30 Million Unemployed and Underemployed in the US

This clip is not the most entertaining, but it's really informative about today's work environment.

In this Gallup article, The Big Lie, from a year ago, it states that the real number of unemployed people and severely underemployed people, tops 30 million in the U.S..  And now there's worry that we're dropping into another recession.  This is what this blog is about.  I'm one of those 30 million people. 

How did this happen?  Here are some of the main reasons, which I will go into more detail in with future blog posts.

-Millions of American jobs have been lost to automation in recent decades, this includes everything from industrial robots to computer programs, to everyday conveniences like ATM machines.

-Millions more factory jobs have been shipped overseas to countries across the world with much lower wages and less environmental regulations.

-The massive change in personal technology, like personal computers, the internet, cell phones then smart phones, social media, etc. has changed the way we communicate.  This has changed business and the workplace at a fundamental level.

-Technology has led to a new kind of job rising to the forefront, jobs that require more tech savy, more thinking, and more creativity.  These jobs pay well, but they're not what our school system teaches people.

- Our school system was created in the late 1800's to turn farmers into factory workers.  It completely fails to prepare today's kids for the jobs that now exist and will exist in the future.

- Most civic leaders still don't really understand this.  Our country is being led by people who still have the "bring back the high-paying factory jobs" mentality.  They're fighting the wrong battle at this point.