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• Anonymous

  I thought Maine was open for business nowadays? Why isn’t LePage also encouraging businesses looking for the type of skills Maine already HAS to offer, instead of scolding recent graduates for doing what they’ve been told to do “at home,” at school and by, Hell, practically everyone since the beginning of the 20th century??

  “Get an education,” they told us! Get an education! But now the governor says that’s not good enough for his state, or rather, it’s too good for it.

  Instead of trying to bring business TO Maine, this governor is basically scolding its own young citizens for being overqualified to work in the state. Good grief.

  Now it’s “go tend to the potato crops, go haul some traps or fire up your chainsaw, son, cause Maine is only open for certain types of business.”

• Anonymous

  I thought Maine was open for business nowadays? Why isn’t LePage also encouraging businesses looking for the type of skills Maine already HAS to offer, instead of scolding recent graduates for doing what they’ve been told to do “at home,” at school and by, Hell, practically everyone since the beginning of the 20th century??

  “Get an education,” they told us! Get an education! But now the governor says that’s not good enough for his state, or rather, it’s too good for it.

  Instead of trying to bring business TO Maine, this governor is basically scolding its own young citizens for being overqualified to work in the state. Good grief.

  Now it’s “go tend to the potato crops, go haul some traps or fire up your chainsaw, son, cause Maine is only open for certain types of business.”

• Anonymous

  I thought Maine was open for business nowadays? Why isn’t LePage also encouraging businesses looking for the type of skills Maine already HAS to offer, instead of scolding recent graduates for doing what they’ve been told to do “at home,” at school and by, Hell, practically everyone since the beginning of the 20th century??

  “Get an education,” they told us! Get an education! But now the governor says that’s not good enough for his state, or rather, it’s too good for it.

  Instead of trying to bring business TO Maine, this governor is basically scolding its own young citizens for being overqualified to work in the state. Good grief.

  Now it’s “go tend to the potato crops, go haul some traps or fire up your chainsaw, son, cause Maine is only open for certain types of business.”

• Anonymous

  i’d like to see an age analysis of the unemployed. i’m thinking its not just young people just out of school, but many of us in our 40s and 50s who grew up in the “basic” education system. we have skills, but no one wants to hire someone with the depth of experience and maturity that requires health care and decent wages to pay the mortgage and children’s education bills.

• Anonymous

  i’d like to see an age analysis of the unemployed. i’m thinking its not just young people just out of school, but many of us in our 40s and 50s who grew up in the “basic” education system. we have skills, but no one wants to hire someone with the depth of experience and maturity that requires health care and decent wages to pay the mortgage and children’s education bills.

• Anonymous

  i’d like to see an age analysis of the unemployed. i’m thinking its not just young people just out of school, but many of us in our 40s and 50s who grew up in the “basic” education system. we have skills, but no one wants to hire someone with the depth of experience and maturity that requires health care and decent wages to pay the mortgage and children’s education bills.

• Anonymous

  Governor LePage makes sense. Instead of students aiming for careers that suit their fancy, they need to aim for careers that suit the job market.

• 525_44

  Mid Maine Machine should look at the Tech schools and perhaps recruit some of the kids that are there.

  Where are these 21, 000 jobs? Are they in one area or spread out?

• Anonymous

  Students go to college to do what they want to do, to do what they dream about, not what the current economic maelstrom is best suited to handle. I am a college student right now for a career that will probably take me out of state and not do much for the state of Maine….. this doesn’t change my mind however.

• Anonymous

  There are many different types of education. Not all valid training comes from a four-year college.

• Anonymous

  There are many different types of education. Not all valid training comes from a four-year college.

• 525_44

  I think many young people should take up farming. I wish they would.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008305985 Patricia Malone-Bessey

  He should also address the fact that these employees who need “skilled” workers want those workers to have a Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years experience. Then expect to pay them $25,000 a year with little benefits. That is why many graduates leave the state in the first place. Not for the lack of jobs in their line of interest, but a need to earn a worthwhile wage.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008305985 Patricia Malone-Bessey

  He should also address the fact that these employees who need “skilled” workers want those workers to have a Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years experience. Then expect to pay them $25,000 a year with little benefits. That is why many graduates leave the state in the first place. Not for the lack of jobs in their line of interest, but a need to earn a worthwhile wage.

• Anonymous

  Farming is one of Maine’s biggest potential growth industries, is not a difficult industry to break into and offers tremendous potential both to lower prices on staple goods for Maine residents and to spur value added manufacturing industries. Fishing and forestry are the same.  100% agreed!

• Anonymous

  Farming is one of Maine’s biggest potential growth industries, is not a difficult industry to break into and offers tremendous potential both to lower prices on staple goods for Maine residents and to spur value added manufacturing industries. Fishing and forestry are the same.  100% agreed!

• 525_44

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.
  - – - – - – - – - – - -
  What! The truth is spoken! ϟ
  Now try to revive it all…governor!

  Young people need to get into agriculture, help them.
  That goes for everything else. Of course the challenge is trying to convince some of them that these are all good, honest, hard paying jobs/vocations.

  If these industries were re-vitalized somehow, they would create more revenue than a NPark would.
  What worked once can work again with newer and proven modern practices.

• 525_44

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.
  - – - – - – - – - – - -
  What! The truth is spoken! ϟ
  Now try to revive it all…governor!

  Young people need to get into agriculture, help them.
  That goes for everything else. Of course the challenge is trying to convince some of them that these are all good, honest, hard paying jobs/vocations.

  If these industries were re-vitalized somehow, they would create more revenue than a NPark would.
  What worked once can work again with newer and proven modern practices.

• Anonymous

  It’s funny in New Hampshire, the buisness’s such as those who hire welders, machinists etc work with the local community colleges throughout the state to do an advanced certificate program.  This is some classroom work and alot of on the job training.  These jobs start at 13 or more dollars an hour, not including shift differential.  Upon two years of basically a paid internship (during which time you get med, 401k, vacation days) your pay can instantly bump to 16-17 dollars an hour, with full beni’s.  Sounds like these buisness’s need to grab the bull by the horns and work witht he Community College system.  Again, Maine, look across the border.  I realize not everything in NH can transfer to Maine, but I think this is one of them that could.  FWI, one of the programs is on it’s third go in less then 18 months at 30+ people per class/job hire.

• Anonymous

  It’s funny in New Hampshire, the buisness’s such as those who hire welders, machinists etc work with the local community colleges throughout the state to do an advanced certificate program.  This is some classroom work and alot of on the job training.  These jobs start at 13 or more dollars an hour, not including shift differential.  Upon two years of basically a paid internship (during which time you get med, 401k, vacation days) your pay can instantly bump to 16-17 dollars an hour, with full beni’s.  Sounds like these buisness’s need to grab the bull by the horns and work witht he Community College system.  Again, Maine, look across the border.  I realize not everything in NH can transfer to Maine, but I think this is one of them that could.  FWI, one of the programs is on it’s third go in less then 18 months at 30+ people per class/job hire.

• Anonymous

  I think the collegiate route works better for some than for others. It worked well for me, but it doesn’t suit everyone. I do believe many (especially in the education profession) do have a tendency to devalue labor both skilled and unskilled. I would be no less proud of my son if he chose to be a plumber or electrician or machinist etc. despite the fact that I took a completely different route. I see many students wasting thousands of dollars on college just to “find themselves” or because they believe that’s what’s expected of a middle-class kid or whatever. I think college works best for students who have clear career goals in mind and *need* a college degree to establish professional credentials. College worked well for me because I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My degrees have paid for themselves easily twice over (then again, I went to school 20 years ago and the price of school wasn’t as inflated as it is these days). BTW: I teach at colleges—and sometimes find myself having to represent the working class in ivory tower arguments.

• Anonymous

  I think the collegiate route works better for some than for others. It worked well for me, but it doesn’t suit everyone. I do believe many (especially in the education profession) do have a tendency to devalue labor both skilled and unskilled. I would be no less proud of my son if he chose to be a plumber or electrician or machinist etc. despite the fact that I took a completely different route. I see many students wasting thousands of dollars on college just to “find themselves” or because they believe that’s what’s expected of a middle-class kid or whatever. I think college works best for students who have clear career goals in mind and *need* a college degree to establish professional credentials. College worked well for me because I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My degrees have paid for themselves easily twice over (then again, I went to school 20 years ago and the price of school wasn’t as inflated as it is these days). BTW: I teach at colleges—and sometimes find myself having to represent the working class in ivory tower arguments.

• Anonymous

  Amen!

• Anonymous

  Amen!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X6ZXYBRJYFWJ2WI23TLAL52ZFU Tim-Clueless Mortal

  I hate to break it to you but with energy costs and heating here in Maine, it’s not very profitable for a-lot of Businesses here in Maine anymore.  There are plenty of Engineering and Medical jobs to be had here in Maine.  Use more common sense when picking your major.  It is not the fault of a business because they can only offer certain types of work in this state.  Nuff said

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X6ZXYBRJYFWJ2WI23TLAL52ZFU Tim-Clueless Mortal

  I hate to break it to you but with energy costs and heating here in Maine, it’s not very profitable for a-lot of Businesses here in Maine anymore.  There are plenty of Engineering and Medical jobs to be had here in Maine.  Use more common sense when picking your major.  It is not the fault of a business because they can only offer certain types of work in this state.  Nuff said

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

  Maine’s #1 agricultural crop is illegal. Fix that, Penguin!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

  Maine’s #1 agricultural crop is illegal. Fix that, Penguin!

• 525_44

  The average age of our nation’s farmer’s is 65. It would be wonderful if young people would look to farming with interest.
  It’s not all back breaking work anymore, so much is mechanized that a small family could run a prosperous farm.

• 525_44

  The average age of our nation’s farmer’s is 65. It would be wonderful if young people would look to farming with interest.
  It’s not all back breaking work anymore, so much is mechanized that a small family could run a prosperous farm.

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Roy-Eliasson/100000938419641 Roy Eliasson

  He gets a thumbs up from me!!!

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Roy-Eliasson/100000938419641 Roy Eliasson

  He gets a thumbs up from me!!!

• Anonymous

  In the article the BDN states that according to the most recent data available there are approximately 24,000 receiving unemployment in Maine. However both the U. S. Dept of Labor and even the State of Maine at Maine.gov website (http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html)place the number of unemployed in the State at over 50,000. Eric how do you account for such a large difference between what you reported and what both the State and Federal Government are reporting?

• http://www.facebook.com/christie.belanger Christian Pearl Belanger

  So because I want to become an art teacher at the high school level, it’s my fault I’m unemployed? Not everyone wants to be in trade school. Some people have goals to become more. I know I want to move out of Maine as soon as I can, because even New Hampshire has a better economy than us. Yes be realistic but if someone wants to be something more than a mechanic, or a welder, etc.; and is willing to go through the education process then don’t tell them that their goal won’t happen.

  I know plenty of people that were in sports in high school and they don’t want to be football players and basketball players all their lives. They really want a job that will pay decently. It’s not just the kids that are unemployed its the people that are older that can’t “go into retirement” or can’t get disability, but they can’t manage to do what people need done because employers aren’t as willing to train people into something new. everyone is either “overqualified” or “underqualified”

• http://www.facebook.com/christie.belanger Christian Pearl Belanger

  So because I want to become an art teacher at the high school level, it’s my fault I’m unemployed? Not everyone wants to be in trade school. Some people have goals to become more. I know I want to move out of Maine as soon as I can, because even New Hampshire has a better economy than us. Yes be realistic but if someone wants to be something more than a mechanic, or a welder, etc.; and is willing to go through the education process then don’t tell them that their goal won’t happen.

  I know plenty of people that were in sports in high school and they don’t want to be football players and basketball players all their lives. They really want a job that will pay decently. It’s not just the kids that are unemployed its the people that are older that can’t “go into retirement” or can’t get disability, but they can’t manage to do what people need done because employers aren’t as willing to train people into something new. everyone is either “overqualified” or “underqualified”

• 525_44

  That is true!

• Anonymous

  The 24,000 is the number of Mainers who are collecting unemployment benefits. The overall number of unemployed, which you referenced, is much higher. Good question. Sorry I didn’t make that more clear!
  -Eric Russell

• Anonymous

  The 24,000 is the number of Mainers who are collecting unemployment benefits. The overall number of unemployed, which you referenced, is much higher. Good question. Sorry I didn’t make that more clear!
  -Eric Russell

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Todd-Foster/686645014 Todd Foster

  One of the problems I have personally seen is these “kids” want a job, but they don’t want to work.  ”I’ll go to school and get a bachelors in business management because all I’ll have to do is sit at a desk.”  You mean we actually have to work?!

• Anonymous

  You use the words “Some people have goals to become more….”. Certainly, you have a right to pursure any career you like, but having a college education doesn’t make you “more” than the mechanic who fixes your car, or even the custodian who cleans your school. I am a musician and I’m lucky to be so. Yes, I have to live out of state to do so which was my choice. But if young folks *wish* to stay in Maine, they need to explore realistic options that will allow them to do so.

  And remember, nobody’s “more important” than the farmer.

• Anonymous

  You use the words “Some people have goals to become more….”. Certainly, you have a right to pursure any career you like, but having a college education doesn’t make you “more” than the mechanic who fixes your car, or even the custodian who cleans your school. I am a musician and I’m lucky to be so. Yes, I have to live out of state to do so which was my choice. But if young folks *wish* to stay in Maine, they need to explore realistic options that will allow them to do so.

  And remember, nobody’s “more important” than the farmer.

• Anonymous

  Thank you Eric for the reply. Wouldn’t it be  helpful for both the unemployed workers and  the  two dozen employers who are having trouble finding workers if you list the names of the firms? I would think the BDN would want to do that as a public service to both the unemployed and the employers. 

