Well Matt, You have been too long-winded for me ...

2011-10-31T00:29:30.396-04:00

Well Matt,

You have been too long-winded for me to even attempt a response on what was posted. But I will try...

I have enjoyed the spirited conversations that we have had on this bog - and on Facebook (which I believe is the reason that this and all blogs have been rendered useless). But thanks to FB, we will continue those in the future...

As for the OWS movement. You and I will greatly disagree (and possibly agree) on many of the aspects and persons involved with this hipster movement. I for one truly think that these are nothing more than a bunch of kids from the 'Whine-me?" generation. Many are college kids (or recent college grads) that are looking for a position that is no longer needed in in this world.

I look to my wife for reference... a Graduate of Social Sciences, yet now makes more than twice that of the average social worker her age - and she LOVES her job as an accountant. (By the way, CH Robinson is looking to INCREASE her dept).

The problem with our current Undergrads is not the amount of unemployment (Unemployment for a person with a B.S. or B.A. is around 4.5%). The problem is that most of these people need something to bitch about. They have a degree, can find a job if they wish, but they wish not to look beyond their diploma.

We have failed these prospects in our education system... The same system I teach in. We are no longer educating a workforce, we are only interested in 'educating' all students to become Doctors, Professors, Social Workers, Environmental Managers, and anything else that deems a 4 year degree (whether we needed them or not).

Right now we have a gap in our 'Skilled Labor' of 600,000 workers - that needs to be filled by those that are willing to work and have the skills for the job. 600,000 unfilled jobs. In America.

In the last 40 years we transitioned from an educational system that was set up 100+ years ago to train the best workers in the world - to one that only teaches to the top 15-20%. That has been our downfall. That is only one reason for the high rate f unemployment for our HS graduates (which ranges anywhere from 11-20% depending on the study).

In the next 15 years, we will see another 2-3 million jobs open up due to labor shortages in skilled labor.

For me it is not the numbers we are losing in this span, it is the knowledge.

We screwed up BIG time in promoting nothing but a 4 year education = success in our High Schools.

Because of this, and some other 'great' ideals, we are behind the 8 ball - at least for the time being.

I think that we can recover, and quickly. We need to push the Skilled Labor movement in the US, we need to promote jobs such as Machinists, Metal-Workers, Welders, Mechanics, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC, and the rest. And I am sure that you agree. If not, let me know the next time your plumbing stops working.

It is not the marginalization of the youth, we just led them down the wrong path and forgot to teach them the worth of work - and entrepreneurship...

I will leave you with a couple of stories...

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2011/10/17/600000-manufacturing-jobs-unfilled.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC0JPs-rcF0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdchHGIbxSI
-Note not the comments of the (D) Assemblyman, nor Chris Cuomo's attack on on Government (Chinese) companies, but note Tony Anziona's remark of unqualified Americans... This is why I still teach.

I do hope your campaign contribution is to someone that has the best interests of your local companies and local education system at heart - or at least the state of Minnesota's manufacturing base at heart.

I pray that you did not donate to Obama... because if you did, well, it would be like donating to Teddy Kennedy, G.W. Bush, but even worse...

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Well Matt, You have been too long-winded for me ...