Interesting few comments in here.
First off, sorry to hear about the layoff, it's gotta suck.
with no disrespect to the loss, ya and then?
I fired a guy today. Short version, I'm a meanie for letting the guy go. Long version, I hired 2 and bought about 15k in equipment. Life's funny like that.
Oddly enough, I never consulted the administration on these decisions, so can't blame Bush for the guy losing his job nor praise Bush for the 15k expenditures and the 2 jobs created. Frankly, those were my decisions based on my needs and my efforts.
I sent one lead guy to LA yesterday, gonna fly him back Sunday. I chose an airline based on the value I placed on the trip. Didn't consult the administration then either, and for the one airline I did chose, that left about 9 I didn't chose. Well, ya, so things like that happen. At some point, most people will chose something other than what you might be involved in, then things close down. Life's like that.
I've seen a great deal of comments over the years that revolve around "Gee you just can't keep a job long term anymore" and Choice is a bad thing? Sorry, but the jobs you kept for life were things like coal miner and train track layer or brick layer. There were fewer major changes in jobs "back then" as there were fewer things going on. People still lost jobs, because you can't change nature and some people are just idiots. You didn't see massive changes in an entire industry simply because industry expansion was slower. The steel industry held for generations, but now you can extrude plastic in your garage so the manufacturing industry changes rapidly. The majority of those complaining about the loss of the old jobs are also the ones that complained the most about the working conditions and emmissions that the old industries created. Ok, so, they won, deal with the results.
You can't complain about it, just deal with it. Or don't, those of us that are moving and growing need licensed broom operators as well. Well, that is until the robots are more economical, so best sweep while you can. And while you're sweeping, learn to lube robots, because you're gonna need to know things like that.
Employees are demanding 30-50 per hour and a clean environment and pristine benefits, and this is ok, I'm not opposed to that desire. The masses want the toaster for $12.00. China has no labor laws and environmental laws, and can produce the toaster for $5.00 and make a few bucks, the US firms are required to invest in pension plans, high tech manufacturing plants with sirens and space suits so no one gets hurt, and can produce the same toaster for $135.95. Don't blame WalMart, Blame the masses for not paying for the $135.95 toaster. Walmart should Not be in business because the consumer is demanding the price? Somehow the US should subsidise the toaster maybe? Or Force the import fees on the China product and tack on 130 bucks to artificially create a comperable priced toaster?
Some would say, Ya, Great idea. Ok, what does the government do with that 130 bucks? Better yet, how about this, toasters are Crazy at 130 bucks so screw it, lets eat cold bread or toast it in the pan and the toaster industry dies for lack of common sense.
Don't you get it? You cannot "create" and support an artificial market. You build a better toaster or some clever out of work airline mechanic comes up with the secret to baking pre-toasted bread because he is out of work and has some time to kill. (Bet you wondered how I was going to come full circle to the mechanic didn't you)
Sometimes it would almost be funny to imagine life back in 1850 and Congress enacted legislation protecting the wagon wheel makers.
2 types of people in life. Those who see a loss as a bad thing, and those who see a loss as an opportunity. No matter how you expand or ammend, those 2 foundations are always the choice.
[edited because I spelled "idiots" wrong, ain't that just a kicker?]
