10 years into the future?

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

What will america be like in ten years? It's been predicted that we will be 90% retail & service related by then, which means we will manufacture almost nothing in this country. Today the american worker works more hours than any worker in the civilized world for their pay, we have less vacation time & time off than workers in other countries, the pay for workers in other countries is on the increase, while ours in on the decrease. Today I heard a report about high speed internet service, the United States ranks last in the amount of people who can afford it, only 11% in america have it while 70% have it in Japan. The list goes on & on, as we lose manufacturing companies to other countries, the quailty of our lives go down while the quailty of the lives in other countries go up. Is there anything we can do about it? We have to start doing something about it. We have to start letting the politicians know that we've had enough, we have to get involved, we have to quit making excuses not to get out and vote. It doesn't matter what the election is about we need to turn out for it, we have to turn things around before it's to late.When this Country was born almost 230 years ago we had to fight for every freedom we have, in the last few years how many of those freedoms have we lost, even in the work place? Do we have the time & courage to stand up & fight to save what we have left and get back what we've lost as citizens and as employees? Do we let our employers just do what they want because of fear of losing our jobs? What will it be like for our children and grandchildren when they go into the workforce if we just lay down and take it and not fight back? Is it any wonder that the young people can't see the American Dream like we could when we were growing up? It's up to all of us to make a difference, we need to quit leaving it up to someone else to do, we all have to step up and say we're going to bring this country and workers rights back to what it should be. Are we willing? Are we ready? Can we afford not to be ready? If all of us at Lowe's would take the time to list all the things we've lost in the last few years, we'll find that we've lost far more than we have left, is it time the plug the leak in the dam and start putting the water back in?

Joined: 07 Aug 2003 Posts: 50

Americans have become complacent, CabMan. The American Revolution is practically in a coma, we've put ourselves to sleep. We act like we are safe - like we are unaware of how dangerous the world has become. We are mostly all just like deer - food for predators.
We don't want to do anything for ourselves, or for others. We want everything done for us. Most of us don't grow any of our own food, we don't know where the meat we buy comes from. We want it cleaned, prepared, chewed for us. JUST GIVE ME, SERVE ME. Quality is completely secondary. We want the least expensive commodities, even if it means our purchases support the horrible working and social systems that produce those commodities.
Half of us that are voting age do not vote in elections. But we do vote with our consumer purchasing. That hammer made in China that sells for $4.99 is of lesser quality than the one made in the USA, selling for $9.99. And that purchase votes for the import to continue to support near slave conditions, and it keeps another American out of the tool production industry. We vote with our dollars - and we constantly send our money overseas, without thinking.
Yes - we are washing away our own future, turning this into one mass consumer-only nation. We need to address the price fixing of the oil/gasoline companies, or be sheep to their manipulations. We need to rebuild stable employment back up in this country, even if it means tariffs and other measures to protect and defend American working citizens, not just the investors and institutional shareholders.

Most important, each of us need to be aware that in this economy, the consumer is king. We each choose to spend our money, and that determines what is sold. We vote with our purchases. And that has gotten us into this mess.
Look through our own Lowes stores - go through ISLG, Elec., Plumbing - look at the labels. A lot of those items were switched by Lowes purchasing agents from American manufacturers to overseas (Asia). Profit margin. Virtually the exact items, but made elswhere.
What we sell now are COPIES of American goods, produced in Asia for pennies by workers with no safety regulations, no chemical/emissions protection, no insurance, no job security, and little chance of advancement. Far, far too much, we American consumers support that, and fail to support our very own neighbors.
Eastman Kodak no longer produces film in the US. Fuji has the only film production facility in the US, in TN somewhere. If we purchase Kodak film, it not only contributes to the massive trade deficit, it not only supports that import (China), it supports the exportation of American jobs. Kodak is also closing down its Customer Service operations in the US - its going to the Phillipines. Those jobs that pay $30-60,000 in the US are paid $3-6,000 in Manila - minimal benefits, no skills required.

Kodak is just one company of many that has lavishly rewarded its executives for making these large employment decisions - changes that have strippedmined American communities, across the nation.
I would love to hear governmant officials address this crime- draft and enact laws that would make such executives and companies liable for damages.

