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These community forums are intended solely as a tool for people to express their views. As long as everyone in the forums acts in a respectful manner, the discussions will remain unmoderated by campaign staff.
The campaign is not responsible for forum content. Views expressed in these forums do not necessarily reflect Jim Hansen's views, nor the views of his campaign.
Take them for what they are, an informal conversation about issues that matter to all Idahoans. And by all means, participate!
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M. A. Norton
Posts:1
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| 09 Feb 2006 5:17 |
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We are used to using the employment rate as a marker for judging the
health of our economy. I am beginning to think that this is
misleading and outdated. I think perhaps we should instead be
looking at the percent of American jobs that pay a living wage, and
that provide benefits.
What percent of Idaho jobs pay a living wage, and provide benefits?
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Tara Rowe
Posts:4
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| 12 Feb 2006 21:01 |
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| I had some trouble with that, sorry. Anyway, I read a 2004 study that said 46% of Idahoans make a living wage. I agree that we should be more reliant on the percentage of those not making a living wage rather than those who are unemployed. I am "emplyed" but certainly don't make enough money. If it weren't for being a student, I would not have health insurance either. |
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Jessica Cavalieri
Posts:5
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| 21 Feb 2006 2:02 |
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Frankly, I think it is rather pathetic that we still rely on the unemployment rate as an indicator of the health of our economy. Not only does it not factor in shitty wages, but also those people who are underemployed, among other things. In fact, how accurate is the unemployment rate of the actual unemployed?
When I worked for the Idaho Dept. of Labor and Commerce, I always thought it was rather silly when they would roll out the new unemployment rate for the last quarter and proudly boast about the low rate. It's as if most of DLC employees were completely unaware of how the economy *really* was. However, the employees in Pocatello in the Work First program are painfully aware of Idaho's welfare to work program and how it is only getting people off of welfare, and not out of poverty, and therefore they have a better idea of the lack of a living wage that is attainable in Idaho. |
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"Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace." ~Charles Sumner
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Diana Pauls
Posts:7
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| 23 Feb 2006 5:55 |
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I used to work for a community college department whose clientele consisted of mostly single parents/displaced homemakers who needed to support themselves and their families. Local businesses would know that these people needed jobs. Some would call me and tell me about their lastest opening... part time, minimum wage, split shifts, staggering schedules, no benefits. They would be shocked when I would tell them that we would not be able to place someone there. How can someone coordinate children and child care when dealing with a split shift, night work, or different schedules every day/week? How can someone pay rent and put food on the table with minimum wage? With split shifts and inconsistent schedules, they can't even get SECOND jobs to supplement the first (or sign up for college classes for additional job training)! We were trying to assist these people in finding jobs which would help them be SELF-SUFFICIENT!!
When Twin Falls was all hot and bothered over the "convention center" by the Canyon, one of the so-called "selling points" was the 200, 300, 500 or whatever jobs that would be provided. Oh yippee... more waitresses, housekeepers/maids, part time, minimum wage, and no benefit jobs for our citizens.
We need to recognize the difference between substandard jobs and jobs which will truly benefit Idaho families and our economy. Right now it seems as if the "top level" is becoming so far above the "bottom level" that we are returning to the times of kings and their serfs. And by golly, those serfs should be grateful. "Let them eat cake!" |
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"You can't leave footprints in the sands of time if you are sitting on your butt... and who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?"
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