Where the Good Jobs Are Going

Time Canada ^ | August 4, 2003 | Jyoti Thottam

[Question_Assumptions]

I would simply point out that many Japanese live exactly as you do. The Japanese save incredible amounts of money and (not least of which because unsecured personal loans are very difficult to get) have very little debt. But that has only gotten Japan into a recession that has lasted for more than a decade and now deflation, that eats into all of those savings. The Japanese government was giving out retail certificates (that you had to spend) instead of tax cuts to get people to spend money and they wouldn't do it.

When your manufacturing jobs leave, and your skilled labor jobs leave, the only thing left is luxury items, services, and consumption. If you don't have that, you can't drive an economy that doesn't have enough manufacturing jobs. That leads to deflation, which the Japanese are experiencing right now. Remember the Japanese miracle of the 1980s? It's the nightmare of the 1990s. And savings and lack of debt have not been the answer there. Of course even protectionism isn't really helping them.

[searchandrecovery]

When you start training a bunch of new people... start looking for a new job.

Anyone I've seen is "we'd like everyone to submit a copy of their updated resume's - just for the record". Geez, start looking immediately.

[KneelBeforeZod]

As much as I'm sure the movie is relived on FR...American Beauty had an interesting bit of dialogue when Kevin Spacey meets the efficency expert (layoff guy) to go over his self-written job assesment/description.

not really fit to be posted here though.

[Last Visible Dog]

That's not it at all. Take nothing for granted. And I have picked up a few clues along the way. Best of luck to you.

Well, I consider this a very serious issue and your off-hand flippant borderline arrogant comments do lead one to the possible conclusion of at least semi-cluelessness. Maybe I am going overboard a bit in my response but your remarks really seem to grossly oversimplify the situation.

I have liberal friends that constantly tell me Conservatism is merely survival of the fittest – kill or be killed – eat or be eaten. I always objected to the categorization but people like Huck make me wonder if they might be onto something.

[Last Visible Dog]

Huck, I suggest you give it up. You're trying to carry on a debate with a group of people who represent the Dems' next labor constituency.

You might want to see a doctor about that jerking knee.

[Last Visible Dog]

As much as I'm sure the movie is relived on FR...American Beauty had an interesting bit of dialogue when Kevin Spacey meets the efficency expert (layoff guy) to go over his self-written job assesment/description. not really fit to be posted here though.

I think "Office Space" is another good example.

[KneelBeforeZod]

yeah, I totally forgot to put in office space, and I had been thinking of it.

and I meant to say American Beauty is reviled, not reLIVED on FR... a LOT of foul language in that movie.

[Huck]

I have liberal friends that constantly tell me Conservatism is merely survival of the fittest – kill or be killed – eat or be eaten. I always objected to the categorization but people like Huck make me wonder if they might be onto something.

They have conservatism confused with free market capitalism.

[Huck]

I think "Office Space" is another good example.

Great movie. Changed my life.

[searchandrecovery]

"American Beauty" you say? Haven't seen it, but it sounds like a flick about hot chicks! Blockbuster Video, I am so there this weekend! Thanks for the tip.

[searchandrecovery]

...eat or be eaten.

Firesign Theatre fan?

[A. Pole]

If the missus takes a job, then the kids may need daycare

Free traders have simple answer for this - if Americans cannot afford to have children they should leave procreating to Mexicans and Indians who can do it more efficiently. Free market rules require this.

[waterstraat]

Outsource the executives!

Sooner or later they will. Sooner or later, the companies in china and india, will figure out that the plant and equipment are in India/china, all the workers are in India/china, so why do they need american executives at all? or why do they need an american name on their products at all? When the exuctives and the stockholders find out that the indians and chinese dont need them, the executives and stock holders will have their day too.

[clamper1797]

Georgie Tirebitter ... he's a spy and a girl delighter.

[need_a_screen_name]

No, Microsoft said that they would add 4000-5000 jobs with about 3500 of these within the US.

I don't think Microsoft has 3,000,000 employees.

You are right, it was IBM I was thinking of.

IBM wants to shift 3 million (white collar) jobs overseas

[Doctor Stochastic]

Funny article. IBM only has 316,000 jobs worldwide.

[SouthParkRepublican]

”Heck, I don't think a retail place would take me as they know I'll take off at the first hint of a better paying job.”

You are right on the money with this. My wife (4 year degree – 10 years of work experience in her field) was unable to get full time employment at any retail chain. They don’t want to invest the money in hiring someone full time who could up and quit at any time. Best she could do was get part time (35-39 hours).

It’s funny in a sad sort of way. She still keeps in touch with all the people she used to work with. One of them was an asset manager – he’s working in a sandwich shop and driving a limo at night. Another was a systems engineer – he’s selling cell phones in a pavilion at his local mall. The only ones who seemed to find work at the same level were the secretaries.

Can you imagine what it’s going to be like for kids coming out of college with degrees in computer science and programming?

[searchandrecovery]

Georgie Tirebitter ... he's a spy and a girl delighter.

First, sorry for the late reply - handling a physical problem (pinched nerve in neck - painful). That having been said...

Yea, but still, he's just a student like you.

[samuel_adams_us]

Either that or mistrain them, make them into complete screwups.