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The Invisible People
Author: BobR    Date: 06/30/2021 12:49:20

All across this country of ours, people live and work and play, in big cities, small towns, suburbs, and rural spaces. A great functioning society requires a broad swath of people with varying skills, doing various jobs. For the past few decades, the focus on the "important" jobs has declared that office work - ostensibly obtained via a college degree - should be the life goal of every person.

Other jobs are often considered "starter" or "menial" or "service-industry", relegating them to a lower rung in our society, and thus the people who work them. But where would we be without those invisible people who do those invisible jobs? Who do you think makes sure your office is clean and ready when you show up in the morning, latte in hand? Someone needs to clean our offices and schools; someone needs to restock the shelves at the store, someone needs to flip the burgers while we wait at the drive through doing "important business" on our smartphones. Where would we be without the plumbers and AC techs and electricians and hair stylists and nannies and landscapers?

We are starting to find out.

In our pre-Covid world, gentrification was already becoming a problem. People want to live in a Disney-fied town, where everything is perfect, and everyone has their privately-owned small business. All those perfectly coifed houses and a "desirable zip code" drive housing prices up, making them unobtainable for all but the lucky people working those office jobs that pay so well.

Just like 9/11, "Covid changed everything". After being without work for months, and living life with government-subsidized unemployment checks, those working the "menial jobs" have realized their worth. They are not going to commute several hours a day for minimum wage, even if minimum wage is increased. This has left businesses in wealthier areas struggling to find workers to fill jobs:
At the Candy Kitchen diner on Main Street, the staff juggling orders of pancakes is short by seven members — and not one job seeker has dropped off a resume this year.

At Blue One clothing store down the street, the owner raised the hourly pay from $15 to $18 to lure workers.

[...]

The Hamptons is experiencing the same constellation of factors that has contributed to a national employment crisis, but here it is supercharged by elements unique to the upscale towns: Untold numbers of New York City residents fled during the pandemic, gobbling up the housing stock and driving up prices as they turned the summer escape into a year-round residence.

Plus, a spate of recent laws designed to limit the number of shared houses — seen by some as nuisance party houses — has sharply limited places where summer workers say they can afford to stay.

[...]

Some economists believe that the extra $300 a week from expanded unemployment benefits, a program that runs through September, is also responsible for keeping some workers home. And while teenagers are finding it easy to land jobs, after a year away from friends, busing tables and standing behind a cash register can have less appeal than frolicking as a camp counselor.

[...]

At Almond, Lemonides said that instead of his typical role as maître d’, he now fills in as the restaurant’s handyman, power-washing sidewalks and even renting a cherry picker to fix twinkly lights over the patio dining.

“There is no one else to do it,” he said.

[...]

The issue has even had an impact on the local government. Jay Schneiderman, the Southampton town supervisor, said the municipality has struggled to recruit people for town positions. It has been without a town accountant since May of last year, and for months has been unable to fill vacancies for six secretarial positions and three building inspectors as well as other roles, according to the human resources department.

“We can’t pay them enough to live in the community,” Schneiderman said.

“We need to create more affordable housing, we do. It is creating issues for so many businesses,” he added. “It’s not just the town, and certainly not just restaurants. It's the hospital needs nurses, the schools need teachers and custodians. Everybody is priced out.”

There are two solutions to this problem: higher base wages, and available lower-income housing. Both concepts require buy-in at the local, state, and federal government level, as well as the citizens of these towns. The area we moved from a few years ago required every neighborhood in the city to maintain a certain percentage of housing for lower income citizens, sometimes owned by the city itself. It also means narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest paid workers across the entire employment strata.

Ultimately, we as a society need to realize that ALL jobs are important, as are all workers. Not everyone is cut out for college, and looking down one's nose at the person who barely makes it out of high school and ends up cleaning the toilets at your office is the epitome of classist behavior. Appreciate those who do the jobs you're not willing or able to do, and make sure they can live in the same area where they work. Otherwise, these invisible people will become very visible by their absence.
 
 

21 comments (Latest Comment: 06/30/2021 20:08:33 by BobR)
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Comment by wickedpam on 06/30/2021 13:22:03
Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2021 13:54:33
Mornin' all..

Lately I keep thinking that everything that's been going on lately that has put major economic pressure on everyone and everything except the rich and big corporations is not going to end until the tax code is reverted to 1970 levels, the regulations that had been stripped away over the past 40 years are reinstated, and workers' rights become a much more potent force than it was at its height in the 1950s. At the very least. We're already in the middle of a workers' revolt!

Comment by wickedpam on 06/30/2021 14:22:49
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 14:32:27
Here HERE!

Excellent post today.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 14:33:27
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 14:33:51
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Lately I keep thinking that everything that's been going on lately that has put major economic pressure on everyone and everything except the rich and big corporations is not going to end until the tax code is reverted to 1970 levels, the regulations that had been stripped away over the past 40 years are reinstated, and workers' rights become a much more potent force than it was at its height in the 1950s. At the very least. We're already in the middle of a workers' revolt!
We need more dems in the Senate, period.


