My father told me to never accept a counteroffer when resigning from a job. For decades, I followed his advice until I didn’t. I was happy in my current role, but recent management changes had left me with an uneasy feeling. As luck would have it, I was recruited by a former manager for a new role. It brought a prestigious title, a larger team, and, of course, a significant pay increase. When I gave my notice, my current company did what was expected of them. They exceeded the offer, promised me more headcount, and shared the “confidential” news of the company’s exciting direction. It eased my fears, stroked my ego, and made me a believer. When I declined the new offer, I was told that my current company was lying. I didn’t want to believe it, so I didn’t. Five weeks later, one-third of the company was let go due to financial instability, and I was among those affected. I almost hear my father’s voice.
There is a line in “The American President ” spoken by President Andrew Shepherd. “He [Bob Rumson] is interested in two things. His goals are making you afraid of it and telling you who’s to blame for it.” This quote highlights the idea that some politicians focus on highlighting problems rather than proposing solutions. They do this not to solve them but to create fear by instilling blame in order to win elections. In 2024, many Americans did not read the fine print, and I understand why.
Today, I am watching people struggle just to survive. For many, the American dream is out of reach. If you are working two jobs, you don’t have time to ask questions. Add in some night classes and getting the kids out the door, and you’re suffocating. Along comes a promise of a better life, a lifeline. They, like I did with the job offer, go all in. The reality is that for many people, the dream was never within their reach. The treasures are meant for a select few, and those few rely on you to provide them. They want you to stay uninformed. They smother you through constant streams of false narratives. These are disguised as the nightly news. Only when the smoke clears will you see what some of us already know. The counteroffer was never in your favor, and by then, it will be too late.
foursetsofeyes 