• 525_44

  They don’t want to do what they don’t want to do…and many won’t. That’s a big problem.
  The ‘I won’t be caught dead doing something like that’ attitude.

• 525_44

  They don’t want to do what they don’t want to do…and many won’t. That’s a big problem.
  The ‘I won’t be caught dead doing something like that’ attitude.

• Anonymous

  Guess Mr LaPage  is out of the loop again.. This is an article called  College for ME, The case for college  Maine’s challenge.  …..Today’s “Knowledge Economy” rewards people who have college degrees and punishes those who do not. Since the early 1970s, people with college educations have lived in a world of expanding opportunities and growing incomes. Many people without college educations have faced dead-end jobs and stagnant incomes.

• Anonymous

  Guess Mr LaPage  is out of the loop again.. This is an article called  College for ME, The case for college  Maine’s challenge.  …..Today’s “Knowledge Economy” rewards people who have college degrees and punishes those who do not. Since the early 1970s, people with college educations have lived in a world of expanding opportunities and growing incomes. Many people without college educations have faced dead-end jobs and stagnant incomes.

• 525_44

  There was a time life-experience counted, unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be as important anymore.

• 525_44

  There was a time life-experience counted, unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be as important anymore.

• Anonymous

  While I am not disagreeing with you as far as farming being one of the potential growth industries I do question the difficulty in breaking into the business. Starting a farm is not an inexpensive proposition especially for a young person just starting out. The cost of the land and equipment can be extremely high.

• Anonymous

  While I am not disagreeing with you as far as farming being one of the potential growth industries I do question the difficulty in breaking into the business. Starting a farm is not an inexpensive proposition especially for a young person just starting out. The cost of the land and equipment can be extremely high.

• Anonymous

  “Nobody’s “more important” than the farmer.” Very true.

  And lots of other key support industries to the agriculture industries are very important as well.

• Anonymous

  “Nobody’s “more important” than the farmer.” Very true.

  And lots of other key support industries to the agriculture industries are very important as well.

• Anonymous

  “Alan Dorval with Mid-Maine Machine Products of Winslow said his business has many openings for skilled laborers but no one is applying. Others who attended Friday’s event at the Blaine House
  shared similar concerns.”

  I wonder if Mid-Maine has partnered with a trade school to train people to read mechanical drawing, engineering sketches, precision instruments plus run NC equipment and know some trig. That’s a lot to ask someone who has worked at a fast food place or Mardens to step into a position like that without training.  Companies used to have apprenticeships and by the time you finished you had a top notch tool and die maker.  Many Companies have been convinced to stop training and hired from outside to cut cost. You do cut cost but have less employee QC and allegiance. This trend to hire from outside started in the 70′s. Lean manufacturing in many cases has come to mean Lean resources to employees, one of which is training.

• Anonymous

  “Alan Dorval with Mid-Maine Machine Products of Winslow said his business has many openings for skilled laborers but no one is applying. Others who attended Friday’s event at the Blaine House
  shared similar concerns.”

  I wonder if Mid-Maine has partnered with a trade school to train people to read mechanical drawing, engineering sketches, precision instruments plus run NC equipment and know some trig. That’s a lot to ask someone who has worked at a fast food place or Mardens to step into a position like that without training.  Companies used to have apprenticeships and by the time you finished you had a top notch tool and die maker.  Many Companies have been convinced to stop training and hired from outside to cut cost. You do cut cost but have less employee QC and allegiance. This trend to hire from outside started in the 70′s. Lean manufacturing in many cases has come to mean Lean resources to employees, one of which is training.

• Anonymous

  I haven’t gotten the list yet from the governor’s office. If I do, I’ll provide the list!
  -Eric Russell

• Anonymous

  I haven’t gotten the list yet from the governor’s office. If I do, I’ll provide the list!
  -Eric Russell

• Anonymous

  What happened to ON The Job training? Ok so someone spends the years and money and attends college. One could train an employee to run that lathe in about thirty days. Yet to cry no skilled labor and wait four years for graduation for someone who would again actually need to train for the job just seems to be a bunch of crap. It will not matter in the end if you need help and hold out for a graduate, that graduate would have amassed years of loans to repay and most likely leave the job every chance they can if the next place pays more. If someone can learn from a book they can also learn on the job. Only faster and earn a living as they work and learn a skill. And the person with all kinds of credentials will most likely hear”sorry you are over qualified for this job” because the employer will see dollar signs ahead for wages.

• Anonymous

  What happened to ON The Job training? Ok so someone spends the years and money and attends college. One could train an employee to run that lathe in about thirty days. Yet to cry no skilled labor and wait four years for graduation for someone who would again actually need to train for the job just seems to be a bunch of crap. It will not matter in the end if you need help and hold out for a graduate, that graduate would have amassed years of loans to repay and most likely leave the job every chance they can if the next place pays more. If someone can learn from a book they can also learn on the job. Only faster and earn a living as they work and learn a skill. And the person with all kinds of credentials will most likely hear”sorry you are over qualified for this job” because the employer will see dollar signs ahead for wages.

• Anonymous

  How many people with college degrees versus those who graduated from a trade school are unemployed?  That would be an interesting statistic to know.

• Anonymous

  How many people with college degrees versus those who graduated from a trade school are unemployed?  That would be an interesting statistic to know.

• Anonymous

  Well this is a conundrum… if LePage wants to improve Maine’s economy, he needs to launch programs that result in more skilled labor. Where will they get the Republican votes for re-election if they educate the citizens?

• Anonymous

  Well this is a conundrum… if LePage wants to improve Maine’s economy, he needs to launch programs that result in more skilled labor. Where will they get the Republican votes for re-election if they educate the citizens?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CL7IBDRT3K73W6YUTS54SWEA4A David

  Now, didn’t Mr. Lepage gripe on and on about how ”government needs to get out of the way of job creators” so we can grow jobs in this state?  I clearly remember that sentiment both before and after the election.  Suddenly, we have plenty o’ jobs but it just coincidentally, by chance, happens to be, that adding a 5th year (??) onto high school will solve all the problems.  Will it be the businesses responsibility to add the 5th year curriculum?  Hmm, no, because the education commissioner was there.  Last time I checked, he was government.  So, we had the education commissioner there with these businesses but, yet again, good ol’ George Gervay the economic development commissioner was nowhere to be seen.  It seems pretty easy to conclude that employers’ issues with filling jobs is an economic development issue.   What exactly does George Gervay do if he couldn’t even make it to this?  Perhaps if he wasn’t a multiple failed business owner, he’d be able to do SOMETHING!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CL7IBDRT3K73W6YUTS54SWEA4A David

  Now, didn’t Mr. Lepage gripe on and on about how ”government needs to get out of the way of job creators” so we can grow jobs in this state?  I clearly remember that sentiment both before and after the election.  Suddenly, we have plenty o’ jobs but it just coincidentally, by chance, happens to be, that adding a 5th year (??) onto high school will solve all the problems.  Will it be the businesses responsibility to add the 5th year curriculum?  Hmm, no, because the education commissioner was there.  Last time I checked, he was government.  So, we had the education commissioner there with these businesses but, yet again, good ol’ George Gervay the economic development commissioner was nowhere to be seen.  It seems pretty easy to conclude that employers’ issues with filling jobs is an economic development issue.   What exactly does George Gervay do if he couldn’t even make it to this?  Perhaps if he wasn’t a multiple failed business owner, he’d be able to do SOMETHING!

• Anonymous

  Once again, why don’t these businesses starving for skilled workers start an apprenticeship program to supply their needs.  I guess the don’t really want to spend the extra money to set such a program up.  The governor has a job but really has no skill to govern.  Some jobs don’t necessarily need a skill to go with it. 

• Anonymous

  Once again, why don’t these businesses starving for skilled workers start an apprenticeship program to supply their needs.  I guess the don’t really want to spend the extra money to set such a program up.  The governor has a job but really has no skill to govern.  Some jobs don’t necessarily need a skill to go with it. 

• Anonymous

  Where do I start with comments from this.

  First of all with the way the economy is going, we are currently in a mode of “creative destruction”.  There is a need to expand education and people need to simply WORK, people are busy living of off those that are currently working.  If I could sit on my duff all day I would not want to get a job either. 

  There was an interesting article in the Economist lately..  Note it below.

  “    There is a strong correlation between a good education, higher earnings and a lower (though not negligible) risk of becoming unemployed. In America, the jobless rate among graduates rose from under 2% in 2007 to nearly 5% in 2010, but for non-graduates it jumped from 5% to over 11%.      Even before the crisis, America was on track for its worst decade for job creation in at least half a century, says Mr Manyika of the McKinsey Global Institute. As the institute sees it, there are three main types of work: transformational (typically involving physical activity, such as construction); transactional (such as routine jobs in call centres or banks, often still done by people but capable of being automated); and interactional (relying on knowledge, expertise and collaboration with others, such as investment banking or management consultancy). Transformational work has been in long-term decline in most rich countries, shifting to emerging markets, particularly China, though wages in Chinese factories are now soaring.
      Now a wave of labour arbitrage and the substitution of technology for humans is starting to sweep through transactional work, wiping out many routine white-collar jobs in rich countries. But interactional work, says Mr Manyika, is unlikely to go the same way, because it is inherently difficult to standardise. In this kind of work technology tends to enhance human capabilities, often creating a “winner-takes-all” market in which the best performers are paid disproportionately well. Transformational and transactional work tend to suffer from fierce competition, slim profit margins and low pay, whereas the best interactional knowledge-work companies continue to earn fat margins. ”

  In my opinion, Maine, is in need of an economic wake up call, the far fetched idea that paper mills will return to being profitable or even existing is a pipe dream.  That shoe making will come back?  The reality is that the state needs to spend money on its infrastructure and enable an economy that is service orientated.

• Anonymous

  Where do I start with comments from this.

  First of all with the way the economy is going, we are currently in a mode of “creative destruction”.  There is a need to expand education and people need to simply WORK, people are busy living of off those that are currently working.  If I could sit on my duff all day I would not want to get a job either. 

  There was an interesting article in the Economist lately..  Note it below.

  “    There is a strong correlation between a good education, higher earnings and a lower (though not negligible) risk of becoming unemployed. In America, the jobless rate among graduates rose from under 2% in 2007 to nearly 5% in 2010, but for non-graduates it jumped from 5% to over 11%.      Even before the crisis, America was on track for its worst decade for job creation in at least half a century, says Mr Manyika of the McKinsey Global Institute. As the institute sees it, there are three main types of work: transformational (typically involving physical activity, such as construction); transactional (such as routine jobs in call centres or banks, often still done by people but capable of being automated); and interactional (relying on knowledge, expertise and collaboration with others, such as investment banking or management consultancy). Transformational work has been in long-term decline in most rich countries, shifting to emerging markets, particularly China, though wages in Chinese factories are now soaring.
      Now a wave of labour arbitrage and the substitution of technology for humans is starting to sweep through transactional work, wiping out many routine white-collar jobs in rich countries. But interactional work, says Mr Manyika, is unlikely to go the same way, because it is inherently difficult to standardise. In this kind of work technology tends to enhance human capabilities, often creating a “winner-takes-all” market in which the best performers are paid disproportionately well. Transformational and transactional work tend to suffer from fierce competition, slim profit margins and low pay, whereas the best interactional knowledge-work companies continue to earn fat margins. ”

  In my opinion, Maine, is in need of an economic wake up call, the far fetched idea that paper mills will return to being profitable or even existing is a pipe dream.  That shoe making will come back?  The reality is that the state needs to spend money on its infrastructure and enable an economy that is service orientated.

• Anonymous

  Thank you again Eric.

• Anonymous

  Thank you again Eric.

• Anonymous

  I guess in governot lopages decieving language, by  saying“Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,”  It sounds like he’s saying. Hey lets all go back to the future; thats no longer there; or does it mean were all going to be driving a new lobsta boat or John Deere tractor. If governot lopage got paid for all his good ideas, I think he’d probably end up oweing the State of Maine  alot of money.

• Anonymous

  I guess in governot lopages decieving language, by  saying“Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,”  It sounds like he’s saying. Hey lets all go back to the future; thats no longer there; or does it mean were all going to be driving a new lobsta boat or John Deere tractor. If governot lopage got paid for all his good ideas, I think he’d probably end up oweing the State of Maine  alot of money.

• Anonymous

  I don’t have that break out for Maine but nationally there is lower unemployment among people in there 40′s and 50′s than in the work force as a whole.  It’s around 7% and my guess Maine is probably somewhat lower still.   That’s not good but it isn’t as bad as those right out of school.

  People age 20 to 24 nationally are showing 14.8% and again Maine is probably somewhat lower which is still terrible.   Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem. 

  People need to have more than one skill set I believe and as much education as practical for the job.  It seems like a lot of the guys who had several skills have retired or died and fewer younger people have the multiple skills today.

• Anonymous

  I don’t have that break out for Maine but nationally there is lower unemployment among people in there 40′s and 50′s than in the work force as a whole.  It’s around 7% and my guess Maine is probably somewhat lower still.   That’s not good but it isn’t as bad as those right out of school.

  People age 20 to 24 nationally are showing 14.8% and again Maine is probably somewhat lower which is still terrible.   Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem. 

  People need to have more than one skill set I believe and as much education as practical for the job.  It seems like a lot of the guys who had several skills have retired or died and fewer younger people have the multiple skills today.

• Anonymous

  I wasn’t referring to breaking into the industry as only starting a full owner/operator operation, but there are partnerships, organic start-ups, small scale specialty crops, etc. Or just opportunities with many existing farms for responsible, hard working young people to get in and learn the industry. Maybe spending a few years learning the ins and outs while making plans to launch their own operation. That’s more or less what I was getting at. I agree that attempting to launch a full scale, industrial level operation is fairly expensive.

