George Mason economist has idea to create millions of blue-collar jobs for men

The College Fix ^ | January 20, 2023 | William Benson

[ChipMarne]

A college professor believes that he has a solution to put men without college degrees back to work in blue-collar jobs – particularly those who “feel out-of-place in the modern service economy.”

Professor Bryan Caplan, a George Mason University economist, wants to see a deregulation of the building and construction industry, which he argues will boost job opportunities for men without college degrees without requiring massive government subsidies.

He laid out his ideas in a Substack article and provided further commentary to The College Fix via email. Caplan regularly writes and talks on the problems in the housing industry and how deregulation would help Americans.

“What makes me so sure that housing deregulation would be great for non-college males?” Caplan wrote. “Because non-college males build almost all our housing! Over 80% of all construction jobs are non-college already – and almost 90% are male,” he said, citing statistics from the Department of Labor.

[BenLurkin]

“By removing government regulations”

Always a good idea.

[john drake]

And what becomes of all the illegal aliens who’ve been working in the construction trades for decades and kept wages lower?

[Rurudyne]

Why, MORE illegal aliens will join them.

[john drake]

Exactly.

[Sacajaweau]

Teach them to code...

[Sacajaweau]

More apprentice type programs for kids...no college necessary. Hands on..and you start at the bottom...as it should be.

[central_va]

Yes, white males will be the slaves of the woke USA. How great.

[mythenjoseph]

I have been in the trades for over 30 years,if they simply enforced immigration laws our trades would be filled by American males...illegals get caught sent back and come right back over...no enforcement cut throat bidding and lack of entry level trade jobs for young males.

[lightman]

Why should college kids be the only ones to receive “good student discounts” on insurance?

[Mark17]

A college professor believes that he has a solution to put men without college degrees back to work in blue-collar jobs – particularly those who “feel out-of-place in the modern service economy.”

Wouldn’t the scum sucking libtards, normally call this toxic masculinity?

[Sacajaweau]

He’s not eliminating anyone else. Just saying these kids in college...who are not under their parents policies need help. At least they’re in school...

[Brian Griffin]

Most building regulations are privately authored and adopted by governments.

To buy the books needed to sit the Florida general contractor exam costs about $3000.

These books are copyrighted.

[Brian Griffin]

I want a tongue & groove lanai ceiling.

I’m still not sure it is legal.

[nathanbedford]

“The radical housing deregulation I champion could easily double the size of the construction industry for decades.

Good God!

Fewer height limitations, more multi-family, lower minimum lot sizes, shorter delays, are some of the regulations that could be removed to increase construction activity.

Anyone who has witnessed any part of the destruction of South Florida in a greedy and corrupt attempt to pave the Everglades from Fort Lauderdale to Naples knows that the failure of regulations has led to a demographic and quality-of-life disaster.

The idea that we need more housing, jammed closer together, under weaker building codes for more people is a disgusting thought. We need fewer houses for fewer people. Stop immigration discourage, overpopulation! Upgrade don't downgrade.

The population of the United States has more than doubled in my lifetime, enough already!

[Brian Griffin]

I signed up for county water.

I haven’t done any physical connection work but got a letter saying I need to have a certified backflow device by March 15th by a licensed plumber.

Actually, I believe a licensed plumber with special certification, which has to be renewed every three years I believe.

Of course one would think that three years of backflow device inspecting and testing would make one quite skilled in the art.

And I recollect reading that the Florida Administrative Code requires major backflow device work after ten years.

I still haven’t picked out a backflow device from the 684-page list that the Cross-Connect Foundation kindly put online.

All my neighbor’s devices are not ‘lead-free’. Beware of buying a device only suitable for irrigation system use, which is required.

[Brian Griffin]

I’m still collecting measurements to make up a site plan.

I believe two copies of the site plan plus two copies of the plans for the actual work have to submitted.

Orange County has a submission guide.

[Brian Griffin]

Backflow devices have to be placed to avoid submersion, so yes they do have to stick up out of the ground here in Florida.

[Brian Griffin]

And you need a full-flow valve at both the water meter and the entry point to the house.

I have yet to find a ‘lead-free’ hose compatible valve.

And don’t forget the vacumn breakers on those hose connections. And do not place a shut-off valve after a vacumn breaker.

[Brian Griffin]

My roof is nearing the end of its life.

If I lived in California I believe I would need heat reflective shingles.