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After watching most of the two conventions, I have come to the conclusion that these politicians are all pretty much talking out their ass. I have about 100 examples, but here's the first one.
Obama and McCain both talk about "job training" so that people from the old, long-gone manufacturing economy can get jobs in the new information/technology economy.
Now, what kind of "training" would be necessary to enable an unemployed coal miner or textile mill worker to start writing computer programs or maintaining networks or creating websites?
The only "training" I know of fitting that description would be a college degree in computer science, information technology, graphic design, etc. Or at the very least an associate's degree from a community college.
And while I haven't checked up on all the details, somehow I don't believe that any "job training program" is going to support these workers and their families while they take two, three, four years to earn degrees and make themselves viable in the new economy.
So, when politicians talk about training workers for the jobs of today, I suspect they really mean some kind of counseling to help workers adjust to the new reality: instead of earning a decent living for their families through grueling but dignified labor, from now on they will just scrape by, stocking Wal-Mart shelves while getting chewed out by some 20-year-old Korean kid, who probably is getting a college degree on the government dime.
Obama and McCain both talk about "job training" so that people from the old, long-gone manufacturing economy can get jobs in the new information/technology economy.
Now, what kind of "training" would be necessary to enable an unemployed coal miner or textile mill worker to start writing computer programs or maintaining networks or creating websites?
The only "training" I know of fitting that description would be a college degree in computer science, information technology, graphic design, etc. Or at the very least an associate's degree from a community college.
And while I haven't checked up on all the details, somehow I don't believe that any "job training program" is going to support these workers and their families while they take two, three, four years to earn degrees and make themselves viable in the new economy.
So, when politicians talk about training workers for the jobs of today, I suspect they really mean some kind of counseling to help workers adjust to the new reality: instead of earning a decent living for their families through grueling but dignified labor, from now on they will just scrape by, stocking Wal-Mart shelves while getting chewed out by some 20-year-old Korean kid, who probably is getting a college degree on the government dime.