I have lived a very fortunate life. Most people would describe my lifestyle as Upper Middle Class: Spring Break trips every year, I am able to drive around a family car with no expense to me, large house, pets, cable, etc. Today, my mother was laid off from her management position at SBC, where she has been working for decades. She was still meeting her sales quota, and even broke records for the largest sales ever. However, SBC merged with AT&T and she has lost her job. My family is in a pos...