Why is America so screwed up?

[Iceweasel]

If you are a worker that has skills that are in demand, you use those skills as a chip against your employer. Simple economics. Work smarter, not harder. Be on the lookout for better jobs constantly. Make your employer nervous you might walk away at any time.

You've never been an employer. I'd fire any smug ass that thought they were too good for the work or made hints of leaving. It takes time to get an employee trained and settled in, businesses do not like unreliability.

 

[initforme]

I was able to walk out on 2 jobs in my life. Two of the best days of my life. No 2 weeks notice, nothing. Walked right into higher paying jobs.. That was long ago. Times have changed I guess but it did feel very empowering.

 

[NightFox]

If you are a worker that has skills that are in demand, you use those skills as a chip against your employer. Simple economics. Work smarter, not harder. Be on the lookout for better jobs constantly. Make your employer nervous you might walk away at any time.

You've never been an employer. I'd fire any smug ass that thought they were too good for the work or made hints of leaving. It takes time to get an employee trained and settled in, businesses do not like unreliability.

To a certain degree I suppose that's true; IMHO the employer-employee relationship should ideally be win-win, employee sells his/her labor at market rates and employer recognizes that market rates change (i.e. inflation, employee skill enhancement, etc..,) and adjusts compensation accordingly. Unfortunately many employees seem to think that employers owe them something above and beyond the market value of their labor and many employers fail to adjust appropriately to changes in market rates; so all too often it turns confrontational and thus becomes lose-lose.

 

[initforme]

Basic capitalism is built on the struggle between employee and employer. It is a battle.

 

[initforme]

I disagree with the 2 weeks notice part. It hinders the employee who is moving upward.

 

[the_human_being]

Half of all American school children are living in poverty.

50 million are on food stamps.

Half of us do not vote.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese.

We are trillions of dollars in debt.

We are more divided than ever.

Politics has turned into one big reality show.

The Washington elites don't give a damn.

When will this madness end? Is America the 21st Century equivalent of Rome? How did we get to this point?

Well, we are hiring. We are hiring 250 more F.B.I. agents to do background checks on gun buyers. The federal government is growing every day.

 

[NightFox]

Basic capitalism is built on the struggle between employee and employer. It is a battle.

LOL, not even close. Methinks you need to go back and read your Adam Smith again.

 

[the_human_being]

Half of all American school children are living in poverty.

50 million are on food stamps.

Half of us do not vote.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese.

We are trillions of dollars in debt.

We are more divided than ever.

Politics has turned into one big reality show.

The Washington elites don't give a damn.

When will this madness end? Is America the 21st Century equivalent of Rome? How did we get to this point?

America voted for Hope and Change. How's that working out?

 

[Kosh]

Basic capitalism is built on the struggle between employee and employer. It is a battle.

There is no middle class in socialism..

Silly far left drone!

 

[Iceweasel]

If you are a worker that has skills that are in demand, you use those skills as a chip against your employer. Simple economics. Work smarter, not harder. Be on the lookout for better jobs constantly. Make your employer nervous you might walk away at any time.

You've never been an employer. I'd fire any smug ass that thought they were too good for the work or made hints of leaving. It takes time to get an employee trained and settled in, businesses do not like unreliability.

To a certain degree I suppose that's true; IMHO the employer-employee relationship should ideally be win-win, employee sells his/her labor at market rates and employer recognizes that market rates change (i.e. inflation, employee skill enhancement, etc..,) and adjusts compensation accordingly. Unfortunately many employees seem to think that employers owe them something above and beyond the market value of their labor and many employers fail to adjust appropriately to changes in market rates; so all too often it turns confrontational and thus becomes lose-lose.

True but that's up to the individuals. If the business suffers and loses a good employee that's on them. But the fact is they can get away with low pay, poor jobs the worse the economy is. Leaning on business is the wrong answer due to the unintended consequences. It's not like I haven't had shitty jobs and low pay. I quit and started my own gig instead of making demands.

Businesses are run by people and people do what they have to do, not what they should do. The problem is the left thinks it can use government to strong arm businesses to do what they should do and expect nothing but positive results.

 

[NightFox]

Well, we are hiring. We are hiring 250 more F.B.I. agents to do background checks on gun buyers. The federal government is growing every day.

