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Obama's Embrace Of "Structural" High Unemployment

[T]he White House appears to have sincerely pivoted away from the idea that a higher level of aggregate demand would reduce unemployment and instead embraced the notion that there’s basically nothing that can be done in the short-term. You can see this in Obama’s Today Show interview where he appeared to suggest that unemployment is primarily attributable to technological change:

"There are some structural issues with our economy where a lot of businesses have learned to be much more efficient with fewer workers. [. . .] What we have to do now, and this is what the jobs council is all about, is identifying where the jobs for the future are going to be, how do we make sure that there’s a match between what people are getting trained for and the jobs that exist, how do we make sure that capital is flowing in those places with the greatest opportunity."

What a crock of sh*t. I don't know if Obama believes this or if this is some reelection line, but either way, we a re truly f*cked.

Speaking for me only

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    Sad to say, but I think that's (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:40:34 AM EST
    Bill Clinton-speak - I've heard Clinton deliver that exact same message over the last two years; I didn't buy it from him - I just think it's wrong - and it doesn't acquire any credibility because it's coming out of Obama's mouth.

    Un-f**king-believable.

    me too (none / 0) (#11)
    by CST on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:46:54 AM EST
    the difference is, when Clinton is saying it, in a sense it's to back up his global initiative that would work towards funding some of these things.

    I'd have less of a problem with this if I actually thought it was going to be actively pursued.  Show me the money Obama, show me the money for training, to get people into these new industries.  Right now he's just paying it lip service.

    If the government was willing to massively invest in jobs re-training, I think it certainly couldn't hurt - at the very least it would employ some teachers, but we are facing skill shortages in some areas.  As it is, it sounds like he's just deflecting responsibility.

    Parent

    I don't think Obama is wrong long term (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by ruffian on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:41:50 AM EST
    Of course we do need to plan and educate people for future job growth.

    Meanwhile, however...there is plenty that needs to be done with the skills people have now...social services, construction, infrastructure engineering, to name a few. What is lacking is the will to tax and spend. There, I said those horrible 3 words.

    Maybe people will vote for him in (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 01:37:56 PM EST
    like 2040 when and if his long-term strategies pay off.

    But in 2012, probably not so much if he sticks with this insanity.

    Parent

    Seriously... (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:54:50 AM EST
    article in the Sunday paper, with pics, about how many outer borough city parks resemble garbage dumps...work cleaning up our parks right there staring us in the face, problem is we're supposedly broke.

    Parent
    What an inexcusable fool (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Dadler on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:59:56 AM EST
    Imagination is dead.  Long live the Gods.

    Let us all now pray that the money and jobs return to us like the swallows to Capitsrano.  Are there more offerings we can make?  Blood sacrifices?

    We literally have become a theocracy, the only difference is our God is money.  And not just money, but a currency we invest with more power than we invest in humans themselves.

    Obama is telling us that money controls people, people do not control money.    

    He is proselytizing with a dunce cap.

    Obama's imagination is dead (none / 0) (#58)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:20:25 PM EST
    Wish me luck. (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:14:21 AM EST
    Applying for a city job as a garbage collector. Pay's in the 15 buck range, and it's outside work.

    Maybe I won't be flying a helicopter, but I can learn to drive a trash truck!

    I hope they don't say I'm too educated. Job requires literacy, not even GED. I'm not applying to make a point, it keeps me in the retirement system.

    And I'll be running a lot, so no more fat jeffinalabama if I get it!

    This ties into high structural unemployment (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:15:34 AM EST
    by demonstrating that a PhD and 10 years of teaching, and 1,200 hours flight time doesn't amount to a pitcher of warm spit any more.

    Parent
    We have been told for (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:45:00 AM EST
    years - generations - that education is what moves people up the ladder; what they didn't tell us is that the ladder would be pulled up and we'd be denied membership in a club because it was losing its exclusivity.

    How do you train people for jobs and careers that haven't even been identified?  How do you hold the interest of those who increasingly do not see the investment in higher education as providing a guaranteed return?  I'm a big believer that education is valuable in its own right, but the ranks of those who can afford that are getting smaller and smaller.  So, we won't have English majors or art majors or philosophy majors.  Liberal arts?  What's the point if there's no paycheck at the end?