• Anonymous

  I wasn’t referring to breaking into the industry as only starting a full owner/operator operation, but there are partnerships, organic start-ups, small scale specialty crops, etc. Or just opportunities with many existing farms for responsible, hard working young people to get in and learn the industry. Maybe spending a few years learning the ins and outs while making plans to launch their own operation. That’s more or less what I was getting at. I agree that attempting to launch a full scale, industrial level operation is fairly expensive.

• Anonymous

  I won’t dignify your comments regarding the Governor with a response, but your suggestion that we should haave a robust apprenticeship program in the state is valid.  Germany has led the way with apprentiship programs for students with great success.   It would take some creative and non-traditional thinking among educators and business to forge a working partnership and develop a solid apprenticeship program for our youth in the state. 

• Anonymous

  “Some people have goals to become more…” If you have a bachelor’s in teaching, one would think the college would have instilled that people are different- not better people or lesser people. They are not lesser people for going to trade school to weld. That is pretty stereotypical of you.  Yes, there are plenty of backyard welders who think they ought to be paid decent wages for sticking two pieces of metal together and don’t understand why they don’t get hired. On the other hand, you have welders with actual skills, say, the welders at Bath Iron Works. Men and women who build ships for our country. Who have a job they can be proud of. They make great wages and have good benefits. All welders, and other tradespeople, are not created equal. You should not group them as one. If they don’t want to be “something more” than a welder? Our state is better for it.

• Anonymous

  Bull & crapola. If you can not find the workers you aren’t looking hard enough or offering enough or both.

• Anonymous

  I’m sure other commenters have said this, but it is not the lack of a workforce, it is because the workforce is not paid enough starting out to even meet their college loan obligations. $23 or $25K a year for a schoolteacher with $70,000 worth of debt is not equitable. Start paying people and people will stay in Maine.

• Anonymous

  I’m sure other commenters have said this, but it is not the lack of a workforce, it is because the workforce is not paid enough starting out to even meet their college loan obligations. $23 or $25K a year for a schoolteacher with $70,000 worth of debt is not equitable. Start paying people and people will stay in Maine.

• Anonymous

  I think you missed the point. Why bring in more biz if you dont have the right workforce. I am in my 40′s I have seen the younger generation not want to do the type I work I do They have a degree in computer something and cant find a job Not that the are lazy but have spent a ton of money on a degree that everyone else has. I think someone with more economic savvy would call it competition

• Anonymous

  I think you missed the point. Why bring in more biz if you dont have the right workforce. I am in my 40′s I have seen the younger generation not want to do the type I work I do They have a degree in computer something and cant find a job Not that the are lazy but have spent a ton of money on a degree that everyone else has. I think someone with more economic savvy would call it competition

• Anonymous

  I think you missed the point. Why bring in more biz if you dont have the right workforce. I am in my 40′s I have seen the younger generation not want to do the type I work I do They have a degree in computer something and cant find a job Not that the are lazy but have spent a ton of money on a degree that everyone else has. I think someone with more economic savvy would call it competition

• Anonymous

  Hemp makes quality paper.

• Anonymous

  Hemp makes quality paper.

• Anonymous

  Hemp makes quality paper.

• Anonymous

  Nothing new here .  every 3-4 yrs someone has the great revelation that maine’s work force is under trained/ has the wrong job training.  Make a reasonable decision as to who should pay what portion of the education/training trainee, employer, state; and just do it.  No politics necessary.

• Anonymous

  Nothing new here .  every 3-4 yrs someone has the great revelation that maine’s work force is under trained/ has the wrong job training.  Make a reasonable decision as to who should pay what portion of the education/training trainee, employer, state; and just do it.  No politics necessary.

• Anonymous

  Nothing new here .  every 3-4 yrs someone has the great revelation that maine’s work force is under trained/ has the wrong job training.  Make a reasonable decision as to who should pay what portion of the education/training trainee, employer, state; and just do it.  No politics necessary.

• Anonymous

  Plenty of jobs, not enough skills ….. remember ages ago when they told us we need to re-train. We were told we were moving into the “Information Age” and leaving all that oily messy work to someone else. So they stopped training people to read drawings and use precision instruments and told everyone go learn computer skills …. So here we are we’ve come full circle and people wonder why, don’t .. we gave our manufacturing base away. I wonder who gets to pay to rebuild of it.

• Anonymous

  Plenty of jobs, not enough skills ….. remember ages ago when they told us we need to re-train. We were told we were moving into the “Information Age” and leaving all that oily messy work to someone else. So they stopped training people to read drawings and use precision instruments and told everyone go learn computer skills …. So here we are we’ve come full circle and people wonder why, don’t .. we gave our manufacturing base away. I wonder who gets to pay to rebuild of it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

  Archival-quality paper…plus about 30,000 other uses. Think of the green jobs!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

  Archival-quality paper…plus about 30,000 other uses. Think of the green jobs!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

  Archival-quality paper…plus about 30,000 other uses. Think of the green jobs!

• Anonymous

  You birds all seem to sing the same one-note song.

• Anonymous

  You birds all seem to sing the same one-note song.

• Anonymous

  You birds all seem to sing the same one-note song.

• Anonymous

  AMEN!  You just said it all!

• Anonymous

  AMEN!  You just said it all!

• Anonymous

  AMEN!  You just said it all!

• Anonymous

  What are the stats when you include those 40 to 60 year olds who have given up looking for work or are working jobs which don’t pay a living wage?  Aren’t the numbers quite a bit larger?

• Anonymous

  What are the stats when you include those 40 to 60 year olds who have given up looking for work or are working jobs which don’t pay a living wage?  Aren’t the numbers quite a bit larger?

• Anonymous

  What are the stats when you include those 40 to 60 year olds who have given up looking for work or are working jobs which don’t pay a living wage?  Aren’t the numbers quite a bit larger?

• http://www.facebook.com/mychal.hunter Mychal Hunter

  Funny to me, 28 years old with  a degree in Civil Engineering and I cannot find a job after 18 months that corresponds to my degree.  There are no entry level positions available, firms want people with 5-10 yrs experience

• http://www.facebook.com/mychal.hunter Mychal Hunter

  Funny to me, 28 years old with  a degree in Civil Engineering and I cannot find a job after 18 months that corresponds to my degree.  There are no entry level positions available, firms want people with 5-10 yrs experience

• http://www.facebook.com/mychal.hunter Mychal Hunter

  Funny to me, 28 years old with  a degree in Civil Engineering and I cannot find a job after 18 months that corresponds to my degree.  There are no entry level positions available, firms want people with 5-10 yrs experience

• Anonymous

  I am not that close to farming anymore. But my impression is while it may not be back breaking work successful farms today require a lot of knowledge and many skills.  The ones I am aware of are very skilled business people as well as good farmers, innovators and they know carpentry, plumbing, welding and mechanics as well. 

• Anonymous

  I am not that close to farming anymore. But my impression is while it may not be back breaking work successful farms today require a lot of knowledge and many skills.  The ones I am aware of are very skilled business people as well as good farmers, innovators and they know carpentry, plumbing, welding and mechanics as well. 

• Anonymous

  I am not that close to farming anymore. But my impression is while it may not be back breaking work successful farms today require a lot of knowledge and many skills.  The ones I am aware of are very skilled business people as well as good farmers, innovators and they know carpentry, plumbing, welding and mechanics as well. 

• Anonymous

  I am not that close to farming anymore. But my impression is while it may not be back breaking work successful farms today require a lot of knowledge and many skills.  The ones I am aware of are very skilled business people as well as good farmers, innovators and they know carpentry, plumbing, welding and mechanics as well. 

• Anonymous

  True enough but many schools are closing their technical training classrooms.  They build lots of new schools in this state and literally spend hundreds of millions doing it.  But try and find an industrial arts program.  Rare, very rare.

• Anonymous

  True enough but many schools are closing their technical training classrooms.  They build lots of new schools in this state and literally spend hundreds of millions doing it.  But try and find an industrial arts program.  Rare, very rare.

• Anonymous

  I mean no disrespect to you or your admirable chosen profession. But, to reply to your first sentence, if you chose to pursue an education in a field which does not have a reasonably high number of job openings at this time, then in at least one sense, it IS your fault that you’re unemployed.

  I might choose to become a skilled typewriter repair technician. Would it be my fault if I couldn’t find a job? Yes, it would, because the job wasn’t there in the first place; it is obsolete. Of course this is a ridiculous example — teaching art is far from obsolete — but it’s merely to illustrate the point.

• Anonymous

  I mean no disrespect to you or your admirable chosen profession. But, to reply to your first sentence, if you chose to pursue an education in a field which does not have a reasonably high number of job openings at this time, then in at least one sense, it IS your fault that you’re unemployed.

  I might choose to become a skilled typewriter repair technician. Would it be my fault if I couldn’t find a job? Yes, it would, because the job wasn’t there in the first place; it is obsolete. Of course this is a ridiculous example — teaching art is far from obsolete — but it’s merely to illustrate the point.

• Anonymous

  I mean no disrespect to you or your admirable chosen profession. But, to reply to your first sentence, if you chose to pursue an education in a field which does not have a reasonably high number of job openings at this time, then in at least one sense, it IS your fault that you’re unemployed.

  I might choose to become a skilled typewriter repair technician. Would it be my fault if I couldn’t find a job? Yes, it would, because the job wasn’t there in the first place; it is obsolete. Of course this is a ridiculous example — teaching art is far from obsolete — but it’s merely to illustrate the point.

• Anonymous

  I mean no disrespect to you or your admirable chosen profession. But, to reply to your first sentence, if you chose to pursue an education in a field which does not have a reasonably high number of job openings at this time, then in at least one sense, it IS your fault that you’re unemployed.

  I might choose to become a skilled typewriter repair technician. Would it be my fault if I couldn’t find a job? Yes, it would, because the job wasn’t there in the first place; it is obsolete. Of course this is a ridiculous example — teaching art is far from obsolete — but it’s merely to illustrate the point.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said. —   HENCE!  The problem…none of these jobs required people to be computer literate.  We have a tremdous amount of Mainers that have plenty of skills – but lack in what is now considered the ‘basic’ requirement – computer skills.  These people should NOT be penalized for this when it does not account for more than 50% of their work load.  Some people still can document – on paper with a pen and be more accurate than the information typed into a computer.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said. —   HENCE!  The problem…none of these jobs required people to be computer literate.  We have a tremdous amount of Mainers that have plenty of skills – but lack in what is now considered the ‘basic’ requirement – computer skills.  These people should NOT be penalized for this when it does not account for more than 50% of their work load.  Some people still can document – on paper with a pen and be more accurate than the information typed into a computer.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said. —   HENCE!  The problem…none of these jobs required people to be computer literate.  We have a tremdous amount of Mainers that have plenty of skills – but lack in what is now considered the ‘basic’ requirement – computer skills.  These people should NOT be penalized for this when it does not account for more than 50% of their work load.  Some people still can document – on paper with a pen and be more accurate than the information typed into a computer.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said. —   HENCE!  The problem…none of these jobs required people to be computer literate.  We have a tremdous amount of Mainers that have plenty of skills – but lack in what is now considered the ‘basic’ requirement – computer skills.  These people should NOT be penalized for this when it does not account for more than 50% of their work load.  Some people still can document – on paper with a pen and be more accurate than the information typed into a computer.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said. —   HENCE!  The problem…none of these jobs required people to be computer literate.  We have a tremdous amount of Mainers that have plenty of skills – but lack in what is now considered the ‘basic’ requirement – computer skills.  These people should NOT be penalized for this when it does not account for more than 50% of their work load.  Some people still can document – on paper with a pen and be more accurate than the information typed into a computer.

• Anonymous

  I bet you’re proud of yourself for that one, eh?

  How clever of you. It must be nice to know you’re smarter than everyone else. Is it?

• Anonymous

  I bet you’re proud of yourself for that one, eh?

  How clever of you. It must be nice to know you’re smarter than everyone else. Is it?

• Anonymous

  I bet you’re proud of yourself for that one, eh?

  How clever of you. It must be nice to know you’re smarter than everyone else. Is it?

• Anonymous

  I bet you’re proud of yourself for that one, eh?

  How clever of you. It must be nice to know you’re smarter than everyone else. Is it?

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good but there is price to pay for having too many social workers and women’s studies graduates and not enough technically school trained electrician, plumbers and technicians. If things break down, who are you going to call an English lit major ??  Tell me, who is going to build that ivory tower? Not all people are suited to a four year degree, technical skills can be both rewarding and financially lucrative, especially if you throw in a business class or two.

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good but there is price to pay for having too many social workers and women’s studies graduates and not enough technically school trained electrician, plumbers and technicians. If things break down, who are you going to call an English lit major ??  Tell me, who is going to build that ivory tower? Not all people are suited to a four year degree, technical skills can be both rewarding and financially lucrative, especially if you throw in a business class or two.

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good but there is price to pay for having too many social workers and women’s studies graduates and not enough technically school trained electrician, plumbers and technicians. If things break down, who are you going to call an English lit major ??  Tell me, who is going to build that ivory tower? Not all people are suited to a four year degree, technical skills can be both rewarding and financially lucrative, especially if you throw in a business class or two.

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good but there is price to pay for having too many social workers and women’s studies graduates and not enough technically school trained electrician, plumbers and technicians. If things break down, who are you going to call an English lit major ??  Tell me, who is going to build that ivory tower? Not all people are suited to a four year degree, technical skills can be both rewarding and financially lucrative, especially if you throw in a business class or two.

