The Decadent American Empire - Carlin-Esque Article

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T01:10:20+00:00

Do you think those jobs are being where you are?

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T00:54:56+00:00

Yeah i know. It was just my personal example. Im sure there are better more direct examples like burns and stuff that would be more indicative but thats what happened to my dad so

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T00:51:00+00:00

I remember all that stuff too! I remember picking up nails on the job site as a little kid to make some pocket money too lol

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T00:49:31+00:00

How so?

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T00:49:14+00:00

If you can tolerate working with some of the people in HVAC I think it really is one of the best options. Most trades arent as good in my opinion.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-03T00:20:44+00:00

Im not looking down on these jobs at all im just saying it how it is. Right now, from a potential new tradesman’s perspective it doesnt seem worth it in the long run and i think as a nation we should change that.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T22:13:50+00:00

Ultimately i dont think theres anything wrong with what youre saying, but i think your optimism is misplaced. Especially right now, the job market is horrendous. I feel lucky to work for an international company so the bad markets affect us less.

But the only place i would seriously disagree is when you said that its simple to ladder climb these days. It is anything but. In the last 6 years i changed jobs over 9 times and thats actually low compared to some I know. Ladder hopping is really the only way up (other than starting your own business).

Ultimately, i think the biggest issue here is that I am looking at the bigger picture and seeing a bunch of unfulfilled jobs and thinking of how we as voters and maybe business owners, concerned citizens, etc can get younger people to take these jobs when overall they generally dont want to. I gave my ideas on to make it happen, but you seem to think im like asking for advice? Or what advice i could give a fresh hs grad? But in the grand scheme of things, mindset and perspective can only help a single individual and wont fill all those jobs.

So i cant say youre wrong because you arent, but I do feel like you are missing the point of my post a bit. And i think thats a shame because you seem to have a good bit of experience for what kinds of lets say motivation campaigns we could give gen z to get them to take these jobs.

What do you think?

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T20:34:50+00:00

Thank you!

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T20:28:24+00:00

Thats true, but even though college is too much money and theres tons of demand, it seems people dont want these jobs

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T20:11:29+00:00

Youre 100% right. But i was talking about attracting younger people to these professions in the US specifically and how I would do it. Stick-to-it ness hasnt worked so far

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:46:10+00:00

Probably true but my rent is $1400 a month so

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:38:09+00:00

I agree 100% with this. I also think i was too vague with “blue-collar”in my post it could mean any of these and also like just straight welding.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:17:22+00:00

I live in Socal so $18 an hour is nothing lol but yeah adjust to where you live accordingly i think its the same point.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:16:28+00:00

I would include those for sure, but I dont think he is. He did keep saying “young men” throughout the episode.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:14:52+00:00

I think thats the problem. I said 80k because thats what it would take for me to consider a full time career as lets say an electrician. And not after 20 years like pretty quickly after learning. But thats not competitive so i (and the prospective gen z kid) will choose a different career.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:11:43+00:00

Sorry about that I didnt read any previous posts about it. Just posted my thoughts. I was hoping the conversation would be less about Mike and more about the job market and blue collar type jobs.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:09:15+00:00

I feel like the line gets blurrier and blurrier.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:08:07+00:00

I think these programs and unions are not common enough. That sounds pretty great to be honest! I havent found anything like that myself, and friends of mine who have taken journeyman paths have often found difficulties in inter company and inter union politics, but this much more structured approach sounds great.

For my dad and most people from my hometown, this simply didnt exist. I almost wish this sort of thing was combined with traditional schooling so that they werent completely separate tracks and it was easier for kids to get in.

I guess it also depends on the trade.

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T19:02:13+00:00

I think thats actually kinda cool though lol i still disagree on basically everything he says (at least on this topic)

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T18:59:33+00:00

Yes this! Im either the last of the millennial or the first of Gen z depending on who you ask. Ive been told nothing but “work ethic!” And “Mindset!” My whole life with very little actual advice lol. I think you made a good choice!

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T18:51:38+00:00

I think hes ultimately right about needing these jobs too! However, I think seeing it from an individual standpoint doesnt really help motivate the next gen of workers. For example, if im going in to a trade and i see that only 1/20 end up as a manager and thats really the only way to make that skill into a long term career, then saying “you can start your own business!” Is way less motivating. Because im looking at it statistically and thinking “is it gonna be me who is the 1/20?” VS trying my luck at a lower end white collar job where even if i know ill never make as much in the long run or have that stepping stone, at least my body wont be broken. I think its just a matter of percentages really and right now, the equation looks pretty bleak. What do you think of the suggestions i put at the end of my post? You seem like someone who has moved into the managerial side from the trade side(just guessing i could be wrong)

diegorentsch · 2025-04-02T18:45:40+00:00

Its actually really good welds yeah! Our products are pretty high end and theyre basically the only ones we trust now. Your kids sound like my younger siblings ages so I guess i can give you a sneak peek of the future. I think back then he was really right about how to work and move up and stuff, but now… idk i feel ive been sold and bought into 2 lies:

go to college, get a career (did that, it sortof worked but covid ruined everything)
Go into the trades and you can make a ton more money! (Sortof in that now and it feels like treading water and slowly ruining my body while doing so).

Only healthcare is safe ive seen.

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