WHOOSH, THERE GO ALL THE GOOD JOBS!
(International Business Times/Frazer Chronicle)
Don't ya just get sick of all the talk about the economy, job loss, higher taxes and the stagnation of the American way of life. Hell I get tired of writing about it, and even though I've had a modicum of success in my writings, and the U.S. economy does give a guy like myself a fountain of material, I'd rather write about something else, like beach babes.
I read a report by John Schmitt and Janelle Jones, staffers for the Center for Economic and Policy Research, and now have more and better-er ammunition on the subject of what is really wrong with America in this global economy that we all most deal with to varying degrees. And once again, the experts seem to have it mostly wrong.....at least from my perspective.
The work I am referring to by the 2 above mentioned people is an essay titled Where Have All the Good Jobs Gone? It starts out by saying the "America's workforce is substantially older and better educated then it was in the 1970's. It further states that the "typical worker in 2010 is 7 years older then in 1979. In 2010 over one third of U.S. workers had a 4 year college degree or more, up from just one-fifth in 1979.
That said, a reasonable person might think that being better educated would translate into a higher wage.....right, actually no, you'd be wrong. A workforce stocked with older employees for management to take advantage of, free from all the child-like hang-ups of sewing wild oats, drinking like there's no tomorrow and racing around the city streets like maniacs, would be.....a natural, right, again.....wrong.
Oh make no mistake, American business does take advantage of a workforce stocked with educated, more mature candidates. Actually the present attitude from management's prospective is to take advantage any way possible. It's the American way, the free market, competition.....capitalism at it's finest.
What is a "good" job, what does it pay, more important, "what are the benefits," how long before I start getting vacation days, and which national holidays are paid "off days?" $18.50 an hour, "about $37,500 annually," with health benefits, paid holidays and some kind of retirement plan, that's a good job, or considered a good job by the report that I read from the economist's point of view.
WHAT IS AN ECONOMIST?
A person who likes numbers, enjoys sitting in front of a computer screen all day, wears horn rimmed glasses, was a nerd in high school, and has ink pens in his shirt pocket. Well actually not really so, maybe in the past, but today's economists are a highly trained bunch that are highly educated and are experts in their field.
Economists study finance, market structures, historical trends, globally as well as domestic and econometricians use math, such as calculus and regression analysis and other math theories to investigate all areas of economics, using these techniques to explain business cycles, inflation and other types of economic occurrences.
In my opinion, economists view national and global economies and their trends as one would a child growing up. First they are born, grow through their single digits, arrive at teenage-hood, are unruly, however in the process get a basic education, go to college, get a degree, and wonder through life, along the way acquiring a wife, 2.5 children, and a dog.
Economists point to trends in the marketplace, from which they form opinions, they look at consumer pricing, the buying power of vast portions of a countries citizens, and hypothesize what has happened, what is happening, and what is going to happen.
If their education, analogies and the perceived trends don't quite fit into those tiny boxes they use to explain financial happenings, they take "shots in the dark," to explain current conditions. Economist talk about decline in the economy's inability to create jobs, how this single act causes a deterioration in the bargaining power of works, especially those workers at the middle and the bottom of the income scale.
Economist use the standard excuse that workers inability to keep up with their education and skills is the reason the workplace does not create new, better paying jobs. But wait, hold onto your shorts Betty, education levels have made significant inroads to the education question over the past 30 years. Remember the number of college graduates over the past 30 years, their skills acquired through that higher education, that should translate into better, and higher paying jobs, if that's the way you think, you would be wrong.
The share of workers with "good jobs" fell from 27.% in 1979 to 24.6% today, what happened to cause this "trend bucking" happening. It defied every economists logic, it threw everything that an economist had learned.
What is a "good" job, what does it pay, more important, "what are the benefits," how long before I start getting vacation days, and which national holidays are paid "off days?" $18.50 an hour, "about $37,500 annually," with health benefits, paid holidays and some kind of retirement plan, that's a good job, or considered a good job by the report that I read from the economist's point of view.
WHAT IS AN ECONOMIST?
A person who likes numbers, enjoys sitting in front of a computer screen all day, wears horn rimmed glasses, was a nerd in high school, and has ink pens in his shirt pocket. Well actually not really so, maybe in the past, but today's economists are a highly trained bunch that are highly educated and are experts in their field.
Economists study finance, market structures, historical trends, globally as well as domestic and econometricians use math, such as calculus and regression analysis and other math theories to investigate all areas of economics, using these techniques to explain business cycles, inflation and other types of economic occurrences.
In my opinion, economists view national and global economies and their trends as one would a child growing up. First they are born, grow through their single digits, arrive at teenage-hood, are unruly, however in the process get a basic education, go to college, get a degree, and wonder through life, along the way acquiring a wife, 2.5 children, and a dog.
Economists point to trends in the marketplace, from which they form opinions, they look at consumer pricing, the buying power of vast portions of a countries citizens, and hypothesize what has happened, what is happening, and what is going to happen.
