Night Monkey

I love helping others. Especially my neighbors and loved ones. I realize I am fortunate. I don’t need a Lecture. I’m directing my comments towards people I can relate to. Obviously, I can’t relate to people that live in forced labor camps. I believe the majority of people commenting here are currently living in a “free” society and have had the same opportunities I’ve had.

We, as people, make choices everyday. Those choices have consequences. Good or bad. Life is weird. It’s like a stage. We can act all.we want. But really, all we want at the end of the day is clean water, good food and a loving family. If I lived in a tent or a shack, as long as I had that, I would be happy. I’m easy to please I guess

Ok. So why would I live my daily life with a guilt complex? Yes I realize I wasn’t born into a slave labor camp in North Korea. But why would I dwell on that? I’m focused on my current situation. And trying to make that better

Interesting. I used to have some involvement in a union. In fact, I was a regional VP for a huge union at one point and time. And while I agree with the union premise of organizing, I believe it’s an antiquated solution. The union I belonged to also delved a lot into social issues which I didn’t believe had any place in what I was fighting for…which was fair wages, decent working hours and getting the tools we needed for our jobs.

Instead they focused on social issues that had nothing to do with my work environment. They ran me out of that union. I used to be excited about going to meetings and getting people involved. They quickly showed me what their ulterior motives were. I figured out what the leader of that union was making. I saw how they wined and dined me at fancy dinners and hotels at Las Vegas hotels and casinos. I could see how they were grooming me. All they cared about was membership numbers. They don’t care how I signed them up. Tell these employees anything they wanted to hear. Sign that card.

Eventually, I had enough. I resigned my position and took an early retirement (I’m working in a different field now). Not a single one of them asked me why. Not a single one of them were sorry to see me go. Not a single one of them gave shit. I wasn’t useful to them anymore. I had a big influence on the workplace. They knew that and they exploited that. I do feel bad for the people I misled into signing up for that union that I believed in (brainwashed) at the time. Meanwhile I was being flown across the nation and being wined and dined on their dime.

So yes. While I believe organizing and pushing back on employers to make working environments better, I also believe that unions have become the very thing they claim to fight against.

I’m curious to know what your opinion is on unions today. Because in their current form, I don’t believe they are beneficial to everybody. We were actively told that if they weren’t with us then they are against us. I wanted to show the non union members.what we were capable of. However, I wasn’t able to due to holding this hostile attitude towards non members. Plus, we were not able to show any real progress. Basically just “sign up and you’ll see. Be in the club.”

I would. However, given the climate of the conversation, I am a little concerned that if I did disclose what industries I’ve worked in, it would only cause people to “shit” on what I do for a living. I’d rather not go there. I believe this issue is applicable to every industry.

I have a loving family and a decent job. I have everything I need. I can count the friends I have on one hand.

No I don’t think it’s ok for banks and the government to fuck people over. And just like every other debt, it’s too easy to get and much too hard to pay back. They prey on naive people that are sold the lie that they’re going to be some kind of astronaut or celebrity doctor if they take out a 100k loan for an “education”. Social media portrays people working these dream jobs and flexing their cyber trucks. This ain’t reality. But it’s sold as reality. Unfortunately, people are suckered into thinking that a 100k education = cyber trucks and log cabins at lake Tahoe.

Fuck me? You’re mad at the wrong person

So with all that being said, has the education system failed society? They seem to teach people how to be good consumers. And that’s about it

Also, I agree, taking a loan for a home is the only debt I agree with only because real estate is a tangible asset and will always appreciate.

Sure…I see your point. But I’m not gonna take my paycheck and go to the casino on the off chance I could double my money.

Wow that was a lot. Forgive me for not replying with as much. I don’t have the time.

My only question to all of this is, what is your solution to these problems? If it involves the government, then I have news for you. The government isn’t going to help anybody. My point being if these problems you say exist and are such huge problems, then what is the answer? How does society solve it? I’ve tried to answer these questions myself and it always comes back to asking myself one question. What can I DO TODAY, to make things better for myself and my family?

I also see this student loan thing being tossed around all the time. If people don’t intend to pay them back, then don’t take out a loan. It’s really that simple. Stay out of debt. I can’t stand banks. I loathe them. I refuse to owe a bank or anybody else for that matter any money. The public has been sold a lie. I used to be in a bad situation like what you’re describing. I woke up one day and told myself enough is enough. I’m sick of the debt. I’m sick of blaming everybody else for my shortcomings. I paid off all my debts, bought a house, paid that off and now I try and save as much as I can. I didn’t wait for anybody to rescue me. Nobody is gonna rescue me. The government, a bank, family. Nobody. I’m responsible for my own actions and I take accountability. The only way people can change their situation for the better is to think positively and work hard towards your goals. I don’t know of any other way.

I don’t rely on luck. Too risky. I do what I have to do and use what I’m given to make the best of my situation. Complaining and blaming others got me nowhere. I’m simply pointing out what I’ve witnessed over the last three decades.

I’ve heard that argument being made before. That people don’t think there is a better tomorrow. I suppose I could blame it partially on the doom scrolling people do daily on their phones. Personally speaking, I believe there are always opportunities and a better tomorrow.

If money was an issue, I would simply find a higher paying job. I’m not owed anything. I’m trying to do the best I can just like everybody else. I’ve never agreed 100% with what management does. I’m just happy to have a decent job that pays decently. I wasn’t handed this automatically. I worked my way up to it. I earned it.

I’ve noticed it in every industry I’ve ever worked in over three decades

Ok. I’ll bite. Even though I believe this conversation will go nowhere.

Differences I have seen in work ethic between the 90s and today:

1. Constantly complaining about being broke but refusing to work any overtime.

2. Refusing to do anything outside the scope of their job duties. Even if it’s something small and won’t take any extra time or energy off their current job duty.

3. Demanding or taking long breaks causing others to pick up their slack. And then acting like the victim.

4. Overly emotional about deadlines and jobs duties. Making decisions based on their feelings and not the job/project at hand.

5. People then would usually figure out solutions to problems without any supervision. Ingenuity was rewarded and favored. Today, people seem to prefer to be micro-managed. This could also be a change in employer culture as well.

6. Entitlement culture/attitude. More people today believe they are owed something without earning it. Hierarchical structures were more rigid, with clear distinctions between management and staff. Respect for authority was expected.

7. Employees were more likely to stay with one company for years or even decades, building loyalty and expertise within their organization.

I guess I could go on. And not all of this is due to employees, rather, management issues that have gotten worse over time. But I still believe the root cause is a negative change in people’s work ethic. This is obviously not all inclusive. These are just some examples of what I’ve noticed between now and then. I have been working full time since the 90s. Yes, it’s anecdotal. But you asked me. This is my opinion. It’s okay if people don’t agree with me. But I would find it hard to believe most people would disagree with all or some of these points especially if they have been working as long as I have.

I was there in the 90s. Working full time. There was a noticeable difference in the work ethic from then to today.

That might have worked then. Not so sure nowadays. The work ethic was different back then.

Edit: I didn’t realize the can of worms I opened up. Hopefully it stirs a little bit of constructive conversation. I realize I have an unpopular opinion here. That’s ok. I wish all of you a prosperous and content life. I’m not here to stir up hate. I simply expressed my opinion. I’ve learned a little about how passionate some of you are about this topic. I never thought I would start such a hornet’s nest.