Minimum wage.

[HammerTech]

The economy is very difficult right now, no question. I'm a civil engineer, been in a "lower classed" version for about 3-1/2 years now (working with a surveyor and doing a lot of survey related work and very small engineering work...) after being out of a much better paying job for almost 2 years. It was hard to get back to work, and once I did I had to take a lower-end job just so I didn't go belly-up myself. And at times, it's been very, very difficult financially for me; especially having gone through a divorce. I was blessed that when I was forced to turn in my 2001 Explorer (gas and payments too much) I had a friend sell me a decent Nissan king-cab 4x4 on the cheap, and the house I'm in I did not have to take out a mortgage for but instead worked out an agreement of sale between me and the seller so that I could pay them and not a bank.

NOW, after 3-1/2 years with this surveyor, have I found the FIRST opportunity to get a better job (been looking ever since I got there because I knew it wasn't permanent). There is a lot of fixing that needs done in the system in order to right the ship. It's not all President Bush's fault...he bears his share, believe me. The entire government right now is a mess and it's making it extremely difficult on middle and lower class Americans to survive.

[theara]

Originally Posted by HammerTech

The economy is very difficult right now, no question. I'm a civil engineer, been in a "lower classed" version for about 3-1/2 years now (working with a surveyor and doing a lot of survey related work and very small engineering work...) after being out of a much better paying job for almost 2 years. It was hard to get back to work, and once I did I had to take a lower-end job just so I didn't go belly-up myself. And at times, it's been very, very difficult financially for me; especially having gone through a divorce. I was blessed that when I was forced to turn in my 2001 Explorer (gas and payments too much) I had a friend sell me a decent Nissan king-cab 4x4 on the cheap, and the house I'm in I did not have to take out a mortgage for but instead worked out an agreement of sale between me and the seller so that I could pay them and not a bank.

NOW, after 3-1/2 years with this surveyor, have I found the FIRST opportunity to get a better job (been looking ever since I got there because I knew it wasn't permanent). There is a lot of fixing that needs done in the system in order to right the ship. It's not all President Bush's fault...he bears his share, believe me. The entire government right now is a mess and it's making it extremely difficult on middle and lower class Americans to survive.

You're a civil engineer? Alright, I'm already going to school for civil engineering!

[HammerTech]

theara, I love it...it's a great field. I've done what seems like every fascet of it too...stormwater management, sewage treatment and disposal, building design (structural design), construction management. There's a lot to do in the field. Have you chosen a "specialty" at all? I know when I was in college we had "areas of concentration" we could take in our degree program, and mine was in Structures and Foundations...although because of the way our program at Pitt was structured, I had the background to be able to do the other stuff also once I got in the job market.

[theara]

I haven't decided yet which area of specialty to go into. When I graduated high school, I sort of wanted to get into Environmental Engineering, only becuase I did great on my AP Environmental Science course- I knew the book word for word.

Right now I'm sort of leaning towards transportation but that mostly due to the fact I'd know going into structure would be tough. I'd like to do everything though, don't want to do the same things over.

I'm only a sophmore, going into my junior year. I know junior year here at Charlotte is when we start taking core classes. Junior year will be hell becuase i'll take geotech, structures, transportation, environmental, and some other core classes that will introduce concepts covered on the FE exam.

HammerTech- are you licensed?

[mitchcumstein]

Originally Posted by Chauncey11

Everybody keeps talking like prices are gonna skyrocket becuase a bunch of Corporations have to give their lowest paid workers an extra couple of bucks. Do you say these same things when YOU get a raise??? Do you really give two ****s if things are gonna cost more when they are Giving you money??? Relax people, You will still be able to get a Junior Bacon at Wendy's for a buck.
Raising prices is'nt always the best way to increase profits anyway. If they were and they could they would have raised them already!!!!

Exactly.

[HammerTech]

theara, working on it. I've been a tad "cash-strapped" until now because of the divorce and everything and the exam here in PA costs nearly $300 (something my current employer won't fund either...sadly). I'll be filing my application soon to take the test this October. It would be a great birthday present for me to pass the thing, that's for sure!

[stb24]

I sounds like a lot of people on this board need to read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"

I read this book, about 5 years ago and it was well worth my time. It talks about money working for you, and not working for money as most americans do.

There is a lot to say about being a good manager of life in general. Nobody take this the wrong way, its not as if I came from "money" My dad was a farmer and was one hell of a manager with money, investing, and saving when necessary.

Americans need a fukin REALITY CHECK. everybody wants this, wants that, blah blah blah. I am sick and tired of hearing this BS, from friends, peers, etc. I have friends who are up to there eye balls in CC debt, because they WANT shiit....

Everybody wants to make more money....the answer to money problems is not always more money...think out it??

When do we hold ourselves accountable....just like on here for our diets, etc. When do we look at our own financial background and realize we need to work on it?

[dannyboy9]

Originally Posted by stb24

I sounds like a lot of people on this board need to read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"

I read this book, about 5 years ago and it was well worth my time. It talks about money working for you, and not working for money as most americans do.

There is a lot to say about being a good manager of life in general. Nobody take this the wrong way, its not as if I came from "money" My dad was a farmer and was one hell of a manager with money, investing, and saving when necessary.

Americans need a fukin REALITY CHECK. everybody wants this, wants that, blah blah blah. I am sick and tired of hearing this BS, from friends, peers, etc. I have friends who are up to there eye balls in CC debt, because they WANT shiit....

Everybody wants to make more money....the answer to money problems is not always more money...think out it??

When do we hold ourselves accountable....just like on here for our diets, etc. When do we look at our own financial background and realize we need to work on it?

A very educational & sensible (&rare) post coming from stb. Great post and there is definitely a lot of truth coming from that mind.

Another good book to read would be "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind", I believe it's called.

[stb24]

Originally Posted by dannyboy9

A very educational & sensible (&rare) post coming from stb.

On d-boy what would this board be without your 13 yr old sense of kosher cyber humor??

[Papasmurf]

Originally Posted by kakarott

The Minimum Wage: After Nine Years, Workers Deserve a Raise Before Congress


June 29, 2006

It has been nine years since Congress gave minimum wage earners a raise. Today, a full time minimum wage earner, working 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, all 52 weeks in the year, without a single day off, takes home just $10,700 -- which is at least $6,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1/24/06) During this same time period, Members of Congress have given themselves eight raises, worth $31,600, or more than $15 per hour for a 40 hour week. (CRS, “Salaries of Members of Congress,” 4/18/06; CNN, 6/28/06) Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled House voted to give Congress another raise in 2007.

The Democratic-controlled House voted Wednesday to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, bringing America's lowest-paid workers a crucial step closer to their first raise in a decade.

The measure, which now goes to the Senate, would raise the federal wage floor by $2.10 from its current $5.15 an hour in three steps over 26 months.

WOW! 26 months. WTF!! When Congress gives themselves a raise; does it take 26 months to take effect?



Something is seriously wrong with this picture. Just goes to show you how much Congress really cares about the poor in this land of 'wealth and prosperity'.

No, it just shows how little you know about economics. Simply changing the minimum wage overnight would have extraordinary negative effects on the entire econonmy.

[Patrick_Bateman]

Originally Posted by Behemouth

The American Government has never cared about the poor and has been clear about that.

Very true and it cares even less about the middle class. America is all about being in the top 5%, most people dream of that and very few achieve it. The American dream is a myth and very good at keeping the people asleep to what is going on.