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good but there is price to pay for having too many social workers and women’s studies graduates and not enough technically school trained electrician, plumbers and technicians. If things break down, who are you going to call an English lit major ??  Tell me, who is going to build that ivory tower? Not all people are suited to a four year degree, technical skills can be both rewarding and financially lucrative, especially if you throw in a business class or two.

• Anonymous

  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
  This is a link to a chart which counters what Mr. LePage and the business leaders are saying. 

  I don’t think creating a 5 year high school will work until we fix the four years that we have. All of the required credits are geared towards the college bound student. Schools have done away with many courses, shop, home ec, secretarial courses, etc. These enabled a lot of 40-50year age group to have some basic skills they could take to workplace.

• Anonymous

  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
  This is a link to a chart which counters what Mr. LePage and the business leaders are saying. 

  I don’t think creating a 5 year high school will work until we fix the four years that we have. All of the required credits are geared towards the college bound student. Schools have done away with many courses, shop, home ec, secretarial courses, etc. These enabled a lot of 40-50year age group to have some basic skills they could take to workplace.

• Anonymous

  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
  This is a link to a chart which counters what Mr. LePage and the business leaders are saying. 

  I don’t think creating a 5 year high school will work until we fix the four years that we have. All of the required credits are geared towards the college bound student. Schools have done away with many courses, shop, home ec, secretarial courses, etc. These enabled a lot of 40-50year age group to have some basic skills they could take to workplace.

• Anonymous

  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
  This is a link to a chart which counters what Mr. LePage and the business leaders are saying. 

  I don’t think creating a 5 year high school will work until we fix the four years that we have. All of the required credits are geared towards the college bound student. Schools have done away with many courses, shop, home ec, secretarial courses, etc. These enabled a lot of 40-50year age group to have some basic skills they could take to workplace.

• Anonymous

  http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
  This is a link to a chart which counters what Mr. LePage and the business leaders are saying. 

  I don’t think creating a 5 year high school will work until we fix the four years that we have. All of the required credits are geared towards the college bound student. Schools have done away with many courses, shop, home ec, secretarial courses, etc. These enabled a lot of 40-50year age group to have some basic skills they could take to workplace.

• Anonymous

  Some of us that have recently graudated (Community) College did look and see what was out there for jobs and then decieded what we wanted to go to college for are struggling to find a job now. A LOT of young people meet with  career services and other people before they just sign up to go to school and spend tens of thousnads of dollars.  I have 2 degrees Every employer doesnt want a 2yr degree they want atleast a 4yr degree with 2-5 years experience. We cant get ecpericence if no one will hire us. I’m frustrated that the older generation thinks its lack of trying, or laziness. I have 2 degrees and am thinking about going back for something else because I cant find a job. Maines biggest problem is the fact people are sick of struggling and living paycheck to paycheck, and worrying about heating their homes in the winter, so yes younger people do what we were always told “Get and Education” and sadly we have to move out of the state in order to put our edication to use. Even trying to take a job that a monkey could do we get turned down because we are “over qualifed..” IF there are 21,000 jobs in Maine aval, then why are there 24,000 people on umeployment? Out of that 24k someone HAS to be quailified for atleast one of those jobs..

• Anonymous

  Some of us that have recently graudated (Community) College did look and see what was out there for jobs and then decieded what we wanted to go to college for are struggling to find a job now. A LOT of young people meet with  career services and other people before they just sign up to go to school and spend tens of thousnads of dollars.  I have 2 degrees Every employer doesnt want a 2yr degree they want atleast a 4yr degree with 2-5 years experience. We cant get ecpericence if no one will hire us. I’m frustrated that the older generation thinks its lack of trying, or laziness. I have 2 degrees and am thinking about going back for something else because I cant find a job. Maines biggest problem is the fact people are sick of struggling and living paycheck to paycheck, and worrying about heating their homes in the winter, so yes younger people do what we were always told “Get and Education” and sadly we have to move out of the state in order to put our edication to use. Even trying to take a job that a monkey could do we get turned down because we are “over qualifed..” IF there are 21,000 jobs in Maine aval, then why are there 24,000 people on umeployment? Out of that 24k someone HAS to be quailified for atleast one of those jobs..

• Anonymous

  Some of us that have recently graudated (Community) College did look and see what was out there for jobs and then decieded what we wanted to go to college for are struggling to find a job now. A LOT of young people meet with  career services and other people before they just sign up to go to school and spend tens of thousnads of dollars.  I have 2 degrees Every employer doesnt want a 2yr degree they want atleast a 4yr degree with 2-5 years experience. We cant get ecpericence if no one will hire us. I’m frustrated that the older generation thinks its lack of trying, or laziness. I have 2 degrees and am thinking about going back for something else because I cant find a job. Maines biggest problem is the fact people are sick of struggling and living paycheck to paycheck, and worrying about heating their homes in the winter, so yes younger people do what we were always told “Get and Education” and sadly we have to move out of the state in order to put our edication to use. Even trying to take a job that a monkey could do we get turned down because we are “over qualifed..” IF there are 21,000 jobs in Maine aval, then why are there 24,000 people on umeployment? Out of that 24k someone HAS to be quailified for atleast one of those jobs..

• Anonymous

  Some of us that have recently graudated (Community) College did look and see what was out there for jobs and then decieded what we wanted to go to college for are struggling to find a job now. A LOT of young people meet with  career services and other people before they just sign up to go to school and spend tens of thousnads of dollars.  I have 2 degrees Every employer doesnt want a 2yr degree they want atleast a 4yr degree with 2-5 years experience. We cant get ecpericence if no one will hire us. I’m frustrated that the older generation thinks its lack of trying, or laziness. I have 2 degrees and am thinking about going back for something else because I cant find a job. Maines biggest problem is the fact people are sick of struggling and living paycheck to paycheck, and worrying about heating their homes in the winter, so yes younger people do what we were always told “Get and Education” and sadly we have to move out of the state in order to put our edication to use. Even trying to take a job that a monkey could do we get turned down because we are “over qualifed..” IF there are 21,000 jobs in Maine aval, then why are there 24,000 people on umeployment? Out of that 24k someone HAS to be quailified for atleast one of those jobs..

• Anonymous

  It wouldn’t matter if you paid schoolteachers more when they first start out. Schools are laying off teachers because the budgets are being cut by all levels of funding. Ten years ago they promised the teaching jobs would be there. I wouldn’t go into teaching now for anything. Schools are doing more with less, and not hiring more teachers. The teaching boom is over and those who have jobs are staying put no matter what, not moving on to new schools. I had to leave Maine to follow my husband and my teaching degree and experience is worth squat in New York. I am plotting my next career as we speak. It won’t involve the classroom as of right now.

• Anonymous

  It wouldn’t matter if you paid schoolteachers more when they first start out. Schools are laying off teachers because the budgets are being cut by all levels of funding. Ten years ago they promised the teaching jobs would be there. I wouldn’t go into teaching now for anything. Schools are doing more with less, and not hiring more teachers. The teaching boom is over and those who have jobs are staying put no matter what, not moving on to new schools. I had to leave Maine to follow my husband and my teaching degree and experience is worth squat in New York. I am plotting my next career as we speak. It won’t involve the classroom as of right now.

• Anonymous

  It wouldn’t matter if you paid schoolteachers more when they first start out. Schools are laying off teachers because the budgets are being cut by all levels of funding. Ten years ago they promised the teaching jobs would be there. I wouldn’t go into teaching now for anything. Schools are doing more with less, and not hiring more teachers. The teaching boom is over and those who have jobs are staying put no matter what, not moving on to new schools. I had to leave Maine to follow my husband and my teaching degree and experience is worth squat in New York. I am plotting my next career as we speak. It won’t involve the classroom as of right now.

• Anonymous

  It wouldn’t matter if you paid schoolteachers more when they first start out. Schools are laying off teachers because the budgets are being cut by all levels of funding. Ten years ago they promised the teaching jobs would be there. I wouldn’t go into teaching now for anything. Schools are doing more with less, and not hiring more teachers. The teaching boom is over and those who have jobs are staying put no matter what, not moving on to new schools. I had to leave Maine to follow my husband and my teaching degree and experience is worth squat in New York. I am plotting my next career as we speak. It won’t involve the classroom as of right now.

• Anonymous

  It wouldn’t matter if you paid schoolteachers more when they first start out. Schools are laying off teachers because the budgets are being cut by all levels of funding. Ten years ago they promised the teaching jobs would be there. I wouldn’t go into teaching now for anything. Schools are doing more with less, and not hiring more teachers. The teaching boom is over and those who have jobs are staying put no matter what, not moving on to new schools. I had to leave Maine to follow my husband and my teaching degree and experience is worth squat in New York. I am plotting my next career as we speak. It won’t involve the classroom as of right now.

• Anonymous

  The Community Colleges seem to be turning out employable graduates and seem very responsive to the jobs the market demands.  Take a tour of EMCC.  Talk to the instructors and students.  Check out their placement stats.  You’d be pleasantly surprised.

• Anonymous

  The Community Colleges seem to be turning out employable graduates and seem very responsive to the jobs the market demands.  Take a tour of EMCC.  Talk to the instructors and students.  Check out their placement stats.  You’d be pleasantly surprised.

• Anonymous

  The Community Colleges seem to be turning out employable graduates and seem very responsive to the jobs the market demands.  Take a tour of EMCC.  Talk to the instructors and students.  Check out their placement stats.  You’d be pleasantly surprised.

• Anonymous

  The Community Colleges seem to be turning out employable graduates and seem very responsive to the jobs the market demands.  Take a tour of EMCC.  Talk to the instructors and students.  Check out their placement stats.  You’d be pleasantly surprised.

• Anonymous

  The Community Colleges seem to be turning out employable graduates and seem very responsive to the jobs the market demands.  Take a tour of EMCC.  Talk to the instructors and students.  Check out their placement stats.  You’d be pleasantly surprised.

• Anonymous

  I know a local roofing company that has advertised all summer for help.  In one interview session he had 4 people show up. Three people did not have drivers licenses the fourth was obviously stoned. The position is still open.

• Anonymous

  I know a local roofing company that has advertised all summer for help.  In one interview session he had 4 people show up. Three people did not have drivers licenses the fourth was obviously stoned. The position is still open.

• Anonymous

  I know a local roofing company that has advertised all summer for help.  In one interview session he had 4 people show up. Three people did not have drivers licenses the fourth was obviously stoned. The position is still open.

• Anonymous

  I know a local roofing company that has advertised all summer for help.  In one interview session he had 4 people show up. Three people did not have drivers licenses the fourth was obviously stoned. The position is still open.

• Anonymous

  I know a local roofing company that has advertised all summer for help.  In one interview session he had 4 people show up. Three people did not have drivers licenses the fourth was obviously stoned. The position is still open.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”
  There are times that I like LePage. And these ideas are the best, maybe would even vote for him if he runs again.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”
  There are times that I like LePage. And these ideas are the best, maybe would even vote for him if he runs again.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”
  There are times that I like LePage. And these ideas are the best, maybe would even vote for him if he runs again.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”
  There are times that I like LePage. And these ideas are the best, maybe would even vote for him if he runs again.

• Anonymous

  “Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem.  ”
  What do you think is a good minimum wage?

  Do you like the fact that some of  our US prisoners are working for 20 cents a day?

  Do you think 20 cents a day is the ultimate goal of the right wing for all US workers ?

• Anonymous

  “Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem.  ”
  What do you think is a good minimum wage?

  Do you like the fact that some of  our US prisoners are working for 20 cents a day?

  Do you think 20 cents a day is the ultimate goal of the right wing for all US workers ?

• Anonymous

  “Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem.  ”
  What do you think is a good minimum wage?

  Do you like the fact that some of  our US prisoners are working for 20 cents a day?

  Do you think 20 cents a day is the ultimate goal of the right wing for all US workers ?

• Anonymous

  “Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem.  ”
  What do you think is a good minimum wage?

  Do you like the fact that some of  our US prisoners are working for 20 cents a day?

  Do you think 20 cents a day is the ultimate goal of the right wing for all US workers ?

• Anonymous

  “Increasing the minimum wage certainly aggrevated that problem.  ”
  What do you think is a good minimum wage?

  Do you like the fact that some of  our US prisoners are working for 20 cents a day?

  Do you think 20 cents a day is the ultimate goal of the right wing for all US workers ?

• http://www.facebook.com/raymond.dunton Raymond Dunton

  There is a major problem in this state when someone that has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from December 1997 has only had work in call centers, a convenience store, and now with the bad economy, less than 10 hours a week as a crossing guard.  I went to college to get jobs that I could have done right out of high school.  How pathetic?  I can’t imagine why people leave this state or at least this area of the state.

• http://www.facebook.com/raymond.dunton Raymond Dunton

  There is a major problem in this state when someone that has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from December 1997 has only had work in call centers, a convenience store, and now with the bad economy, less than 10 hours a week as a crossing guard.  I went to college to get jobs that I could have done right out of high school.  How pathetic?  I can’t imagine why people leave this state or at least this area of the state.

• http://www.facebook.com/raymond.dunton Raymond Dunton

  There is a major problem in this state when someone that has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from December 1997 has only had work in call centers, a convenience store, and now with the bad economy, less than 10 hours a week as a crossing guard.  I went to college to get jobs that I could have done right out of high school.  How pathetic?  I can’t imagine why people leave this state or at least this area of the state.

• http://www.facebook.com/raymond.dunton Raymond Dunton

  There is a major problem in this state when someone that has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from December 1997 has only had work in call centers, a convenience store, and now with the bad economy, less than 10 hours a week as a crossing guard.  I went to college to get jobs that I could have done right out of high school.  How pathetic?  I can’t imagine why people leave this state or at least this area of the state.