If their education, analogies and the perceived trends don't quite fit into those tiny boxes they use to explain financial happenings, they take "shots in the dark," to explain current conditions. Economist talk about decline in the economy's inability to create jobs, how this single act causes a deterioration in the bargaining power of works, especially those workers at the middle and the bottom of the income scale.
Economist use the standard excuse that workers inability to keep up with their education and skills is the reason the workplace does not create new, better paying jobs. But wait, hold onto your shorts Betty, education levels have made significant inroads to the education question over the past 30 years. Remember the number of college graduates over the past 30 years, their skills acquired through that higher education, that should translate into better, and higher paying jobs, if that's the way you think, you would be wrong.
The share of workers with "good jobs" fell from 27.% in 1979 to 24.6% today, what happened to cause this "trend bucking" happening. It defied every economists logic, it threw everything that an economist had learned.
FLASH.....HIGHER EDUCATION DOES NOT MEAN HIGHER PAYCHECKS:
The United States at the present time is in a surprising time, at least for economists, on the one hand you have more potential workers with a higher education, and on the other hand, these book-worms and geeks are hard pressed to make a living wage, way harder then back in 1979.
It boils down to the fact that a vast majority of workers in the United States are having a tough time to make ends meet, and in many cases are just as mystified by the economy as economists. It's not supposed to be this way, a better education is supposed to equate into better job opportunities and a higher pay scale.
With the exception of the last half of the 1990's, a much greater emphasis was placed on controlling inflation then achieving full employment. These policies and decisions were rooted in politics and "according to some experts," are the explanation for the decline in the economy's ability to generate good jobs.
Some of the statistics released with the essay are startling and show exactly what is really going on with regards to paychecks and the earning power of the American worker. In 1979 19.7% of workers, in the 18 to 64 age range, had a college degree, in 2010, the same age groups has a 34.3% rate of college educated people.
The median age for workers in 1979 for workers 18 to 64 was 34 years old, in 2010 it was 41. Capital for work, in 1979 was 100% productivity, in 2010 the average work output for an employee was a whooping 151.4%, meaning through retirements, down sizing and work-load shifting, the average worker was producing over 50% more then in 1979.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PAY SCALE FOR WOMEN ARE BETTER.....RIGHT!
Actually the answer is no, women were so far down back in 1979, in working conditions, job opportunities and pay, any kind of change was an improvement. It still didn't get women into a slot where there were good jobs to be had.
Starting in 1979, for women, there has been an almost continuous growth, from 12.4% to the present 21.1% for women and good jobs. During this 30 year period, women were less likely then men to be in good jobs. The gender gap shrank steadily as the labor-market prospects generally improved for women.
CONCLUSIONS!
So, does this meandering blog give you a new insight into what the American work place has become, I hope so, but if it hasn't.....well, there's nothing that I can do about that. Economists approach their profession as one would a living, breathing person, complete with it's own individual personality, wants and desires, just like anyone of us.
It's much the same approach as politicians feel about corporations, you know, "aw look, isn't that a cute little corporation, let's call him corp. until he grows into an adult." Corporations are businesss' not living, breathing people, and as such do not, I repeat not afforded the same rights as people.
Simply put.....and you all know I'm for simple, the work-place has always been, is and will be a battle ground of competing forces, both actually driven by the same forces of nature.....greed, a better position, more money and more power.
Sure these are simple terms, like greed, position and power, but they hit the bull's eye every single time. Until we, as a people realize that business is not and never has been an agent to create more jobs, we will struggle. Until we understand that the bottom line mentality in industry is to make money.....any way possible, we will struggle. Until we quit depending on business to give benefits, "paid health insurance, holidays and vacation," we will struggle.
There are really few issues that we need to concern are selves with, and address, they are basic needs, they are needs that make common sense and can be used in approaching business with. Safety in the work area, one thing business does not want to lose is an experienced worker, especially in today's market of highly educated older workers.
It probably is the least expensive investment for business to make, it protects workers, management, and when a worker either retires, moves to another job or leaves the company, the safety mechanism is still in place and the initial cost to the company is over.
Safe working conditions means so much more then guards on a motor, sanded steps or railings, it also means workers do not have to worry about a co-employee going "postal." You'd be surprised at the number of work related fights, knifing and shootings that go on across America. So security has to be a part of any equation with regards to work-place safety.
Pay rates.....by far the most important issue for any employee can be a confusing and complicated issue. But remember....."my middle name is simple," and this word can also be used when it comes to individual pay scales. The power of the unions, at the present time is about 8% of all industry workers, no matter the job, the position, or the company. In 1979 unions were responsible for almost 34% of all workers in the United States, for their pay scales, vacation time, paid holidays pensions and health care insurance.
Worker skills have kept up with new technology in the work-place, so that argument by business cannot be used. If however that were the case, educated workers would be substantially payed higher wages and that's not true.
Actually what has happened is that the Federal Government has rescinded, or deregulated all sorts of rules that in the past has held in check what business is really about about in America.....money. Deregulations have hit several large industries, including trucking, airlines and telecommunication, and with each deregulation act, it has cost the worker.
