Oh, let's do...

Out Front Colorado has put out a manifesto calling for a gay secession!   Here are my favorite bits, but please read the whole thing at Out Front's website, it's completely worth it.   

"Time and time again, American political and democratic processes have failed the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. While we commend the efforts of our allies and comrades who have courageously fought for our right to be recognized as equal citizens by the law, it has become clear that we are not welcome in the United States of America.

Countless times, we have watched as our right to equality is put up to a public vote. And time and time again, even when those rights have been secured by forward-thinking, equality-minded legislatures andcourts, we have watched American votersrevoke those rights. The message is clear: In a majority of American voters’ eyes, we are less than full citizens. We are not worthy of the same protection under the law. Our children do not deserve the same rights as other children do to have two loving parents whose marriage is recognized by their state and government agencies. Our relationships, no matter how long-lasting, do not grant us the right to honor a partner’s dying wish, or be in the hospital room as she takes her last breath. Those relationships do not qualify(PDF) as valid enough to provide a needy child a loving home. Our economic contribution, when coupled with a partner’s with whom we share a home, does not warrant the same kind of government-granted reward in the form of a tax break. We are permitted to die for our country, but we cannot live openly as who we are.

Most Americans consider these things rights. Yet most Americans have demonstrated to us at the ballot box that, when it comes to us, the rights they enjoy are our privileges, granted and taken away at the whim of our “superiors”.

...But we are tired of waiting. We refuse to be second-class citizens. We refuse to continue to pay taxes and make political, social and economic contributions to a government, society and culture that does not permit us to live freely. We refuse to be complicit in a system that does not recognize our existence, let alone our inherent right to equality.

Following yet another failure by the American Democratic process – this time, a legislative process rather than a popular vote – to recognize or even vaguely protect our rights as equal citizens, we propose radical measures.

Therefore, we are claiming the U.S. states known as California, Oregon and Washington, in the name of LGBT former Americans, as a separate nation, heretofore to be known asLiBerTy Gayte.

...A sort of “Gayden of Eden,” LiBerTy Gayte citizens will enjoy the rights denied them in the United States. Initially, citizenship will be granted exclusively to LGBT former Americans. To establish a strong infrastructure and economic market, citizens will be given jobs according to their abilities.

...Our belief in equality will drive our own policy-making and remain at the forefront of our National conscience. With the adoption of this manifesto, we will enjoy the same rights as every full American citizen does today.

In other words, we will finally be equal."

Yes this is the condensed version, but go and read the whole thing.  Now.

Motherfuckingsonaofbitch...

Less than 60%.  No change in schedule, although the want me to be an hourly worker so I might be able to get overtime but that is so painfully unlikely that's not worth considering.  They've told me anything over additional .50/hr isn't doable.  So of course I asked for that and an additional week of vacation.  So far I've been told that it's not doable because of employee handbook (which has been defunct for years).
Anyway, the part that really gets to me is that they don't think I'll leave.  I was actually told that, and it is sooo crazy that they don't think a 20 something IT worker/super secretary might have other opportunities for employment elsewhere.  Ugh.  Just that they think a 20 something would have any loyalty to job that has obviously been taken just to pay the bills is insane.  Hell, to think that anybody who's doing a job that they don't love will stay on indefinitely is crazy.  I'm sure that they're using the logic that the market is down therefore employees don't have any other choices.

Furthermore, if this the peak of what I can earn here why would I have any interest in continue to work here for more than the coming year?  If I've reached that top here I can use reach a new goal.

I know that I'm reading far to much into this, but this is my blog so I'm going to continue on down the crazy path.  It bugs me, the assumption that I won't go elsewhere, because it makes me feel that my lack of self-esteem, or confidence, is something they can see.  And maybe it is to a certain degree, but I feel so exposed.  This is my first real job and grew up in a household where conflict of any sort was to be avoided at any cost.  I was also taught that I should take what I can get and I that I can always do with less.  The prize was a badge of misery that could be worn with a sick pride.  So all this negation and making demands stuff is new to me.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get that extra time off to help me in the job search.

Today's the day, maybe.

I'm supposed to find out about my raise today. I've already been told that it's less than what I asked for, but that if I look at what will be my hourly rate it'll be significant.  Which is odd considering that I'm a salary worker, not hourly.  Ominous.
I've been waiting impatiently for several hours now to get the news that I was told I would receive today.  I'm starting to get a bit annoyed.  Shock and horror.  It's killing me, I want to know right now how it is that they are planning on screwing me over.  My pet theory is that they will make me an hourly worker (see above) drop my hours, divide my old salary by my new reduced hours, and ta-da, significant increase in hourly pay!  To do this they would have to drop at least 8 hours a week, and although it would be nice work only four days a week, its not what I want.  Nor is it realistic.
A decent increase in salary (what I would consider a decent, not great, but decent) with reduced hours might work.  I really wish I had a mentor right now.  I feel that if they offer me 60% or less of what I asked for (very nicely, I might add) is an insult.  Unless I can get more vacation time and reduced hours.  However, I don't really know.   I don't know anyway who's gone after a big raise.  Or even negotiated their salary.  I don't know anybody else who does the kind of job I do.  I don't know anyone who's argued, civilly, with their boss(es).
The only thing I can do to guarantee the raise I want is to threaten to walk.  But I can't do that right now, and a threat I can't make good on is less than useless. I keep telling myself, just 6 more months here and then I'm gone, regardless.  Which does make me feel better, but it won't really help get rid of the sting of being told that my work is not worth that much. The worst part is that I did quite a bit of salary research and took into account the amount of time I spend on the different duties of my job, the company's size, and the nature of the company, so the amount I asked for is considerably less than what average salary my position typically pays.  So getting a low offer is going to suck extra hard.
Anyway, I await with bated breath for their answer.