McJobs mistake / Sorry, but burger flipping isn't manufacturing

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Saturday, March 13, 2004 | Editorial

[Willie Green]

Since George W. Bush became president the economy has lost 2.8 million factory jobs, but his administration is floating an idea that could dramatically boost manufacturing jobs overnight. It sounds too good to be true. And it is.

The presidential proposition wouldn't actually create any new jobs but would reclassify them and thereby swell job statistics in a declining sector of the economy. Poof! Problem solved.

[valkyrieanne]

How to Lie with Statistics.

[1rudeboy]

The presidential proposition . . .

Those editors sure are good with them words [sic].

[Moonman62]

All jobs are service jobs. Employees provide a service to their employers, which has a market value. Judging jobs by the nature of their output is a marxist concept.

[DoughtyOne]

I heard this the other day on John and Ken. Willie, if we only knew the truth of it, I'll bet this tactic has been used broadly in the last ten years. There's simply no way the manufacturing numbers are not being misrepresented. They actually show an increase in numbers. If anyone is buying that, I've got some great Florida bottom-land I'd love to move.

[DoughtyOne]

So watching economic sectors (job existance) is now Marxist? Thanks for the humor.

[Happy2BMe]

"Since George W. Bush became president the economy has lost 2.8 million factory jobs, but his administration is floating an idea that could dramatically boost manufacturing jobs overnight. It sounds too good to be true. And it is."

There's that word again - JOBS.

[TomGuy]

There's simply no way the manufacturing numbers are not being misrepresented. They actually show an increase in numbers. If anyone is buying that, I've got some great Florida bottom-land I'd love to move.

Statements of conjecture without evidence or numbers are misrepresentations, too.

'They actually show an increase in number.' Your link to that substantiate that is where?

[Yasotay]

I will always remember Bush saying on "Cinco de Mayo" that he only wants "gooderer" service jobs in America .....

[mountaineer]

Those "burger flippers" require manufactured products in order to do their jobs, from spatulas to ketchup, ice cream cones to paper bags. Their jobs are only one tiny part of the total economic and employment picture that is the so-called "service" industry. Every McDonald's is furnished with carpet, chairs, tables, flooring, lighting, etc., largely manufactured in the USA, installed by American skilled workers, regularly cleaned and maintained using US-manufactured products, e.g., vacuum cleaners, mops, soaps, etc. I find it curious that the poor ol' burger flipper's job is so maligned and its importance to the "big picture" so discounted.

[DoughtyOne]

Heh heh heh, nice try Tom. I don't have to provide links to make a comment on this forum and welcome you thinking I'm not accurate if you like. Thanks for playing.

[Chi-townChief]

I had a poster (from Modern Material Handling or Production Magazine, I think) about twenty-five years ago on my wall at work that showed a Big Mac and asked "Is this the future of American manufacturing?" I don't know what I did with it and wish I could find it.

[Moonman62]

You can watch all you want. As to whether burger flippers are manufacturers makes no difference whatsoever in a market economy. Drawing attention to the issue by GWB is a big political mistake that is sure to draw the ire of the hammer and sickle crowd.

[TomGuy]

I don't have to provide links to make a comment on this forum and welcome you thinking I'm not accurate if you like.

Are you sure you aren't John Kerry, lurking?????

[irv]

"When a fast-food restaurant sells a hamburger, for example," the report asks, "is it providing a 'service' or is it combining inputs to 'manufacture a product?' "

Actually, when you put it that way, it sort of makes sense. And in a world where a jar of urine with a crucifix floating in it is classified as art, why shouldn't we classify fast food as manufacturing?

[petercooper]

and yet the unemployment rate remains 5.6%

[Tricorn]

I've heard all about these burger-flipping jobs. Here's my question, though: Doesn't somebody have to buy the burger? Who are the burger-flippers selling burgers to -- other burger-flippers?

[DoughtyOne]

Did you think you first post didn't convey your message well enough? It must be sad to be so unsure of yourself.