• http://www.facebook.com/raymond.dunton Raymond Dunton

  There is a major problem in this state when someone that has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from December 1997 has only had work in call centers, a convenience store, and now with the bad economy, less than 10 hours a week as a crossing guard.  I went to college to get jobs that I could have done right out of high school.  How pathetic?  I can’t imagine why people leave this state or at least this area of the state.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  I recommend giving a listen to Tom Friedman, he of “The World is Flat.”

  I am no economist, but the common sense in me tells me this: We lost our manufacturing base, in large measure, because the type of labor required for making shoes (or paper, cars, textiles, etc.) is simply much more expensive here in the USA than it is elsewhere. I remember when I was in college, I needed a nights/weekends job. The paper mill was hiring for general laborers – floor sweepers, to be blunt. I showed up to apply and there were HUNDREDS of applicants for these jobs. It wasn’t because unemployment was high, it was because these were union jobs starting at something like $12.50 per hour – back in the 80′s! I believe our labor unions have priced our workforce out of the market.

  Businesses have no choice in these matters. In order to thrive — no, to compete — no, no, in order to SURVIVE — they have to find every advantage they can. A company that takes it’s plants to where it’s less expensive to operate, will simply outlast a company that stubbornly refuses to accept the new reality: our work force now competes with every other country in the free-trade world. But unions of all kind refuse to wake up and recognize that a job, and a high wage, is not a God-given right.

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• Anonymous

  But you  need math skills .I can run a lath the older ones  but no math skills. Today laths are computer run so you need  more knowage to run them

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  The reality is – college students have to be REALISTIC about their career path.Yes, the market is poor for niche jobs (like art), but someone can still pursue their passion…..just after they get home from working a normal job. It’s called hustle.

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  Just becuase there are job openings now in a specific field of choice doesn’t mean when you have graudated that those jobs will still be there.. I researched what I wanted to go to school for, for over a year and now I have 2 degrees, both in which every other job posting was in the field my degrees are in, and I cant even get a job as a dishwasher because I am “over quailifed” and to get a job in the field I am trained in I am “under quailified” because I dont’ have 2-5 years experience… Can’t get experience if business won’t even let you start at the bottom anymore

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  All these businesses  should help out the young people that want to get into these jobs its call apprentice they get paid a lower wage while they are learning BIW has a great program

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  A year ago Paul LePage as a candidate for Governor was running all over the State of Maine making the promise of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. He has been in office now for over 8 months and so far the result is that there are more Mainers unemployed now then there were on the day he took office. (US Dept of Labor and http://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/laus.html). Yesterday one of the State’s major employers, Fairpoint Communications, announced that it was cutting it’s Maine work force by 130 jobs. Now that the voters have figured out that his promise to bring jobs to Maine was nothing more then a cheap campaign trick to get votes he does what the tea party is so very good at. He blames someone else. He tells us that Maine has jobs galore , implying that it isn’t his fault that there are Mainers unemployed. It is all the fault of the unemployed.

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I didn’t know US prisoners were actually paid to work at all. I also think the supply/demand factor in the U.S. labor market is screwed up because of immigration and other factors. And no, I don’t think 20 cents a day is the goal of the right wing, because if wages don’t begin to rise soon, whomever is in power will continue to get voted out harshly. I think that both political parties want wages to rise, but they’re both taking half the arrows out of the oppositions quiver to make it happen. 

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will giver really good  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Spot on !!

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake if you would of gone to college you would know  it takes a architect and engineers to build a Ivory Tower.   That calls for a college degree. 

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• http://www.facebook.com/lukesinthehouse Luke Thomas

  You might want to check this out. For each year you teach in Maine, the State will forgive a year’s worth of student debt.

  http://www.famemaine.com/Files/Pages/education%5Cborrowers/Maine_Loan_Programs.aspx

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• Buzlno

  Good one.  I graduated from NMVTI (or whatever it’s called now) in ’75. Got a job right away.
  But after 1.5 years in P.I. at $1.90 an hour, I moved to N.H. and started at$3.00 with no income tax. I did what I knew and retired from a dealer that sold expensive European cars with a tidy 401k and 3 homes.   Strangely, I always wanted to teach history……

• OldWench

  I used to work in manufacturing when I lived along the VT/NH border.  Most of those manufacturers will TRAIN people they hire.  The place in Winslow is looking for a CNC machinist and maintenance workers.  The machinist is a 3rd shift job, and not everyone can work that shift.  I’ve operated a CNC machine before…not that difficult.  I got trained to run a specific machine.  If they really needed workers badly enough they would train people.

• Anonymous

  You are right thereare and there are probably a greater proportion that are discouraged as opposed to younger people.  It’s probably also true that younger people who are discouraged might be more inclined to get back to school which will be good for them in the long run.

• Anonymous

  From what I’ve noticed, the community colleges in Maine have made great strides in the last 20 years. Many of my Maine relatives have had very good experiences after attending Maine’s community colleges or other 2-year institutions (either gaining employment or gaining a raise in fields in which they were employed).

• Anonymous

  1.What ever it takes to get unskilled people (especially kids) some kind of job so they will have a chance to acquire skills and a work record.
  2.  I don’t like the fact we have so many prisnors. 
  3.  There is no reason the would want that

• OldWench

  Actually, basic math skills are usually fine.  The new machines are computerized, but they are all programmed and all you have to do is learn which buttons to push in most cases.  It’s incredibly easy.  People can learn to read and measure with gages, too.  

• Anonymous

  No question regarding the immigration

• Anonymous

  It takes all kinds of skills to build an actual tower…. Unless the architects want to haul concrete, set the stones in place, wire the electricity etc. by themselves. The architech has a different knowledge set, but without the skilled workers, that tower’s likely to remain a pretty draft.

• Anonymous

  F U Lepage  there are alot of qualified employee’s 

• OldWench

  To that particular poster, he or she places higher value in the career path they have chosen.  Some people simply are NOT cut out for physical work.  Others just aren’t happy being stuck in an office and to them the idea of an office job would be terrible.  It’s all a matter or tastes.  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms.  The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best.  The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.

• Anonymous

  Oron0 woman  If you understood the building process you would know that Tower was not built by, but “designed” by, that architect and engineer.  They had design help from technical school graduates at the Architectural firm and it was actually “built” by masons, electricians, plumbers and carpenters. Never once was a skilled woman’s studies major needed in the whole process.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  My husband and I built a half a million dollar business by him going to a trade school and we started working for ourselves. We went from “zero budget” to what we have now. If we can do it, anybody can.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  My husband and I built a half a million dollar business by him going to a trade school and we started working for ourselves. We went from “zero budget” to what we have now. If we can do it, anybody can.

• OldWench

  You can actually do A LOT of different things with a degree in Social Work.  You can work in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, prisons, adoption/foster care programs, non-profits, clinics, etc.  

• Anonymous

  I say have Lauen Lepage work a summer picking  potatos up in the county, that will give her really good hard working  skills and it builds character.  “We need to make sure that kids have skill sets for life, not just for academics.” Just like he says.

• Anonymous

  I was always kind of a history buff myself and I still read as time allows. Today, despite my ill spent youth, and without the aide of an advanced degree am one of those people President Obama feels makes to much.

• Anonymous

  Fact, it is Democrats are the ones collecting unemployment and due to their lower IQ they cannot be trained to do skilled labor.   You will not find a Republican taking a hand out in this state.

• Anonymous

  Ever been up on a roof when it’s 100 degrees? Ever lugged 40 bundles of shingles up a 32 foot ladder? Ever stripped a roof and cleaned up the mess on the ground? Ever fallen off of  a roof because of substandard safety conditions?? And all for $8.00 an hour I bet. Why don’t you take the job Cheesy if it seems a career path you admire so much.

• http://twitter.com/TheGuardianMH The Guardian

  I  would like to see a list of these so called jobs in the areas north of Bangor.  Maybe he didn’t notice that many places closed down??  And there are many people with degrees out there who can’t find a full time job.   Many colleges, no work.  He is right that kids need to be trained in some of the trades. 

• Anonymous

  Of course you are correct. My tongue in cheek point was that a technical school education can serve people well and we need them to move the economy along. We cannot all work for social service agencies. The technical schools need and deserve our support. Maine has a lack of those skills. I speak to business owners regularly that are looking for people.

• 525_44

  I use modern successful agricultural practices that I studied at college which I brought back home and applied it to our family farms. It helped at a time when the family farm was not doing well. We all worked and turned it around.

  But it doesn’t  discount what my father taught me and his father before. I learned a lot before going to university.
  A farmer does need to know a lot about a lot of things..

• 525_44

  No farms, no food, we need local farms.

• Anonymous

  Excellent, Tabitha, congrats to you both!  Great to hear this kind of story.  I hope your product or service is quality.  I hear so many complaints that everyone wants to make tons of money for putting out a shoddy product or service.

• Anonymous

  You are absolutely right and this story was a bunch of nonsense!  Businesses have no place to whine that they cannot find skilled help. Whose fault is that? No-one’s. It’s just the way it is.

  If employers cannot find skilled workers with years of experience then they need to be prepared to hire unskilled people and make the investment to TRAIN them!  Yes, some will leave, but if you treat people right, most will stay with a company and the company and the employee(s) win. 

  The responsibility to develop a skilled workforce is on businesses.  There is no way government can develop enough job-specific educational programs to satsify all Maine businesses.  Businesses must setup in-house training programs and be willing to hire and invest in young, middle-aged and older workers who want an opportunity.  They could fill the jobs tomorrow! 

  Businesses: stop whining!  Hire and train employees and stop looking for the state be your “job education nanny”!

• Anonymous

  Actually the rate was $12.00 to start if I recall. (This is a major industrial roofing company) I never hauled shingle but I spent a season hauling brick & mud around during the construction of the pool wing of the YWCA building in 1971 I think. I even dumped a load of mud from the staging to the ground below. I also have experience cleaning up my yard after some roofers stripped 3 layers of shingle off an old house I owned. That was four years ago. I needed the exercise.

  But I have a question. What do you have against people that work for a living?

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
   
  Congratulations Commissioner Bowen on increasing your bureaucracy.

  Good thing he just happened to be present at the meeting when this surprising discovery was made.

• Anonymous

  Whatever it takes?

  You taxers and spenders are always pushing your profligate agenda.

  (that’s right profligate – look it up)

• psdumont

  Most companies want alot  for nothing and are not willing to take a risk, that is “train” a hard working American.

• A shmidt

  Really? John Doe down the street with an IQ of 90 can start his own business and be well off in a few years? You do realize that 50% of the population is average or below average? Todays job market requires one to at least be trainable in a skill or be educated beyond high school. The world is passing these folks by. There are no more ditch digging, shoe sewing, clothing manufacturing jobs. Running your own business requires paying customers. If everyone was in business who would they sell to? Each other? Sooner or later you are going to have more businesses than the market can bear. We need our manufacturing jobs back from China, and other 3rd world countries. The government must make it too expensive to locate offshore and raise tariffs on imports. And completly remove export tariffs. 

• Anonymous

  This is just more of what we have come to expect from LePage pure unadulterated bologna.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QCC3ABRLTIU3EFA26HUIDQZTSM Chris

  LOL…Not many can be hired by their daddy with a Florida college degree for $40+K.

• Anonymous

  You will see that companys will not hire people 50 an older

• A shmidt

  People think everyone is smart enough to go to college or work at a skilled job such as electrician or equipment operator. The fact is that many people are overwhelmed mentaly by the jobs available today. Schools are great but someone has to be the janitor, the cooks helper, the landscaper. We need our low skill manufacturing jobs back from 3rd world countries.

• OldWench

  I have done a lot of different manufacturing jobs…including running CNC machines, electronic assembly, soldering, inspection, quality assurance, running a bunch of other machines.  The only ones who can’t really be trained on the job are the mechanics who fix/repair machines…they need to already have the knowledge and skills.  All of the machine operators and other manufacturing jobs can be easily trained on the job by being partnered with someone at the machine to be trained.  That’s how they do it in NH.  All they require is a HS diploma usually, or a GED and some places make you take a test to make sure you are mechanically/technically inclined to learn/train easily.

  Look at the two images on the top of the page I’m linking to. I worked as a temp running that machine. I had no previous experience on that kind of machine. It took all of 15 minutes to train me to run it on my own. That oil in there is incredibly hot, by the way.

  http://www.nhipulleys.com/nhi/capabilities.html

• A shmidt

  I agree but please don’t bring up rope. Hemp rope is only good for about a year unless it is treated with tar on a regular basis. It rots away in no time if used around salt water. It worked fine in the days of wooden ships and iron men but we have far better rope today.

• A shmidt

  I am sure you will not get it. Our governor and his administration like to make unsubstantiated claims.

• Anonymous

  I have a question. Is there a way for high schools to know what industries are having difficulty in finding skilled or qualified help.  I know a few years ago oil burner techs were scarce and only one school in Maine offered training……

• Anonymous

  Prisoners shouldnt be paid anything…

• Anonymous

  Everyone in the workforce (employed and unemployed) needs to improve their education and update their skills. If you can’t read or write well or do basic math, you can get a tutor at adult ed or Literacy Volunteers. If you don’t have a high school diploma, go to your local adult ed and get one. If you have some college or training after high school, go on and complete a certificate training or degree. If you have a degree or certification, go get the next level.  If you don’t want formal training or can’t afford it, learn it on your own. The bottom line is, we all have a responsibility to be the best we can be. Every one of us needs to upgrade and continue to learn new skills for the rest of our working lives if we want Maine to have a competitive workforce.