A much greater emphasis has been placed on controlling inflation then achieving a fuller employment figure in the United States. It is my view that these deregulation policies, rooting in political gain are the main problem with generating more and better paying jobs. Without the deregulation, business would be much more aware of their employees wants, needs and desires.
The best way to control this runaway purge of business over employees is to cut off the helping hand at it's source, state capitals all over the country and the White House itself. Until we raise up as underpaid and under-appreciated individuals, things will remain the same. In addition we need to be more vigilant of government and their actions at all times. If we don't, we will be nothing more then some ignorant "crack pots," running around blowing opinionated air up somebodies skirt.
It boils down to the fact that a vast majority of workers in the United States are having a tough time to make ends meet, and in many cases are just as mystified by the economy as economists. It's not supposed to be this way, a better education is supposed to equate into better job opportunities and a higher pay scale.
With the exception of the last half of the 1990's, a much greater emphasis was placed on controlling inflation then achieving full employment. These policies and decisions were rooted in politics and "according to some experts," are the explanation for the decline in the economy's ability to generate good jobs.
Some of the statistics released with the essay are startling and show exactly what is really going on with regards to paychecks and the earning power of the American worker. In 1979 19.7% of workers, in the 18 to 64 age range, had a college degree, in 2010, the same age groups has a 34.3% rate of college educated people.
The median age for workers in 1979 for workers 18 to 64 was 34 years old, in 2010 it was 41. Capital for work, in 1979 was 100% productivity, in 2010 the average work output for an employee was a whooping 151.4%, meaning through retirements, down sizing and work-load shifting, the average worker was producing over 50% more then in 1979.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PAY SCALE FOR WOMEN ARE BETTER.....RIGHT!
Actually the answer is no, women were so far down back in 1979, in working conditions, job opportunities and pay, any kind of change was an improvement. It still didn't get women into a slot where there were good jobs to be had.
Starting in 1979, for women, there has been an almost continuous growth, from 12.4% to the present 21.1% for women and good jobs. During this 30 year period, women were less likely then men to be in good jobs. The gender gap shrank steadily as the labor-market prospects generally improved for women.
CONCLUSIONS!
So, does this meandering blog give you a new insight into what the American work place has become, I hope so, but if it hasn't.....well, there's nothing that I can do about that. Economists approach their profession as one would a living, breathing person, complete with it's own individual personality, wants and desires, just like anyone of us.
It's much the same approach as politicians feel about corporations, you know, "aw look, isn't that a cute little corporation, let's call him corp. until he grows into an adult." Corporations are businesss' not living, breathing people, and as such do not, I repeat not afforded the same rights as people.
Simply put.....and you all know I'm for simple, the work-place has always been, is and will be a battle ground of competing forces, both actually driven by the same forces of nature.....greed, a better position, more money and more power.
Sure these are simple terms, like greed, position and power, but they hit the bull's eye every single time. Until we, as a people realize that business is not and never has been an agent to create more jobs, we will struggle. Until we understand that the bottom line mentality in industry is to make money.....any way possible, we will struggle. Until we quit depending on business to give benefits, "paid health insurance, holidays and vacation," we will struggle.
There are really few issues that we need to concern are selves with, and address, they are basic needs, they are needs that make common sense and can be used in approaching business with. Safety in the work area, one thing business does not want to lose is an experienced worker, especially in today's market of highly educated older workers.
It probably is the least expensive investment for business to make, it protects workers, management, and when a worker either retires, moves to another job or leaves the company, the safety mechanism is still in place and the initial cost to the company is over.
Safe working conditions means so much more then guards on a motor, sanded steps or railings, it also means workers do not have to worry about a co-employee going "postal." You'd be surprised at the number of work related fights, knifing and shootings that go on across America. So security has to be a part of any equation with regards to work-place safety.
Pay rates.....by far the most important issue for any employee can be a confusing and complicated issue. But remember....."my middle name is simple," and this word can also be used when it comes to individual pay scales. The power of the unions, at the present time is about 8% of all industry workers, no matter the job, the position, or the company. In 1979 unions were responsible for almost 34% of all workers in the United States, for their pay scales, vacation time, paid holidays pensions and health care insurance.
Worker skills have kept up with new technology in the work-place, so that argument by business cannot be used. If however that were the case, educated workers would be substantially payed higher wages and that's not true.
Actually what has happened is that the Federal Government has rescinded, or deregulated all sorts of rules that in the past has held in check what business is really about about in America.....money. Deregulations have hit several large industries, including trucking, airlines and telecommunication, and with each deregulation act, it has cost the worker.
A much greater emphasis has been placed on controlling inflation then achieving a fuller employment figure in the United States. It is my view that these deregulation policies, rooting in political gain are the main problem with generating more and better paying jobs. Without the deregulation, business would be much more aware of their employees wants, needs and desires.
The best way to control this runaway purge of business over employees is to cut off the helping hand at it's source, state capitals all over the country and the White House itself. Until we raise up as underpaid and under-appreciated individuals, things will remain the same. In addition we need to be more vigilant of government and their actions at all times. If we don't, we will be nothing more then some ignorant "crack pots," running around blowing opinionated air up somebodies skirt.
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