The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: Rastus on May 10, 2016, 06:19:27 AM
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I think this will be a telling poll. I just perused a 2011 poll where members were hurting. Has it gotten better or worse for you? Did you have to retire?
For instance, I work in the oil industry and we've been devastated. It is full of ups and downs so I expect that to happen however, this one is particularly nasty and unlike past oil downturns it has not boosted the US economy one bit. It would not be so bad if the economy was doing better....but with Obamacare sucking the life out of the US economy the price drop is probably all that has kept us from dropping off the economic precipice.
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No provision for disability, so I checked "early retirement".
This will be more accurate than the BS being released as monthly jobs reports.
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Added disability. The poll is not locked you can change your vote.
Anything else I missed?
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I don't now how to change my vote.
But I don't think you missed anything ese.
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Worse for me. The money is the same, but I had too increase my gross sales by 7x, higher 9 employees to make it be that way.
That inculdes a move out of ca. I don't even want too think about how much more I would have too increase it by if I was still tgere.
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I "retired", not because I wanted to (lots of gun parts to buy, then started HAM hobby . . . ) but because the job market right now for what I do (high end IT management) here in KY is worse than it was in ND. Plus, being a newly-wed, who wants to travel?
So I took Social Security, and my wife is still working, so lots of time, just not so much money. Plus a son living here now in grad school at UK.
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I was "down sized" in Jan of 2009 as the senior (highest paid) IT technician at age 62. Unemployed turned into retired, SS, and a 70% service related VA disability.
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Leprechauns for me..
Terminated me and 24 others in January due to lack of work from General Epileptic's decision to screw every supplier of their equipment out of business. The energy industry is dying due to the admins big boner for green, global cooling foolishness.
Not much here for me... can't move, stuck with the fact that I'll probably take a HUGE pay cut if and when I find something...
In a word... screwed!
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I still have a job with decent pay...construction is picking up, so I think I'm ok for another 5 years or so and then I'll probably be done and try to live on crumbs. Unfortunately, I have noticed a LARGE increase in everything except gasoline. Food prices are way up, clothing has jumped, taxes are higher, vet bills, gun stuff is a little higher. I think we're in an inflationary grip that has been largely buried by the govt and media.
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I'm retired just like I planned, but my financial situation is not what I envisioned! I am slowly going broke and am looking for a job at 69 yo!
Richard
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My situation is better, though I am having to work my butt off to make it that way.
2 reasons why, one of my bosses retired and I have moved up in the company. I now have benefits that I didn't before. (health insurance).
Also, on the side I have launched a training company. http://www.wyotac.com/ (http://www.wyotac.com/)
That, while it has been challenging, is starting to gain some traction.
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I first retired at 63 on SS and Military Retirement. I had paid off my house and car off several years before so we were well off on 36K a year and still saving money. 18 months later a friend called and said they needed some part time help where I use to work. So I went back and wound up working 3/4 of full time hours. My average income went up to around 63k for 4 and 1/2 years when I finally retired again at 69. My manager loved me because I was willing to work any shift in any part of the operation. Acft refueling, bulk storage, and liquid oxygen. When I finally bailed out I gave my boss 30 days notice. When I gave him it in writing he almost
started to cry. Needles to say those extra four years gave quite a boost to the savings.
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I voted better.
Why? Well I'm now Supervisor, don't have to deal with a megalomaniac who also has an inferiority complex and the wife beating person she hired as the previous Supervisor.
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I've been on disability since 2011 from an injury to my back that happened in 1996.money is less,but I get by.Once my car is paid off,I'll be in better shape.
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Better, however, it has nothing to do with political climate or anything any elected servant has done. Long story, but basics are family business that offered an opening to me, and I'm busting my butt same as all other employees ... except I do get to stay in a much better hotel than the others from time to time.
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Better for 20% but pretty much because of advancement in their existing company or from a previous work network. One out of 10 people retired on target, about 10% but fully 25% of the respondents had to take an unwanted early retirement.
One out of 10 has a disability. Another 20% have kept what they had but are losing because of inflation.
I only count the 20% doing better and that is because of special situations. And then the 10% for planned retirement.
It is good the 20% have a special situation that benefited them and that the planned retirement worked out. So, at best 3 out of 10 people still have the American Dream in their pocket. And recognizing the tragic disability and adding that to the 3 of 10 to make 4 of ten that means, 6 out of 10 people are doing worse in this economy. In all likelihood, because of the small sample size that number is closer to 7 out of 10.
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It may be even worse since "Millennials" are now the majority but none are represented here.
We are all 30+ and actually had jobs, no college/military age trying to get started.
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Only 16 votes? Some of you lurkers out there need to log in and participate.
Bubba
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I said better. That's because I recently started a new job that pays much better in a new state that has a lower cost of living. So far it's not been easy, I rarely have time to visit the DRTV forum! But with one kid in college and 3 more now in high school I had to do something.
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<snip>
Also, on the side I have launched a training company. http://www.wyotac.com/ (http://www.wyotac.com/)
That, while it has been challenging, is starting to gain some traction.