    But, hey - we can clean houses, drive cabs, wait tables, serve drinks, cut lawns, wash cars, shine shoes, ring up groceries, work retail - we can serve the needs of the elite quite well, and that will be fine as long as we understand we can never join their club.  It's honest work, and deserving of respect, but that's not what we were told was waiting at the end of the education rainbow - and now those who did get what they were promised are having it taken away from them after years of work in the professions they aspired to.

    How do we keep our kids feeling positive about their own futures, when even in their own homes, they see that Mom and Dad did all the right things and it wasn't enough?

    The American Dream?  Yeah, sure.  Obama will get right on that.


    Parent

    Good luck in getting the job (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:35:06 AM EST
    Hopefully it will tide you over until the slim and trim version of jeffinalabama gets something in line with his education and abilities.

    BTW, any news about your son?

    Parent

    'm leaving for Miami again (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:59:08 AM EST
    tomorrow, but I'm curbing my enthusiasm and hopes.

    If he makes it, and the shuttle has been delayed, we'll head toward Titusville. If the shuttle's launched, Islamorada and Key Largo. I'll introduce him to the Caribbean Club, if it's still standing. Then Hojo's on the beach at Marathon, then Key West. He's 8, he can go to Sloppy Joe's right?

    Parent

    Honest work... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:43:11 AM EST
    which is more than you can say for many of our more prestigous gigs.

    Not sure how they roll down in AL, but the sanitation guys I know have no issue punching in with Miller High Life in 'em:)

    I kid, but seriously:)

    Parent

    Since I don't yet (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:01:38 PM EST
    have a CDL, I can show up with fumes as long as I can run and load the cans...

    You raise some excellent points, Kdog. Job starts at 6, and finishes when the route's over. If the route's over at noon, pay for 8 hours. Route over at 4, pay for 8 hours.

    Then some champagne of bottled beers, and back at it.

    What I do doesn't make me who I am. What I am makes me what I am.

    Parent

    That's nice (none / 0) (#54)
    by Nemi on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 04:11:50 PM EST
    What I do doesn't make me who I am. What I am makes me what I am.
    And whether you or Søren Kierkegaard came up with that, I like it. :)

    Parent
    Oh, kdog, I decided to step up (none / 0) (#32)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:03:25 PM EST
    from AB natty lite... bad for my reputation when I'm unemployed...

    Parent
    Miller brewery is anti-worker (none / 0) (#37)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 01:14:50 PM EST
    and anti-immigrant and worse in its political donations.  Google protest pages on Facebook such as "Musicians Against Miller Beer" and "Boycott Scott Walker Contributors" or search news stories of Miller beer being boycotted and even poured out into the streets in its former headquarters state of Wisconsin (before the brewery was bought out by Coors, long a conservative bastion of a brewery).

    Parent
    You're in need of some frosty malt beverage (none / 0) (#43)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:16:34 PM EST
    if you think Molson Coors bought out SAB Miller. They are two separate companies, owned and run independently.

    I can only assume that you are referring to the MillerCoors joint US partnership that was set up in 2007. This company brews and distributes Miller products, Coors products, Pabst, the Beast, and other beers in the US market only. No buy out happened, by either company.

    I did find evidence of a Miller boycott via Google. It's being run by Catholic League president Bill Donohue. The boycott is because MillerCoors sponsored a pro-gay event.

    Parent

    Okay, MillerCoors (none / 0) (#46)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:35:59 PM EST
    is a partnership, not an ownership.  

    But brewing and distributing in the U.S.?  Well, as they say in Wisconsin, that says it all.

    Parent

    Oops, found your Musicians boycott facebook (none / 0) (#44)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:29:27 PM EST
    page. They claim: "Most notably, Miller Beer contributed millions to Governor Scott Walker's (R-WI) campaign." Actually, no. MillerCoors donated $22k to the Walker campaign. Not only that, they contributed about the same amount to Tom Barrett.

