Comments for The Problem of Structural Unemployment: Really Incompetent Managers at http://www.cepr.net , comment 1 to 22 out of 20 comments http://www.cepr.net Sat, 25 May 2013 16:11:58 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6766 I think that investigation of all major companies such as the Alyeska expose by truthout.org would show the systemic nature of bad management and its pernicious results The slashed budgets (over the 2001-2010)and personnel cutbacks beyond social sanity are in direct response to rampant dysfunctional, erroneous, and politicized management theory in the U.S. Dispensing with such commerce dogma would benefit the world, but I still am left to wonder; Where has all the money gone, and why isn't it in play? - beth in OR Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:15:55 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6748 Fraud Guy-- Some HR professionals prefer people who have a fair amount of debt. People with no debt have less incentive to put up with poor working conditions. - PeonInChief Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:41:57 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6746 The economist all rush out with the structural unemployment argument at any time of high unemployment. With no data, as mentioned above. That way they can avoid the real problems which are systemic not structural. - The Blog Fodder Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:38:39 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6736 Or, as I found out today, that I would not be hired by my company if I had to apply for my job now because in the interim we have hired an HR "professional" who hold to the standard that poor credit due to repeated bouts with unemployment is obviously too big of incentive to steal from the company. When if theoretical I or recent applicants already had a job, there would be no incentive. - Fraud Guy Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:54:16 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6735 Structural unemployment is simply a way to blame workers for the lousy wages employers want to pay. And if the employer actually CAN'T pay a higher wage and still make a profit, all that means is that the employer has a failed business plan. Happens all the time. It's called capitalism. - Benedict@Large Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:15:03 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6734 I wonder how many business owners, especially small business owners, still think in terms of what the minimum wage was 20 or 30 years ago? When I started working in the 1970s, I think it was less than $2 an hour. And when I hear $15 an hour now, that sounds pretty good ... until I do the math. - Randy Krehbiel Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:16:38 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6733 I liked the manager who complained that machinists he finds make $20 an hour with a pension. So pay $22 with a pension! I've heard lots of business people complain they can't find people who are willing to work hard. I do think there could be some combination of factors -- they pay little enough that they tend to get young, childless men, and a significant subset of those men drink too much and can't get to work at 7 a.m.? - mnlp Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:41:07 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6731 The problem of employers being unwilling to offer higher wages is akin to landlords being unwilling to offer lower rents: "I can't find anyone to pay the rent on the apartment." The general issue is that the privileged in the United States have completely internalized the notion that the less-well-off are obligated to sacrifice so that the privileged can be better off. This is the ethos behind the massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to Wall Street. Wall Street has a right to rich, we are obliged to pay for that. Likewise, employers have a right to exploit workers. If workers object, then there must be something wrong with them. - Hugh Sansom Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:34:15 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6729 Dunkelblau, A good point about lower Manhattan. But what are the productive skills here, aside from the ability to game the system for one's own benefit at enormous social cost? This is rent seeking - benefiting directly from the position you happen to have, and not from any socially productive contribution you might make to the economy. - Jeff Z Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:18:32 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6727 You point out that other articles are stating points and not providing facts to back it up and then write and article that incompetent managers are to blame and you don't provide any facts to back up this claim. Excellent job. - Steve Roberts Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:53:59 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6724 The comment, above, starting with, "Nonsense. This is part of the new Obama Competitiveness-Productivity Program run by Jeffrey Immelt," seems to be signed "Stupid liberals." That seems fitting. - Jack Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:50:06 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6720 Dr. Baker, If employers began offering people more than the $15 figure mentioned, for instance, we would fall behind in the race to the bottom. Who wants that ? I like the idea of tying wages to housing prices, thereby providing a beginning towards an actual living wage. Do you think this is a good idea ? It seems as if the neocons will not be "happy" until the US work force is as cheap as China's and the air is as dirty as China's. - John Houston Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:21:35 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6719 Dean, You seem to have missed the point. The employer who is offering $15 per hour is merely taking the first step toward getting a visa for a highly trained foreign worker. The first step is to advertise for skilled workers (say chemists or engineers) and offer $15 per hour. When no workers with appropriate skills apply, the employer runs to his Senator and Congressional representative. They support the employer's application to get visas for foreign workers because of the demonstrated shortage of skilled workers. The employer probably gets the visas and gains an advantage over competitors who pay U.S. workers with the same skills an hourly wage of $25 or more. When we see such behavior in other countries, we have no trouble calling it crony capitalism. - Ron Alley Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:29:28 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6718 As for "where wages are rising rapidly", I think this past couple of years has been good to investment bankers. In terms of "region" that would be lower Manhattan for the most part. Don't know if these people are putting in longer hours but they're certainly pulling it in. - dunkelblau Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:48:56 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6717 Years ago the great management consultant W. Edwards Deming observed, "Plants don't close from poor workmanship, but from poor management." It appears that things have not changed. - Breukelen Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:43:54 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6715 Everyone knows that good capitalism insists on paying a fixed wage (e.g. $15/hr) for labor and anyone wanting some kind of bargaining power is a union-supporting elitist commie. Everyone knows that right? - skyski Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:15:20 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6714 Well, we know unemployed workers are overqualified to be CEOs! - Mich Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:08:36 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6712 Dean, Lower wages = Higher Living Standards! This is a basic law of economics; high wages always damage an economy by giving undeserved money to the profligate serfs. You see, if you pay people more, they don't work as hard by choosing to focus more on irrational things like spending more time with family and friends and enjoying life. This is a disaster since the rate of return on investment is reduced! - NewsFromAnnArbor Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:22:02 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6707 In California housing costs are such that, even in Fresno, $15/hour is barely surviving. The California Budget Project estimates that a single-parent family there (in 2008) needs to make $55K a year to pay basic expenses. See http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2010/100624_Making_Ends_Meet.pdf (page 29). - PeonInChief Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:13:26 +0100 http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/the-problem-of-structrual-unemployment-really-incompetent-managers#comment-6706 [quote]It presents comments from one employer who complains that he can't find workers for jobs that pay $15 an hour. This is not a very good wage. It would be difficult for someone to support themselves and their children on a job paying $15 an hour ($30,000 a year). If the company president understand economics, then he would raise wages enough so that the jobs were attractive to workers who have the necessary skills. [/quote] Not around here. It is plenty here in North Central Florida. - Floccina Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:38:09 +0100