Congratulations on the training company. I hope that pays off for you.
If we ever get to $55-$60 bbl oil I'll be in Wyoming on leases we'll be drilling and if I'm in the neighborhood maybe I can hit a class when I'm that-a-way. Our leases are in southern Wyoming but I didn't see where you are located on your website.
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I'll be retired 2 years this coming December. I feel as though I got out just in time. The future doesn't look very promising. Especially in my trade. Although that could easily change for the better if Trump gets in and lowers the corporate tax rate. Then there is an estimated $2 TRILLION dollars parked offshore that will find it's way back into the country. If that happens the economy could easily go from bust to the biggest boom in decades. Obama has all but choked capitalism to death in the past 8 years with tax and regulations...... Over 20,000 of them at last count. Something else Trump will have to fix.
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Even if the economy does pick up 3D printers will finish off machinists.
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Even if the economy does pick up 3D printers will finish off machinists.
Yeah, that technology is advancing all the time. Look at how far it's gone in sophistication and price in just the last few years.
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Doing employment market research over the last few months of unemployment and finding my occupation is in a 10-12% negative growth downturn. How does one changed direction at nearly 60 years of age?
I already have about 10 resumes of various forms and haven't been able to send out a single one in the last few weeks. Now I'm looking at contract work.
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Even if the economy does pick up 3D printers will finish off machinists.
I believe that the machinists displaced by the printers will be able to shift to the printing side, if they and their companies are willing to educate and train. However, I do not believe that the printers will wipe out all machining. We are a long way from getting the strength and durability needed in many machined parts from a printer.
I believe the secret to stability and growth is cleaning up the tax code and cutting back on rule instituting agencies. If we drop the corporate double taxation and also allow decent time for corporations and individuals to reinvest gains we will see more money here. And if we do away with the ability and sense of need for every special interest agency and self serving elected official to pass more rules and regulations we will shift billions from oversight and compliance to production with no increased risk to the worker or the public.
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Not a machinist but I've been working in and around them and NC programming for 20 plus years.
What 3D printing does for machining the final product is huge. The printer can make a perfect copy, at least by the designers aspect, making the model easily transferred into the multi axis CNC software which does transfer directly into the new controls available to todays machining centers. The machining then becomes fully automated and without input from machinists that once did 100% of the programming themselves. They've become monitors of the process rather than direct input of the code themselves.
It changes the dynamic considerably. I know of one 40 year machinist that can run a 5 axis HAAS in his sleep but doesn't have the knowledge or the interest in learning Master Cam or other programming software to further his learning.
I'm in the same boat only on the technical side. We've sent so much work offshore that knuckledragging engineer types like me are screwed...
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It changes the dynamic considerably. I know of one 40 year machinist that can run a 5 axis HAAS in his sleep but doesn't have the knowledge or the interest in learning Master Cam or other programming software to further his learning.
Red is the key! On the right side of the aisle we have heard for years that workers need to advance themselves and adapt to the changing market. This has also been the base argument against the over blown minimum wage - Learn and grow, and your wage will grow in reward.
The left side of the aisle ignores the workers already in place and brags about our youth who can operate anything and everything from their mothers' basements with a joystick.
Advances in technology is nothing new, and the reaction to it has been constant. Thatchers suffered with the advent of shingles, and shake installers suffer due to the development of asphalt shingles. The old adage about buggy whip makers starving to death when the horseless carriage advanced can be applied here as well.
I hate to sound cruel and uncaring, but keep growing or chose one of the following:
1. Become irrelevant in the market place and suffer the economic consequences;
2. Join the union, and force us all to protect and pay you for just being you.
Of course, you can always vote for Bernie Sanders, and the rest of us will just hand over our paychecks to support you.
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They are pouring money and technology into 3D metal printers, because they know the payback will be enormous. They will be constantly improving quality through sintering and powdered metal technology. It won't be long before they have the same strength and quality as machined parts.
Look at the quality Ruger built into investment casting. It used to be considered "pot metal". Good for only cheap, low durability goods. Now they're almost as strong as forged. The Ruger #1 and Model 77 receivers are testament to that fact. Both are some of the strongest receivers in the firearms world.
It's only a matter of time before 3D metal printing gets to this same level. I can't believe how far it's come already. Many of these smaller units are consumer affordable as we speak.
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All good points..
I've spent the last thirty years going from a tech assistant at General Dynamics, went to school for a while, taught myself drafting, AutoCAD, Solidworks and a dozen CNC programming techniques, sheet metal development and fabrication, laser operations, punching operations, designing, MRP/ERP systems, estimating, etc...
With all that, they're paying wetbacks a few bucks to my 35/hr for the same work. That and our customer just stopped giving us work! They were tired with dealing with the top corporation and sent the projects elsewhere.. I've done what I can to remain relevant but to no avail... Now I'm pushing 60 and will probably work several gigs to make half what I was earing before.