Why would any American choose to support such practises? Why are we not speaking out about these practises?

The American revolution is asleep. I believe that if George and Tom and Ben and John and all the rest of the Founding Fathers were alive today, they'd be shaking us by our collars, trying to wake us up.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

You're very right Action, we've been caught sleeping, thinking that no matter how bad things get it will get better next week, thats not happening. Are our politicians working for the people, or spending all their time fighting each other? I've heard members of both parties say that the other side has a good idea but they can't vote for it because they belong to a different party, that's crazy, they should vote for whats good for America no matter what party they belong to. From the time they get elected they start running for re-election, when do they have time to work for us?
Every holiday we have a sudden gasoline shortage. The week before Labor Day one oil company reported a 50% increase in profits, a few days later we had a sudden shortage. Anyone can see what they're doing, and our leaders do nothing, If I had a business and did that, they would throw me in jail.
I've been guilty of doing what you talk about, buying the $5.00 dollar hammer instead of the $10.00 dollar one. We've all done this to the point that it's brought the wages down and we can't afford American products anymore. When you see made in America is it true? I was reading the box awhile back on a saw, the box did say made in America but after reading the fine print I found that the box was made in America, but every part of the saw was made in other countries. Are we waking up or are we still in deep sleep, I guess we can judge that by the number of people who join in this conversation. We all know that with Lowe's the only thing that count's is the numbers. What count's to the politician is votes, the voters need to start telling them that we need to do something to keep these companies in the United States. We can't turn into a retail only country.

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Posts: 26 Location: midwest

Yep, love of money truly is the root of all evil, isn't it? And that's what'll ultimately take the human species down. Starting with greedy corporate giants Evil or Very Mad

that care more about their bottom line than the hands that feed it--their employees.

Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana

Once we are predominately a retail/consuming only society here in this formerly great country, who will be buying the remaining American-made goods such as our expensive cars? What country will make our tanks and fighter jets when we need to go kick their ass?

When the majority of us can no longer afford insurance (the companies we work for will have quit providing any help on that), and that industry collapses, what then? We won't have enough healthy, wealthy people available to support the lawyers and doctors.

Growing what you are able to won't work because people will just take it from you and the law won't be there to help. And the politically correct folks will eventually have their agendas in place but no one will care enough to enjoy it.

But get some politicians and upper level managers to say "Enough!" and put some pride back in this country and let us be Americans rather than hyphenated zombies, and we can turn it back around. I'm only 50 years old. I intend to be around to see if we have any leaders intelligent and strong enough to do that.

In the meantime I'm thinking about learning Spanish so I will understand what the new Americans are saying about me as they take my job, property, medical coverage, ..., away since they deserve it so much more than the people who made this country great.

Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana

A recession is when a lot of people lose their jobs, and a depression is when you lose your job.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

I put this message on the board in Sep.2003, I know it's an old post but I think it's worth looking at again. My original message was "What will it be like 10 years from now", I see now that it want take ten years, it's almost here now. The replys to the message are true, we allow these things to happen and only we can do something about it. We need to wake up out of our sleep and remind ourselves that we don't work for our Government officals, they work for us, they need to start representing to people they work for, and not the special interest groups. Gasoline prices are one example, if we keep using it at the same rate no matter what the price ,it'll keep going up, most of us could probibly cut our gasoline usage in half if we wanted, that would bring prices down in a hurry, but will we do it. All these things are in our hands and in our power to do. Thumbs Up

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

Why do you think foreigner(sp) are taking our job? They will work for less, work 2 jobs, take care of each other-one bank account for the family. How many people do you know who would work 2 jobs to make it. I worked 3 jobs in my younger years to get what I wanted. I lived at home and contibuted to the household expenses. CEO's of any company make unreal amounts of money. Actors, sports people, make unreal amounts of money. People have gotten greedy, and we need to go back to simple values and real amounts of pay. Everyone who works needs a decent wage to be able to live decently. This applies to the CEO's, actors, sports, anyone. No one works harder than we do, and the wealth needs to be spread around a little more evenly.

I was talking to some people from England, and it is manditory to take 5 weeks of vacation. This is the government saying it is manditory. Rested people make better citizens. Can you imagine 5 weeks, that would be great.

Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Central Florida

Politicians are just as bad with the greed, they live high off the hog while they are voting on things that will hurt the working persons as you and myself. Do you think they eat hamburger helper? or not go places because the cost of gas is climbing so high. Anyway I grew up hearing that the Government is made up of Corp. America and Corp America runs the government. I think someone mentioned about people's working habits. I am from the older generation where we were taught that when you go into work. You do what is expected of you and thensome. But and this is a big but. Why should us older generation people work our butts off and the younger generation stands around and does nothing, but they still collect a pay check. One thing I would like to know is why does management overlook the way they act and work. I don't know about the rest of you, but in my store it is bad., bad, bad. Oh well enough ,I am working myself up to high blood pressure just thinking of it.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

classy.
I've read that about the vacation time somewhere myself, it must be nice to be forced to take five weeks off a year. I've also read that the American workforce works more hours than any worker in any other idustrilized nation for what they make, and makes less money, and like you've said, have less vacation time. It seems like they've moved our country somewhere else.

oncewas,
I'm also from the old school, and it's really a shame to see whats happening in the workplace today as compared to 20 years ago, I don't think the younger generation will ever know what a good work enviroment was unless they can go back in time. Politicians are greedy, they represent themselves and not the people, now they say that Social Security want be there for the Baby Boomers, but I ask where is all the money the Baby Boomers have been paying in all these years, probibly in the politicians pockets.

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

I agree. This was brought up in the other site. Do any of you of the older generation feel age discrimination. By this, I mean, do you see 40 ish, 50 ish, associate with knowledge being overlooked for promotions. All management in our store are under 40. I have applied for the EMPT (or whatever it is initialed) training, I have been overlooked, 3 times now. I have 20 years managerial experience. I am 50, 51 this year. I work my butt off everyday, come in everyday, work my full schedule, even when I don't feel great. The young pups can't do a close/open. If they close they call in sick for the open. They have no work ethic, (my kids have great work ethic, their dad and I showed them, and told them, it is hard on other folks when you don't show up). I made the comment the other day to my husband that I wish I was the type who could call in just because I didn't feel like working. I was tired, still am, can't wait for a day off. I went to work, did my usual hard working thing, left exausted, and started over the same the next day. When I leave for work, I look presentable, not like I just rolled out of the sack. The young pups don't even shower.

We, over 40, have something to offer Lowes and they just don't see it, or want to see it.

I also would like to know where social security is going. Our parents paid in, we pay in, and the younger generation pay in. How can SS not be there for all of us. Believe me though, if you think you can live on SS, you can't. The amount you get each month is not enough, but at least they give you cost of living increases, sometime 2 times a year.

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

My mom received SS benefits for myself and two siblings when I was growing up. My dad died when I was 9. She got $13.00 a month for each of us. Now I believe, I could be wrong, but a deceased benefit on SS for a child is now over $500 a month. It seems the inflation is high for death benefits. I am not saying kids should not be taken care of if a parent dies, but the other surviving parent needs to help. My mom worked and saved that SS money for us and gave it to us as wedding presents. She paid off the house, sent us to private school, and one through college. She did this on her salary, not SS. And she never made more than $18,000 a year.

I am one of those baby boomers. I know there will not be SS when I retire. I know it is not put into an account for each individual, but it should be there for when we all retire. I have now worked for 35 years and will work another 12 or more. Get the welfare people off their butts and put them to work so they can contribute their share. Stop the free ride by people from the government.

I know this will cause some heated discussion.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