Comment by wickedpam on 06/30/2021 14:36:08
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.


I honestly don't understand why people are "loyal" to Donnie at all. He's not a good person and he'll throw them to the hoards first time he gets. I mean does he have pix of Weisselberg with like goats or something? Like WTF?

I like the former daughter in law. Seen her interviewed a few times.

Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2021 14:37:33
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..

Lately I keep thinking that everything that's been going on lately that has put major economic pressure on everyone and everything except the rich and big corporations is not going to end until the tax code is reverted to 1970 levels, the regulations that had been stripped away over the past 40 years are reinstated, and workers' rights become a much more potent force than it was at its height in the 1950s. At the very least. We're already in the middle of a workers' revolt!
We need more dems in the Senate, period.

I'm at the point where I don't even see that as a solution. We just get more moderates who are too scared about their re-election to do anything!

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 14:54:11
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.


I honestly don't understand why people are "loyal" to Donnie at all. He's not a good person and he'll throw them to the hoards first time he gets. I mean does he have pix of Weisselberg with like goats or something? Like WTF?

I like the former daughter in law. Seen her interviewed a few times.
I will never understand it either.


Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 15:17:58
As I foreshadowed in Mondays blog:



Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2021 15:33:10
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.


I honestly don't understand why people are "loyal" to Donnie at all. He's not a good person and he'll throw them to the hoards first time he gets. I mean does he have pix of Weisselberg with like goats or something? Like WTF?

I like the former daughter in law. Seen her interviewed a few times.
I will never understand it either.


Excellent post, BobR!!! Good morning, everyone!!!

There are two issues that this country is reluctant to talk about: race and class. We have essentially a working class that has just been holding on for decades and they now realize that life can be and should be better.

As for Weisselberg, it may take a plea deal for him to flip on Donnie. This may involve some sort of guarantees of protection in case any of Don's financial backers from Mother Russia decide to treat him like a Russian dissident.

On a personal note, I am two weeks away from my vacation to Los Angeles.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/30/2021 15:36:24
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.


I honestly don't understand why people are "loyal" to Donnie at all. He's not a good person and he'll throw them to the hoards first time he gets. I mean does he have pix of Weisselberg with like goats or something? Like WTF?

I like the former daughter in law. Seen her interviewed a few times.
I will never understand it either.


Maybe they are worried about a visit from Donnie's friends in the Russian mafia>


Comment by livingonli on 06/30/2021 16:11:12
At least some of the Trump cultists are learning that loyalty to Trump doesn't mean shit as those involved in January 6th have found out.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 17:13:29
Cosby is getting released.

Conviction overturned.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 17:14:48
The former DA that didn't prosecute Cosby the first time?

He defended TGF in his second impeachment. JFC, I am pissed.

Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 17:28:32
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Trashhole Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg Expected to Be Charged Thursday


So am I the only one who thinks that Wiesselberg isn't gonna roll on Donnie?

I simply don't know.

I saw his former daughter in law will be testifying to the grand jury.


I honestly don't understand why people are "loyal" to Donnie at all. He's not a good person and he'll throw them to the hoards first time he gets. I mean does he have pix of Weisselberg with like goats or something? Like WTF?

I like the former daughter in law. Seen her interviewed a few times.
I will never understand it either.


Excellent post, BobR!!! Good morning, everyone!!!

There are two issues that this country is reluctant to talk about: race and class. We have essentially a working class that has just been holding on for decades and they now realize that life can be and should be better.

As for Weisselberg, it may take a plea deal for him to flip on Donnie. This may involve some sort of guarantees of protection in case any of Don's financial backers from Mother Russia decide to treat him like a Russian dissident.

On a personal note, I am two weeks away from my vacation to Los Angeles.
As far as Weisselberg, do we know if there has even been a plea deal mentioned at all?

DAMN , Will so excited for your vacation.




Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 17:30:40
Quote by Raine:
The former DA that didn't prosecute Cosby the first time?

He defended TGF in his second impeachment. JFC, I am pissed.



The PA supreme court seems to be claiming that because of this 'deal' -- it took away Cosby's right to the 5th.



Comment by Raine on 06/30/2021 17:39:21
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
The former DA that didn't prosecute Cosby the first time?

He defended TGF in his second impeachment. JFC, I am pissed.



The PA supreme court seems to be claiming that because of this 'deal' -- it took away Cosby's right to the 5th.

IOW -- it wasn't becuase he is innocent. It was becuase PA had a shitty DA.


Comment by TriSec on 06/30/2021 18:00:32
Greetings, comrades! I have been re-certified and ready to give tours, starting on Friday.

Did everybody know except me?

I go back in the shop today, and I find my locker as I left it, my conductor hat and same microphone - and they even kept all my uniform shirts, never sent them back to the uniform vendor.

Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley, indeed!



Comment by Scoopster on 06/30/2021 19:55:54
Oh gee, Donald Rumsfeld died.

Comment by BobR on 06/30/2021 20:08:33
Quote by Scoopster:
Oh gee, Donald Rumsfeld died.

There are known unknowns and unknown knowns, and one thing I know is this bastard is finally done. Buh-bye.

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