Posted on 01/26/2009 10:01:29 AM PST by Lorianne
The stimulus plan will create jobs repairing and upgrading the nation's roads, bridges, ports, levees, water and sewage system, public-transit systems, electricity grid, and schools. And it will kick-start alternative, non-fossil based sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and so on); new health-care information systems; and universal broadband Internet access.
It's a two-fer: lots of new jobs, and investments in the nation's future productivity.
But if there aren't enough skilled professionals to do the jobs involving new technologies, the stimulus will just increase the wages of the professionals who already have the right skills rather than generate many new jobs in these fields. And if construction jobs go mainly to white males who already dominate the construction trades, many people who need jobs the most -- women, minorities, and the poor and long-term unemployed -- will be shut out.
What to do? There's no easy solution to either dilemma. But there's no reason to think about "green jobs" as simply high-tech. Many low-income and low-skilled workers -- women as well as men -- could be put directly to work providing homes and businesses with more efficient and renewable heating, lighting, cooling, and refrigeration systems; installing solar panels and efficient photovoltaic systems; rehabilitating and renovating old properties, and improving recycling systems. "Green Jobs Corps" teams could be trained to evaluate and advise homeowners and businesses on these and other means of conserving energy.
People can be trained relatively quickly for these sorts of jobs, as well as many infrastructure j0bs generated by the stimulus -- installing new pipes for water and sewage systems, repairing and upgrading equipment, basic construction -- but contractors have to be nudged both to provide the training and to do the hiring.
I'd suggest that all contracts entered into with stimulus funds require contractors to provide at least 20 percent of jobs to the long-term unemployed and to people withincomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. And at least 2 percent of project funds should be allocated to such training. In addition, advantage should be taken of buildings trades apprenticeships -- wich must be fully available to women and minorities.
White Male Construction workers are killed on the job more than any other demographic.
Simply. Unbelievable.
I suggest he be forced to have 20% of his blog speeches and anything else he does done by the unemployed.
Can’t come out any dumber than his own stuff.....
We are being governed by a bunch of racists.
So really...what They are describing is a form of Reperations for the Brown man.
If you look at the Obama Stimulus plan from the standpoint of reperations, it makes much more sense
Yes, we need people with the wrong skills to build highways, bridges and energy infrastructure.
“many people who need jobs the most — women, minorities, and the poor and long-term unemployed”
And their incentive is...?
Yeah, there ya go Bob, don’t make people LEARN a trade and apply it—hell, no! Just give them the money!
I’d suggest that all contracts entered into with stimulus funds require contractors to provide at least 20 percent of jobs to the long-term unemployed and to people withincomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. And at least 2 percent of project funds should be allocated to such training. In addition, advantage should be taken of buildings trades apprenticeships — wich must be fully available to women and minorities.
Robert, you mental midget, this is the exact same mindset that drives what is misnomered “affordable housing”. Your insanity is a mirror of Barney Frank, and Christopher Dodd.
As unbelievable as Reich’s comments are, what really leaves me gasping for air is the comments by Charles Rangel. He stated in the same video that, essentially, we middle class white folks are going to get a screwing and we’ll be so busy with making ends meet and fussing with the kids that we won’t notice.
“Green Jobs Teams” are going to advise homeowners? Is this manditory? Will they need a warrant to enter my home? Are we “partners” now? Will the Crosses be coming down off the walls? Check the fridge for transfats?
The man is a little person but a very BIG moron
May we all be taught to sing his praises...our blevoed new leader. [/dripping sarcasm]
Watch this...
SINGING PRAISES TO THE NEW BELOVED LEADER - YOU TUBE
and then this...
HYMNS TO THE NEW BELOVED LEADER ARE NOT THE FIRST TIME - YOUTRUBE
...and finally, this:
THIS IS WHERE IT LEADS - NOW IS THEIR TIME AND TOMORROW BELONGS TO THEM
THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IN HIS OWN WORDS
THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA'S UPBRINGING
My skilled professional job is moving to India this year. And Microsoft (which is having its first major layoff) for years pushed for more HB-1 visas for foreign engineers to come work in America below market wages.
What about my job?
My investment (time/money) in a degree is not paying off. The corporations are outsourcing and I am expected to work for 12 more companies before “retirement”. That is no way to work up a good benefits package or even protected health coverage.
We are told about “fair trade coffee” but those same libs don’t give a crap about “fair trade computer services”.
“Many low-income and low-skilled workers — women as well as men — could be put directly to work providing homes and businesses with more efficient and renewable heating, lighting, cooling, and refrigeration systems; installing solar panels and efficient photovoltaic systems; rehabilitating and renovating old properties, and improving recycling systems.”
Right, and right after they leave you can call the “white males who already dominate the construction trades” to come fix the problem the right way, pay twice for the same work, and really stimulate the economy.
Sounds like one of Pol Pots’ schemes. I am not so sure people can be quickly trained to do HVAC work and install solar panels.
This poor dumb pint-sized putz seems to think that going into homes and changing out lighting, HVAC and plumbing lines and fixtures is “low or semi-skilled” work. Tell you what, Little Bobby, you run on down to the homeless shelter and load up some of those folks to come work in your house, OK? Just let them know whether you want hot or cold water to come out of those electrical outlets.
Agreed. I saw that also. Of course, the same middle class white folks could always follow his lead and not pay taxes :o).
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