This is a big issue that I don't think we've come to grips with as a society. Our economy increasingly pays a tremendous premium for "brain work". Over the last 20 or so years, all the money is flowing to the really smart guys (ie, Jeff Bezos, etal).

By definition, about 16% of a given population will have an IQ below 85. That is the minimum level required to enlist in the US Army.

Based on the size of the US population, that means there are about 50 million Americans that the Army considers too stupid to train, even if just to take a bullet or clean latrines.

150 years ago, there was plenty of productive things for those guys to do. Back then, just about everyone worked directly in agriculture, and a few were making their way into grunt work in factories. That sort of work enabled the low-IQ population to enjoy the dignity of productive, valuable work. They had the capacity to do useful things.

Today, all that has changed. The percentage of people manually working in the fields is effectively zero. Farming is now high-tech work, requiring smart guys who know how to run sophisticated equipment. Factory work is now brain work as well, since a large percentage of the mindless, repetitive tasks have been automated. Trade-craft like plumbing, electrical, mechanical repair, welding, machining, etc, etc, etc has also all become much more sophisticated, all of which puts the squeeze on the guys at the bottom of the cognitive barrel.

I don't have any idea what happens to those guys who lack the brain power to do today's type of work, other than knowing that few of them will ever be in a position to walk into a Harley dealer and plop down $25k for a new motorcycle.

I'd never criticize someone else for their personal decisions, but this is me right here. There is an abundance of fabulous, clean bikes out there available for pennies on the dollar compared to new. I couldn't begin to justify spending the money on a brand new one.

 

They sell drugs and join gangs or suckle on welfare

... some of the ones that sell drugs might buy a new Harley if they don't get caught and sent to prison first I guess?

 

 

Many applicants either don't have a driver's license or can't pass a pee test according to some friends who are looking for help in northern Mi. And in northern Mi. the pay for the same job is considerably less than the cities of southern Mi. Try to buy a high ticket item on $11 an hour.

 

i've been a union member for 44 years and retired after working 38. the times have changed for the unions. no longer can you be a drop out or a drug addict and get in the unions. you must have a drivers license and be a high school graduate. my union gives everyone a written test that you must pass and then ,and only then they drug test you. fail either and you are not getting in. the test is pretty hard too !

what gets me is they let the minorities just walk in. some have been in the program for 6 months and still are not capable of reading a tape measure. some just can't be taught anything. this will be the downfall of the trades. shoddy work at high prices. we have our goverment to thank for this. the goverment was not here when we started this union, our health care or pensions. why do they think they need to stick their nose in now ?

 

True. They (now) are the give me group. All "entitled" to everything and will sit back and wait for it to be given to them. Ones that work think they worked at a place for a week, they deserve to be the boss. Period. No working up the ladder. Overtime? Bufff! Come in early? Buff!!! Weekends?!!! Buff!!! Think the world will end if they have to work over the 8 hour / 40 hour weekday.

At work here we have a handful of 20 - 30 year olds. They come in 10 minutes late every day, leave for lunch 10 - 15 minutes early and come back 10 - 15 minutes late, then stand around and talk about how lunch was and where they went, then out the door 10 minutes early. All the time complaining they are "so busy"!!!!

 

 

LOL wut?

I'd take a manual over an auto any day. I can still smoke a cigarette and drink a beer while shifting gears in SoCal traffic. It's not that hard. My dad taught me to drive on a manual and I've never owned an automatic. If you can't handle pressing a clutch pedal during some traffic, then I don't know what to tell you.

 

I deal with unions once in a while, and generally, some are good and some are worthless. The people are the same. You know who to go for help and who to keep away from.

All depends.

 

buying a new harley will get them sent to prison if they do it cash..... gotta play make believe.... get the mcdonalds check to at least appear legit and finance it. then pay it off fast, lol

over 9,999 in cash gets you referred for investigation