Still hopeful but time is running out for me... With a disabled spouse, I'm tapped out when the unemployment ends..
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Have Faith Timothy!
I have a work history that will beyond chapters and into volumes in my obituary. In my late 50's I find myself with a college degree, a Mortuary Science license, a history in retail and wholesale, and a lot of agriculture experience. All of these have people contacting me to offer employment. However, I have returned to truck driving.
The market, consumer, drives most of what we earn. The demand for cheap food and no funerals makes my skills in those areas nearly worthless in terms of paying the bills. I can earn 50% more driving 2,500 miles a week and spending 1 1/2 of those days delivering to stores (hand unloading) than I can funeral service. Who would have ever thought that an occupation that cares for the dead, protects the public from the health issues of death, and deals with all the legal and regulatory details would be worth less than a person driving truck, plowing snow, teaching school, etc.?
There is a strange conflict within our political system if you listen to those on both sides of the aisle. They both want a strong work force, they both want good and reliable workers and products, they both want as much as possible created here in our 50 states, but neither side is willing to give up the Walmart or Amazon model of not paying what something is really worth.
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The thing with 3 D printers and computer aided machining is that they will always require a human to monitor the process add material and remove product. But employers can hire that for $10/ hr instead of the hire wages of a trained machinist/tool maker.
It's still cool as hell though.n
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I looked into getting my CDL but unfortunately lack the funds to even get started..
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I looked into getting my CDL but unfortunately lack the funds to even get started..
It isn't as easy as it used to be. I got mine back in 84, and it was a written test and driving test. From those I've talked to lately there are some that get by that way, with way more supervised time that I didn't even need to do, but most go to school.
Best example there is for "If you have a license to do something, do all you can to keep it!"
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Yea, I expect it's about 5-6K these days. A bus CDL Is about 1500.
I still keep my motorcycle license though I probably won't ride again! It's now a matter of pride having had one since my 16th BD, 1973!
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Damn your old! My first car was a bike, and my first license had the endorsement - '74. I think in California it was just a written test and a couple circles in the parking lot. When I moved back to Minnesota I had to take both written and driving for my license. For the bike I had to ride around the courthouse square. Tester couldn't see me most of the way around, so he just listened to the sound of the bike.
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Damn your old! My first car was a bike, and my first license had the endorsement - '74.
As well with me... I was given a rolling chassis, motor, trans and a box of crap at about 14.. A 1968 Harley Sprint.. I worked on it hard for a year and brought the motor and trans to school for a small engine class I took. I was the teachers special project... Beat the heck out of Briggs and Tecumseh's!
This is not mine...
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Tecumseh. I had forgotten. Are they still in business?
And oh by the way Timothy, hope you can find something in a shrinking economy. These idiots running things have no idea how much 3rd world workers are really costing them. I've had to use them around Pecos, TX, on starting some of my projects because I couldn't find locals in the desert and because there was no one willing to move in. I've gotten work crews rotating in now and it's very much better.
But my point is the 3rd world work ethic can really suck. For the crews I had you can forget anything getting done past noon on Friday...hell, they are ready to leave at 10 AM. Then if you have work on Saturday for overtime expect 1/4 to 1/3 of already reduced effort. Monday? Monday I just as soon not even have a crew out because they all get drunk and stoned Sunday night and are not worth knocking in the head on Monday. So essentially, I had 3-1/2 days a week where they would work if someone was staying on their ass.
And another thing...especially for construction, expect the job to be done wrong twice so they can get paid 3 times for doing a task.
And then they pull the language crap "no ingles"....causes me to smile at them and say, "OK, fine. I'm good I understand 'no ingles'. That's not a problem because if you don't finish what you are doing in 15-20 minutes pack your $hit and leave". I do it with a smile from start to finish and turn around and go back to what I was doing. It's amazing how much improvement in work ethic can be done in 15 minutes....all with no communication at all because, you know, they don't speak English. Right.
That's where the fish heads poll thing came from I posted yesterday. I was not military, but everyone I know who was stationed in the Philippines or spent any time there came away with a saying to "xxx'em and feed 'em fish heads". That comes to mind every time I think of having to build or operate something out in west TX.
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Yea, Tecumseh is still in biz as far as I know!
Thanks for the well wishes, BTW!
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My job situation is better because I busted my butt (50-70 hour work weeks + Full time student for 2 years) to get a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership. I like/hate my new job but it pays more and the benefits are okay. My old job closed the doors 6 months ago after being in business for 25+ years. FWIW I have over 20 years of machining and a few opportunities on the side to continue to keep my skills honed. Handcrafted Firearms will always require knowledgeable/skilled hands ;D
OH... I have added 40 minutes to an hour to my commute too. Normal day is 67 minutes each way and a bad day can be 2 hours each way.
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Ouch. 67 minutes. I used to do the drive into New Orleans thing each day. About 1-1/4 hours in and out...however, if I got was 15 minutes late leaving then it because nearly 2 hours getting into town.
Glad you made a change and avoided the closing of your old workplace.