There are obviously people , and therefore, communities that suffer as a result of jobs moving elsewhere. However, unless the govt is going to give big incentives to companies in order for them to not go to cheaper labor elsewhere, we can't expect a business to run themselves out of business simply to keep the locals employed. Do we want SOME of the employees to lose their jobs or do we want ALL of the employees to lose their job.

 

Read "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman.

 

There aren't enough "tax breaks" out there to help keep some factories in country. You can't hope to keep jobs that pay here $12 or $16 per hour when they see they can go overseas or down south for $6 or less.

I simply can't fathom how someone can say that an unemployed person need only apply at a fast food place to be employed. There are former mortgage brokers, construction workers, auto workers and upper-management/executives out there without work. All as the result of restructuring, relocating, downsizing.

 

The "American Dream" is that one works hard, advances and attains job security and financial stability. I can't think of an industry today that isn't affected by a fear of job cuts and losses. Well, except the oil industry. :lol:

 

I feel I'm lucky, in one respect. I've enough diverse experience in my industry that I could realistically move into another position in my industry and keep a job. Maybe not at my current salary, but at one similar. But, again, I'm lucky.

 

Everyone likes to point at the "unemployment" statistics, or the "jobs gained" vs. "jobs lost" statistics. IMO, the really telling statistics are the "underemployed" statistics. Those are the people with the experience who had great paying jobs, with benefits who've been forced into the lower paying job market, often without benefits.

 

I guess it's ok to pass judgement on those who are forced into that situation, when one hasn't had to face the decisions those people must make. I can't imagine having to face the prospect of losing a home that one's worked hard on, paid years of mortgage payments on. Or, now face being middle-aged with no benefits, and kids to raise.

 

I get really upset with the people who only look at their single situation and turn a blind eye to what's happening to many, many other people around the country.

 

I get pretty close to enraged when I hear people saying that if there are higher taxes on the top 3% of the income earners, that we'll lose jobs. HELLO! Where are the jobs those earners are supposedly creating now, when they're the benefit of tax breaks?

 

I don't necessarily disagree that it may not be "fair" for those in the higher income categories to pay more, but PLEASE don't play the whole "we create jobs" card.

There aren't enough "tax breaks" out there to help keep some factories in country. You can't hope to keep jobs that pay here $12 or $16 per hour when they see they can go overseas or down south for $6 or less.

This is fault of all of us, everyone on this board and every American; we like to buy things as cheap as possible.

There aren't enough "tax breaks" out there to help keep some factories in country. You can't hope to keep jobs that pay here $12 or $16 per hour when they see they can go overseas or down south for $6 or less.

 

We agree. That's why I said its better to lose some of those job than lose the entire workforce by trying to keep all of the jobs local.

I get pretty close to enraged when I hear people saying that if there are higher taxes on the top 3% of the income earners, that we'll lose jobs. HELLO! Where are the jobs those earners are supposedly creating now, when they're the benefit of tax breaks?

 

I don't necessarily disagree that it may not be "fair" for those in the higher income categories to pay more, but PLEASE don't play the whole "we create jobs" card.

Problem is, the taxes won't only be on the top 3%, never are really.

Secondly, like it or not if you tax those that create the jobs, they pass that on. Fact is, taxes always hit the middle class the hardest.

This is fault of all of us, everyone on this board and every American; we like to buy things as cheap as possible.

 

100% correct. Its why I never complain about WalMart running out the mom and pops.

 

 

I guess it's ok to pass judgement on those who are forced into that situation, when one hasn't had to face the decisions those people must make. I can't imagine having to face the prospect of losing a home that one's worked hard on, paid years of mortgage payments on. Or, now face being middle-aged with no benefits, and kids to raise.

 

 

 

What if you have been in the situation? Is it ok to pass judgement then?

What if you have been in the situation? Is it ok to pass judgement then?

 

 

Frankly, I say no. Each person has a unique circumstance, and face unique challenges. Each person's skill set is different, and age can be a big factor in finding a new career path. It's usually much easier for a younger person to find a new career than one who's closer to retirement age, for instance. A person with kids in college may have financial need that's different than a couple with no kids, for instance. A person who's a couple of years from paying off their home may find it tougher to just cut and run and find a new home as well. Different circumstances can keep people from the ability to relocate, such as an aging parent they care for.

I worry about my job daily... I work for a landline telephone company, and with the rising costs of gas (and, as a result, other necessary resources) people are cutting back. With the convenience of cell phones, one of the first things that we've noticed they can afford to lose is their landline.

