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But at least we have record corporate profits and executive compensation.
Sadly, a large percentage of the nation seems to want this type of economy - little for most, and a lot for a few... so, it's no wonder we're here.
I look forward to all the corporate apologists crawling out from under their rocks and telling us how "good" this is for the economy, or how all the people who once had real jobs are actually "lazy" and "lack education and experience" now that they are stuck flipping burgers.
Last edited by Rambler123; 04-28-2014 at 09:49 AM..
But at least we have record corporate profits and executive compensation.
Sadly, a large percentage of the nation seems to want this type of economy - little for most, and a lot for a few... so, it's no wonder we're here.
I look forward to all the corporate apologies crawling out from under their rocks and telling us how "good" this is for the economy, or how all the people who once had real jobs are actually "lazy" and "lack education and experience" now that they are stuck flipping burgers.
This is a human nature problem. Both parties are equal offenders and hypocrites. It's an oligarchy in control and calling all the shots. Maybe we can have some more "Bush, Clinton" to fix it? (sarcasm)
Rambler123, what do you believe is the solution? I'm curious.
But at least we have record corporate profits and executive compensation.
Sadly, a large percentage of the nation seems to want this type of economy - little for most, and a lot for a few... so, it's no wonder we're here.
I look forward to all the corporate apologists crawling out from under their rocks and telling us how "good" this is for the economy, or how all the people who once had real jobs are actually "lazy" and "lack education and experience" now that they are stuck flipping burgers.
Yeah, but while they're flipping burgers they can "brush up on their skills" and figure out a way to "go back to school" and pay for the tuition making 250 bucks a week.
They can also start their own business with no money on hand.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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While it may continue this way, it doesn't have to. This is a product of economic recovery. The jobs being created are those that provide products and services that people can afford. New home developments are starting back up in some areas like ours, providing many more skilled jobs that pay better. Amazon and other high tech employers are adding good jobs. Not all areas have that kind of employer, however. The main problem is the loss of manufacturing to other countries like China. When/if their workers demand significant pay so that the cost savings are no longer enough to offset the shipping costs, we may see more of it coming back. For me the simplest solution lies with our federal government and their failure to legislate a level playing field with imported goods.
This is a human nature problem. Both parties are equal offenders and hypocrites. It's an oligarchy in control and calling all the shots. Maybe we can have some more "Bush, Clinton" to fix it? (sarcasm)
Rambler123, what do you believe is the solution? I'm curious.
There's no clear-cut simple solution, but here are a few starters:
1) Send the illegals home and crack down on their employers: That would end one particular area of labor exploitation - paying the illegals terrible wages under the table. This would open up those lower-end jobs for actual citizens, get rid of the drain on social safety nets being consumed by the illegals, and bring back the tax revenue from those wages... since the illegals are generally all paid far below a living wage under the table, they don't pay income taxes.
2) Crack down on visa exploitation: Many companies use and exploit visa workers to avoid having to hire Americans. While the visa workers are not paid as far below standard wages as the illegals, nor are they paid under the table (as far as I know), it is still a case of cheating the system to keep Americans out of work because they are somewhat more expensive. There are plenty of highly educated and experienced Americans that are unemployed, and yet we hear no end of BS from big corporations and their toadies in Congress that we "need more visa workers." Bull! They just don't want to hire Americans because they cost a bit more.
3) Move to single-payer healthcare: No, I'm not a "communist!" The reasoning is simple. By removing that burden from the corporations - particularly the smaller businesses - they'd be more inclined to hire people. This would also reduce the discrimination against hiring older or less healthy workers who are currently more expensive thanks to companies footing most of the healthcare costs.
4) Get the money out of politics: This can never be done completely, but I'm very disappointed in all the recent Supreme Court rulings that have been increasing the influence of money in politics. It's gotten to the point where big businesses and a handful of rich sociopaths can basically decide the primaries, leaving us choosing which stooge to elect, as if it really matters at that point. No system is perfect, but America seems to be embracing the notion of "more money = more votes!" which is exactly the type of crap we fought against and also opposes the very founding principles of this nation.
5) Restore accountability: This is a rather open-ended concept and the discussion would cover pages and delve into specifics that I think few of us here fully understand, but the key thing is to bring back accountability. Everywhere you turn these days, you see: crooked executives being paid golden parachutes for failing in their duties, connected toadies keeping their jobs while others lose them, people being Bailed Out and yet still allowed to keep on running their shady business, etc. It seems that the American people have decided that the only two crimes are getting caught and not turning a profit this quarter. That mindset is disastrous in the long run and heavily discourages accountability and proper behavior. There's no easy solution to this part of the problem since it is created by deep cultural decay vs. a series of laws that could be changed or enforced, but it is worth mentioning since this rotten, greedy, "I've got mine, so to heck with you!" mindset is what got us here today.
I agree with this article - it backs up everything I've seen personally.
My hometown has the headquarters for an F500 chemical company. When I was young, the maintenance jobs were filled by Eastman employees. Many of my peers had parents working in scientific research there. Eastman provided jobs from blue-collar to C-level, and mainly hired locals.
The number of Eastman employees at this site has been roughly halved in a little more than twenty years. Much of the "blue collar" work is now performed through temporary agencies. The job my dad held still exists, but the salary is the same as it was when he left...in 1991. Even professional jobs, like IT, have largely been outsourced to other contractors. These "contractors" typically pay lower wages and offer worse or no benefits compared to Eastman. What used to be in-house accounting is now done by outside accounting firms, with a lot of lower level stuff done by Accountemps and other such firms.
There were plenty of other plants and better work around the area that paid a living wage than there are now. We've replaced industry with low wage retail, call centers, and food service.
Worst part is the jobs are always part time with no benefits.
Or low wages on a 1099
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