I just learned about Barbara Ehrenreich's new organization United Professionals. Yearly dues are $36.50, so I think I might join...
I also plan to check out her new book, Bait and Switch. Her previous book, Nickel and Dimed is a must read about the working poor in this country. Bait and Switch is about people like me! Organized labor is taking such a beating these days, and I don't have the option to join a union in my current job, so I'm thinking UP may be the next best thing.
A couple of weeks ago, I watched the PBS Point of View episode, Waging a Living. Not only did I have to hold back tears for the entire episode, thinking about all the good, hardworking people who are being screwed by the widening gap between rich and poor, but I also thought about my own situation. According to the Ginnie Mae calculator, I can afford a $128,000 house. Right....a piece of property in Los Angeles for $128,000.
I have a college degree, a job with full benefits, and no real prospect of owning a home. Even if I purchase a house with someone else, the median home price in Los Angeles is $600,000. Apparently, I'd have to go in with three or four other people to afford that two bedroom house we'd all be living in together. That'd be way better than paying rent for the rest of my life.
So I guess I'll give UP a shot. People have the power, right?
Sunday 'False Narrative' Toons
1 day ago
2 comments:
I can't believe you still live in California. It is certainly has lots of oppurtunities but it seems like everything from property to people's lifestyle are exagerated. I'd live almost anywhere in the world, and California isn't one of them.
"California" and everything associated with it is foreign to me.
I guess one good thing that California leads the nation in, is environmental policy for motor vehicles.
Speaking of unions, what do you think of UAW? I think they are an example of extreme worker rights. They have so many rights that they're killing their own industry. I think they're an example of overdoing it. I guess it's all about balance...
Honestly, I don't believe that the UAW is responsible for the demise of the US auto industry. They started losing their power and benefits long before the Big Three got into major financial trouble, and with some exceptions I'd say that changing labor laws (and poor leadership) have rendered unions across all industries largely ineffectual.
I'm not an expert, but I would guess that the US automakers short-sited focus on SUVs and lack of interest in hybrid vehicles must be hurting their bottom line.
And yes, there are things about LA that are great, and things that aren't so great. I think about leaving often, but then, I think about staying too. :)
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