There was a time that Social Security was in an account of it's own, it was untouchable to use for anything else. The politicians looked at all that money building up in that account and they had visions of sugarplumbs, think of what we can do with all that money, so it was pulled out of the protected account and put into the general fund, and now we see the results. Check and see how much your Congressman & Senator makes and they get paid most of that the rest of their lives along with free Medical. Where does that money come from ? It comes from the general fund, thats where the Social Security funds are now. They don't even pay into the Social Security system yet their pay and retirement comes from the same account that the Social Security funds are in. Now we have the same people trying to fix the system that broke it in the first place, and they say it's our fault and we have to suffer for it, but you can bet one thing for sure, their retirement checks won't be cut. If they had left it alone all the money for the baby boomers would have been there, plus the money for retires years after that. We hear them say that it's because not as many people pay into the system today, thats a cop out to hide the fact that they used it for other things, and I'm talking about both parties in our Government. The Baby Boomers paid their dues, we want be getting back what we were promised. It's just like what I was promised for spending four years in the Military, 90% of what I was promised has been taken away. Things like this add new meaning to the topic we're talking about, "What will it be like in another 10 years". Let me add to that. "What will it be like in another 10 years if we don't all wake up and do something about it. " Just last month a bill was passed that limits our rights to sue if theres wrong doing against us. Just today a bill was passed that makes it almost impossible to go bankrupt even in a medical emergency, and credit card companies have open season on their customers, they can raise the interest rate to what they want, and the late fees if you're late and theres nothing we can do about it. Last year almost half of the profit of the credit card companies ( in the billions ) came from late charges and over limit fees. What does that tell you ? They don't want you to pay on time and like to see you make a mistake and go over your limit, and then they'll nail you to the wall. What can we look forward to next month.?

Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Central Florida

Not only should they get the welfare people up and at um they should also stop catering to all of the not so legal people that are around. I am in a state where there are a lot of such type persons. They get food stamps, welfare checks, free medical. But you try to get them things from the government and they laugh you right out of the door. and as someone said our forefathers founded this country and we are the ones getting (now think hard on this statement) all them little bags and plastic cases that are on aisle 16 on the right hand side. in all sizes and shapes.LOL, Mad

Classy you and I could wear the same shoes. I too often think of just rolling over and saying (Aisle 16) it I don't feel; like going to work today, but I go because I know it would not be fair to my fellow workers. I 'd feel like they would send out a search party for you because of the fact that we go in day after day after day. also we are always on time. These young people have a bad hair day and they call in. Oh well going to bed these old bones need some rest. I am in the 55 years plus group as far a age goes. night.

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

"There was a time that Social Security was in an account of it's own, it was untouchable to use for anything else. The politicians looked at all that money building up in that account and they had visions of sugarplumbs, think of what we can do with all that money, so it was pulled out of the protected account and put into the general fund, and now we see the results."

But it's spent as it's being collected. There really is no such thing as the "social security trust fund" this was a term some politican invented and they didn't want to tick off the aarp so some people kept using it

"Check and see how much your Congressman & Senator makes and they get paid most of that the rest of their lives along with free Medical. Where does that money come from ? It comes from the general fund, thats where the Social Security funds are now. They don't even pay into the Social Security system yet their pay and retirement comes from the same account that the Social Security funds are in."

Actually ALL federal workers pay into social security it's been that way for 20 or so years. State workers are a different one and local ones can be nearly anything.

"Now we have the same people trying to fix the system that broke it in the first place, and they say it's our fault and we have to suffer for it, but you can bet one thing for sure, their retirement checks won't be cut. If they had left it alone all the money for the baby boomers would have been there, plus the money for retires years after that. We hear them say that it's because not as many people pay into the system today, thats a cop out to hide the fact that they used it for other things, and I'm talking about both parties in our Government."

They aren't really dipping into it. They money you paid was already spent. There is no such thing as extra money just floating around. Again it's like the ratio we have with retirees to workers. Unless you want taxes to go up on social security to like 80% of everyones income then it wouldn't work.

FDR created social security to help elderly people during the great depression. We've been out of it since 1941. He even said himself that it was a temporary measure.

"The Baby Boomers paid their dues, we want be getting back what we were promised. It's just like what I was promised for spending four years in the Military, 90% of what I was promised has been taken away. Things like this add new meaning to the topic we're talking about, "What will it be like in another 10 years". Let me add to that. "What will it be like in another 10 years if we don't all wake up and do something about it. " Just last month a bill was passed that limits our rights to sue if theres wrong doing against us."

No it just limits a class action. Class actions don't always help. I have a friend that works at Wyeth and his company got slammed with fen fen lawsuits even though it's been off the market for 8 years. The class actions in the start were paid off. Can you imagine getting a cut in pay simply because some people have been holding off for more money for 8 years? Imagine if this happened at lowes.

