Community Chat

[FiddleDeeDee]

@CrazyDaisy It says the same thing: that unless Corporate America is making a specific amount of money off of you, you are not worth their time, effort or respect. In addition, you are and will be replaced by those who have something more valuable (read as more PROFITABLE) to offer.

As I said, my friend and I spend hours discussing this. We look back to the 80's, the late 70's when attitudes changed due to laws/policy changes, to the role corporations played then and now. I wish she would join this forum; she has amazing insight and would be a fantastic contributor to themes such as this. I'm also witnessing it as my DH goes through interviews; it's ugly, it's cold and it's a HUGE shift from how interviews were 10 plus years ago. It's also very telling.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@FiddleDeeDee wrote:

@CrazyDaisy It says the same thing: that unless Corporate America is making a specific amount of money off of you, you are not worth their time, effort or respect. In addition, you are and will be replaced by those who have something more valuable (read as more PROFITABLE) to offer.

As I said, my friend and I spend hours discussing this. We look back to the 80's, the late 70's when attitudes changed due to laws/policy changes, to the role corporations played then and now. I wish she would join this forum; she has amazing insight and would be a fantastic contributor to themes such as this. I'm also witnessing it as my DH goes through interviews; it's ugly, it's cold and it's a HUGE shift from how interviews were 10 plus years ago. It's also very telling.

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My comments have nothing to do with corporations.  State governments have made this determination and it is based on the business type not an individuals profitability. 

[FiddleDeeDee]

@CrazyDaisy  Many of us believe that corporations have FAR more power than government today. In fact, due to "politics", those in government answer to Corporate America. 

My community has been fighting Southwest Airlines, Amazon and the FAA for 5 plus years due to massive changes in flight regulations. What I and hundreds of others discovered was the leverage of power Corporate America has over our lives and it was shocking. Had I NOT been involved in this, I would never have known. It changed my view on many things dramatically and definitely not for the better. JMO. Not asking you or anyone else to agree; just stating how I see it.

[Lali1]

How many times has someone said if you want to open things up you are ignoring the people who have died. Those same people seem to be ignoring all the unemployed or those who's businesses will never come back. 

[Moonlady]

@CrazyDaisy 

Non-essential does not mean "disposable," or even less important, and I doubt that anyone really means to give the impression that it does. Still, people often don't think before they speak.

For example, to quote (not paraphrase) our [not so] illustrious governor, responding to a question about economic hardships presented by the lockdown: You wanna go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow. That sounds dismissive of not only the financial distress currently suffered by many, but also of the importance of everyone's job.

People, especially those in authority, need to be clear in what they say, and remain aware of the message their words convey.

[CLHS68]

I don't think anyone thinks they are disposable. However human life is more important than any business. 

[Moonlady]

@CLHS68 

That some people continue to try to stop an argument dead in its tracks by parroting "human life vs. business" still doesn't make it anything other than a false choice.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

The discussion is interesting but the main challenge is that there is no commonly understood definition of essential or non-essential work promoted by the federal government or used across state governments.

Also, we are a very diverse nation, so what is essential in one part of the country could differ in another.

Wouldn't the best concept be that everybody's life is essential and we value the health of all humans?  

However, the world cannot function with everybody online or at home.

Because the planning was not in place, leaders had to be reactive instead of proactive and make quick decisions.  

No one knew how long this virus would linger or all the negative effects it would have on employment.

This has certainly been a learning experience!  May we do better in the future...

[AuntG]

To me, every job has value so it's not that they are disposable workers. It comes down to if the job is needed to keep the country running. Obviously, grocery stores and clinics cannot can close, whereas a beauty parlor or casino probably should.

[FiddleDeeDee]

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@AuntG wrote:

To me, every job has value so it's not that they are disposable workers. It comes down to if the job is needed to keep the country running. Obviously, grocery stores and clinics cannot can close, whereas a beauty parlor or casino probably should.

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You may be very surprised to learn that casinos supply a state with tax revenue equal to some of the biggest corporations in the US but who do NOT pay taxes or pay very little. The number of people a casino employs can be in the thousands since they operate 24 hours a day. Add in restaurants and a hotel and you suddenly can see why states often want them and counties fight for them. My cousin works in one and it's been an eye opener, that's for sure. Another cousin used to work at Trumps' Taj Mahal in Atlantic City as a black-jack dealer and she LOVED it due to the benefits and pay. Currently, everyone who has been furloughed at the one near me is receiving 100% pay and 100% benefits until they reopen including my cousin. How many companies are offering that?

Knowing this, is it necessary for a casino to stay open? For many of the state and county projects people want done; to supply schools with money they wouldn't have otherwise and for the sheer number of people they employ and customers they serve.... it's a tough call.