My topic today is the value of work. I suppose that with the current events of this nation, that people are learning the value of work. At least I am learning the value of employment at this time. There are many things that can be discussed about work because there are many types of work. Right now I am struggling to find work to earn money.
We have a troubling time right now with our ecomomy and the handling of issues around it. I never thought that I would see times like these. I didn't ever think that it would be this hard to find work. I am so glad that I didn't have to live through the great depression. But I also must be careful because the great depression could happen again, even any day now.
What I mean by that is, that the stockmarket is still in operation and people are lured into the lucrative attraction of becomming wealthy. I worry about this a lot. It may just be my interpretation of this, but I believe and view the stockmarket as gambling. Similar to Las Vegas gambling. Except this type of gambling seems to be viewed as a more acceptable type.
Nevertheless, it is a reality that companies and corporate giants are gambling away their employee's benefits even as I speak. I don't understand exactily why they do it. Haven't we as a society, learned anything from the 1929 stockmarket crash? I don't think so. I don't mean to sound grim, but if the caution isn't alerted, those who fall will take the rest of us down with them.
So back to work. I am in a position now where I don't feel compelled to speak good about corporate America. The opposite is what I feel the more compelling to speak. I don't feel as if what is going on is the best solution to the problem. I am sure that some of you are aware of the out sourcing of jobs in this country and cheap foriegn labor. Some of this includes illegal immigration.
I am aware of these as being painfull issues for some people. That is why I believe that the best solutions are not completely in operation at this time. I had the ability to see the tax cut that president Bush has issued. Since the tax cut, my employer has only taken 33 cents from my earnings for federal taxes since I have been employed at my current job.
So I believe there is a tax cut. Where is the relief of financial burdon for us? Possibly lost in the shuffle. All I seen is that I didn't have to pay much tax at all. I don't see more employment opportunities, I don't see savings on costs to purchase goods and services, even while corporations are lowering the operating expenses of their businesses.
If corporations are lowering costs and saving money, then where is the savings reflection for the consumer? Possibly there are none. Why did that happen and how did it get accomplished? With the lavish spending of corporate execuatives on personal items, I would assume that the money is pocketed or absorbed by the top leadership of these large corporations.
They didn't and still do not participate in the principle of trickle down economics. This is most frustrating to me. The American worker is also the American consumer. If Americans are unemployed, they can not afford to buy goods and services no matter how cheap they are produced. I have not been able to see the cost reducing benefits of cheap labor such as American jobs given to Indians, Chineese, and those who have crossed the borders of this country, when I shop for things anymore.
When I purchase something anymore, I have become aware of the price increase of some things. Some things get cheaper, but many things do not. It would appear that these execuatives have not out sourced jobs, manufactured things in other countries, and employed cheap labor just so they can provide lower priced goods and services to the common consumer.
It is evident to me that they have reduced costs for another reason. Possibly so that the top management of these corporations could enjoy some sort of immunity to this economic recession. Perhaps they became too accustomed to living a certain lifestyle and refused to part with it. What ever it may be, it has benefited a privelaged few, at the expense of others.
They have their reasons, that is why I do not believe that the best solutions are the ones that are in place. Now to the other side of this. I can not be comletely against out sourcing of jobs. Because I realize that if I were in the position of those empoverished citizens of other nations, I would also want a large super power to come to my country offering employment to me.
This still bothers me, because it is the responsibility of these other nations to take care of their people. We have taken care of our own and others. Many nations seem to have hostility against this nation, but when they are in need, they also ask for help from this country. That again, is why I say that I do not believe that all of the right solutions are in place.
These things are what have been weighing heavy on my concentration lately. I believe that was irresponsible for president Clinton to take credit for the efforts of Ronald Reagan and George Bush senior to build the economy. I am sure that a number of you are aware of the 7 year time delay or latency to see the effects in the economy and social programs.
I know that a few of you are aware of it. Spread the knowledge of it because it may be helpfull in resisting the institutionalized ignorance that many political candidates would enforce upon would be voters. The year 2000 marks the 7 year anniversary of Bill Clinton's election into presidential office. President Clinton has committed a most offensive and irresponsible action of seeking the glory of a strong economy and handing his republican successor an economic ression to take the blame for.
I find that to be inexcusable. These things have taught me to value work, in the form of work being scarce to find.
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