Meteor Blades has a piece up about Jobs and Deficit reduction. In a poll he cites it says that 54% of Americans believe that Manufacturing is most important or 2nd most important as an underpinning of the economy, with 32% saying it is THE most important component in the economic structure. Health Care comes in next with 37% listing it first or 2nd and 19% listing it 1st.
Currently, I work in an area called "Knowledge Services" and it comes in at 18% with all its votes apparently coming in as 2nd most important, but I used to work in manufacturing and later in health services. I'm fortunate that my current job pays pretty well, better than most in the country, but I remember going to work at GM in 1971 for a wage that would have enabled me, as an 18 yr old to buy a house, car, and raise a family-all with nothing but some pretty good muscles and a high school education.
Since we have a somewhat older, well-educated universe here at dkos, I wonder how many started in Manufacturing and now work in another area of the economy.
Making a rough guess at buying power over time if its been a while, I wonder if people would like to comment as to what sector they started in, whether it paid well; what sector they work in now, and whether it is because they chose it or if its all that is available and generally what their journey has been over the years.
For me, I started at GM in 1971 making good money
Worked in a hospital in California as equipment tech in 1980, making much less as far as purchasing power.
Worked in a winery tasting room in mid 80's making much less than I ever had before as far as purchasing power-but it was a great job as far as enjoyment.
Now I work in the Criminal Justice system and make a lot more than I ever did before, but the purchasing power is roughly similar to what the people in skilled trades and mid-management made in the 70's. Some adjustment should probably be factored in for the difference in cost between living in CA and Indiana.
I just wonder how many people who worked in the factories of the 60's and 70's still work there, and how many who used to have those kind of jobs are now doing better.