MIT Professor : US regressed to a Third World Nation for most of it's Citizens

originally posted by: Grambler

originally posted by: LABTECH767
a reply to: starwarsisreal

This is what happen's when Runaway capitalism is embraced with no concern for wealth re-distribution, it is essentially strip mining the economy for all it's wealth into a few bank account's, and that is what the Tory's want for us in the UK as well.

I disagree. Capitalism is not to blame. We do not have a capitalist system in the United States.

In true capitalism, the banks would have never been bailed out. The government would not be nearly as involved as it is in all sorts of areas. We live in a sort of cronyism system, where lobbyists can by politicians, In a true capitalists system, these politicians would not be allowed to pick winners and losers.

Of course capitalism is not perfect, but it is the best system humans have come up with. Perhaps you would recommend a socialists system like in Venezuala. It seems to be working out very well with them.

I agree that capitalism is not to blame. Lots of seemingly well intentioned government intervention has eliminated competition for big business via over regulation that smaller scale businesses can not afford to keep up with. Of course anyone can see lobbyist pulling the strings to achieve this side effect. The competition gets acquired and I can't blame them for selling. I also can't blame big business for their actions as these are massive publicly owned companies that have become a type of artificial intelligence that only has one goal, to make more money. What we have ended up with is the illusion of choice for internet service, cable, mobile phones, electricity, oil/gas, banks/lending institutions, and insurance. The necessities for living in a 1st world country are essentially a oligopoly.

On the infrastructure side of things we have fallen to far behind on routine maintenance to fix it. It's like a wiring harness for a vehicle. Modifications and upgrades over the years have made it to hard to maintain and continue to update. It needs to be torn out and started anew. Constant band-aids never work when maintaining a vehicle or home and it certainly doesn't work on a massive scale like our infrastructure.

Unfortunately, I do not think there is a fix. No fixes for government short of a complete overhaul. No fixes for infrastructure short of a complete overhaul. No fixes for the markets short of a complete overhaul. We need new ideas, and I doubt the human race will be able to conjure up enough cooperation to come up with and implement them in anyone that is now living lifetimes.

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

But in states like California (Where I am), jobs are very notoriously hard to find due to its large population. Also, a lot of jobs here tend to be service industry, tourism, and IT.

In order to get a job you need a degree, blue collar jobs are hard to find.

What state do you live in? It varies states by state.

I'm in Kentucky. In the larger cities (I'm in the largest) work is booming in every line of work. I've been here nearly 3 years and when I moved here I knew nobody but my husband and had no in-state references and still got a job, plus 2 other job offers, within 2 weeks of beginning my job search- along with several calls for interviews that I turned down. There is so much work that businesses are literally begging for employees and there are very few places that don't have "Help Wanted" or "Now Hiring" signs. Anybody who isn't working here just doesn't want a job- end of story.

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

Well that sounds like a good place.

Believe me there are us Californians that would love to have a a blue collar job.

Here in California, to find a real job you have to have extensive connections to even get a job. For example, to work in Hollyweird, you have to know people in the industry.

Meanwhile many working class people are forced to move out of their own neighborhoods because prices are getting too high. Come to LA and you will see signs of class warfare being waged by liberal elites against the poor and working class.

I know a lot of people envy us because of the beaches, Hollyweird and beautiful women but living here, it is not very friendly for working class individuals and some of us can't stand the liberal elites and their smug attitude toward us.

What's your advice for us Californians?

a reply to: starwarsisreal

My advice?
Get out if you can! The cost of living in that part of the country is literally squashing out the poor and middle class so that only the rich can afford to live there. Let them have it! One day the "big one" will hit and it will all fall into the ocean anyway!

I took a big chance when I packed everything that I could fit into my car and moved halfway across the country with only a few hundred dollars in my pocket after paying for the gas and food for the trip. Where I lived before it took months just to get a waitress job and had to commute to another city even for that, and only got the job because I had a nephew working there who talked to the boss on my behalf. I do admit however that I had someone to stay with when I arrived (my current husband) however just a month previous to my arrival he had been living in a tent until he could get up the money for an apartment.

If I were you I'd start looking online for cities with the best opportunities for employment and a more sustainable cost of living and making a getaway plan before the rate of inflation there pushes you out. Better to make a plan and do things on your own terms than to be left high and dry without warning.