 

We're an expanding company in a dying industry... I hope we last.

It has to come down to saving money. Maybe I am insensitive, but I really just don't feel sympathy for a lot of the poor. I work with a lot of poor people and the decisions they make (at least that I see) are so inefficient.

 

I don't mean to say that I won't give to the poor- I intend on giving a lot of money to charity over the course of my life (and I give a little now). But considering that A) I feel very little sympathy for a lot of poor people (to be so brutally honest) and B) I know the adverse effects of tax hikes and welfare programs, I'll stay conservative.

It has to come down to saving money. Maybe I am insensitive, but I really just don't feel sympathy for a lot of the poor. I work with a lot of poor people and the decisions they make (at least that I see) are so inefficient.

 

I don't mean to say that I won't give to the poor- I intend on giving a lot of money to charity over the course of my life (and I give a little now). But considering that A) I feel very little sympathy for a lot of poor people (to be so brutally honest) and B) I know the adverse effects of tax hikes and welfare programs, I'll stay conservative.

 

:thumb:

It has to come down to saving money. Maybe I am insensitive, but I really just don't feel sympathy for a lot of the poor. I work with a lot of poor people and the decisions they make (at least that I see) are so inefficient.

 

I don't mean to say that I won't give to the poor- I intend on giving a lot of money to charity over the course of my life (and I give a little now). But considering that A) I feel very little sympathy for a lot of poor people (to be so brutally honest) and B) I know the adverse effects of tax hikes and welfare programs, I'll stay conservative.

 

 

Forgive me for asking, but what the heck does this have to do with job losses?

 

I realize that everyone should save money, but surely you realize that it's rare that anyone is able to save enough money to sustain them indefinitely in the event of losing their job?

Forgive me for asking, but what the heck does this have to do with job losses?

 

I realize that everyone should save money, but surely you realize that it's rare that anyone is able to save enough money to sustain them indefinitely in the event of losing their job?

 

:lol: I've been gone for a few days. I forgot how to stay on topic.

 

Anyways, on saving money- IMO you should be able to save enough money to sustain yourself until you can find another job, or at least supplement unemployment benefits. My view of the poor is admittedly very cold- I truly believe it all has to do with self-discipline (and parenting)- whether it comes to staying in school, avoiding crime, eating out less, spending less, etc.

 

My opinion is admittedly naive though, considering I have never really had to "pay the bills" like adults do.

:lol: I've been gone for a few days. I forgot how to stay on topic.

 

Anyways, on saving money- IMO you should be able to save enough money to sustain yourself until you can find another job, or at least supplement unemployment benefits. My view of the poor is admittedly very cold- I truly believe it all has to do with self-discipline (and parenting)- whether it comes to staying in school, avoiding crime, eating out less, spending less, etc.

 

My opinion is admittedly naive though, considering I have never really had to "pay the bills" like adults do.

 

 

I guess I can see what you are cold-bloodedly saying, but reality isn't as simple as you're trying to make it.

 

If you've been an auto worker making, say $30 an hour, for instance, and you've got a home, two kids in college and you suddenly lose your job, and are unable to find one within, let's say a year...is it reasonable to expect that you have saved enough money to continue supporting yourself indefinitely? Most of the auto workers are actually lucky ones. They're being offered buyouts, at least. It's not at all unusual, especially in lower paying industries, especially non-union ones, where people are laid off without any severence.

 

There was a report the other day on the rising number of hardship withdrawals from 401k's. Let me see if I can find it.....to me, that's a last resort. If the number of people who are resorting to the last resort is rising, this is a very disturbing indicator, IMO.

:lol: I've been gone for a few days. I forgot how to stay on topic.

 

Anyways, on saving money- IMO you should be able to save enough money to sustain yourself until you can find another job, or at least supplement unemployment benefits. My view of the poor is admittedly very cold- I truly believe it all has to do with self-discipline (and parenting)- whether it comes to staying in school, avoiding crime, eating out less, spending less, etc.

 

My opinion is admittedly naive though, considering I have never really had to "pay the bills" like adults do.

 

I agree with the saving money part. If people are doing a good job with their finances they should be able to save enough money to get by until they find another job. That's the biggest problem with our country today, people outspending their means. In a recent economics class I took, the professor told us that for every $100 made the average American spends $105...Basically we're saving as an average -5% of our paychecks....