    Parent
    Those excuses (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:39:31 PM EST
    are not acceptable and are, actually, naive as to how politics works.  Every company is trying to wiggle out of the protests by claiming only the corporate donations, but more reading of the pages would show you how to find and add in the gifts by company execs and relevant others.

    And as for also giving to the opponent, that is not acceptable as an excuse for supporting Walker and his anti-worker platform.  Not acceptable to workers, anyway.  Farmboys apparently feel differently about this.  Your right to do so, but not at the cost of nonagricultural workers' rights.

    Parent

    And the Brewery Workers UAW Local 9 (none / 0) (#45)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:34:10 PM EST
    would be surprised to discover that they aren't working in a union shop - and they'd wonder why, if Miller is anti union, they put "union made" on their label.

    Parent
    Oh, please, now that is really naive (none / 0) (#48)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:40:44 PM EST
    and just betrays something beyond naivete.  So I'm done with you.  Drink that p*ss beer all that you want, and help support Miller's collusion with Walker to destroy the competition as well as the workers.

    Parent
    Facts are just not your friends today (none / 0) (#50)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:46:10 PM EST
    Have a cold one and relax!

    Parent
    Your friends are not workers (none / 0) (#52)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 04:00:17 PM EST
    but that was evident before this.

    Have a craft beer, yourself.  If you get what is really going on with Miller and other corporates.

    Parent

    If you want to have some fun this weekend, (none / 0) (#51)
    by Farmboy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:59:50 PM EST
    come join me in Milwaukee while I drink some really good union-made beer and listen to the Miller-sponsored bands at "The World's Largest Music Festival."

    Did I touch all the bases? Let's see: beer, unions, music - oh yeah, I hope Walker gets recalled. How's that for naive?

    Parent

    Already been there (none / 0) (#53)
    by Towanda on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 04:01:28 PM EST
    but not to patronize the Miller stage.  There are many, many stages at Summerfest -- and many sponsors.

    As for recalling Walker, that will not happen if you continue to support his supporters.

    Parent

    FarmBoy (none / 0) (#72)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 01:16:14 PM EST
    Hey look at me, a fellow Wisconsin Farm Boy.  I appreciate the enthusiasm, but come on, in my 28 years in the state, I don't remember anyone drinking Miller products with regular frequency.

    Why, Sprecher, Lake Front, Leinenkugels, Point, and Rhinelander.  Granted I went to school in Point and Leinenkugels was bought by Miller(which is foreign owned), but it's been a while.  And I tossed Rhinelander in there to see if you are really from WI, that is the worse beer ever made, but cheap so it keeps the high school kids warm in the winter.  Pretty sure those are union beers.  And go Hodags.

    I'll be up there at the end of the month for a whirlwind tour.  Chicago, Milwaukee, Point, Marshfield, BR Falls, WI Dells, and back to Chicago.  800 miles in 8 days, even bringing my attorney(think Asian Dr Gonzo). Can't make Summerfest, but well be at Germanfest.

    My Bday is the 14th and the one thing I truly miss about Wisconsin is Bastille Days.  No one celebrates my bday like the Violent Femmes, at Lake Park on the 14th of July.

    Parent

    Umm (none / 0) (#63)
    by cal1942 on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 05:53:47 AM EST
    because they already exist.  

    Don't be naive enough to think that because Miller was unionized by its WORKERS years ago that the corporation wouldn't delight in getting rid of the union to eliminate bargaining rights for workers.

    Are you that lacking in knowing at least the general history of labor and management relations or any understanding of how all this works.

    Parent

    "..a lot of businesses have learned (5.00 / 5) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:30:21 AM EST
    to be much more efficient with fewer workers."  The statement, to the untrained ear, sounds positive, efficiency through technological advances business savvy and progress.  But, too much of the lesson businesses have learned is that regression of worker rights, collective bargaining and fear of keeping jobs in the face of high unemployment has yielded the "efficiencies" from a longer work week, less workers to do more without regard to quality, and increased profits accruing from few benefits. (Even those pesky child labor laws need to be reviewed to bring us up to date with realities of the new economy --currently a fringe idea, but soon to be beltway gospel).   This argument of President Obama reveals cluelessness in the same manner that Daddy Bush was amazed by bar code scanners used in those places some people call grocery stores where they go to shop for food that they eat.