Just what we need, more useless bureaucrats 'cause lord knows the federal government doesn't have enough of 'em already.

"No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth" -- Ronald Reagan.

 

[Iceweasel]

Basic capitalism is built on the struggle between employee and employer. It is a battle.

Wrong. How did you ever last in a job? If you are unhappy, leave, you don't struggle with someone else's wallet. What the hell is wrong with you?

 

[Manchester]

Do the hilarious social commentators who have posted "socialism" and claims of far left leadership as an answer to the question by the OP actually believe that shit? I mean really? Or are they just using a joke which kinda lost its edge half way through the current CINC's first term?

Firstly America is about as far from left wing as it is able to be in this world no matter who is in charge and secondly if you look to the genuine left leaning developed countries in europe they all seem top be doing a hell of a lot better in terms of obesity, national debts and mass shootings (but then they're not allowed guns to do it with)

Countries that are top dog fall because they become complacent but this trend tales decades rather than years and it doesn't matter if Dems or Reps are in charge, the trend is the same and has been for a long time. Chinese simply work harder on average for less pay and so are hoovering up the world's money in a way that the USA did in its hayday. Romne didn't fall overnight and neither will the USA, but it is on its way down as the global superpower. No partisan political whining will stop this and both political parties will do their all to slow it as much as is possible.

That was hilarious. Even moreso since you pretended to be unbiased while making the charge. We are only as liberal as we can be in the modern world? And you dare question others' judgment?

Europe has big problems too, that doesn't make ours better but 19 trillion in debt is inexcusable. And it's those liberal social policies that are running us into the ground. Entitlement spending is way out of control. Regulations way out of control. The size and scope of government way out of control. Education is often not much more than government programming young minds to be good little socialists. Individual responsibility and self determination are swept away in favor of politically correct group think where nothing is more important than feelings.

We are turning into a nation of dependent pussies because America is guided by a media driven agenda to make government our masters.

Yup, Liberal social policie, thats where the money is being wasted.

I would answer the rest of that but the howls political correctness (which is usually shorthand for I'm not allowed to blame other races for Americas problems) and the socialist proramming of kids is laughable given that theyve been indoctrinated with mindless patriotism by making them swear allegence to the flag every day.

 

[Iceweasel]

I would answer the rest of that but the howls political correctness (which is usually shorthand for I'm not allowed to blame other races for Americas problems) and the socialist proramming of kids is laughable given that theyve been indoctrinated with mindless patriotism by making them swear allegence to the flag every day.

I don't get your picture gram. You think military spending accounts for our debt but social spending doesn't? Yeah, kids are just too damn patriotic these days. LOL

 

[NightFox]

If you are a worker that has skills that are in demand, you use those skills as a chip against your employer. Simple economics. Work smarter, not harder. Be on the lookout for better jobs constantly. Make your employer nervous you might walk away at any time.

You've never been an employer. I'd fire any smug ass that thought they were too good for the work or made hints of leaving. It takes time to get an employee trained and settled in, businesses do not like unreliability.

To a certain degree I suppose that's true; IMHO the employer-employee relationship should ideally be win-win, employee sells his/her labor at market rates and employer recognizes that market rates change (i.e. inflation, employee skill enhancement, etc..,) and adjusts compensation accordingly. Unfortunately many employees seem to think that employers owe them something above and beyond the market value of their labor and many employers fail to adjust appropriately to changes in market rates; so all too often it turns confrontational and thus becomes lose-lose.

True but that's up to the individuals. If the business suffers and loses a good employee that's on them. But the fact is they can get away with low pay, poor jobs the worse the economy is. Leaning on business is the wrong answer due to the unintended consequences. It's not like I haven't had shitty jobs and low pay. I quit and started my own gig instead of making demands.

Businesses are run by people and people do what they have to do, not what they should do. The problem is the left thinks it can use government to strong arm businesses to do what they should do and expect nothing but positive results.

I agree, very well put. One thing I do find encouraging is that American Business Management (in general) has become more enlightened with respect to the value of their human resources and has thus set out to invest more in them, that's part of the formula that leads to that win-win situation I was talking about. Now (as you pointed out) if we could only get government out of the way we *might* be able to start making positive headway with respect to increased opportunity and expanding prosperity for both business and labor.

