Americans are down on America

[Engineer]

I don't see it changing anytime in the near future for those people who work for businesses that service/overhaul equipment in the refining, oil, gas, and chemical businesses. Due to the fact there is a shortage of qualified/skilled industrial mechanics these workers will continue to make good money. I know more than a few that make between $110k to $130k a year and have been doing so since 2007/2008.

Again, your industry doesn't supply enough jobs to make a ripple in the US economy as far as jobs. The trend is down. Not hard to see.

 

[Orignal Earl]

Since being "free" isn't defined as part of the poll, comparing the results of this poll across countries is stupid. Someone in china might rate themselves as "free" even though in reality they have no freedom, just as someone in Canada who chooses to put 24 piercings and rings in her face and then whines when they are not taken seriously and are not hired thinks they are not free.

The results of the poll are, however, useful when you look at them over time in the same country. Not surprising to see how the "me generation" doesn't feel "free" when they find that in the real world there are no participation trophies and they are not the special flower they were led to believe they were. Between that and the ever increasing march of political-correctness, it's not a surprise at all to see the US declining in that poll.

That girl with the piercings must of voted that she was happy though right

 

[PokerGuy]

That girl with the piercings must of voted that she was happy though right

I have no idea how princess rainbow would have voted in the poll, just making the point that "free" is completely relative and subjective. The poll results are not useful for comparing countries, since the poll is based 100% on respondents own definition of free based on their experience in their particular society.

 

[Orignal Earl]

I have no idea how princess rainbow would have voted in the poll, just making the point that "free" is completely relative and subjective. The poll results are not useful for comparing countries, since the poll is based 100% on respondents own definition of free based on their experience in their particular society.

How would you of voted?

 

[Zorba]

I don't see it changing anytime in the near future for those people who work for businesses that service/overhaul equipment in the refining, oil, gas, and chemical businesses. Due to the fact there is a shortage of qualified/skilled industrial mechanics these workers will continue to make good money. I know more than a few that make between $110k to $130k a year and have been doing so since 2007/2008.

Yeah, every company is just like yours. That is why Baker Houghes did a 10% across the board layoff last year, and bigger ones in 2008. Several other large oil companies have done layoffs recently as well, such as Chesapeake.

When investors take over, they demand more for themselves and less for the employees, which is why the overall trend is to lower compensation and less OT.

 

[senseamp]

Uzbekistan boils its political prisoners alive. That's good for "satisfaction" with the level of "freedom."

 

[zinfamous]

I do not disagree. That said, Americans trust in it's government seems to be spiraling down the shitter a lot quicker these days.

This country was born off of distrust in government. It's the central idea that defines most of us as Americans.

Despite what your lack of perspective convinces you, the populace of this nation has seen far steeper falls in government trust, as well as more alarming bouts of blind faith, than what you might think presently defines our national zeitgeist.

This generation of citizens is not a special flower, experiencing some unique "profound tyranny" from its government, never before seen in history.

Hell, this country went to war with itself over the impending "doom and tyranny" brought about by the election of the hyper-federalist government teat-sucking Lincoln.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Yeah, every company is just like yours. That is why Baker Houghes did a 10% across the board layoff last year, and bigger ones in 2008. Several other large oil companies have done layoffs recently as well, such as Chesapeake.

When investors take over, they demand more for themselves and less for the employees, which is why the overall trend is to lower compensation and less OT.

Strange I haven't seen any of these layoffs at the oil companies in the Gulf Southwest/Southeast Regions. As for Baker Hughes the layoff were due to the downturn in the economy but are adding wells and people in the past couple of years.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/En...h-American-drilling-increasing/5271404824624/

 

[Engineer]

Strange I haven't seen any of these layoffs at the oil companies in the Gulf Southwest/Southeast Regions. As for Baker Hughes the layoff were due to the downturn in the economy but are adding wells and people in the past couple of years.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/En...h-American-drilling-increasing/5271404824624/

Again, doesn't matter. There are not enough jobs to push up the entire US population. Throw about 5 more million skilled people into the fold and then show me what wages in the oil industry will do. The trend is down and it's pretty obvious right now....has been for over a decade.