The Conservative Cave

Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Servonaut on November 20, 2008, 03:11:48 PM

Title: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Servonaut on November 20, 2008, 03:11:48 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4500112

Jeez all these losers do is whine.

Quote
DaveTheWave  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 12:32 PM
Original message
30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
 Advertisements [?]Today a friend of mine who works at chiropractor's office said she's gotten over 200 applications and resumes for a part-time assistant position they advertised last week that only pays $8 an hour and she said at least a third of them are from people with various associate and bachelor degrees.


Quote
Liberal_in_LA  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 12:33 PM
Response to Original message
1. An acquaintance applied for a low paying med asst. job. was told there were 400+ apps ahead of hers.


Quote
DaveTheWave  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #1
8. Yeah, that's the one all the diploma mills and late night TV commercials are soliciting
 Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great trade but the schools only care about getting people enrolled and collecting the tuition. The commercials are done real fancy and make you think that within eight months you can have a high paying job with benefits in a field where there is a shortage of qualified personnel. The reality is after school they send you to a temp agency and you stand in line behind the 400+ apps. for $8 an hour which usually goes to "someone with experience".
 

Quote
Dr.Phool  (1000+ posts)        Thu Nov-20-08 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #8
17. Haven't you heard? The airlines are hiring!
 Yes, the airlines. That's what it says in my classified ads.
Must not be those same airlines that are cutting flights, laying people off, and going out of business.


Yikes ! I better tell the people at work.  :whatever:

Quote
DaveTheWave  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #17
21. Our local AT&T and one insurance company used to do that here
 You'd hear about 400 - 700 people getting laid off then look in the paper and see that they were hiring with paid training.


Quote
sheeptramp  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 12:39 PM
Response to Original message
4. I work as a research tech at a university field facility
 Edited on Thu Nov-20-08 12:40 PM by sheeptramp
I have a BS in the field.
I make about 8.50 an hour.


Quote
greyhound1966  (1000+ posts)        Thu Nov-20-08 12:41 PM
Response to Original message
6. Same story everywhere.
 I have a BS, top of my class (3rd), over 10 years experience, and I'm applying for entry level positions and going up against people with Masters and Doctorates and even more experience. I'm told that any technical position advertised gets from 50 - 400 apps the first day.

And "our" leaders are in favor of increasing the 401(k)/L-1 visa caps!

Yeah kids go to college, it's the ticket to your future (running a fast food restaurant).



Wow, sucks to be you guys.

I have a HS diploma and make 3 times that with benefits.

 :loser:


   






Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: jukin on November 20, 2008, 03:15:22 PM
PURE ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT.

Thirty years ago I had four years experience as a drafter/designer and had just got a BSME.  I got topped in at $18K per year and that was doing pretty good.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: franksolich on November 20, 2008, 03:21:24 PM
Wow, sucks to be you guys.

Yeah, think of Ms. Ed, the unappellated eohippus, who's allegedly an R.N. (registered nurse), and who allegedly makes only $24,000 per year.

If Ms. Ed were a Roman Catholic nun who (a) took a vow of poverty and (b) became an R.N., I'd believe it.

But Ms. Ed is definitely no nun.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: USA4ME on November 20, 2008, 03:35:21 PM
Don't worry, DUmmies.  Il Duce, your lord and savior, will turn things around by the end of January, 2009 and all will be perfect.

.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Zeus on November 20, 2008, 03:37:48 PM
Yeah, think of Ms. Ed, the unappellated eohippus, who's allegedly an R.N. (registered nurse), and who allegedly makes only $24,000 per year.

If Ms. Ed were a Roman Catholic nun who (a) took a vow of poverty and (b) became an R.N., I'd believe it.

But Ms. Ed is definitely no nun.

Must suck to live & work where she does. I know LVN's that earn better than that.  Around these parts RN's earen about $30/hr at the bottom end. It's not COL pushing wages up either. These parts have the Lowest COL in the nation.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on November 20, 2008, 03:44:12 PM
Yeah, think of Ms. Ed, the unappellated eohippus, who's allegedly an R.N. (registered nurse), and who allegedly makes only $24,000 per year.

I frankly don't see how that's possible, unless she is only a part-timer, or works in a menial job at an insurance company, or is employed in a one-doc clinic in North Elk-Rectum, Idaho, and has to take her wages largely in butchered game animals. 
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Chris_ on November 20, 2008, 03:46:52 PM
PURE ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT.

Thirty years ago I had four years experience as a drafter/designer and had just got a BSME.  I got topped in at $18K per year and that was doing pretty good.

22 years ago, I was just graduating High School with 2 years experience already as a professional draftsman, and went to work immediately for a Gub'mint contractor on the Bangor Sub Base - with a security clearance - for the whopping sum of $6.50 an hour.

Took me 8 years to get a 4 year BSME, but by the time I had the paper in hand, I was already doing the work.

My whole professional career, I've never been more than 3 weeks out of work.  Mostly because the employers/clients I've had like to know they're getting someone who actually DOES THE WORK for them, rather than sittin' at the desk, slurpin' company coffee and surfin' the DUmp all day.

Betcha I fare better in the coming Depression than 99% of the DUmmies...
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Texacon on November 20, 2008, 03:49:07 PM
Quote
sheeptramp  (1000+ posts)      Thu Nov-20-08 12:39 PM
Response to Original message
4. I work as a research tech at a university field facility
 Edited on Thu Nov-20-08 12:40 PM by sheeptramp
I have a BS in the field.
I make in the high 4 figures!!

I had to fix that one.  It was killing me!   :lmao:

KC
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Chris_ on November 20, 2008, 03:51:35 PM
I had to fix that one.  It was killing me!   :lmao:

KC

I agree.  It was a moral imperitive to set the record straight.  :cheersmate:
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Texacon on November 20, 2008, 03:53:51 PM
These folks kill me.  Like having a college degree is supposed to entitle you to making good money.  I have a friend that gets pissed off at me because he has a bachelors degree and earns about half what I do with my high school diploma.

We have had discussions about it and he is quite frank with me.  He feels he is absolutely entitled to make more than I do because while I was out making money he was bent over a set of books.

I was always taught hard work and dedication was the ticket and it seems to have worked so far.  Wonder how many over there with degrees feel like my friend?  I would love to sit down with all the college educated over there and play "I'll show you my annual earnings if you'll she me yours".  I'll bet 95% of them would have massive bleeding from the ears when we were done.

I love this country.

KC
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: djones520 on November 20, 2008, 04:01:06 PM
Guess military service is above these people complaining about their jobs then.  That Batchelors degree will get them quite a bit a bit more in the paycheck.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Servonaut on November 20, 2008, 04:09:53 PM
Guess military service is above these people complaining about their jobs then.  That Batchelors degree will get them quite a bit a bit more in the paycheck.

What would really blow their mind is military service is the reason I have the
job that I have now.   :-)
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Uhhuh35 on November 20, 2008, 04:13:09 PM
What would really blow their mind is military service is the reason I have the
job that I have now.   :-)
Me too!
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Zeus on November 20, 2008, 04:19:07 PM
These folks kill me.  Like having a college degree is supposed to entitle you to making good money.  I have a friend that gets pissed off at me because he has a bachelors degree and earns about half what I do with my high school diploma.

We have had discussions about it and he is quite frank with me.  He feels he is absolutely entitled to make more than I do because while I was out making money he was bent over a set of books.

I was always taught hard work and dedication was the ticket and it seems to have worked so far.  Wonder how many over there with degrees feel like my friend?  I would love to sit down with all the college educated over there and play "I'll show you my annual earnings if you'll she me yours".  I'll bet 95% of them would have massive bleeding from the ears when we were done.

I love this country.

KC

My kids used to ask me how it was mom has a masters of education and I have a HS Diploma yet my income was about 3X hers. Eventually after may times giving a PC answer it dawned on me they ain't going to quit asking until they get a satisfactory answer. So one time I told them that No.1 mom's income comes from the Taxpayers and she has what I call an attendance contract. meaning all she has to do is show up for work & she gets paid. I on the other hand derive my income from the private sector and have a performance contract meaning I actually have to provide something to get paid. They never asked again.   :evillaugh:
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: JohnnyReb on November 20, 2008, 04:21:47 PM
They are all looking for a "position". None of them want a "job".