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

In states like Kentucky when a person is starting out, what is a great starting job?

I gotta admit, places like Kentucky sounds like a great new beginning for many of us in California.

However, there are some who are afraid of the negative connotations that the South and Mid West are unfriendly (Like LGBTQ folks and ethnic minorities)

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

In states like Kentucky when a person is starting out, what is a great starting job?

I gotta admit, places like Kentucky sounds like a great new beginning for many of us in California.

However, there are some who are afraid of the negative connotations that the South and Mid West are unfriendly (Like LGBTQ folks and ethnic minorities)

I

Well for starters even McD's and convenience stores starting pay is $8.50-$9 an hour, most grocery stores and big chain stores are starting at $9-$11.50 an hour, UPS and FedEx are starting at $11.50-$13 an hour, many trade unions are taking apprentices starting at over $20 an hour, Amazon starting pay is around $12 an hour, not really sure of starting pay at the Ford plant or any of the appliance factories but I've heard the pay is pretty good, and most of them you get raises and benefits after 90 days. The cost of living is much, much cheaper than on the east or west coast, etc. Even working at a mini-storage place starts out at $10 an hour. Point is doing pretty much any job you can afford to pay rent and utilities and meet living expenses without having to work 2-3 jobs.

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

Whats your advice for those afraid to come due to possible prejudice?

In fact in the West Coast, you folks are portrayed as people who are Bible Thumping racist weirdos that like Nascar and hate gays.

Sorry if this offends you but that's what the media portray you folks (Courtesy of Hollyweird).

The Liberal Elites did a good job of having working class folks fight among themselves.

I definitely agree with the article. America is becoming an aristocracy. The wealthy are living like kings while working people are struggling to pay all the bills. On top of that, the business elites are watering down all the laws that protect workers and consumers while redistributing tax money from programs that help the people to themselves.

Then there's the fact that the wealthy are really above the law and exempt from the legal system.

a reply to: starwarsisreal

No offense taken, I had the same thoughts before I moved here as well. It might possibly be that way out in the rural areas in some parts of the state (but so far I haven't witnessed such) but it is definitely not like that in the cities. There are many different groups of all sorts of activists around here- immigrant groups, LGBTQ groups, feminist groups, anti-racism groups, etc. In fact this just happened last night!

Group confronts racists celebrating Hitler's birthday

We have a large Muslim and Ethiopian immigrant population and it's a huge University town so it is truly a cultural melting pot. Any kind of group you can think of is here and actively represented. Oh, and if you're a foodie it is definitely the place to be with cultural festivals happening on a regular basis.

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

Well thank you for your kind information, I want to say a lot us are sick and tired of the Liberal Elites screwing us over here and judging from your description about Kentucky that might be a good place to go.

I know as stated earlier California is shown as a place full of beautiful beaches, women and Hollyweird but that's just a facade to hide the ongoing class warfare happening all over the state.

a reply to: starwarsisreal

California is the shining example of why big government left wing policies are bad for our country. California is a rotten cesspool. The people that are voting for these policies are getting exactly what they deserve.

I left CA a long time ago, and I would NEVER consider moving back. It's a liberal nightmare.

I hope California gains it's independence and falls into the ocean.

a reply to: Winstonian

What's a good place to start all over as a former Californian?

I think me and my fellow Californians who opposed the liberal elite needs to go to an exodus.

a reply to: Groot

If the unemployment is increasing is because lazy MF don't want to work, and would rather rely on the government. Hate to tell you, but that free ride is over.

Hate to tell you the free ride is over for the USA. Unless you have the ability to come to turn and deal with the wealth disapirty caused by capitalism.

a reply to: starwarsisreal

I left California for Arizona years ago. It is a wonderful place. Open carry without any concealed carry laws, medical MJ, plenty of different environments to live in. If you like the city, you can live in the city. If you like the mountains, live in the mountains. You can target practice in the desert and then take a 2 hour drive to the snow covered ski resort. Plenty of hunting and fishing and boating. It is also home to some of the safest rated cities in the country.

I don't plan on ever leaving.

a reply to: Winstonian

What about jobs? I know it's nice there but how does one find employment?

a reply to: starwarsisreal

Depends on what you do, but our economy is currently booming right now.