• OldWench

  Very few people actually get “Women’s Studies” degrees….you need to turn off those conservative radio shows now and then and step out into the real world, lol.  Some people take a Women’s Studies CLASS, but I have never known a single person get a degree in Women’s Studies.  Not sure why you are compelled to try to irk any feminists who might be reading on here…or maybe you are just trying to get a chuckle out of the troglodyte set.  Whatever the case…the joke was kinda lame the first time.  The second time wasn’t any less lame.  Just keepin’ it real.  I don’t care for the radical feminist set either…but I am vehemently opposed to the lame and corny…hence my need to call you out on it, lol.

• Anonymous

  If we could get back to local farming, being able to buy fresh produce locally, I think our citizens would be healthier.  I think it has a lot of potential to get people back doing productive and worthwhile work.

• OldWench

  I know someone who would have taken that job in heartbeat if not for the license requirement.  He qualifies for one but never had a car he was able to drive.  This guy works his tail off too…one of the hardest workers I have ever seen.  If that company were more willing to work with good people who want to work and allow them some time to get a license I bet they would have had no problem filling the job.

• Anonymous

  Do you suppose that either LePage, or his daughter wrote down the particulars on these available jobs? I am sure that the Maine DOL could find skilled people in a couple of days.

• Anonymous

  Thanks Paul, now teachers are going to have a hard time explaining to the kid who wants to drop out why they should stay and earn (emphasize EARN) their high school diploma. Oh, and isn’t educational funding somehow tied to  high school graduation rates? Nice going Paul. Sometimes I wonder…

• Anonymous

  I was once told by a prospective employer that I was actually too experienced.   I was too set in my ways and my work habits were not in sync with the way they wanted to run their facility. 

• Anonymous

  I concur.  These companies don’t want to pay the healthcare costs for older emploees.

• Moose

  Alan Dorval is the pay for the skilled laborers $7.75 at your job place????

• Moose

  Alan Dorval is the pay for the skilled laborers $7.75 at your job place????

• Moose

  Alan Dorval is the pay for the skilled laborers $7.75 at your job place????

• Moose

  Alan Dorval is the pay for the skilled laborers $7.75 at your job place????

• Moose

  Alan Dorval is the pay for the skilled laborers $7.75 at your job place????

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• Anonymous

  They’re  not talking about those who have college and beyond, those people leave the state for the type of jobs that are not here in Maine, unfortunately, on both counts.   They’re talking about factory workers or those who work with their hands.  Those who learn on the job or at a vo tech.  Those jobs are not asking for bachelors degrees.

• http://twitter.com/joncob Jon Coburn

  I’m not gonna lie – I’m 25, I graduated from a pretty lame college; albeit I do have a degree; I’ve worked almost continuously since I was 15 (if not earlier doing odds and ends) in grocery stores, casinos, box stores, and doing handywork; I currently own and work in a business thats local – yet unsupported by almost nobody – (we buy storage units and resell the contents) – and I have loads and loads and loads of computer experience. In fact I run 2 Facebook pages (one that has almost 3,o00 fans), and several other things.

  I’ve been questioned on my computer literacy (I have 50-70 words or more per miute typing) and understand just about every office program. Yet I apparently need 5 years or more experience in this stuff…come on give me a break.

• http://twitter.com/joncob Jon Coburn

  I’m not gonna lie – I’m 25, I graduated from a pretty lame college; albeit I do have a degree; I’ve worked almost continuously since I was 15 (if not earlier doing odds and ends) in grocery stores, casinos, box stores, and doing handywork; I currently own and work in a business thats local – yet unsupported by almost nobody – (we buy storage units and resell the contents) – and I have loads and loads and loads of computer experience. In fact I run 2 Facebook pages (one that has almost 3,o00 fans), and several other things.

  I’ve been questioned on my computer literacy (I have 50-70 words or more per miute typing) and understand just about every office program. Yet I apparently need 5 years or more experience in this stuff…come on give me a break.

• http://twitter.com/joncob Jon Coburn

  I’m not gonna lie – I’m 25, I graduated from a pretty lame college; albeit I do have a degree; I’ve worked almost continuously since I was 15 (if not earlier doing odds and ends) in grocery stores, casinos, box stores, and doing handywork; I currently own and work in a business thats local – yet unsupported by almost nobody – (we buy storage units and resell the contents) – and I have loads and loads and loads of computer experience. In fact I run 2 Facebook pages (one that has almost 3,o00 fans), and several other things.

  I’ve been questioned on my computer literacy (I have 50-70 words or more per miute typing) and understand just about every office program. Yet I apparently need 5 years or more experience in this stuff…come on give me a break.

• http://twitter.com/joncob Jon Coburn

  I’m not gonna lie – I’m 25, I graduated from a pretty lame college; albeit I do have a degree; I’ve worked almost continuously since I was 15 (if not earlier doing odds and ends) in grocery stores, casinos, box stores, and doing handywork; I currently own and work in a business thats local – yet unsupported by almost nobody – (we buy storage units and resell the contents) – and I have loads and loads and loads of computer experience. In fact I run 2 Facebook pages (one that has almost 3,o00 fans), and several other things.

  I’ve been questioned on my computer literacy (I have 50-70 words or more per miute typing) and understand just about every office program. Yet I apparently need 5 years or more experience in this stuff…come on give me a break.

• http://twitter.com/joncob Jon Coburn

  I’m not gonna lie – I’m 25, I graduated from a pretty lame college; albeit I do have a degree; I’ve worked almost continuously since I was 15 (if not earlier doing odds and ends) in grocery stores, casinos, box stores, and doing handywork; I currently own and work in a business thats local – yet unsupported by almost nobody – (we buy storage units and resell the contents) – and I have loads and loads and loads of computer experience. In fact I run 2 Facebook pages (one that has almost 3,o00 fans), and several other things.

  I’ve been questioned on my computer literacy (I have 50-70 words or more per miute typing) and understand just about every office program. Yet I apparently need 5 years or more experience in this stuff…come on give me a break.

• Anonymous

  That’s what I’m talking about, Tab!  Plumbers, carpenters, painters, etc. do not need and are not required to have a bachelors degree.  You start out learning on the job. The commentors above don’t seem to have a ‘handle’ on that fact.  Also, I think a lot of them just don’t want to work.  I’ve always been able to find work when I wanted it and have built a couple of businesses, like you folks.  All that before I finished my college degree.

• Anonymous

  Average people start businesses every day.

• Anonymous

  Cheesecake,  youre talking in circles.  (  They had design help from technical school graduates at the Architectural firm).All those working at a   Architectural  firm  all have college degrees.    I think you need to stop bloggin for a bit. you’re at the point your not making any sense,

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_STFZ6H7IJFHYSUCS7SOZODY6JA Brian Stevens

  I have often said if my kid wants to stay in Maine I will encourage a trade school over a 4 year college. I have two degrees and work in a job that doesn’t require a GED, but pays better than anything my degrees are good for. It is the sad truth of the Maine economy

• Patten_Pete

  But, but, Governor Baldacci promised if we would all just become wind power technicians everything would be OK.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668056901 Sally Nason

  if there are plenty of jobs then why did Penquis Childcare just get 12 jobs cut?  this is such bull.

• Anonymous

  I think it’s true that our younger folks lack competitive skills. Moreover, they lack the drive to work at all!!! 

• Anonymous

  Companys will not hire older workers  .

• Anonymous

  Depending on what the position is….apply, evenwithout experience, it’s gotta be more than your making now and the experience will come…don’t be so negative about it.  They say they are looking for engineers and tool makers who make more than $12.50/hr, even without experience!

• Anonymous

  have you ever tried?

• Anonymous

  Then get more than a “basic education” because I will tell you that they absolutely want the dept of experience (life experience) and maturity!  Employers know they can depend on more mature workers with families and responsibilities.

• Anonymous

  What do you when a 55 year old man has work on a paper machine all his life an no other skills. Can’t get a job because no skills an is to old. Should there be a law pass that if a person has the skills no matter what age than companys should  hire them if they pass the back ground check  ?? I know the law is on the books but how would a person prove he / she was not hired because of age  ??

• Anonymous

  Because if you don’t grow, you will go.  You have to make yourself marketable to what is happening now.  Time goes by no matter what…it’s up to you to make good use of it!

• Anonymous

  Gov.LaPage you should push the state thugs and green folks to let us drill for gas that we may have right here in our own state. also more wind and off shore drilling? that would create jobs for the long haul.by the way why not charge all the the trucks that come across our borders $20.00. just an idea

• Anonymous

  not necessarily…go back to school….get a 4 year degree and specialize in something…you will only get paid for what you know (and the degree behind you).  It will not matter what school you go….only that you have a degree.  Unfortunately, the world has changed and you can no longer rely on getting a job right out of high school (or with a 2 year degree). 

• Anonymous

  I am curious where you came up with those salary figures?  Best Buy, for example, will pay their FT employees upwards  of 22k with bennies.  Supervisors make 25k-38k…no degree required.  In the Health Care field, mid-level management positions that require 4 year degree and/or relevant experience that equal that degree can make 45k-65k/year…right in Maine.  FT Disc Jockeys for our crappy radio stations make more that 25k/year.  Medical Transcriptionists make more than 25k/year.  

  Those are some examples.  You may fact check these examples by either calling these industries yourself or utilizing salary.com

  The fact remains that we have plenty of jobs; just not the right skill sets for many of them.  The responsibility lies with the individual to seek the training necessary if they want these positions and the higher wages.  2 year tech schools qualify for grants and student aid, which can also be used toward living expenses as these self-starters acquire training.  

  Anyone who goes to jobsinme.com and searches for jobs will see a plethora of opportunities with Home, Hope and Healing (for example…in fact, they bog down that site).

  I do agree, however, that the unemployed population will either relocate out of state to try to obtain a job within their skill set, or just remain unemployed.  Now that the governor has identified this problem, his goal should be to sponsor those unemployed citizens with training within these fields to help them prepare for those industries.  I would gladly support that with my tax dollar, if it meant that a fellow citizen could have ownership of a career. 

• Anonymous

  Here is a test,…have 21 college Grads bussed up to Medway and see how many land a job over $7.50 an hour right now in the local area.

• Anonymous

  your head is in the sand…Listen to what they are asking..Todays 12 grade education is the 8th grade level of 30 years ago!!

• acadiashores

  lol it’s obvious you are not in Northern Maine.  A Best Buy type job here…I say type because we don’t have one… will earn you a whopping $7.50 – 8.50 per hour.   I am losing a social work job that pays great.  I have a job lined up…at $14,000 less per year…  Oh, and I have a four year degree and over a decade of experience.   My new job will almost make me eligible for my own services in my current job, we have upper income limits to access my program.  Just think about that.   That being said, I am thankful beyond belief that I found my new job.

• Anonymous

  That is why the first year of college is mostly high school level classes..
  We spend more time with political correctness  and sex than we spend with the 3R;;if you know what they are

• Anonymous

  That was the valuable high school trade schools that have been put down for so many years

• Anonymous

  and where they accurate in this description?

• Anonymous

  I agree, starting with the Governor… LePage. Not enough skill..  Giving away 17 million for Millinocket mills. Sorry story for a  guy who says he is going to help us all.  

• Anonymous

  If you have employees, I hope you are paying them a livable wage and giving them benefits such as health insurance (without outrageous rates and deductibles),vacation and sick time as well. Minimum wage won’t support anyone.  

• Anonymous

  prisoners should do hard labor with min benefits like 50 deg room temp in the morning and grow what they eat!

• Anonymous

  and going back to school will probably put bawaaa in the hole for student loans to finance his education for a 4 year degree…besides probably holding down a job on the side. so many kids wind up with big student loans and low paying jobs.  

• Anonymous

  good one!

• Anonymous

  yeah, where are these jobs? the BDN has very few jobs listed in the paper.

• Anonymous

  that is really an ignorant statement

• Anonymous

  yes, I agree, NAFTA caused alot of jobs to disappear….
  to Mexico, India, etc

• Anonymous

  and many school districts are top heavy in administrators. Superintendents and assistant supt, spec ed directors and assist spec ed directors…many who have never even worked with kids….just degress….RSU 19???

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WKBQQOX73E4FANNQD22UKYZFQ4 bilbo52398

  I’m a LePage fan, but I find this story aggravating. I’ve been in the job market for 18 months (with a college degree and almost two decades of work experience) and have been unable to find suitable employment that will pay enough to provide for my family. One major hindrance for me is the amount of regulation in Maine that does not allow for a degree in my field from another state to translate into readiness to work in this state without taking costly additional training. The governor would be well-served by looking at simplifying matters like the one I face. I’ve known too many other people in Maine affected by the same overregulation in virtually every industry. 

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WKBQQOX73E4FANNQD22UKYZFQ4 bilbo52398

  I’m a LePage fan, but I find this story aggravating. I’ve been in the job market for 18 months (with a college degree and almost two decades of work experience) and have been unable to find suitable employment that will pay enough to provide for my family. One major hindrance for me is the amount of regulation in Maine that does not allow for a degree in my field from another state to translate into readiness to work in this state without taking costly additional training. The governor would be well-served by looking at simplifying matters like the one I face. I’ve known too many other people in Maine affected by the same overregulation in virtually every industry. 

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WKBQQOX73E4FANNQD22UKYZFQ4 bilbo52398

  I’m a LePage fan, but I find this story aggravating. I’ve been in the job market for 18 months (with a college degree and almost two decades of work experience) and have been unable to find suitable employment that will pay enough to provide for my family. One major hindrance for me is the amount of regulation in Maine that does not allow for a degree in my field from another state to translate into readiness to work in this state without taking costly additional training. The governor would be well-served by looking at simplifying matters like the one I face. I’ve known too many other people in Maine affected by the same overregulation in virtually every industry. 

