Replies

I've been following this thread with great interest over the past few days. Unfortunately many of the libertarian freepers have not addressed certain issues that I believe are critical if Bush is to be re-elected. Although their responses overall seem to hold many truths, they just aren't dealing with the reality many on this thread (and in this country) are facing today.

In a utopian world we all would have seen and prepared for what is occurring. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of Americans have not; that makes it a problem. Outsourcing of jobs is an issue; it will continue to increase dramatically in the years to come. Many more people over the next decade will lose their job or find it very difficult to find jobs in their area of expertise. Although lay-offs are not unique to today's generation of workers; the trend of off-shoring highly skilled, highly paid white collar jobs is.

I hear a lot of debate on what our economic policy should be as we move forward. However, I haven't heard much about what we should do today to address the problem of displaced workers. Actually that's not true. There have been comments such as "start your own business" and "get a job at McDonalds". These answers don't fit with today's reality.

Most of those on this thread who are facing very difficult times are hard working and highly motivated people who don't want the government taking care of them. But unlike a very small minority, they where not prepared for the situations they see themselves in now.

The reality is they want to work, they will bust their asses, they will give it everything they got to make it, and they don't want to be coddled by government. Unfortunately, they can't make it on a McDonalds salary, they can't risk gambling all their assets on starting a new business (that statistics dictate will probably fail, most do) when they have a family to clothe and feed. What do you say to them, "sorry you made a bad decision in life, that's not my responsibility" . If so, that's pathetic. The answer should involve addressing the current problem, as well as, navigating a future course that all Americans should be prepared to face and deal with.

Having Bush lie to the naive electorate to get re-elected to keep the status-quo is not the answer either. Having everyone start a new business is not the answer, learn to be happy and poor is not the answer. We are America, we are better than that. Reality dictates America and its citizenry need a lot good paying corporate jobs be made available on our shores.

I've also noticed a condescending tone when it has been stated: "it's for the children". Well I hate to break it to ya all, it sure is for our children. If this is the future they are to inherit, we better start preparing them to face this reality, because we sure as hell ain't doing it now. The days of having a single career for a lifetime seem to be over for many of us; the ability to move from career to career looks more and more like it will be the norm going forward.

Feel free to flame away, but I'd rather you address how a recently "displaced" tech worker with three kids, a wife, a mortgage, and medical bills is supposed survive when the skills he has are no longer needed in Corporate America. That is the reality of today's displaced American white collar worker (it's actually far better picture than reality). Try to be realistic in your responses, start your own business or work at McDonalds isn't.

Keep in mind these are the people that may be pivotal in re-electing Bush. Adding more to this group only serves increase the lefts chances of unseating him. Afterall, wasn't this the point of the thread to begin with.

In a utopian world we all would have seen and prepared for what is occurring. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of Americans have not; that makes it a problem.

Then the satirical tale of the ant and the grasshopper (the one where Kermit sings "It Isn't Easy Being Green" on the Oprah Winfrey Show) becomes reality.

Feel free to flame away, but I'd rather you address how a recently "displaced" tech worker with three kids, a wife, a mortgage, and medical bills is supposed survive when the skills he has are no longer needed in Corporate America.

The same way I did the times I was fired.

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

Your #1189 may have been the best post on the entire thread (the one that Constitution Day made me start ;-)

Americans have always prospered by adapting; This is just another adjustment, even if a painful one. But all we Americans want is a level playing field.

All we want is tariff parity with countries like China. Don't slap 75% duties on our goods and services when we let your 500Lb. cast-iron bathtubs into our country for free.

All we want is to be able to compete under the same rules as everybody else.

Memo to President Bush: Roll back the federal behemoth and all it's "hoards of officials sent to eat out our substance". Our air and water is cleaner than every other country on earth. So let's declare that the Clean Water/Air Acts have been a success and are therefore no longer needed. Turn all that over to the States where it rightfully belonged in the first place.

Unchain the powerhouse that once was America and could be again. Otherwise, you're going to be a one-term president.