General Discussion

Squinch

(59,536 posts)

32. It isn't simple. But it is the only option if he wants a living wage. Coal isn't coming back, and

Tue Dec 20, 2016, 07:06 PM

Dec 2016

unless there is some miraculous technological advance that decides to park its industry in his community, the situation in that location is not going to change. The government is not going to change it, jobs training is not going to change it because what jobs?

No one thinks its simple. It's actually very much like people arguing that people living in destitute urban areas should move. The fact is, though, that the only way the people in those urban areas stop being destitute IS to move. Sometimes it takes a generation, sometimes more, but that is the only way.

When the famine comes, the only way through is out.

Especially when the people in his town elect the con man who doesn't even have any desire to help.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

72 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I make $2.35 an hour in coal country. I dont want handouts. I want a living wage. [View all] portlander23 Dec 2016 OP

Why Don't Other Industries...... global1 Dec 2016 #1

Industry tends to want an educated workforce crazycatlady Dec 2016 #5

Industry actually prefers an automated workforce, which is definitely on the horizon. TonyPDX Dec 2016 #33

Maybe they could build solar panels on the flattened mountain spots in WV NightWatcher Dec 2016 #6

Who are they going to sell to out there if nobody has money? bravenak Dec 2016 #31

Low skill, no skill and huge shipping costs. ileus Dec 2016 #37

Economics Johnathan146 Dec 2016 #43

I Guess I'm Not Talking About Jobs That Require College Degrees Or.... global1 Dec 2016 #52

With enough incentives, sure, they would figure something out Johnathan146 Dec 2016 #59

No tax incentives meadowlander Dec 2016 #65

The terrain alone makes it almost impossible for companies to relocate there. phylny Dec 2016 #49

So Maybe Some Jobs Could Be Created To Alter The Terrain And Build Roads..... global1 Dec 2016 #55

I think that sounds like a good idea :) n/t phylny Dec 2016 #58

im not sure how you could make that terrain ideal for trucks RonniePudding Dec 2016 #72

One mercuryblues Dec 2016 #2

Exactly frazzled Dec 2016 #12

Maybe they knew that no one would help them zippythepinhead Dec 2016 #69

Right there. Xolodno Dec 2016 #14

Sad, but true. TonyPDX Dec 2016 #25

I was thinking last night about what people in my family did during Silver Gaia Dec 2016 #42

My parents left socialist Ireland for a land with toilets in every house. AngryAmish Dec 2016 #48

Which is the ultimate irony. Xolodno Dec 2016 #51

No, and I have to wonder when and or IF Trump will tell them that.??? riversedge Dec 2016 #53

Well presented... The_Voice_of_Reason Dec 2016 #3

Servers can be paid a lower wage with the expectation of tips Trekologer Dec 2016 #7

Bet it never happens exboyfil Dec 2016 #34

K&R smirkymonkey Dec 2016 #4

The title of this article is vastly misleading. Restaurant workers make that wage in LOTS of places Coventina Dec 2016 #8

In California waitstaff is paid the full minimum wage. Mr.Bill Dec 2016 #23

Well, that's definitely NOT the case here in AZ. It's the same as the article states. n/t Coventina Dec 2016 #24

I think only a few states are like California on this matter. Mr.Bill Dec 2016 #57

Oregon too. Minimum wage at $9.75 currently. aidbo Dec 2016 #63

dear waffle house employee - your neighbors are happy with things as they are. that's msongs Dec 2016 #9

As they're so fond of telling us... Nwgirl503 Dec 2016 #22

Companies only relocate to a different Wellstone ruled Dec 2016 #10

Jack Welch said he believed the ideal factories would be constructed on barges, TonyPDX Dec 2016 #36

Barge dormitories were built back in the 70's Wellstone ruled Dec 2016 #64

get out of Dickenson County quitnesset Dec 2016 #11

It's not always so simple. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #13

It isn't simple. But it is the only option if he wants a living wage. Coal isn't coming back, and Squinch Dec 2016 #32

There's no stability as long as we're all prisoners of free markets. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #39

I do agree with pretty much everything you say. Squinch Dec 2016 #41

I fear it will take terrible times to get through to people too. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #45

well, the fast-food labor secretary sure ain't gonna help you any. nt TheFrenchRazor Dec 2016 #15

For th emost part we eat at the mom and pop madokie Dec 2016 #16

Off topic, but aren't servers in better position than other min wagers? Bradical79 Dec 2016 #17

They are guarenteed minumum wage. Johnathan146 Dec 2016 #40

There is a tiny segment that makes 100k AngryAmish Dec 2016 #50

And yet the coal country overwhelming voted for the Orange Turd flying-skeleton Dec 2016 #18

If republican get their way hurple Dec 2016 #19

They just need to get educated and move. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #20

King Coal aint coming back,,,,, Cryptoad Dec 2016 #21

Sadly, yes. As the typewriter factories and journalists have. TonyPDX Dec 2016 #30

I compare them to the other heroic roughneck workers of the 19th century.... Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2016 #35

Republicans tell this kind of voter to focus on guns and abortion. Spitfire of ATJ Dec 2016 #26

Anything to keep their eyes off the main motives. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #27

Your crappy wage at Waffle House has nothing to do with living PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2016 #28

get a clue; it is not about THIS WOMAN, it is about the overall economy; the percentage of "good job TheFrenchRazor Dec 2016 #61

The real problem is that states are allowed PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2016 #66

Yeah, I agree! zippythepinhead Dec 2016 #70

It is time to face reality bravenak Dec 2016 #29

I must be lucky.... yuiyoshida Dec 2016 #38

I've worked at a few Japanese owned companies here. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #44

My job isn't a factory job yuiyoshida Dec 2016 #46

Wonderful! Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #47

That's cool yuiyoshida Dec 2016 #56

She works at home for Mossad, though. Buckeye_Democrat Dec 2016 #60

Everyone deserves at least a living wage... trust in Bernie to get the job done! InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2016 #54

just mandating a living wage will not do it. Adrahil Dec 2016 #62

Yeah that is what is so aggravating. Willie Pep Dec 2016 #67

the american worker has no friends in DC. not for 30 yrs, not dem or gopper. KG Dec 2016 #68

K&R Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Dec 2016 #71