    Actually, I am not sure that the (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by inclusiveheart on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 01:41:43 PM EST
    so-called "untrained ear" in a job market like this one is going to find a message about fewer jobs appealing.

    My guess is that that is one of those echo-chamber phrases that worked for the masses in times of lower unemployment; but that going forward with a high unemployment rate and no relief in sight, that statement will make people nervous and unhappy.

    Parent

    I never use self-checkout (none / 0) (#65)
    by sj on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 09:01:37 AM EST
    unless I absolutely can not avoid it.  And if I can, I say it's because I want to have people working and not machines.  Usually I get a non-committal look as a cashier walks back to cash register.  But recently a couple of people followed me back to human-operated cash register.  I guess that's progress of a sort.

    Parent
    Sorry to say (5.00 / 2) (#27)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:38:12 AM EST
    This has been true about our political reality for some time now.

    either way, we a re truly f*cked.


    Doesn't That Non-Sense... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:16:35 PM EST
    ... blow a huge hole in trickle down economics ?

    Aren't all these tax breaks and subsides for employers suppose to create jobs, why are we funding their streamlining of processes which, according to Obama, are having the exact opposite of their intention ?


    Obama expressed his admiration for St. Ronnie (5.00 / 5) (#42)
    by jawbone on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:10:07 PM EST
    in either the primaries or general election; that alarmed me.

    I don't know if Obama understands the implications of the economic approach he's chosen, but I think it's close enough to what he thinks St. Ronnie would do that it might be his personal philosophy.

    And it really doesn't matter if he's been tricked or believes this to the bone; what matters is what he's doing and he's doing the wrong things.

    Heh. The Dems got well and truly bamboozled and ended up with a Republican as their presidential candidate.  And we're getting Republican policies -- maybe not as bat guano crazy as current whackjob Republicans' ideas, but close enough since they just keep rolling him to the right.

    I woke up yesterday to some of Obama's words about the economy; they sounded just like the Repub talking points. Got my day off to a very bad beginning....

    Obama's pattern of Behavior (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by samsguy18 on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 03:45:27 PM EST
    For most of his political life has been to talk the talk but when it comes to walking the walk forget it...if it actually requires some risk or work you won't see him for the dust !

    Acted just like (none / 0) (#64)
    by cal1942 on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 06:04:38 AM EST
    a Republican, complete with deceptive talk.

    As President, among my favorite lines has been; "sustaining 75,000 jobs" in reference to a new trade agreement.

    My thought was stevedores to unload the imports at Long Beach and truckers to ship the goods around the country.

    Parent

    Nice to agree with you BTD (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by BobTinKY on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 05:35:38 PM EST
    unfortunately it about this.

    Someone, anyone, primary this guy please!  I nee dot vote against him and cannot vote GOP

    I wonder if (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by sj on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 09:01:55 AM EST
    alternate Parties will be getting more votes next year.  

    Parent
    Electioneering (5.00 / 4) (#57)
    by Edger on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 07:43:12 PM EST
    More of his hope and change BS.

    And the longer he's president the more hope for change more people have.

    Regan promised trickle down, and Obama is doing his best to make sure there'll be lots at the top to trickle down.

    I recall (none / 0) (#61)
    by lentinel on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:39:45 PM EST
    that Archie Bunker referred to it as "tinkle-down economics".
    That about says it.

    Parent
    Yup (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Edger on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:44:42 PM EST
    When someone continually goes along on everything with someone else whom they 'claim' to be opposing...it ain't cavin' - it's the plan.

    You gotta give the guy all the credit he deserves.

    Parent

    You know, (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by lentinel on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 10:06:08 AM EST
    it drives me crazy when I see people supposedly on the left who complain that Obama is ignoring "his base".

    They continue to be under the illusion that the left, the poor, the disenfranchised, people who want an end to the wars, people who have been deprived of their civil and human rights - constitute his base.

    They never constituted his base.
    His base always was Goldman-Sachs, and the rich and the powerful. He won because they were convinced that he would be a more effective salesman for them than McCain and Palin. And he has delivered for them. Big time.

