he had a chance and i liked the economy Bill left us with so i changed my support to Hillary. Now Barr popped up and he is running the same ideas as Paul so i would prefer him. McCain wants to cointinue the war so i don''t want him, but if i have to choose between mccain and obama, mccain will get my vote as a lesser evil.
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