Article: The pretense about Jobs (in America today) - Very interesting

I consider myself non-partisan, for the most part, but this article really shows the damage to our jobs in America today. I just hope a new Congress and a new President (in 2 years) will be able to get us out of this hole.


http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20060905_marie_cocco_stop_pretending/

 

I must agree. The advantage seems to be in the corporate realm. The worker has been cast about like so much trash. More and more good jobs are being outsourced, and we give the companies that do this tax incentives to boot! How long can this keep up?


Abner

 

I just dont see it sorry. I think there is less room for error in or society now accross the board. Consider the young guy with a couple of beers. The cops at one time would drive you home and tell good ole dad, now you get arrested and might as well kiss of a good school.


I have seen my personal worth and wage grow consistantly withe the amount of effort, sweat, and hard work put into it. Average wage in this country is over $16/hr. Thats a fact. Now that might not buy alot in NYC, but it has grown at a faster pace over the last 5 years than cost of living and inflation.


But, I think we ALL, including myself, have to be careful about the source of your news. Did anyone else acctually read the rest of this wack-job website...I mean they acctually suggest that israel is working again peace by securing its borders....come on..Even Dan Rathers old croonies dont try to pass this stuff as real news...

 

I'm confused, you say that wages has grown faster than the cost of living. Where or what country do you live in. Gasoline has skyrocketed, everything that use energy has went up. Perhaps, I may have misunderstood you. You also said $16+ is ok except for places like New York. Let me let you know some facts. Most of Americans live on the eastern and western coasts. That includes places like LA, New York, Florida, etc. Guess what, a family of 2, forget that, a person making $16 an hour could not afford to live in these places. So, if you telling me that the minority who live inland can get by at this rate and their wages has outgrown inflation, personally, I don't see how. Please, please enlighten me.

 

Sure...In LA 16/hr is crap... But your chained there right? Cant leave? Serving a prisnson sentence? Didnt think so. Look, SF, LA, NYC, Orlandoare all terribly expensive places to live, and last I looked 16/hr was what a Mcdonalds employees is being paid, so if you a Mickey Ds kinda guy thats great ( i worked there during college days) But you also have tremendous more oppurtunity, so take advantage of it. If you lack the ability to take advantage of the oppurtunities, then move to a cheaper place to live. How many people who live outside of places like LA or NYC have the chance to make 100k+ a year doing anything. Not many. Simple math. I dont think some people who have to put up with LA or NYC prices realize how terribly inflated they are. You an buy a house in the Triad area of NC, 2,000 sq.ft, for well under 175k, which is well within the buying range of a couple making an average salary. NC is on the east coast right?

And i didnt come up with that numbers, sorry. That was in the report with the 4.7 unemployement rate, which is also a sign of a terrible economy too right?

Look folks, drive your own life and stop looking for other people to fix it and you will find success. Depend on the state, fed, bushs, clintons, whoever you are going to fail. Also, dont read nonsense "blogish" news that does nothing but make u pesimistic about your outlook. The old "my job was outsourced" or "there are no good jobs" is crybaby garbage.

Wannabeit, I have lived a couple of places, and wages are incredbily disproportional to the standard of living in some places that you mentioned, but if you go to "middle america" your going to find that a family making 65-70K a year is just fine. Hell my sister in law is a nurse in Orlando and supports 2 kids (by herself) with out any outside help and doesnt make much more than 75-80k. It can be done. If your in love with the draw of some of these places like NYC, LA or SF then you have to be prepare to be challenged financially to live there. Perceptions is huge here, and i think that the difference in geography makes a huge difference of opinion....

Hope your enlightened now....

 

I've got to say that, living in South Florida, where I'm a Business Analyst and my wife's a Paralegal - we are not living the American dream. I put in a great day's work and my wife works almost 10 hour days because of trials, yet our income levels are stagnant.

Meanwhile, we can't buy a house (housing averaging 300k in Broward County) and recently:

1) Our rent's gone up 170 per month this past summer
2) Daycare cost went up 50 per month
3) And aftercare (for our oldest daughter) has risen by 20 per month
4) Gas (need I say more)
5) Groceries have gone up (4.00 for a small box of strawberries? why?)
6) and so on, and so on....

The source of the article may be biased - but not everyone in this economy, or in every part of the country, has it as good as you. We've considered moving out of state, but all of my family live here and this is where I grew up.

I'm not asking for a hand out - just a fair shake. And the corporations are the ones controlling the game.

 

I'm not disagreeing with your standard of living statement. Of course, I'm fully aware of the different standard across america. What I'm confused about is your perception that wages in general is either keeping up with or exceeding inflation. You'd pointed out that you read a report indicating 4.7 unemployement rate. Please forgive me but do you really understand the significant of this report. Think about it for a moment. Does this report reflects the mininum wages or high paying jobs. Now, you have to agree or not that the government has the tendency to distort the reality of what's really going on. Futhermore, I'm not complaining about jobs being outsourced" or "there are no good jobs. My argument is your perception. Incidentially, I am bi-coastal (NY-LA). I am one of those who live comfortable. Then again, I may be one of the exception. Honestly, I have not live in middle america and I'm sure it's a great place to live. But I'm happy where I live.