    So Obama has, in reality, been effectively playing to his base since day one in which he presented us with that right-wing twerp Rick Warren at his designer inaugural.

    IMO of course.

    Parent

    Yes... I agree (none / 0) (#70)
    by Edger on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 12:06:01 PM EST
    Very well said (none / 0) (#71)
    by Edger on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 01:08:53 PM EST

    I have to admit that I literally plagiarized much of your comment and posted it at dKos, because I agreed with it so completely and because you said what I think and believe so exactly that I couldn't say it any better...

    Sue me. ;-)

    Parent

    You'll (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by lentinel on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 02:09:51 PM EST
    be hearing from the FBI.

    Flanigan, Branigan and Izkavich.

    (Stolen from the The Stooges.)

    Parent

    Hoo boy... (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by Edger on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 02:13:08 PM EST
    And I can't even erase it now... :-)

    Parent
    Agreed... (none / 0) (#73)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 01:28:54 PM EST
    ... but your playing semantics with the word 'base'.  To me at least, corporate overloads can't be the base, maybe the enablers, or the money machine, but not the base.

    Without the actual base, Obama would not have been elected, the same is true for the Wall Street, without the corporate overlords, and their money, he would have never been elected.

    He loses the actual base, which seems possible not probable, and Wall Street ain't gonna save him.  On the other hand, had he actually pandered to the real base, he could have lost Wall Street and win the next election, but it's tooooo late for that.

    And I like many feel duped, but as you mentioned this is my fault for assuming that a D behind ones name actually stood for the groups you mentioned.  Because the more I think about, the more I realized he is somewhat doing as advertised in the election.  Stereo types (democrats) are a thing of the past, apparently no one with any real political force cares about the people who need the most carrying.

    Parent

    God help the dummy (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:22:07 PM EST
    If some Republican shows up talking job creation.

    Technologically speaking, (5.00 / 3) (#60)
    by lentinel on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 08:38:12 PM EST
    I think this whole country would be more efficient if Mr. Obama were to join the ranks of the unemployed.

    Now Obama is going (5.00 / 0) (#67)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 09:44:32 AM EST
    to chain Social Security to the CPI, I'm assuming because a bunch of people don't want old people getting over if we experience deflation.  If people had more to spend though during deflation, it would increase aggregate demand and help fix what is wrong with our economy.  If the middle class and poor have less to spend though during deflation they can't help anything, the toilet flushes and they are chained to the flush.  How sad, and I don't know how our President can continue to be this stupid.

    I don't think he's stupid (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 07, 2011 at 11:41:16 AM EST
    Insensitive and lacking empathy, yes.  But not stupid- he's doing what he wants to do.  I think we've all been played.  I hate conspiracy theories, but it's like he's the Manchurian Candidate, or starring in his own version of The Departed.  (Pass the tinfoil, maybe I should make a hat.)

    Parent
    FYI.... (none / 0) (#1)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:09:59 AM EST
    your tags are broken....messing up the site...

    Tags? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:11:02 AM EST
    I don't use tags so not sure what you mean.

    Parent
    It looks like (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:12:23 AM EST
    you forgot to close your blockquote

    Parent
    It was fine in Firefox (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:15:07 AM EST
    But I took out the internal blockquotes.

    Parent
    Explorer ismessing it up (none / 0) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:22:06 AM EST
    I put it all under the fold.

    Parent
    You'll have to clear your cache in Explorer (none / 0) (#7)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:23:16 AM EST
    HTML tags (none / 0) (#10)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:46:34 AM EST
    You use them all the time, but apparently without knowing it.  But you fixed it!  Thank you.

    Parent
    This is not making me optimistic (none / 0) (#5)
    by lilburro on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:20:08 AM EST
    about who will be appointed the next Treasury Secretary...

    Deep breaths. . . `_´ (none / 0) (#12)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:51:07 AM EST


    Is it working? (none / 0) (#15)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:57:48 AM EST
    'Cause it doesn't seem to work well for me anymore.

    Parent
    Ignorance is bliss (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:03:11 AM EST
    My favorite scene from Broadcast News:

         JANE
            Tom isn't ready for the job
            you're about to hand him.  Not
            near ready.  Not by the longest
            shot.  Aaron's spent six weeks
            in Tripoli, he's interviewed
            Gaddafi -- he reported on the
            Eight-one story.  I think he's
            essential to do the job we're
            capable of and I think it's my
            responsibility to tell you that.

                    PAUL
            Okay, that's your opinion.  I
            don't agree.

                    JANE
            It's not opinion.

                    PAUL
            You're just absolutely right
            and I'm absolutely wrong?

                            She nods.

                    PAUL
            It must be nice to always believe
            you know better.  To think you're
            always the smartest person in the
            room.

                    JANE
                (from her depths)
            No, it's awful.  Oh my, it's awful.



    Parent
    I think following kdog's advice might (none / 0) (#21)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:18:49 AM EST
    help with the whole "bliss" thing; I might not ever be able to turn off my brain enough to be ignorant, but I might not care as much about what's going on.  :-)

    Parent
    One thing my foray (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:51:11 PM EST
    into the world of ADHD has taught me is that we tend to have a minimal amount of control over what we're interested in and what we pay attention to, especially after the structure of primary school.

    Parent
    Keeps me outta... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:27:56 AM EST
    the insane asylum, at least so far...I don't know how people do it without something to take the edge of our collective insanity...stay sane that is.  

    The dose of wilfull blindness required for ignorance bliss sounds like hard work, how much can one ignore?...sedated semi-awareness is where its at, at least for me.  Actually doing something of substance would surely lead to arrest.

    Parent

    I'm beginning th think (none / 0) (#24)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:30:45 AM EST
    that Miller High Life is my chosen path to bliss. And the bottle caps go to help vets. And if I have less than 10, I can get up and take the dogs for a walk, lol, and sweat it out.

    "and when the morning light comes streaming in, we get up and do it again.

    Amen."

    Parent

    The champagne of beers! (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:33:40 AM EST
    Pass the soma hombre.

    Parent
    You're obviously... (none / 0) (#17)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 11:01:37 AM EST
    not breathing the right substances in deeply Anne:)

    Parent
    Perhaps the WH Twitter dealee (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 10:55:52 AM EST
    will change his mind. Meanwhile USA Today article states employers are looking for employees who can do many skills--not just one thing.

    I was thinking about the Big Dig (none / 0) (#33)
    by CST on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:03:39 PM EST
    and how it allowed an entire generation of blue collar workers in Boston to retire "comfortably".

    The industry in MA has changed a lot in the last few decades, manufacturing is almost gone, and the tech/biomedical industry is what came in it's place.  But in the meantime, you had a generation of people who were trained to do something that was no longer relevant.  It's very similar to when the steel industry died in Pittsburgh.  That's nice that they are now moving into new industries, but what about all the people who get left behind - it takes time to revamp an economy.

    The big dig was a massive stimulus/infrastructure project that kept thousands of blue collar and white collar people employed for over 20 years.  Sure, it cost billions, but the infrastructure is hugely improved and it gave people something to retire on while the rest of the local economy evolved.

    If there really are new jobs and industries out there, any training will take time - time that a lot of people don't have.  There needs to be something constructive for this generation to retire on before we can start thinking about the next one.

    heh. (none / 0) (#35)
    by jeffinalabama on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 12:48:40 PM EST
    Don't worry, Michele (none / 0) (#38)
    by observed on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 01:15:05 PM EST
    will find Obama a job---Bachman, that is.

    BTD you're doing the NEA dance - (none / 0) (#39)
    by seabos84 on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 01:24:14 PM EST
    last weekend the NEA voted an early endorsement of obama - after passing some ...

    YAWN ...

    resolution sternly wagging the finger at Arne and his lying crap.

    I'm voting Grayson Dems, or I'm writing in "Medicare ForAll". Where's that leave 0bummer the $ell 0ut?

    Good luck with all those moderately swinging central independents barack!

    rmm.

    Tues. USA Today had an (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 04:48:38 PM EST
    opinion piece about Pres. Obama talking the Reagan talk but not delivering.