Thread: How might unemployment reshape America?

Feb 11, 2010

How might unemployment reshape America?

06:29 PM
By Paul Sancya, AP

The Atlantic is attracting eyeballs for a provocative story in its March issue: "How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America."

Here's the teaser:

The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar men. It could cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a despair not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years to come.

Read it here, then talk among yourselves. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201003/j ... ica-future

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... -america/1

Gee thanks, I think. That is the most depressing thing I have read.
Americans have always taken pride in their accomplishments, no matter on how small a scale, but with outsourcing of jobs, insourcing of cheap foreigners and the crushing mass of illegal workers, all workers (white or blue collar) have zero job security these days.
We have fallen through the cracks due to forces few understand.

Many unemployed older workers have been forced to retire early just to collect their Social Security to survive on.

Many will never be able to get a good job again.

As one who will "retire" in a few years, each year my social secuity notification statement comes back at least $100 less than the year before. And if they bump the official retirement age, I might as well figure out how to live in the car, if I still have one at that point.
An acquaintance, years ago, was talking about this problem, and he had the perfect solution for his retirement: commit a crime and end up in the federal pen for a long time. Learn tennis and other skills. Brilliant!