It is not free trade that plagues us. It is not low paying jobs. It is the lack of will of Americans to educate themselves in new career fields. George Bush had it right all long in the debates when he spoke of education being the key to evolving the jobs market, and America. But, people expect the government to hand jobs to them. This is NOT the Soviet Union. "Every man, according to his ability."
Conservatives expect a business-friendly domestic economic environment that generates employment opportunities.
The Bush Administration's priorities don't address that expectation.
The administration has left federal regulatory burdens in place while undermining our economic efforts with imported goods and labor. It is a form of economic tyranny being waged against the American Middle Class for the benefit of transnational corporate interests.
It's not so much lack of will --- and obviously going to college forever is a wonderful idea --- but many people are working 50-60 hours, they're trying to get bills paid, kids raised, maintain their homes, enjoy a little of their lives --- finding 20-30 hours a week to attend classes and study isn't as easy it might sound for everyone to do.
No one expect that --- but the government involving itself in every kind of 30,000 "free trade" or NAFTA deal it can arrange is far from handing jobs to Americans --- that's intentionally pulling jobs out from under Americans.
I did just that in my thirties. Now that I am in my fifties, I no longer have the physical stamina to work and go back to college again, nor the money. While Bush touts education, getting that education has become more expensive and out of reach for more and more people.
Having to retool for a new career while supporting and caring for a family is pretty near an impossible task.
I fear that it is the countries that are willing to make investments in its people that will prosper while those that do not will fall further and further behind.
So the half of American workers with IQ's of 100 or below simply get their masters degrees from MIT and problem solved?
Yeah right. Let's get those former motor/generator assemblers into their new careers as cardio-vascular surgeons.
The article SPECIFICALLY mentioned economic 'dream-theorists.' Evidently you are one of them.
Hold on a second, you seem to be ignoring one thing....age. What are 40+ year olds going to reeducate themselves to, computer jobs? First off, the pay for entry level jobs (even with all the education in the world and no experience you will get entry level) are not the great paying. Also, there is a stigma with the technology sector that they look at people over say 35 as being out of touch with technology and so they are less likely to get hired. Plus a lot of the jobs they can hire H1 & L1 visa holders for less than a citizen would get paid or they can outsource.
What jobs can't be outsourced, service jobs which are generally the lowest paying jobs (even in the IT field). Of course those jobs can be filled by the visa holders to keep the cost down.