 

Gas is cheaper in the US than in most non-oil producing countries - what you see as outrageous, Europeans would think they've gone to heaven

Most of America does NOT live on the coasts - a big chunk of it does. And outside the metro areas - $16 per hour does nicely - much better than Tyson' chickens $8 per hour.

If you CHOOSE to live in NY/LA the problem is with you. I live in a Chicago suburb because a $500,000 house in Chicago is $250,000 - which I can afford.

In Chicago the inner city alderman are trying to force Wal-Mart to pay a "living wage". In the suburbs no one has a problem with that wage. Heaven forbid the inner-city folks move from their "food desert".

 

I think we're getting off track. First of all, there are more people collectively on the coasts (both coasts) than all of the country. The key words "people" not land. Middle America has more land and than the coasts. Secondly, what the price of gas in Europe has to do with this country. The argument is cost of living and inflation in this country not Europe. One other thing, you indicated that I have a problem with living in my area. "If you CHOOSE to live in NY/LA the problem is with you." Where did that come from? I have no problem, in fact, I love where I live. One of the things I hate when debating is that people tend to take the debate outside of the argument. Please keep the focus on the subject not around it. It's correct that different part of the country has different standard of living but it does not diminished the fact that wages is not keeping up with inflation. Regardless of where you live.

 

Some people look for opportunities to be offended. The NY/LA comment was general/rhetorical - I have no idea where you live (nor do I much care).

I can't, however, keep you from being personally offended by anything anyone writes.

Reminds me of the gent who used the word "niggardly" and was hounded for being "racist".

Bottom line: where but the USA do "poor people" have one car and only two TV's?

If you don't like the cost where you live - change it. If you don't like what you earn - change it. Reminds me of the way Liberal Arts faculty are constantly b***g about why the marketplace doesn't value them like it does the sciences.

 

I agree with your statement regarding wages not keeping up with inflation. I work for the State Workforce Division. Last month, I went out to seven different companies that had mass layoffs. Each company averaged a lay off of between 200 to 350 workers. Now, many of those people made a decent living due to seniority, etc. Many of these people are faced with jobs starting at $7.00 per hour, and the employer wants them to have all kinds of qualifications.

Need proof? Call your local job center. Ask them if they do "Positive Recruitements". Then ask them what the average pay is. BTW, a positive recruitment is a day when a employer goes to a site and interviews job seekers directly.

Sure, there a a few good paying jobs still out there, but they are becoming far and between. Many of the good jobs are being outsourced.

Just an observation. Usually the ones that disagree are the the ones working right NOW. The minute the become unemployed, they suddenly realize jobs don't pay much, GEE.


Abner

 

And yet...the national unemployment rate is 4.7% - and the IT unemployment rate is 2.2%.

20 years ago 4.7% unemployment was considered "unattainable".

The uncertainty in the job market is known as "creative destruction" and it's individually unpleasant but nationally healthy.

"Luddites" tend not to wear well over time.

 

I do hope the Elections in November and in 2008 helps us "change" what we don't like.

There are a lot of people struggling to make ends meet (surprise!) and there are probably some of those in your suburban neighborhood in Chicago (but they won't let you know it). You may not see how the rising costs are affecting the little people (judging by your seemingly disdain over Chicago forcing a living wage on Walmart) but there are hard working people out there that are struggling. And a lot of upwardly mobile people benefiting from their struggles by raising prices of everything and then blaming gas prices. Those people then say that the price of gas is better here then in Europe!

 

I am sure that the buggy whip craftsmen felt much the same way. In your MBA classes they should be addressing "creative destruction" at some point.

If you think electing someone else (neither Bush nor Cheny is running, thank heaven) so no matter what it will be a new administration) is going to magically change the need to struggle - then perhaps we can address this again in 4 years

 

Now we're talking. I happen to live in 2 places. (Although, not relevant) An apt in NYC and a home in LA. It's cleared that you and I are not struggling. But the topics is "wages is not keeping up with inflation." The United States wages in general has dropped tremendously in the last serveral years. At the same time, rate of inflation has increased. Sir, I am well traverse, but my argument has nothing to do with Europe. Yes, you are correct there are people who'd complained constantly about not making enough. This doesn't change the fact.

Although, your comment has both a condenscending twist to it and a compliment, I have to say that I am flattered. No, I am not a Phd candidate. I am also happy that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

As far as the argument being emotional, that's not my intention or feeling. I try to look at the reality. The problem with most people who are not struggling tend to ignore what going on outside of their circle. Believe me I know. Everything is ok until it affect us. As long as things are ok for us who cared about the "other people". But if you insist that my point is not right or at least has some validity. That's ok. Life will go on. Perhaps, in some other arena we may agree on other subject.

 

Ah, well said.


Abner

 

And to that I will merely insert wannabeit's quite fitting response: