In a small town, workers question the future after factory shutdowns

Access North Georgia ^ | August 9 , 2003 | The Associated Press

[syriacus]

Plenty of jobs would be unlikely to be transported out of the country. Some of them don't even require a college degree.

Medical doctors, optometrists, auto mechanics, receptionists, dental hygienists, plumbers, electricians, etc, etc, etc , are usually in the same country as their clients/patients/customers.

My guess is that Democrats are worried that, if US factories lose work, then US unions will lose members. (I realize this article mentions that Intermetro workers were not unionized). Or maybe the Democrats are hoping to convince workers that unionizing will save their jobs.

Fewer factory jobs = Fewer unions = Less money and influence for Democrats

The workers can get other jobs.
But the Democrats can't afford to lose their cash cow.

[Willie Green]

Fewer factory jobs = Fewer unions = Less money and influence for Democrats

I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with the facts:
Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by occupation and industry

The truth is, only 15% of factory workers are represented by organized labor.
In contrast, over 40% of government workers are unionized.

By repeating this misinformation about manufacturing sector employees, you stand guilty of enabling the expansion of government employee unions and their BS socialist programs to "help". Please straighten out your act.

[ohmage]

it's super easy to blame it all on chicom/wto/globalists/elvis

Yes, it is. Especially when you don't read or hear in the news about meetings taking place where plans such as these are made...

From COA

The president has also announced an effort to pursue a free trade agreement with the nations of Central America. Success here will further strengthen our economic ties with those countries, and reinforce the great economic and political progress they've made over the last decade. Free trade with Central America will also move us toward an even broader aim -- a Free Trade Area of the Americas, up and running by January of 2005. The president is strongly committed to this goal, and all of our trade efforts are pointed in this direction.

The free trade zone we seek would facilitate commerce among nations with a combined GDP exceeding ten trillion dollars, and lift the lives of more than 800 million people. Later this year, the United States and Brazil will assume co-chairmanship of trade negotiations at the hemispheric level. We look forward to the partnership, to the important work ahead, and to the great opportunities in store for all the democracies of this region.

I can't wait to see where the 800 million people whose lives are going to be lifted live.

[syriacus]

I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with the facts:

Nice facts...but not what I was talking about.

Until you can tell me that unions won't lose membership if factories close, I haven't misrepresented anything.

[Willie Green]

Nice facts...but not what I was talking about.

When confronted with facts, "deny, deny, deny".
Very Klintonian of you.

[austinTparty]

See, there's the difference. Don't need central heat in Mexico. They can produce these products more efficiently. Just like the coal miners in England under Thatcher who wanted their jobs protected, even though there was no more coal in the mine. You do not have a RIGHT to keep the same job your whole life. We would never have moved to cars from horse and carriage if you protectionist types had your way. Protect every industry and you have economic and innovative stagnation. There's no incentive to build a better product without competition.

If you folks insist on the government spending money on something, better to spend it on re-training for workers rather than protectionism. Give a man a fish, or teach him how---the latter is far preferable.

Your screen nick is a misnomer. You're hardly an "enemy of the state" if you want the State to control production and the economy. Try StatesBestFriend.

[austinTparty]

Obviously, he was so right about everything else, he had to be right about this, too.

[syriacus]

When confronted with facts, "deny, deny, deny". Very Klintonian of you..

Not at all....

But, I'm sure that even the Klintonian Democrats are smart enough to know what I am writing about.

Those poor, pitiful Democrats need all the votes they can get.

They certainly are losing a lot of their former supporters.

[syriacus]

If you folks insist on the government spending money on something, better to spend it on re-training for workers rather than protectionism. Give a man a fish, or teach him how---the latter is far preferable.

We can always hope that most Americans will, eventually, realize this is true.

[riri]

Actually, the white collar workers are being displaced now. I would bet the vast majority of them were Republican voters. Or the guy who worked really hard to send his son to college who is in his fourth year studying engineering--only to find out he'll be working at Starbucks. Yeah, they'll all be voting for Bush.

[varon]

The days are gone when an unskilled worker or even semi-skilled worker can count on a decent job in the US.

A point well made but difficult to accept.

Why is it that so many millions and more on the way, illegal immigrants without education, language or work skills manage to thrive?

[varon]

It's getting so that in the U.S. of A. we are no longer manufacturing anything nor are we repairing anything in this throw-away society.

We are fast becoming a nation of free-lance consultants and crisis counselors ;-)

[syriacus]

Actually, the white collar workers are being displaced now.

Which is exactly why I didn't suggest just any old "white collar" jobs up above in post 41.

Instead, I wrote:

Plenty of jobs would be unlikely to be transported out of the country. Some of them don't even require a college degree.

Medical doctors, optometrists, auto mechanics, receptionists, dental hygienists, [independent] plumbers and electricians, etc, etc, etc , are usually in the same country as their clients/patients/customers.

People who are sharp enough to read the handwriting on the wall are thinking about going into jobs that will remain in demand here.

[philetus]

"Free trade" is making the polititians, the bankers, the
stockholders, and the VIPs richer.

None of them give a sh*t what it does to American or Americans.

[Blessed]

I was simply asking a question. And, having recently moved to the South myself, I can personally testify that "anti-Catholic back-woods hicks" most certainly still exist. It's been somewhat of an eye-opener for me.

Why don't you contact the parish in Douglas or Alma or Waycross and see if they think the neighbors they grew up with are "anti-Catholic backwoods hicks". Contrary to northern thought all civilization did not arrive in the south with you damn yankees.The RC church has been here from the beginning. Where do you think they got Voodoo in Savannah and New Orleans. Remember Scarlet O'Hara was Catholic.

[independentmind]

I do not think that all Southerners are uncivilized. In fact, they are usually better mannered than most "Yankees."

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

There are plenty of FReepers who would fit right in at a Workers Union of the World meeting, that's for sure.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Interesting comments. I would like to hear about these unfair agreements we are in with other countries. As far as I knew, we also had some protectionist policies.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

You have to admit that I pegged you based on your little comment. It's pretty obvious where your bias lies. I'm glad it's been an eye opener. That's not necessarily such a bad thing for you.

[independentmind]

Pegged me, huh? I seriously doubt that, but have a nice evening.