You can buy an education but you can't buy ambition.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Chris_ on November 20, 2008, 04:23:54 PM
They are all looking for a "position". None of them want a "job".

You can buy an education but you can't buy ambition.

Most DUmmies equate "ambition" with "greed".  They wouldn't buy it if it was selling at 10 cents on the dollar.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: mamacags on November 20, 2008, 05:11:36 PM
I worked with tons of high school drop outs who were millionaires at Lowe's.  All it takes is some brains, some investing in your company, and working hard for 20 years or so.  I know that this kind of criteria eliminates most DUmmies though.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Vagabond on November 20, 2008, 05:18:29 PM
It' simple really, if you show up to work, show that you can do the work, and do it successfully without someone over your shoulder, and keep trying to add skills the marketplace needs you will be well paid.  It has always been that way.

They complain about Bush.  Without my upcoming trip, my income has tripled under his presidency.  DUmmies are idiots.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Chris_ on November 20, 2008, 05:22:34 PM
My dad dropped out of school in the 7th grade. He did finally get a GED. When he retired a few years back he went to work with me for awhile. When I was trying to figure out what to pay him I asked what he made per hour at his old job. He said he didn't know as he was on salary. When I asked what he would be making per hour if he took his salary and divided it by the hours he usually worked he answered $27 per hour. That's pretty good for a 7th grade drop-out. Of course I assured him he wouldn't be making anything near that with me. I did end up paying him more than $8 per hour though.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: BlueStateSaint on November 20, 2008, 05:28:25 PM
You can buy an education but you can't buy ambition.

And, you can't buy class or manners.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Chris_ on November 20, 2008, 05:30:22 PM
Most DUmmies equate "ambition" with "greed".  They wouldn't buy it if it was selling at 10 cents on the dollar.
They use the word "luck" to describe "success." Never do you hear the term "hard work."
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Texacon on November 20, 2008, 05:51:45 PM
They use the word "luck" to describe "success." Never do you hear the term "hard work."

What they truly fail to realize is; Those who make the most usually are taking the biggest risk.  I start out at $0.00 for my salary each and every month.  By the end of the month I have bills to pay.  I either make what I need or I don't.

Now, as I become more successful the DUmmies would like to penalize me when I hire someone.  We should be on equal footing in their mind and I shouldn't be allowed to 'take' more of the income from the business even though it was ME who put my ass on the line to success.  They can bite me.

KC
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: JohnnyReb on November 21, 2008, 03:40:33 AM
What they truly fail to realize is; Those who make the most usually are taking the biggest risk.  I start out at $0.00 for my salary each and every month.  By the end of the month I have bills to pay.  I either make what I need or I don't.

Now, as I become more successful the DUmmies would like to penalize me when I hire someone.  We should be on equal footing in their mind and I shouldn't be allowed to 'take' more of the income from the business even though it was ME who put my ass on the line to success.  They can bite me.

KC

Exactly....They want all the benefits but none of the risks/headaches/problems. Talk about "true/pure" greed.....sheesh
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: NHSparky on November 21, 2008, 06:31:42 AM
Guess military service is above these people complaining about their jobs then.  That Batchelors degree will get them quite a bit a bit more in the paycheck.

They don't even want to go there.  My base pay when I went to boot back in 1984 (where I came in as an E-3, not E-1) was a whopping $695 a month.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Wineslob on November 21, 2008, 10:17:54 AM
Where do these DUmmies got their "numbers"? 8.00/hr was high pay back then! Most "good" jobs started at 5.00/hr.

30 years ago I was just starting in the workforce, HS dip my only qualifaction. I was lucky to make min wage which at that time was 2.45 /hr. I then started working for ManPower in the "industrial" section because I could make 3.15 /hr. I did everything from dig up posts (costruction site clean up) to haul beds out of motels for conventions. I busted my ass at rice fumigation for 3 years making 3.50 an hour. I finally wound up with what is my present day job in 1985. I started out at 5.00 hr which I thought was a kings ransom. Because of all the past EXPERIENCE I had I've been able to do very well to this day.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: AllosaursRus on November 21, 2008, 11:36:30 AM
I frankly don't see how that's possible, unless she is only a part-timer, or works in a menial job at an insurance company, or is employed in a one-doc clinic in North Elk-Rectum, Idaho, and has to take her wages largely in butchered game animals. 

