"Dan/W4NTI" wrote in message
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"Jim Hampton" wrote in message
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Jim Hampton wrote:
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. . . . .

Kelly,

I think we're batting our gums over nothing.

When you get right down to it you're probably right. Which is typical
of just about all threads in this NG.

The original post, in my mind,
hit the nail on the head.
Technical folks seem to be almost unwanted in the
United States. One reason for amateur radio (at least in the past)
was
to
attract the technically oriented and hopefully some would persue
their
interest and become engineers.

Nice warm fuzzy theory and it worked in a number of cases. Fact is
though that if a ham ticket was some sort of prerequisite for becoming
an EE the EE discipline would be basically to invisible in this
country. Which it certainly is not.

Engineers don't make tons of money these days. Skilled trades folks
are
almost unwanted. I had to laugh, there were ads for toolmakers (a
number of
years minimum experience) that ran $10.00 to $12.00 per hour.

I was raised in my Dad's 20-man took & die works but I wised up after a
couple years on the bench and went to engineering school, I know that
biz well. The job shop rate around here is in the $25/hr range. One of
my brothers who has his papers is knocking down $30+/hr and has UAW
bennies I'd kill for plus he has all the OT he can be bothered with.
Must be a *flock* of unemployed toolmakers around Rochester . .

I just saw an
ad for a parking lot attendent at $11.00 per hour. Of course, the
requirements for that job were tough. Almost as tough as amateur
radio
requirements. Not only did you need a high school diploma (or ged,
or
equivalent experience), you had to be able to make change without the
use of
a computer or calculator!

Meanwhile, Russia launches Direct TVs latest hi-definition satellite,
China
does the manufacturing.

As to your suggestion about putting a minimum age limit for amateurs,

Whoa: Stop Jim. Go back and read my post and point out where I
suggested anything about an age limit on anybody or anything.

raising it enough (say to 55) would ensure that mostly appliance
operators
apply.

Sorry, I can't agree on an age limit for amateurs (although I
understand
what you mean about the numbers game - therefor the suggestion).
Meanwhile,
we have to get rid of manufacturing and perhaps teachers too. We
have
more
important stuff to deal with, such as the weapons of mass
destruction.


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA

w3rv


Hello, Kelly

As I re-read the thread, I agree. You were stating "if a numbers game",
etc.

As to this area, Rochester is about as depressed as it gets right now.
We
were rated number one or two a couple weeks ago.

You are correct in that a good toolmaker should be knocking down $30.00
per
hour or so. I made $12.00 plus an hour in 1978! I've heard some
toolmakers
that were loosing their jobs that they refused to work for $10.00 per
hour
and I don't blame them.

What goes around, comes around. 20 years from now, there won't be the
skilled workforce nor the engineers to fill positions. It will be sad,
but
once we have sunk to equal to the lowest common denominator, there will
be
no folks to fill the positions.

Of course, we can Kaizaan the problem (is the spelling correct?). The
managers can have a coffee and doughnut party, but it will be to no
avail.


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA




Your right Jim. I see no chance for the USA to stay on top. IMHO it is
due
to the liberal mindset that started in the 60s and has taken over our
public
schools and Universities.

And I see no help for it.

Dan/W4NTI



Hello, Dan

Cutting aid to eduation, the V.A., and other programs is a function of the
liberal mindset?

Meanwhile, a ton of cuts for the rich. BTW, they want to eliminate the
deposit (5 cents) per can of soda (and other stuff such as beer) in NYS.
They wish to replace it with a similar *tax*! Have you noticed that they
wish to eliminate (or have they already) a deduction for energy efficient
vehicles - yet retain a deduction for SUVs weighing over .... what is it, 3
tons?

The so-called liberals wanted the deposit to encourage folks to return the
cans and not leave them all over the place. Pataki (our governor) and his
gang (republicans) want to replace the deposit with a *tax*! They can't
stand to see the money returned to the people.

The reality is that the Republicans want to kill the poor to save the rich.

Nice try.

Given a few years of our troups being killed in Iraq, I'll be interested in
seeing how they will replace them. Duty *forever* in Iraq is not likely to
work.

I had no problems with attacking Afganistan. Iraq, however, with its'
weapons of mass destruction .... well, sooner or later the folks with the
modest double-digit I.Q.s will wake up. How many weapons of mass
destruction have they found? England is really upset with Tony Blair. They
want him out. I offered to trade Bush for him, but, unfortunately, no one
wants Bush.

Of course, the Democrats that get elected because of this will be blamed
when they have to make changes. Changes will have to be made, whether we
like it or not.

BTW, I didn't inhale )




Best regards from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA