At 01:09 PM 8/2/01 +0200 Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLBD/BGM/SVM/SGM wrote:
>> >It would be beneficial to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to replace
>> >mr. Giorgis with mr. Smith, because mr. Smith can and will do the same
>> >job for $300 per month less. Are you going to thank your boss when he
>> >tells you "mr. Giorgis, you're fired"?
>
>Then you truly are a unique individual -- and one most people will consider
>less-than-bright. I have lost my job several times, and I have spoken with
>many people who lost theirs. So far, nobody was ever grateful for being
>fired.
>
>You see, John, when someone gets fired (and thus loses income), it hurts
>their own micro-economy. When that happens to you, you won't give a damn
>about macro-economics. (OK, with you being the only exception).
I find it amazing that you have the sheer gall to be lecturing me like this.
Whatever happened to IAAMOAC?
Whatever happend to Environment ueber alles?
Where's Kristin lecturing us about how we should all be thinking
"long-term" and for the good of the civilization, when I need it?
Maybe you aren't sufficiently attuned to the importance of human
civilization yet to take minor personal setbacks in stride for the greater
good, Jeroen, but *please* do not dare to lecture me on this List with
implications of being "less-than-bright", etc., etc. simply because I try
to consider the greater good with everything I do.
I'll have you know that I could very easily have been working in the
private sector for twice my current pay. I decided to work for the
government, however, in part because working in the private sector seemed
meaningless to me - and I wanted to do something that would benefit
humanity. And don't think this was a necessarily easy decision. I am
regularly reminded by my father in small and subtle ways just how
unfathomable he considers my decision to be.
So please, step back for a moment Jeroen, and actually think for a moment
before knee-jerk disagreeing with me.
>"Listen up, guys, I got great news. I did something today that will benefit
>the economy." The kids cheer, because dad did something great. The wife, a
>bit suspicious given your blind faith in capitalist economic theory, asks
>"What did you do, honey?"
>
>To which you cheerfully and proudly answer "I quit my job because I came
>across this guy who said he'd do my job for $300 per month less! Isn't it
>great! This will boost the economy, increase the GDP and create more jobs!".
>
>Do you really expect that your family will join in the cheering? If your
>wife is anything of a sensible person, she won't cheer but ask you how the
>hell you think you're going to feed your children and pay the bills.
>
>Chances are she'll send you back to your (now former) boss to BEG him to get
>your job back.
>
>And I think you'll be sleeping in the garage for the next few days...
Now Jeroen, I will explain to my children that I should not begrudge
another person their right to seek employment, nor the right of the
taxpayers to seek the most value for their money.
I will then proceed to market my services to the highest bidder. If I
cannot market my services for even the legal minimum wage, then I will seek
out charity until I can find a bidder for my services.
I'd expect the same reaction from my family if I told them that I was
leaving my job to work for $300/month less at the <insert charity of your
choice.>
>> Because the economy has gained $300 a month in efficiency, that will
>> now be spent on something and someone else.
>
>How many new jobs do you think you can create from $300 per month?
There are 2.3 million federal employees. $300 a month starts adding up
awfully fast.
JDG
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
We are products of the same history, reaching from Jerusalem and
Athens to Warsaw and Washington. We share more than an alliance.
We share a civilization. - George W. Bush, Warsaw, 06/15/01
