This is what unions and greed have done to the unskilled workforce in this country. But they'll never admit that they did it to themselves.

In a sane country this machine would not pay for itself until the unskilled had gotten retrained and employed somewhere more productive.

when you consult with them, what is their greatest
value to you -- could it be stress relief and cogitation
amelioration? -- j
.

Exactly right Carl. The more expensive labor gets the more practical this type of process becomes. Some jobs are better left to machines. I do hope we find ways for workers to adapt. Here in Pittsburgh we watched for years while many guys sat around expecting the steel mills to reopen.

And eliminates a low paying, overly strenuous, boring job. Also eliminates workman comp claims and allowes for lower insurance rates for the company.
This is the wave of our mfg future...we knew it would become more pervasive and cost effective. Progressives unwittingly helped it along.
The world has faced these challenges before, only I fear the work force's ability to adapt has been disempowered.

Unconditionally!
Which one has the most energy? the least?
Regards
(two laissez faire bulldogs at my feet.. )

Sure did.
It was many years ago when I was young. Almost got me fired. Luckily I was friends with the union guy's son, so he laughed it off and my boss, who did a big union business was mollified.

And consultants. Dogs make excellent consultants.

We have 3 dogs at work today: a Tibetan terrier, a border collie, and an enormous fuzzy GSD.

Jan

Sounds like an excellent moment. Got his attention I'll bet.

Yes. I have heard that coal mining could be done with machines but the unions fight against it because they are high paying jobs. I would like to see robots in those mines.

When the Union people hear that they go nuts. In an argument with a union rep. I said that those losing their jobs to automation could re-train and get an even better job. Then, he came up with this brain shattering reply, "Well, what if they don't want to re-train?" Whereupon I replied, "Then they can go to hell for all I care." It wasn't my finest moment, but that response was so utterly liberal-stupid that it was beyond a rational reply.

we need more dogs for security guards and companions
in times of trial and tribulation, since we humans are creating
more insecurity and times of t & t ....... -- j
.

they want to make advancing up the skill ladder (as
automation provides those opportunities) less attractive
than taking the dole (from Santa, the Democrat) and
lying back doing finger-painting for a career. . this
sustains the power and money of the Ds. -- j
.

when we mine it with remote-control robots, I will be
even more impressed. . letting the devices take the
hazardous jobs has always been my hope. -- j
.

:-)

Great...now, how are we going to be able to judge whether an employee is worth their salt?

Those 2 strikes changed history. A lot happened as a result both good and bad.

Reminds me of my Grandpa who was a leather worker when he came to the USA. His back-up plan B was sword scabbards. He wound up working at fords on the assembly line.

The Carnegie Steel Strike, The Jones & Laughlin Strike (close to home), and others... Rethink training and education!

New union members are taught how to work the system. Times have changed.

I love that image. Point.

Jan

That is what the Medieval Guilds were: The Master craftsmen were the Guild members.

Unions were organized to specifically combat the Guilds, which rather quickly had become good ol'boy clubs that represented power blocks rather than either high quality work or the conditions under which Apprentices worked.

Jan

Absolutely. I hate it when I hear a politician say a new regulation only applies to companies with 50 or more employees or something to that effect. The explanation is that it won't hurt small businesses. All the suppliers and manufacturers I buy from have 50 or more employees so it does effect me. It's time we oppose all taxes and regulations.

Almost forgot about them. I wonder if PETA would lobby for the horses to keep their jobs or if they want them to get better retirement benefits.

As are you, kh. Keep up the work on the new Hank Ragnar novel. I look forward to appreciating that as well!

Quite a bit more prosperous. The time spent and money lost complying with government mandates and taxation policies is not a trifle. As you know, it is a most heavy burden for small businesses without the resources sufficient to comply without sacrificing production and attention to one's day to day operating needs. Considering the bulk of the jobs being created are by small business, and the burden large businesses have resources for that small businesses do not, it is clear big businesses use cronies in government to foster more regulation, hinder upstart competition and the government is incompetent in its complicity erecting road blocks and diminishing small business opportunities. This translates into fewer jobs for the masses, less innovation and higher prices. I am convinced the bulk of politicos are economic illiterates or on the take.