Hey, hey, hey, what the hell is that Idaho crack? My Doc's nurse practioner makes around 50K!  :-)

And you could pretty much call this place North Elk-Rectum too! :tongue:
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on November 21, 2008, 02:09:34 PM
They don't even want to go there.  My base pay when I went to boot back in 1984 (where I came in as an E-3, not E-1) was a whopping $695 a month.

It really pays a whole lot better now, and especially with the educational benefits it is honestly a Hell of a first job.  I remember what it was like back in the day, though.  I recall around 1978 doing my taxes as a buck sergeant, and seeing my gross pay for the year was a whopping $7,500 -- no allowances, since as an E5 I had to live in the barracks and eat in the messhall, both of which were of abysmal quality and in any real free market would have had a negative value, contrary to the infuriatingly untruthful 'Statement of benefits' the military pay pukes would attach to the LES at tax time.   
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: NHSparky on November 21, 2008, 02:39:40 PM
Oh, I totally get that.  It's a wonder to me that the first McDonalds on a military base ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD didn't open until 1985 (Great Lakes, IL).  I was there for that.  I remember it quite well.  January 26th, 1985--a blizzard.  -30 degrees, 35 mph winds, -78 wind chills.  We were ORDERED to stay inside.  It didn't work.  Besides, the pipes had all frozen at the galley and turned the damned place into an ice rink.

But mind you, by the time I got out it was incredible how much one has to make just to bring home the same amount of money.

Maybe the knuckleheads on DU ought to be grateful they're not EXPECTED to do crappy jobs and work their way up.  Can't have that in our little Obummer elitist entitlement world, now can we?
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Lord Undies on November 21, 2008, 02:55:16 PM
Quote
$8.00 in 1978 had about the same buying power as $27.02 in 2008.

Annual inflation over this period was about 4.14%

http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: NHSparky on November 21, 2008, 03:11:42 PM
Which basically means my earnings have either kept pace with or exceeded inflation.  Amazing what a little hard work will do for ya.

And no, I don't think your basic HS grad today is worth $27 an hour.  Period.  Not fresh out of HS.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: Lord Undies on November 21, 2008, 03:35:34 PM
Which basically means my earnings have either kept pace with or exceeded inflation.  Amazing what a little hard work will do for ya.

And no, I don't think your basic HS grad today is worth $27 an hour.  Period.  Not fresh out of HS.

Not many were worth $8.00 per hour in 1978.  I was 23 years old.  I quit managing a 7-11 to go to school.  I was bringing home $250.00 every two weeks.  That's $125.00 per week.  We were doing really good.

My wife was making about the same amount as a nurse.   We had our son and two baby daughters.  They were born 06-04-76 and 07-06-77.  People thought they were twins. 

Quote
$250.00 in 1978 had about the same buying power as $844.32 in 2008.

Annual inflation over this period was about 4.14%.

And that was the Carter years!
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on November 21, 2008, 04:25:19 PM
I started law school in Fall of '79.  The going rate for summer internships was about $5 an hour.  Typical attorney hourly billing was in the ballpark of $35 at the time.
Title: Re: 30 years ago a high school diploma could get you a job paying $8 an hour
Post by: NHSparky on November 21, 2008, 09:18:53 PM
I wish I had made more than $8/hr before I got off the boats.  Anyone on active duty I knew laughed when we were told to figure our salary based on a 40-45 hour workweek.

Don't get me wrong, I don't miss the Navy, but I miss the people.  I got a lot of opportunities that I never would have gotten from a book, and discovered a lot of the things I needed to be successful. 

Maybe if the DUmmies realized all life does not eminate from a classroom or how "smrat" they think they are/are told they are, they might move past themselves.

But somehow, I doubt it.