• Anonymous

  I’ve always had my doubts about Maine’s work ethic and the lack of “getr done” attitude but you have confirmed it.  You have demonstrated a sense of entitlement which is why you are whining and bitter as you are clearly unsuccessful

• Anonymous

  I’ve always had my doubts about Maine’s work ethic and the lack of “getr done” attitude but you have confirmed it.  You have demonstrated a sense of entitlement which is why you are whining and bitter as you are clearly unsuccessful

• Anonymous

  I’ve always had my doubts about Maine’s work ethic and the lack of “getr done” attitude but you have confirmed it.  You have demonstrated a sense of entitlement which is why you are whining and bitter as you are clearly unsuccessful

• Anonymous

  a shmidt is a wagon rider not puller

• Anonymous

  a shmidt is a wagon rider not puller

• Anonymous

  a shmidt is a wagon rider not puller

• Anonymous

  I think you misunderstand what an architectural firm is.  I’ll forgive you living in Orono and all for your lack of real world experience.
  Not all of the people that work at architectural firms have four year college degrees. It may be true in some smaller offices, one or two person offices and small partnerships but it is not true in some of the larger local firms. Some of the people have no more that a technical school education in drafting, learning a great deal more about their job along the way once they have that education behind them. They also have secretaries, marketing  people and operations people who may or may not have four year degrees.  

• Anonymous

  I think you misunderstand what an architectural firm is.  I’ll forgive you living in Orono and all for your lack of real world experience.
  Not all of the people that work at architectural firms have four year college degrees. It may be true in some smaller offices, one or two person offices and small partnerships but it is not true in some of the larger local firms. Some of the people have no more that a technical school education in drafting, learning a great deal more about their job along the way once they have that education behind them. They also have secretaries, marketing  people and operations people who may or may not have four year degrees.  

• Anonymous

  I think you misunderstand what an architectural firm is.  I’ll forgive you living in Orono and all for your lack of real world experience.
  Not all of the people that work at architectural firms have four year college degrees. It may be true in some smaller offices, one or two person offices and small partnerships but it is not true in some of the larger local firms. Some of the people have no more that a technical school education in drafting, learning a great deal more about their job along the way once they have that education behind them. They also have secretaries, marketing  people and operations people who may or may not have four year degrees.  

• Anonymous

  10 cents a day is goal

• Anonymous

  10 cents a day is goal

• Anonymous

  10 cents a day is goal

• Anonymous

  What does Maine have to offer that anyone is willing to pay for?

• Anonymous

  What does Maine have to offer that anyone is willing to pay for?

• Anonymous

  Absolutely.  If these jobs truly existed in those numbers, and if they were decent jobs paying a decent wage, people would be moving into this state in droves to take them.

  As far as high schools being geared to send all students to four-year colleges, that is false as well.  Technical schools are stating that they prefer students with 4 years of core classes (English, math, science, social studies, etc.), so they are partly to blame for the decline of industrial arts programs in high schools.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely.  If these jobs truly existed in those numbers, and if they were decent jobs paying a decent wage, people would be moving into this state in droves to take them.

  As far as high schools being geared to send all students to four-year colleges, that is false as well.  Technical schools are stating that they prefer students with 4 years of core classes (English, math, science, social studies, etc.), so they are partly to blame for the decline of industrial arts programs in high schools.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely.  If these jobs truly existed in those numbers, and if they were decent jobs paying a decent wage, people would be moving into this state in droves to take them.

  As far as high schools being geared to send all students to four-year colleges, that is false as well.  Technical schools are stating that they prefer students with 4 years of core classes (English, math, science, social studies, etc.), so they are partly to blame for the decline of industrial arts programs in high schools.

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  soooo the unemployed should all back to school for 2-4 years plus, get a degree, then what?  where does the experience come from.?  Employers want both degree and experience and most unemployed workers have neither or cant even afford to go back to school.  OHHHHHHH wait his daughter did get a job with NO experience and housing.  Mayybe he can explain that to everybody ooooh, or maybe he can find all the unemployed such breaks!!!  wow, the emazement i get from him is enough to make me…

• Anonymous

  soooo the unemployed should all back to school for 2-4 years plus, get a degree, then what?  where does the experience come from.?  Employers want both degree and experience and most unemployed workers have neither or cant even afford to go back to school.  OHHHHHHH wait his daughter did get a job with NO experience and housing.  Mayybe he can explain that to everybody ooooh, or maybe he can find all the unemployed such breaks!!!  wow, the emazement i get from him is enough to make me…

• Anonymous

  soooo the unemployed should all back to school for 2-4 years plus, get a degree, then what?  where does the experience come from.?  Employers want both degree and experience and most unemployed workers have neither or cant even afford to go back to school.  OHHHHHHH wait his daughter did get a job with NO experience and housing.  Mayybe he can explain that to everybody ooooh, or maybe he can find all the unemployed such breaks!!!  wow, the emazement i get from him is enough to make me…

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  weren’t the maine high school regional vocational centers supposed to deal with this very problem?  a lot of money is appropriated to run these vocational schools.  what are taxpayers getting for their investment?  why are we talking about 5 years of high school? is lepage even aware of the region centers?

• Anonymous

  Oldwench, I do like the name by the way.

  The University Of Maine actually has a very active “woman’s studies” program and it is a bit bigger than you might think. People not only major in it, but they can get advanced degrees in the subject as well.

   http://umaine.edu/womensstudies/womens-studies/

  Now that said. I just don’t think this course of study is a good use of taxpayer dollars. Those dollars it appears are going to be tougher to come by in the future. The university has cut a lot of things over the past few years. Foreign languages for instance. I think communicating with an interconnected world is a better use of that money. I hate to think that someday U Maine would not have a vibrant foreign language department because the money was used for that.

   I am not sure a degree in Women’s Studies prepares one for a job in the real world either.

  Ok come hit me folks.

• Anonymous

  Oldwench, I do like the name by the way.

  The University Of Maine actually has a very active “woman’s studies” program and it is a bit bigger than you might think. People not only major in it, but they can get advanced degrees in the subject as well.

   http://umaine.edu/womensstudies/womens-studies/

  Now that said. I just don’t think this course of study is a good use of taxpayer dollars. Those dollars it appears are going to be tougher to come by in the future. The university has cut a lot of things over the past few years. Foreign languages for instance. I think communicating with an interconnected world is a better use of that money. I hate to think that someday U Maine would not have a vibrant foreign language department because the money was used for that.

   I am not sure a degree in Women’s Studies prepares one for a job in the real world either.

  Ok come hit me folks.

• Anonymous

  Oldwench, I do like the name by the way.

  The University Of Maine actually has a very active “woman’s studies” program and it is a bit bigger than you might think. People not only major in it, but they can get advanced degrees in the subject as well.

   http://umaine.edu/womensstudies/womens-studies/

  Now that said. I just don’t think this course of study is a good use of taxpayer dollars. Those dollars it appears are going to be tougher to come by in the future. The university has cut a lot of things over the past few years. Foreign languages for instance. I think communicating with an interconnected world is a better use of that money. I hate to think that someday U Maine would not have a vibrant foreign language department because the money was used for that.

   I am not sure a degree in Women’s Studies prepares one for a job in the real world either.

  Ok come hit me folks.

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  Let’s see now:  current analyses place our union work force at between 2 and 3 % of the working population.  But it’s the unionized workers who are driving greedy large business owners out of the country.  I see.  And the business’ well-paid political staff, otherwise known as your elected officials, negotiate generous tariff-free trade agreements so that it can happen.  And directly subsidize the businesses.  And provide tax breaks to provide additional help.  But it’s the union working stiffs who are at fault. Uh-huh. 

• Anonymous

  i also would like to know about thses 21, 000 jobs that are posted, because i have seen, called on and even applied to many on many websites and they end up being BS, well kinda like Lepage himself.  21,000 hahaha come on, if their were that many people needed to work more places would be closing down or going in debt haha

• Anonymous

  i also would like to know about thses 21, 000 jobs that are posted, because i have seen, called on and even applied to many on many websites and they end up being BS, well kinda like Lepage himself.  21,000 hahaha come on, if their were that many people needed to work more places would be closing down or going in debt haha

• Anonymous

  i also would like to know about thses 21, 000 jobs that are posted, because i have seen, called on and even applied to many on many websites and they end up being BS, well kinda like Lepage himself.  21,000 hahaha come on, if their were that many people needed to work more places would be closing down or going in debt haha

• Anonymous

  i also would like to know about thses 21, 000 jobs that are posted, because i have seen, called on and even applied to many on many websites and they end up being BS, well kinda like Lepage himself.  21,000 hahaha come on, if their were that many people needed to work more places would be closing down or going in debt haha

• Anonymous

  i also would like to know about thses 21, 000 jobs that are posted, because i have seen, called on and even applied to many on many websites and they end up being BS, well kinda like Lepage himself.  21,000 hahaha come on, if their were that many people needed to work more places would be closing down or going in debt haha

• Anonymous

  Raymond, what did you major in within your BS in Bus Admin?  There’s a world of difference ( and employment opportunities) between finance, accounting, marketing, and management. If you were to go back and get a concentration in accounting, you would have no trouble landing a good position.  No matter how bad the economy is, all businesses need someone to keep score. Good accountants are paid rather well, even in Maine. Good luck.

• Anonymous

  Raymond, what did you major in within your BS in Bus Admin?  There’s a world of difference ( and employment opportunities) between finance, accounting, marketing, and management. If you were to go back and get a concentration in accounting, you would have no trouble landing a good position.  No matter how bad the economy is, all businesses need someone to keep score. Good accountants are paid rather well, even in Maine. Good luck.

• Anonymous

  Raymond, what did you major in within your BS in Bus Admin?  There’s a world of difference ( and employment opportunities) between finance, accounting, marketing, and management. If you were to go back and get a concentration in accounting, you would have no trouble landing a good position.  No matter how bad the economy is, all businesses need someone to keep score. Good accountants are paid rather well, even in Maine. Good luck.

• Anonymous

  Raymond, what did you major in within your BS in Bus Admin?  There’s a world of difference ( and employment opportunities) between finance, accounting, marketing, and management. If you were to go back and get a concentration in accounting, you would have no trouble landing a good position.  No matter how bad the economy is, all businesses need someone to keep score. Good accountants are paid rather well, even in Maine. Good luck.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  $45 an hour, that’s what  many federal jobs pay or perhaps  $34 an hour like the Fairpoint workers who are getting laid off, most of them don’t even have college degrees.

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  And the sad part is – if you received your Ed education in Maine, the historic hotbed of teachers for the entire nation, you will find that the level of teacher training in New York is so far below what you received that it is astounding.  You have run up against political protectionism.  I encourage you to keep trying.  It would be a shame to lose you to some dull business setting. 

• Anonymous

  Have to agree with you.

• Anonymous

  Have to agree with you.

• Anonymous

  Have to agree with you.

• Anonymous

  Have to agree with you.

• Anonymous

  Have to agree with you.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  you are correct, but over the past 3 plus years many many social workers have been cut loose because of spending, lack of funds and fear of lack of funds.  one of the largest groups of professionals that are going back to schools is the social workers.  Nursing homes, hospitals, clinics etc are not hiring and if so its part-time at best.  And if you are lucky to get a job, it is most often without benefits and could be on a probationary basis.

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  I don’t know where you got your information concerning “these employees.” Yes, you might be aware of the situation with one or two of these emplyees. But what about the rest?

• Anonymous

  This is a great program, but you have to qualify for the loan initially before you go to college. I tried to get it myself back in 1997, but was not a lucky recipient. They don’t give them to just anyone. If you take out Perkins loans the federal government will forgive those under certain circumstances, but you have to teach in the right schools and make sure to fill out your paperwork on time. The semester after I started college and started taking loans the federal government began forgiving loans for teachers in certain areas like math or science. 

• Anonymous

  This is a great program, but you have to qualify for the loan initially before you go to college. I tried to get it myself back in 1997, but was not a lucky recipient. They don’t give them to just anyone. If you take out Perkins loans the federal government will forgive those under certain circumstances, but you have to teach in the right schools and make sure to fill out your paperwork on time. The semester after I started college and started taking loans the federal government began forgiving loans for teachers in certain areas like math or science. 

• Anonymous

  This is a great program, but you have to qualify for the loan initially before you go to college. I tried to get it myself back in 1997, but was not a lucky recipient. They don’t give them to just anyone. If you take out Perkins loans the federal government will forgive those under certain circumstances, but you have to teach in the right schools and make sure to fill out your paperwork on time. The semester after I started college and started taking loans the federal government began forgiving loans for teachers in certain areas like math or science. 

• Anonymous

  This is a great program, but you have to qualify for the loan initially before you go to college. I tried to get it myself back in 1997, but was not a lucky recipient. They don’t give them to just anyone. If you take out Perkins loans the federal government will forgive those under certain circumstances, but you have to teach in the right schools and make sure to fill out your paperwork on time. The semester after I started college and started taking loans the federal government began forgiving loans for teachers in certain areas like math or science. 

• Anonymous

  This is a great program, but you have to qualify for the loan initially before you go to college. I tried to get it myself back in 1997, but was not a lucky recipient. They don’t give them to just anyone. If you take out Perkins loans the federal government will forgive those under certain circumstances, but you have to teach in the right schools and make sure to fill out your paperwork on time. The semester after I started college and started taking loans the federal government began forgiving loans for teachers in certain areas like math or science. 

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  In New York you have to have your masters degree to get full teaching certification. Without it you are not worth hiring, at least right now as they have plenty of laid off teachers to pick from. I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows. I think I may take my experience and go work for a place like GE. My years of babysitting kids in the classroom and working for goals that are hard to reach will sell me well to a large business. It sure beats being one of 300 plus applicants for a job that is getting more thankless over the years.

