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You know how sometimes you zone-out and a random thought pops into your unsuspecting noggin? Lately I’ve been thinking about gangsters; but, not those sleepy-eyed, clown-attired, speech-slurring, dope-using, halfwits who call themselves gangstas. No, my thoughts have been focused on an emerging type of criminal; a sophisticated, smart, thoughtful, patient, motivated, and savvy crook. But dig this: I’m not writing about prevalent white-collar scofflaws that already exist in our society. This is not about corrupt bankers, businessmen, and politicians. I’m thinking a new species is surfacing. History shows that between the first and second World Wars, Germany had an inordinate number of this cohort. The theory was that a dreadful economy resulted in large numbers of educated people being unemployed. According to so-called experts, it followed that brainiacs were more sophisticated and effective as lawbreakers than normal street thugs; sort of an intellectual cause-and-effect. Makes sense, doesn’t it? We’re already one up on pre-WWII Germany because of the Internet, which has spawned legions of very intelligent, inventive, and insidious IT technicians and hackers. In addition, like 1920s & 30s Germany, our dismal economic condition has resulted in an enormous number of out-of-work, college-trained, experienced, job-seekers who are becoming more and more frustrated. It doesn’t help that the administration reports unemployment is down (therefore claiming victory) with a head-in-the-sand approach known better as the psychological process of denial. When one denies a problem exists, one is absolved from acknowledging it and looking for a solution. See, the reality is that great numbers (est. two million) of our unemployed have stopped looking, and as such are not in the base number. The reported unemployment number is severely understated. I wonder if the present day situation might not be a perfect storm for creating smarter crooks. I’m acquainted with some very competent senior technical and management types (that were downsizing victims) who seethe with resentment; and revenge has crossed the minds of most on more than one occasion. How long before this anger boils over into action? Could it become epidemic? In my opinion there is a logical tipping point, which occurs when hope is lost and replaced by an overwhelming desire to take someone (or something) down—regardless of consequences! Statutes and morals no longer keep a normal law-abiding, trust-the-system, mainstream, good-guy in check. Think of it as a similar mindset that triggered the civil rights movement in the 1960s, but with negative consequences. The rational becomes that immoral laws made by an immoral government (supported by an amoral, uncaring populace) no longer count. Here’s something else to think about: lawbreaking tactics will not necessarily be those of the strong-arm, overt variety, but stealthy crimes that create ruin and chaos and are difficult to detect much less prosecute. Here’s the profile of a potential new-and-improved super crook: White male with a master’s degree; married (but may be going through divorce), and lives in a stress-filled home caused (mainly) by money matters. He drinks a bit too much mainly out of boredom. He is between 55 and 65, motivated, energetic, and was considered valuable (even vital) by co-workers and superiors. He moved up the organizational chart as a result of can-do hard work, cunning, glibness, and talent. When terminated he was the most surprised person in the organization. He was told the decision was one made by the accounting system; that is, his salary and perks made him a juicy target. Short-term financial benefits trump loyalty. It took him months to go through the “big five psychological processes” and reach “acceptance”, but he never forgot those who threw his life into chaos. Following a career of easily finding jobs because of his skill set, he sent out 500 resumes, but only received a handful of interviews. None went well. The interviewers promised to call him back and let him know the verdict. They didn’t. Neither did they respond to his follow-up calls and emails. The distressing, but unmistakable message is simply that he no longer has any redeeming and marketable value. If he is told anything it is that he is not a “good fit”, code for too expensive and/or too old. A virtual switch was thrown one fateful day in the big data center in the sky, from “VALUE” to “NO VALUE”. The problem is that he knows better. And he’s angry; very angry. His savings have disappeared, and his retirement funds are drying up. The mortgage on his home is upside down, and he can’t afford new tires for his six-year-old vehicle. Former co-workers shun him because, well, it feels awkward. He is a pariah. Vacations, eating out, home/vehicle maintenance, discretionary spending of any kind, self-confidence? Gone! Faith in the future, hope, positive attitude? Gone! Gone! Gone! There was a comment in a major metropolitan newspaper last year from a frustrated young man, probably part of the “occupy” crowd that said people over 55 should hurry up and die and get the hell out of the way. There was no public outcry; no comments from journalists and newscasters. The statement was left to stand without challenge. (The only time older citizens get any mention is during an election year when Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to kill old people.) Imagine if the writer’s target had been a minority race, Muslims, illegal immigrants, or women. Such age discrimination and phony election year pandering further angers our profiled potential perpetrator. These displaced people know business systems very well (especially weaknesses), have a network of talented, down-sized colleagues, and are motivated primarily by the need to survive, and secondarily, by revenge. When hope and empathy are gone, according to history what happens? Copyright 2012 by Gene Myers. Author of AFTER HOURS and SONGS FROM LATTYS GROVE available now in Amazon Kindle.
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gangster, crook, job-seekers, unemployment, profile, revenge,
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