No matter where you live, self employment is the absolute ideal. I haven't worked for anyone in 12 years and I could never go back to having a job.

a reply to: Deny Arrogance

Thats right you nailed it Deny Arrogance u must be the smartest person on this website because it took you to come out and say what we were all thinking.

Thanks to all the commie loving lefty lib liberals moslem sympathizers look at what has happened because of King obama and all of there left wing practicions Thanks obama I here you say. Well I wont say it. I wont. I dont like that the Usa has poor people. I dont like that their are unfed. I dont like that people arent having the medicine they need.

But it is democracy and cappitalism at work and if the hungry unfed medecine needing people cant pull up their bootstraps and make something of themselves than why is that President donald trumps fault? It isnt. Its there own.

I'm going to tell you the story about the flower and the bee. The flower was very beautiful. It was summer and the sun was shining and it was full of honey. Then a bee comes along and takes away all the honey and the flower withers and dies.

That's communism.

originally posted by: Vasa Croe

originally posted by: Groot

originally posted by: toysforadults
a reply to: Groot

Labor Force

Apparently tens of millions of baby boomers retired and no one took over their jobs.

Weird huh???

Yes, because the younger generation are not motivated enough to get a real job to take over those jobs. I am 52 years old. Been in a blue collar job for 30 years. 5 years, I can retire with a nice pension. My wife works at Walmart, of all places. They can not get enough people to hire that are even worth a #. That, right there, is the state of our economy.

Most of them are headed to music festivals like Coachella on their parents dime...they will never want to work and if they do it will only be for a few months.

I say automate everything and let them eat cake....

Well, when they have no cake left, there will be "hordes" of hangry people at your door demanding yours....

I hope you have an adequate ammo supply

originally posted by: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

In states like Kentucky when a person is starting out, what is a great starting job?

I gotta admit, places like Kentucky sounds like a great new beginning for many of us in California.

However, there are some who are afraid of the negative connotations that the South and Mid West are unfriendly (Like LGBTQ folks and ethnic minorities)

I

Well for starters even McD's and convenience stores starting pay is $8.50-$9 an hour, most grocery stores and big chain stores are starting at $9-$11.50 an hour, UPS and FedEx are starting at $11.50-$13 an hour, many trade unions are taking apprentices starting at over $20 an hour, Amazon starting pay is around $12 an hour, not really sure of starting pay at the Ford plant or any of the appliance factories but I've heard the pay is pretty good, and most of them you get raises and benefits after 90 days. The cost of living is much, much cheaper than on the east or west coast, etc. Even working at a mini-storage place starts out at $10 an hour. Point is doing pretty much any job you can afford to pay rent and utilities and meet living expenses without having to work 2-3 jobs.

That is still not enough to have a comfortable life though--especially if the people in charge are making twice as much and giving their employee triple as much grief. I worked as a dishwash at (we'll not name the chain restaurant for now). The managers did absolutely nothing and caused strife for every employee. I walked out after a month. Are you going to say I'm lazy or my $8.50 pay was not even worth the nonsense caused by the $18.50 managers.

[Edited to add: I asked a manager to help with two overloaded trash barrels that I couldn't lift solo--yeah, over 70 pounds of wasted food each. It took him until AFTER my shift was over (which I missed my bus home because). I peered into his office, waiting. He was on Facebook. These types of sour moods are what cause this 'younger generation' to NOT want to work. /rant]

They attempted to give me a tray a free food to get me to stay as I was "the best dish-tank operator they've ever had". I witnessed how those trays of food were prepared and handled. Will my eyes truly get stuck in the back of my head if I keep rolling them?

a reply to: WeowWix

I would never suggest anyone take crap for their job. I started out at under $9 an hour and in 2 years am up to $11, plus benefits and paid time off, work weekdays only, etc. My department manager is usually working right alongside me but she has her lazy days- however I have mine as well. When asked to do something ridiculous whether it's my department manager or general manager I tell them to eff off and find another sucker- so they leave me alone. They wanted me to take a management position starting at $3 above what I'm making but I don't like paperwork and don't want to have to work at least one weekend per month. I could make more somewhere else but this is close to where I live so I can come home and let my dog out at lunch.