 

[the_human_being]

If you are a worker that has skills that are in demand, you use those skills as a chip against your employer. Simple economics. Work smarter, not harder. Be on the lookout for better jobs constantly. Make your employer nervous you might walk away at any time.

You've never been an employer. I'd fire any smug ass that thought they were too good for the work or made hints of leaving. It takes time to get an employee trained and settled in, businesses do not like unreliability.

To a certain degree I suppose that's true; IMHO the employer-employee relationship should ideally be win-win, employee sells his/her labor at market rates and employer recognizes that market rates change (i.e. inflation, employee skill enhancement, etc..,) and adjusts compensation accordingly. Unfortunately many employees seem to think that employers owe them something above and beyond the market value of their labor and many employers fail to adjust appropriately to changes in market rates; so all too often it turns confrontational and thus becomes lose-lose.

True but that's up to the individuals. If the business suffers and loses a good employee that's on them. But the fact is they can get away with low pay, poor jobs the worse the economy is. Leaning on business is the wrong answer due to the unintended consequences. It's not like I haven't had shitty jobs and low pay. I quit and started my own gig instead of making demands.

Businesses are run by people and people do what they have to do, not what they should do. The problem is the left thinks it can use government to strong arm businesses to do what they should do and expect nothing but positive results.

I don't really have any minimum wage employees in my business. I have to pay a salary at least equal to my competitors else I won't be able to retain my employees. If I intend to keep a good employee, I must pay him/her more than my competitors would offer them else they would leave my company and go work for my competitor.

 

[Manchester]

I would answer the rest of that but the howls political correctness (which is usually shorthand for I'm not allowed to blame other races for Americas problems) and the socialist proramming of kids is laughable given that theyve been indoctrinated with mindless patriotism by making them swear allegence to the flag every day.

I don't get your picture gram. You think military spending accounts for our debt but social spending doesn't? Yeah, kids are just too damn patriotic these days. LOL

Military spending and prison spending. When you house 4 percent of the world's human but 22 percent of the world's prisoners then you have to take a look and say that maybe if there werent so many damn people being locked up on the tax payers dime then a bit more money could be used to provide tax breaks for the poor, tax breaks for businesses so they can create more jobs and maybe even provide the odd hand out programme for the very needy.

 

[Iceweasel]

Businesses are run by people and people do what they have to do, not what they should do. The problem is the left thinks it can use government to strong arm businesses to do what they should do and expect nothing but positive results.

I don't really have any minimum wage employees in my business. I have to pay a salary at least equal to my competitors else I won't be able to retain my employees. If I intend to keep a good employee, I must pay him/her more than my competitors would offer them else they would leave my company and go work for my competitor.

Yep, that's how it works in the real world. Very few businesses are running by way of minimum wage earners. Maybe starting out but even McDs pays more for those that know their way around.

 

[the_human_being]

I would answer the rest of that but the howls political correctness (which is usually shorthand for I'm not allowed to blame other races for Americas problems) and the socialist proramming of kids is laughable given that theyve been indoctrinated with mindless patriotism by making them swear allegence to the flag every day.

I don't get your picture gram. You think military spending accounts for our debt but social spending doesn't? Yeah, kids are just too damn patriotic these days. LOL

Military spending and prison spending. When you house 4 percent of the world's human but 22 percent of the world's prisoners then you have to take a look and say that maybe if there werent so many damn people being locked up on the tax payers dime then a bit more money could be used to provide tax breaks for the poor, tax breaks for businesses so they can create more jobs and maybe even provide the odd hand out programme for the very needy.

Tax breaks for the poor would have to fall on the states most often. It would be hard to give the poor a tax break on sales taxes at the point of sale. You could on property taxes of course and on vehicle taxes and tax fees. The poor normally pay no federal income taxes.

 

[Moonglow]

Half of all American school children are living in poverty.

50 million are on food stamps.

Half of us do not vote.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese.

We are trillions of dollars in debt.

We are more divided than ever.

Politics has turned into one big reality show.

The Washington elites don't give a damn.

When will this madness end? Is America the 21st Century equivalent of Rome? How did we get to this point?

The 1% has use right where they want us....