Down and Out: I admire your speaking out! You should have picked a more descriptive screen name. Something like, "No Longer Down and Out." (And don't bother suggesting that I should have picked something like "Not Gene Long." That suggestion has already been made.
)For a number of conflicting reasons, most people will always remain silent. One important reason is that . . . well, it's that most people remain silent! Speaking out under those circumstances makes one feel like a Jihadist, raving, out of bounds heretic! Oh, wait. You already knew that! Awful, isn't it?
The fewer voices out there, the more important every single voice is. Your voice is needed, welcomed and eloquent. Please do not give up.