Occupy Wallstreet... and Bs As?

[citygirl]

There was an interesting article in the NYTimes the other day about how farmers were really trying to hire US citizens to help them, instead of bringing in foreign workers.

The long and short was that at least with the farmers interviewed, they had extreme difficulties finding citizens to do the work and of the ones they did, most quit. And the pay wasn't terrible for a summer job- $10.50 an hour. Article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/u...n-workers-in-place-of-migrant-labor.html?_r=1

I agree jobs are hard to come by in the US. I also agree that there are jobs that are out there but people won't consider doing, even if they dont have a job.

I think the social programs we have in place are good (although often don't go far enough). I would LOVE to see more skills training as opposed to simply giving out unemployment checks. For example, there is a serious shortage of skilled factory workers here in the US - people that can work to build medical equipment for example. We should be training people to find jobs, not just leaving them out there to flounder.

I'd also love to see welfare-to-work programs. Get people off welfare (which is in general, an awful, de-humazining experience and I assure you, most people on it DON'T want to be there). Train people on how to behave in a job interview, how to present oneself, what to wear, give him or her coaching, access to interview clothes (I used to be involved in a program in NYC where gently used suits, shoes, purses, etc were donated to women who were struggling to get back on their feet and get a job).

Lots of things can/should be done. I'd personally, like to focus on making changes, not just complaining that the world is tough out there.

 

[Matt84]

Lots of things can/should be done. I'd personally, like to focus on making changes, not just complaining that the world is tough out there.

amen to that. but in order to make actually positive changes one ("we") first has to digest the toughness/harshness of the World, rather of Reality, without placing the blame on our fellow humans.

If every liberal was like you we'd have a much sophisticated discussion.

 

[Joe]

It's not about people just complaining. It's about making people aware that the system is not serving them (it's only serving the ultra-rich) and the system needs to be changed.

The fact is that money buys political power and so it is no surprise that the benefits are flowing to those with money. That needs to be changed.

Young Folks: the Fox right wingers here will try to make you feel that it is just your fault, you don't try hard enough, you're not motivated, you talk too much on your iPhone.

Follow your heart, if you feel like you're being screwed. Believe me, you're being screwed.

Time to take to the streets.

 

[citygirl]

amen to that. but in order to make actually positive changes one ("we") first has to digest the toughness/harshness of the World, rather of Reality, without placing the blame on our fellow humans.

If every liberal was like you we'd have a much sophisticated discussion.

I think a lot of us are. I also think there are a lot of conservatives who are equally realistic and have things to bring to the table. The key element is finding common ground and putting programs and initiatves in place that help the majority.

Unfortunately, much of our political discourse seems to be hijacked by the extremists on both sides of the political spectrum.

 

[Joe]

EVERY study that has come out over the last couple years shows the our youth and young adults ARE less intelligent than before.

I hope you meant "less educated".

It is just not only the US that has seen a decline. Even in China in some ways things are worse. I read in The Economist a few years back that China has the highest rate of female suicide in the world! This is partially because the chosen method is using agricultural pesticides and that tends to be very effective ... sadly.

A big source of the problem is globalization. With globalization, productivity rises - which is a good thing - except at some point with productivity increases you need less people. Those people need something to do.

I know, I know, Fox News says they should just go off and die in the cold somewhere. Do you really think that is a realistic solution? Stop being flippant and come up with real solutions.

Since I am a Yanqui, I am more interested in solutions for the US - which to me is lowering income taxes and corporate taxes to create jobs in the US. And an asset tax so the ultra-rich pay their fair share.

 

[JWB]

I hope you meant "less educated".

It is just not only the US that has seen a decline. Even in China in some ways things are worse. I read in The Economist a few years back that China has the highest rate of female suicide in the world! This is partially because the chosen method is using agricultural pesticides and that tends to be very effective ... sadly.

A big source of the problem is globalization. With globalization, productivity rises - which is a good thing - except at some point with productivity increases you need less people. Those people need something to do.

