Capital Or Labor

[Kay/NC]

Guess it depends upon where you live. We were " there" here in the Southeast 20-25 years ago. H-2a workers supplanted the local labor pool for tobacco at last that long ago, maybe longer. They are the cotton gin workers, vegetable harvesting crews, etc.

I think about this every time I hear unemployment figures, and when I read the share of local taxes that goes to social services, on the bills we receive every fall. It is very unsettling.

[Kay/NC]

Ditto for my first public job, in 1975. When the supervisor asked why my resume' didn't show any previous work experience, and I was 21, i explained that my father couldn't spare me from farm work in tobacco, peanuts, hogs, laying hens, etc. i got hired on the spot.

[Husker-J]

One man show here, and I don't have much capital, so I do as much of my own labor as I can.   I live in an area with a few other of us 'small' guys, so we swap labor with each other, for things like carrying out pipe, working cattle, etc.

[smokeyjay]

I graduated in 1972 with an accounting degree.  It was different for me back then.  I applied for every office job I could find.  Got no interviews or invites.  Too many baby boomers looking for work.  Finally landed an accounting job near my home town.  Two months later, a feedlot company in Western KS called and wanted me to work for them, didn't even request an interview.

A neighbor quit his dairy recently.  One of the things he says he will not miss is hiring workers that work a few days or weeks, then quit without informing him of the change.  Too lazy, alcoholic, drug addicted, living with mother, no driver's license, DUI, arrested for minor offenses, bad check writer...and none of them want to work, but show up on Friday to collect a check. 

[Kay/NC]

Smokey, I walked in for my annual appointment with the CPA at eleven on the eleventh. She looked at me and asked what I was doing there...fortunately, her ten o'clock didn't show, and I was early, so we got it done without another day trip and delay.

I felt bad for her, and she was embarrassed, because she said too much if this is happening, with her new receptionist. I said, " I wish
I could help you." She said, "i wish you could, too!" I told her I would schedule for her in tax season, if she would vaccinate and wash hog buildings for me.

Nobody seems able to find decent help. The ones who can function are worked half to death!

[sw363535]

Smokey my experience was not as much different as it sounds.  The western Ks  desired CPA firms were loaded with the "top" GPA students the first week of interviews and I had this goofy idea that I would sign up for a big time national firm out of my league, so I could get the nerves settled and learn from the rejection of a job I would never get.  Got the suprise of my life.  And a job offer I couldn't fill because of family issues and a desire to stay closer to home.

My dad was irked because I didn't go for quite some time.  There were lots of applicants for every job interview at that time.

[smokeyjay]

Yes, Kay, it is the old 80-20 rule.  20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work.  Those that have a work ethic generally risk burnout from over work.  The rest do not understand the concept that work is the vehicle for economic and social success.  They were not taught it as children and cannot learn it well as an adult. 

In an important way, the best thing a parent can do for society that generates many benefits to themselves as well as the community is to teach their children the value of hard work that pays.  I define hard work includes but is not limited to physical labor. 

[smokeyjay]

Yes, that would be a surprise. 

Did you get your CPA?

[sw363535]

No ------------ I passed part of the test and never worked for a firm to get the two years required, nor did I go back and retake the part of the test needed.  Thought I would go back to it when farming failed or Dad retired ------ things never work out according to my original plan.

I went back to farming when a neighbor offered an opportunity two weeks after the interview and my wife soon had a disability which my folks helped me with for the next several years.

[sw363535]

Smokey,  How about you ---- did you stay after it or modify the plan??