The problem is that a house painting job is likely out of reach for most ex-S{R,W}E types. Nobody wants a flabby desk jockey with programming and sysadmin experience for their open blue collar position.

The trick will be for all of us to find work somebody actually wants us for. If we can't, some kind of make-it-look-like-an-accident suicide is probably one of the least bad options for our families if they rely on us as the sole breadwinner. They can grieve, but they will get some insurance money and hopefully survive to live a somewhat dignified life.

Nah you're way off the mark here and this sounds scarily like how people feel when at their most bleak. I hope this is just you reflecting and not how you feel "in real life" - family needs family and kids need their parents. Kids need their parents even if they're broke and/or out of work.