I know, I know, Fox News says they should just go off and die in the cold somewhere. Do you really think that is a realistic solution? Stop being flippant and come up with real solutions.

Since I am a Yanqui, I am more interested in solutions for the US - which to me is lowering income and corporate taxes to create jobs in the US. And an asset tax so the ultra-rich pay their fair share.

Sorry, I tend to equate less educated with being less intelligent (unless you are a Steve Jobs/Bill Gates type). And yes, I know they aren't directly linked but if you can't read or write above an 8th grade level yu arnt to smart.

I lived in Singapore for 2 years and traveled to China often for work. They are eating our lunch! They go to school 7 hours minimum, weekends also, and are forced to study. Not my choice of education, but to say they have declined is just not accurate.

I to am a Yanqui and agree that corporate taxes should be lowered dramatically. Not sure what you mean by lowering income? I hope you aren't saying capping what someone can make.

And Joe, really?? Anyone that continues to throw out the "rich aren't paying there fair share" crap is kind of a hypocrite, don't you think? When you get the 47% that don't pay any FEDERAL income tax (that's what the argument is about), then we can talk. Until then the argument has zero ground to stand on. FAIR should include everyone (isn't that kind of the meaning?)

I'm one of the 53.

 

[JWB]

it's harder for a WHITE guy? is that because the coloreds have become uppity??? is that the problem?

Actually Mariposa, you are 100% accurate! I am a corporate recruiter and work with a handful of large companies around the World. In the U.S. the government is putting such pressure on the companies to hire "diverse" workers (blacks/latins/women) that companies now have quotas of diverse candidates they have to hire.

One of the companies has actually created specific jobs that ONLY diverse candidates are being considered for even though there are white males that are just as qualified (if not more) than the people they end up hiring.

Another requires the Hiring Managers speak to at least 1 diverse candidate for each job opening.

And no, this is NOT a good thing. It makes my puke having to pass over a highly qualified candidate just because he is white.

 

[steveinbsas]

I think a lot of us are. I also think there are a lot of conservatives who are equally realistic and have things to bring to the table. The key element is finding common ground and putting programs and initiatves in place that help the majority.

Unfortunately, much of our political discourse seems to be hijacked by the extremists on both sides of the political spectrum.

How's this for extremism?

ALL of the regulations and ALL of the programs are corruption (of the free market).

They are always "intended" to help the minority..not the majority.

And they rarely (if ever) produce the desired results...except to enrich those who are not willing (or able) to earn it themselves.

 

[JWB]

It's not about people just complaining. It's about making people aware that the system is not serving them (it's only serving the ultra-rich) and the system needs to be changed.

The fact is that money buys political power and so it is no surprise that the benefits are flowing to those with money. That needs to be changed.

Young Folks: the Fox right wingers here will try to make you feel that it is just your fault, you don't try hard enough, you're not motivated, you talk too much on your iPhone.

Follow your heart, if you feel like you're being screwed. Believe me, you're being screwed.

Time to take to the streets.

Wow...great advice. It's ok to be lazy and not work hard? If someone points it out it's just them trying to screw you. Is that the advice you give to your kids??

The "kids" that are working hard and are motivated to better themselves, guess what, they have jobs.

The ones you are coddling and the poor babies being "screwed" are the ones at Wallstreet complaining about not having a job instead of out looking for one.

And their "there aren't any jobs out there" line is crap! There are 100,000's of jobs all over the U.S. I have companies calling my company every day asking for help to find qualified candidate for these jobs. They don't want to work. Period.

 

[Joe]

And Joe, really?? Anyone that continues to throw out the "rich aren't paying there fair share" crap is kind of a hypocrite, don't you think? When you get the 47% that don't pay any FEDERAL income tax (that's what the argument is about), then we can talk. Until then the argument has zero ground to stand on. FAIR should include everyone (isn't that kind of the meaning?)

I'm one of the 53.

The 47% that don't pay any income tax is because they don't have any income or very little. I suppose you would like them to pay with body parts.

You don't seem to understand that the 400 wealthiest families possess 50% of the country's assets, when you figure out how to compute that, we can talk.