More jobs lost

[deputydawg]

Just heard on the local news that the factory my mother works at is closed down cutting over 130 jobs including hers. She is in late 50's, counts on the job for both insurance and that paycheck. Been there for over 25 years, and has always worked factory production work. <br /><br />If anyone remembers back in about March dad's company also shut down his routes, so after over 40 years he too was out of work at age 61. <br /><br />Dad was lucky and found he had his choice of several jobs and found one he likes. <br />They both have enough to retire on, but not live the lifestyle they dreamed of when they retired. Also both counted on employer paid insurance. They don't have a lot of debt but enough that they need to work another few years to get free of it.<br /><br />Tell me again how good the economy is holding? She works in plastics, and supposedly the high price of plastic caused the shutdown. <br />Wishing I could help out but I am just now seeing the light after many down years myself. Be another 2 years before I have any extra pennies to spare.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: More jobs lost

According to the capitalistas this is a good thing <br /><br />The more american factories that close down/ lay-off is proof of the great economy.<br /><br />I guess plastic costs less in china because everything from over there is made from plastic. How do your folks feel about rice?<br /><br />Sorry to hear your bad news

 

[bootle]

Re: More jobs lost

Here goes 4,500 more unlucky buggers <br /><br /> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4758625.stm

 

[javsam]

Re: More jobs lost

the best advice I can offer is to vote the political encumbents out of office.<br />javsam

 

[rodbolt]

Re: More jobs lost

Darth is such a Doom sayer <br /> the topic of that article should have been 1500 JOBS CREATED.

 

[JB]

Re: More jobs lost

Things change. When they change the demand for some kinds of skills decreases and for other kinds of skills increases. That is how our economy grows.<br /><br />Fact of life.<br /><br />Been there. Got "obsoleted" and therefore became redundant four times in my career. Learned new, in demand, skills and started over. If I had the foresight I would have been ahead of the curve rather than behind it. Therefore I never felt like a victim, except of my own lack of foresight.<br /><br />Fifties or sixties is not sacred. I earned two degrees in my 40s and 50s and got my Ph.D. at 60. The only thing that made me different was that I took responsibility for my situation and resolved it myself.<br /><br />It is not the politicians fault, unless you want them to freeze our country and let the rest of the world pass us by, just like I let the High Tech world pass me by several times. What was I to do, demand that congress outlaw transistors, then integrated circuits, then microprocessors?<br /><br />The best thing you can do for your parents is erase the victim feeling and get them to forget about the Government being responsible. They have all the resources they need to do what they decide to do. It is not the government's responsibility that it happened and it is not the government's responsibility to fix it.

 

[txswinner]

Re: More jobs lost

You got to be a total idiot not to see that our economy is headed to the bottom if not already there. If you like the war, the economy and our position in the world you should support the W administration, if not we must make changes immediately. <br /><br />The country has been controled by the Republican right both exec and legislative for 6 years and our countries present condition is there whether you think all is great or if we are in the dumps.

 

[txswinner]

Re: More jobs lost

Thought you said you were a school teacher JB.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: More jobs lost

You don't get it tx. If something good happens (like high stock returns) it's to W's credit. If something bad happens (like massive job losses) it's not W's fault.

 

[don flowers]

Re: More jobs lost

I could not have said it better. Received my first degree at 43. I'm now ahead of the curve and intend to stay there. It's hard to stay ahead of "the curve" but if you don't technology will pass you by. That's just business.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: More jobs lost

Good thing we didn't blame all the workers for being stupid and lazy during/after the Great Depression. Sounds like we needed more smart guys like don and JB around to straighten everybody out.

 

[treedancer]

Re: More jobs lost

Ya just because your parents lot their job don’t mean you can’t stay the course. Of course if you need medical care just go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Wonder if JB would be saying the same tough love if both of his parents lost their job?

 

[heycods]

Re: More jobs lost

A job loss and loss of insurance 6 years ago and I would be out on the street, ya they sure got my sympathy, I have friends that work at the local convience store because it has insurance bennys, the pay is a pittance but the insurance is a must. One works for insurance while spouse works to pay the bills. sad but true.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: More jobs lost

I agree that it sucks. The disp[laced workers needing to move on and not fall on the "victim" status is true, but it didn't need to be said like that. I'm doing ok for myself, but I could just as well be broke tomorrow. It only takes one time to screw someone for life, and they don't have much time to recover at their age. Best of luck to them DD.

 

[ztim]

Re: More jobs lost

Too bad most local convenience stores are part time in order to not pay bennys. You can work up to 39 hours but not 40.<br /><br />I disagree with JB. It is good for him getting the degrees later in life. I did too. Big deal. It is bad that anyone should "have to" pick up and start all over again because the bennys are not retroactive including retirement. That is unless you work for Uncle Sam.<br /><br />You work all your adult life to reach the brass ring only to have it snatched at the last moment. That's the U.S. for now...or should I say NAFTA?

 

[DJ]

Re: More jobs lost

Jobs lost, look in the mirror. Look at the names of the products, in your house/driveway. Go figure.<br /><br />I agree with JB, however. Things do change. There is NO GUARENTEE printed on your birth certificate.

 

[heycods]

Re: More jobs lost

I buy american when possible, its getting harder and harder to do, the products just aint there any more. I will admit to having a weakness for canadian GM pickups of which I have 1 but I have 2 American Fords

 

[PierBridge]

Re: More jobs lost

Originally posted by JB:<br /> Things change. When they change the demand for some kinds of skills decreases and for other kinds of skills increases. That is how our economy grows.<br /><br />Fact of life.<br /><br />Been there. Got "obsoleted" and therefore became redundant four times in my career. Learned new, in demand, skills and started over. If I had the foresight I would have been ahead of the curve rather than behind it. Therefore I never felt like a victim, except of my own lack of foresight.<br /><br />Fifties or sixties is not sacred. I earned two degrees in my 40s and 50s and got my Ph.D. at 60. The only thing that made me different was that I took responsibility for my situation and resolved it myself.<br /><br />It is not the politicians fault, unless you want them to freeze our country and let the rest of the world pass us by, just like I let the High Tech world pass me by several times. What was I to do, demand that congress outlaw transistors, then integrated circuits, then microprocessors?<br /><br />The best thing you can do for your parents is erase the victim feeling and get them to forget about the Government being responsible. They have all the resources they need to do what they decide to do. It is not the government's responsibility that it happened and it is not the government's responsibility to fix it.

Well said JB I know you'll get over the insults directed at you.<br /><br />deputydawg your parents are true Americans and will find a way......I wish them luck.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: More jobs lost

I agree with DJ...<br />You are a bunch of whining whiners!<br />Quit it!<br />However, if you are under 25 I have a job for U...<br />Requires some travel though.... ....JK<br />& You do not have to sell cars (or used ones either!)

 

[ztim]

Re: More jobs lost

Hey PierBridge, I have not read one insult directed at JB. Just because someone might disagree on a specific point, dosn't mean it is an insult.