"Just today a bill was passed that makes it almost impossible to go bankrupt even in a medical emergency, and credit card companies have open season on their customers, they can raise the interest rate to what they want, and the late fees if you're late and theres nothing we can do about it. j"

But that's only within what's in writing. Also with bankrupcy it's so easy to do it now it's insane. All you need is $300 to go to a lawyer and your set. Just put your assets to someone else. Sell a 10K car for $50 etc. It's a joke.

"Last year almost half of the profit of the credit card companies ( in the billions ) came from late charges and over limit fees. What does that tell you ? They don't want you to pay on time and like to see you make a mistake and go over your limit, and then they'll nail you to the wall. What can we look forward to next month.?"

I understand what you mean but everything runs on the concept of self interest. Look at drugs for example. You figure with abortion and all that the democrats would be for legalizing drugs after all "my body my choice" well who benifits with drugs being illegal? Well it's clearly the police and securities industry. Half of all the people in jail would likely be released if drugs were legalized. We'd need less cops, less jails, less security personal etc. Who does the police unions donate money to..... the democrats. On the same note the other side is the same with reguards to energy.

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

It used to be that people would have children and they would grow up and take care of you. Since we cannot afford larger families this won't work.

The majority of people have at least 1 child or 2. The problem now is there is no sense of family. I did not come from a hugh family, but I took care of my mother when she became ill. I know my children will take care of me when I need them. It is not only the children who took care of family, it was nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles. There use to be a sense of family, and in today's world of thinking only of yourself, it has gone away. People of India, Vietnamese, Mexican, Russian, etc... do have sense of family and do take care of each other. I worked in a long term hospital and there were a majority of patients who's bills were paid for by family, but they never had visitors. How sad, I tried to cheer these people up the most. The family members took the responsibility to pay the bills, but no responsiblity to the person or their needs as a person--no sense of family.

Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 214

There was indeed a Social Security trust fund at one time until it was moved into the General Fund to be spent on anything. All Federal workers don't pay into the system, and like I said, your Congressman or Woman & Senator don't pay into the system, but they are paid out of the General Fund where the Social Security money goes into. You say Social Securtiy was temporary for the depression, income tax was a temporary tax to pay for World War two, I guess we're still paying for it. The Baby Boomers are the biggest group in history to retire, that means we've been paying into the system for years, we've paid more into the system that should have been paid out, wheres the money.? Listen to the news, members of both parties will tell you that billions on top of billions have been used from Social Security funds for other things, and never paid back.

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

Welfare was also designed as a temporary measure to get people back on their feet, not to raise generations on. I don't begrudge people who need to be on welfare temporarily, it is the ones who raise their children on welfare and then their children raise their children. People have to take responsiblity for their lives. Our country has become the care giver of the world. We have loans out to other countries, that will never be paid back. If it is a loan, damn it, get the payment. We help every country when we have people living in squaller here in our country. Yes, it is good to help when there is a disaster like the tsunami, which will take years to rectify. My heart goes out to all the people who were affected by the tsunami, but they have been forgotten about in the news. We helped the people of 9/11 also, but are we still paying out for those families also. I am not a cold hearted bitch, but I would like to be able to know that when I do retire for good, that all the money that was paid into SS I will be able to exist.

The employees of the federal government need to pay their share into SS also. Senators, Congressmen/women are paid extreme salaries. Yes, they make decisions concerning us, but are they really concerned about us?

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

I really don't think the government just prints up money. Oh, we need several millions of dollars. Ok, let's just fire up the printer.

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 110 Location: illinois

They do make extreme salaries because they have expense accounts for everything they do. They do not pay for airfare, lunches, dinners, or anything to do outside of governmental duties. We pay for all of these things. If they take their wife and another political person to dinner, you bet they put it on their expense account. People in procument do not have the time to go over every thing, and if they make an objection to an expense they are told to let it slide by a supervisor. I know this for a fact. My mother worked in procument for many many years. The rich get richer, the middle income never gets out of the middle and the poor stay poor.

I know how to save money, I work hard and have a house that is paid off, cars are paid off(both new and 2 antique). The government needs your suggestions, not me. I don't live beyond my means, but I have a wonderfull life. I am at the point in my life that if I want something I can pay cash for it. The government needs to balance the budget Surprised

and we the people will be able to have our government live within their means.

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 22

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