Editor:
Dave Uphoff
Today, many employees retire after 30 years at the ages of 52 to 58. Combined with that fact is that people are also living longer. How is our social security going to support all of these nonworking
older people? I don't have the answer but I do feel that as long as one is physically healthy, gainful employment
of some type is not only good for the person but also good for the country.
Everyone knows that many jobs are being exported to foreign countries. Most of these jobs are
in manufacturing or jobs in which it is not necessary to live in the country to do the work. How does one
offset this trend? If I were a young person who doesn't want to go to college, I would consider learning a trade in
the construction industry. There is no way that someone living in India is going to build your house or fix your
electrical problems or fix your plumbing. Those type of jobs need to be done right here.
Ever since Sputnik was shot up by the Russians in October of 1957, this country shifted its focus to
turning out more engineers and scientists. The new attitude was that if you didn't have a college degree, your earning
potential would be much lower. This may be true to some degree. However, not everyone can afford or even wants to go
to college. What do we do with these students? Unfortunately, we have de-emphasized the importance of preparing students
for careers that do not require a college degree. Years ago, people were more self-sufficient and taught
their children basic skills in carpentry and other manual endeavors.
Today, young people do not learn skills from their parents since
the parents probably lack the skills also.
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I think it is time that we realize that
a college degree is not the only ticket to economic security. Many blue-collared jobs offer better pay and
more job security than so-called white collar jobs.
I heard on the radio the other day that there will be a shortage of over 100,000 electricians in the next 10 years.
The electrical workers union is stepping up its recruiting to fill the shortage. Starting electricians in major metropolitan areas make $70,000 a year.
We have to realize that
turning out skilled tradesmen is just as important as producing teachers, mathematicians, computer programmers, etc.
It is unfortunate that Fieldcrest's financial problems necessitated dropping industrial arts. Quite honestly, I feel
that industrial arts is just as important as computer classes in high school. Kids will learn computers on their own
at home but will not learn trade skills at home.
In regards to Fieldcrest's financial problems and its reduced curriculum, I find it incredulous that the school still
busses kids to the bowling alley in downtown Minonk each day for bowling classes. Learning how to bowl does not add
one iota to a student's education and is something that can be learned at home. That is my potshot for the week.
We should emphasize the importance of learning trade skills again. Over the years, Americans have become less willing to
do manual work. Hispanic immigrants now do most of the hard work such as picking crops or doing gardening. Are we
going to keep de-emphasizing manual labor in favor of "brain" work? Will foreigners be coming over
here to build our houses and repair our plumbing in the future? America needs to realize that manual work is just as
important as non-manual work to keep our economy going and our country safe.
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