• Anonymous

  They certainly are.  Except for about 3 weeks in July, my blueberries come from Chile, watermelon from Mexico, oranges from Israel, farmed catfish from Thailand (basa fish), kiwis from Australia, bananas from Indonesia, beef from Argentina.  About the only U.S. farmed item I get during much of the year is corn – 10% of the go-juice in the old Ford.  And I’d prefer that to be on my dinner plate, not in my gas tank.  The local farmer is fast becoming a curiosity.

• Anonymous

  Hey LePage, if you can give your unskilled daughter a $50,000 a year job, I am sure you don’t need any skills for the jobs you claim are out there now.

• Anonymous

  And far fewer iron men.

• Anonymous

  Can’t really argue with that plan.  My wife did the same.  Necessity dictates.  Finally actually went back to work as a teacher’s aide after getting her Masters, just to stay involved.  Best aide the school ever had! (lol).

• Anonymous

  I find it interesting that LePage invited the four year University of Maine Chancellor, but there is no mention of the leader of the community colleges.  The community college is much more likely to provide skills training.  It is rather confusing to have the university’s chancellor at the meeting and not the President of the community colleges. 

• Anonymous

  I thought that several years ago there was an agreement between businesses and the community colleges to educate and train skilled workers.  I thought the businesses were going to be involved in the actual education and training of these students for positions in their companies.  So, what happened with that program.  Also, what ever happened to training employees.  Years ago I remember places like BIW trained people right out of high school.  What is wrong with doing that now.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JEEBL24CJFPKONGDGBVLUF44LU Violet

  Hope you do not have any student loans . . . the only degrees that are hiring right now across the board are in medicine, engineering, geophysics, and tech . . . with an emphasis on security . . .dream all you want . . . but the reality is if you are not marketable in this economy as a college graduate . . . you are better off learning a trade.

  That is  . . .  unless you are connected with the elites:)

  Best of luck!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JEEBL24CJFPKONGDGBVLUF44LU Violet

  Really . . I put an APB out for someone to haul something last minute with a pickup out of state . . . not one unemployed person bit on this job . . . they would rather play this weekend than work . . .

• Anonymous

  I hope you use the same lens when viewing Pres. Obama’s promises and rhetoric when it comes to the promise of jobs and playing the “blame” game.

• Anonymous

  I notice many comments about not landing a job due to lack of experience after getting a degree. And how do you get experience if you can’t get a job?  Here’s what I found: it *is* unlikely you’re going to walk out of the college door and get your dream job. Before I was able to take a tenure-track teaching position, I gained experience in a variety of ways: I took a job in the local school system as an elementary math TA (not my field, but I was qualified for the position). This gave me a toe in the door. I also joined the staff of a low-paying community arts school. This let me practice teaching IN my field. I also volunteered at times (which let people know I was competent). This created reputation and credibility. Yes, my time spent as a TA, as a private/community school teacher was counted when I finally got the public school job. I taught five years, got tenure, and quit because I was being offered more opportunity to perform and to teach at the college level.

  Point is, sometimes you can get experience by volunteering or taking related—but lower paying—support positions in yours or another related field.

  I’m not saying it isn’t more difficult in some other areas or fields, just saying that this is one way to go about gaining the “experience” employers crave when interviewing.

• Anonymous

  Then they broke the law and discriminated against you on the basis of age.  However, I’d imagine that it is more often than not the other way around.

• Anonymous

  that is exactly the problem with people today, I am fairly young only 28 and I understand when I take a job I am at the bottom and I have to work my way up in terms of pay scale, you can’t walk into a job and make the same money as someone who has worked there or in the industry for the last 15 years . I look to my mother as a perfect example, she makes about 35.00/hour as a nurse, she started out as a CNA 25 years ago and when she got her nursing license about 20 years ago she certainly wasn’t making that kind of money it took hard work and experience in her field to get to that pay scale but the young people today want to walk in making that kind of money and not put in the work to earn it, just having a degree doesn’t mean you are worth 30/hour plus

• Anonymous

  One might commit to eating only what’s locally in season or locally preserved. That’s how my grandparents ate. There were no cucumbers on the winter table unless they had been pickled. In the summer, we often feasted on homegrown corn, tomatoes, cukes, beans, peas etc. We picked wild berries in their seasons. What we couldn’t eat, we canned. What we couldn’t preserve, we gave away or harvested seeds from. We stored squash, potatoes, and apples in the cellar. And this wasn’t a commercial operation, just a good Maine family garden.

  I still tend to view produce that way. I wouldn’t dream of eating corn on the cob in winter. It just doesn’t seem “right”.  :)

  I’m glad I grew up in Maine and know how to grow, hunt, or gather food on my own. I live a cushier more suburban life now, but I know that if push comes to shove, I can “make do” and “get by”with hard work and a little land (even my little in-town acre could support a productive vegetable garden!).

  Though I *do* like having a job and shopping in the decadent world of Wegmans…..  ;)

  I hate pickin’ rocks, but if the choice was picking rocks or starving?? I’d pick rocks.

• Anonymous

  One might commit to eating only what’s locally in season or locally preserved. That’s how my grandparents ate. There were no cucumbers on the winter table unless they had been pickled. In the summer, we often feasted on homegrown corn, tomatoes, cukes, beans, peas etc. We picked wild berries in their seasons. What we couldn’t eat, we canned. What we couldn’t preserve, we gave away or harvested seeds from. We stored squash, potatoes, and apples in the cellar. And this wasn’t a commercial operation, just a good Maine family garden.

  I still tend to view produce that way. I wouldn’t dream of eating corn on the cob in winter. It just doesn’t seem “right”.  :)

  I’m glad I grew up in Maine and know how to grow, hunt, or gather food on my own. I live a cushier more suburban life now, but I know that if push comes to shove, I can “make do” and “get by”with hard work and a little land (even my little in-town acre could support a productive vegetable garden!).

  Though I *do* like having a job and shopping in the decadent world of Wegmans…..  ;)

  I hate pickin’ rocks, but if the choice was picking rocks or starving?? I’d pick rocks.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  “Just about every single employer in that room today is looking for skilled labor and they can’t find it,” he said.

  Try paying a subsistance wage and maybe they will apply!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  “Just about every single employer in that room today is looking for skilled labor and they can’t find it,” he said.

  Try paying a subsistance wage and maybe they will apply!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  “Just about every single employer in that room today is looking for skilled labor and they can’t find it,” he said.

  Try paying a subsistance wage and maybe they will apply!

• Anonymous

  vocational school is a joke, the diploma is practically worthless. I took two years of plumbing and heating, but when i went job seeking i was told it was nowhere near enough.

  six years later, im working in fast food.

• Anonymous

  vocational school is a joke, the diploma is practically worthless. I took two years of plumbing and heating, but when i went job seeking i was told it was nowhere near enough.

  six years later, im working in fast food.

• Anonymous

  vocational school is a joke, the diploma is practically worthless. I took two years of plumbing and heating, but when i went job seeking i was told it was nowhere near enough.

  six years later, im working in fast food.

• Anonymous

  vocational school is a joke, the diploma is practically worthless. I took two years of plumbing and heating, but when i went job seeking i was told it was nowhere near enough.

  six years later, im working in fast food.

• Anonymous

  who to hell can afford school? no one i know from Maine.How bout more grants ,and less hot air…that would be a change..

• Anonymous

  who to hell can afford school? no one i know from Maine.How bout more grants ,and less hot air…that would be a change..

• Anonymous

  who to hell can afford school? no one i know from Maine.How bout more grants ,and less hot air…that would be a change..

• Anonymous

  who to hell can afford school? no one i know from Maine.How bout more grants ,and less hot air…that would be a change..

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NUIXT576YMTFLNFILVGTI7XHBQ 70stillworking

  A lot of the problem is that of the unemployed, a lot have been given money by their families and they never had to do anything for it.  Now they need to work but they have a mind set to see what they can earn for as little effort as possible.  A lot of employers will offer on the job training or in some of the higher motivated employees to send these guys to technical school for training in the skills that are needed.  I am a high school graduate but some of my first jobs were like going back to school again as it felt like I was in training for a lot of years but I stuck with it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NUIXT576YMTFLNFILVGTI7XHBQ 70stillworking

  A lot of the problem is that of the unemployed, a lot have been given money by their families and they never had to do anything for it.  Now they need to work but they have a mind set to see what they can earn for as little effort as possible.  A lot of employers will offer on the job training or in some of the higher motivated employees to send these guys to technical school for training in the skills that are needed.  I am a high school graduate but some of my first jobs were like going back to school again as it felt like I was in training for a lot of years but I stuck with it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NUIXT576YMTFLNFILVGTI7XHBQ 70stillworking

  A lot of the problem is that of the unemployed, a lot have been given money by their families and they never had to do anything for it.  Now they need to work but they have a mind set to see what they can earn for as little effort as possible.  A lot of employers will offer on the job training or in some of the higher motivated employees to send these guys to technical school for training in the skills that are needed.  I am a high school graduate but some of my first jobs were like going back to school again as it felt like I was in training for a lot of years but I stuck with it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NUIXT576YMTFLNFILVGTI7XHBQ 70stillworking

  A lot of the problem is that of the unemployed, a lot have been given money by their families and they never had to do anything for it.  Now they need to work but they have a mind set to see what they can earn for as little effort as possible.  A lot of employers will offer on the job training or in some of the higher motivated employees to send these guys to technical school for training in the skills that are needed.  I am a high school graduate but some of my first jobs were like going back to school again as it felt like I was in training for a lot of years but I stuck with it.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  I did not realize that Maine employers had these expectations.  Do you have a source for your post?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  I did not realize that Maine employers had these expectations.  Do you have a source for your post?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  I did not realize that Maine employers had these expectations.  Do you have a source for your post?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  I did not realize that Maine employers had these expectations.  Do you have a source for your post?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  A lot like your comments.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  A lot like your comments.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  A lot like your comments.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SHNOU64ZBOBIKWUF5IM6WSH7WA entitled4life

  A lot like your comments.

• Anonymous

  It sounds like you’re taking a stab at the gene pool in this state LOL.
  Also, I don’t believe China is a 3rd world country anymore.

• Anonymous

  Who’s fault is that?

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DZVOZU6JNL5ZDZW3VNASGTCCTY Clyde Grant

  I am wondering if BDN could get a list of these employers the jobs and the requirements for these jobs.

• Anonymous

  Were you expecting to walk in and make top pay at the start? What were your expectations? What is your appearance like? In plumbing and heating jobs you are going into peoples homes. Employers won’t send someone out who looks like they are more interested in seeing how many pieces of metal they can insert into their body. Are you willing to work weekends, holidays, be on call? That goes part and parcel with that line of work. As far as I know there always seems to be openings in that line of work.

• Anonymous

  Time is indeed going by, but our Fearless Leader wants us to return to the  agrarian 19th century.

  His statement that there are plenty of jobs is the biggest flip-flop of any candidate/elected official I have ever heard.

  Didn’t he run on the premise of “bringing jobs to Maine?”

  I mean, come on.

• Anonymous

  It has nothing to do with that. There are plenty of people, even on these boards, who are qualified to do work that they were told were “in demand.” 

  You can’t expect a computer engineer to stick around for 12 bucks an hour in Maine, when they can be making plenty more elsewhere. And you can’t exactly expect him to go to work for 12 bucks an hour doing something for which he hates, especially if he can go do something he likes elsewhere.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EJOGAIS4HSNBZLQLVNEOZFYVBY RonG

  america will know it’s over when walmart starts moving more of  its stores to china because no one can afford to buy anything in america.

• Anonymous

  It seems that you are correct that both parties want wages to rise. The Republicans want the top 10%’s wages to rise. The Democrats want the other 90%’s wages to rixe.

• Anonymous

  It seems that the Amish have a handle on making a living on small farms. They are buying up forclosed farms accross the country that are going under due to their inability to pay for those expensive machines that are sitting idle most of the year. It does take a lot of physical work to farm like the Amish though.

• Anonymous

  Publish the list of the 21,000 jobs postings, otherwise this just another case of Paul shooting his mouth off without presenting the facts with which he basis his self aggrandizing statements. 

• Anonymous

  Cheese, I have worked two and three jobs simultaneously for 30 years, both hourly and salary. I’ve built my own home from the ground up and renovated many others. I’ve worked as a laborer, finish carpenter and a roofer. I worked for two summers with a chain saw and skidder, in the mill for a few years flinging wood into a grinder and sweating bullets between paper machines. And I was on the last American log drive poling wood.
  My point was that your blase’ superior but absolutely ignorant attitude regarding what it’s like to work for a living for slave wages is more than tedious. $12.00 an hour is equivalent to $1.90 in 1974. In 1974 I wouldn’t have put on a tool belt for less than $5.00 an hour.
  The average roof is a $5,000-$8,000 job. It takes a crew of four about three days to finish if they have to strip it, a day and half if they don’t. The roofing contractor, and especially an established one as you are talking about can afford to pay someone more than the new “minimum” wage of $12 an hour. If you pay people for the work that they do, then you will pretty much never have an opening to fill.

• Anonymous

  Why can’t these companies hire completely unqualified employees and train them? That’s what the state of Maine did with our governor, and we continue to do it with each and every cabinet appointment he makes,,,, and re makes,,, 

• Anonymous

  I would add that the government needs to make manufacturing more inviting.  Get rid of unnecessary regulations, allow the industry to hire non union workers and we might get somewhere. Otherwise, expect China to do our work and produce our goods.

• Anonymous

  I would add that the government needs to make manufacturing more inviting.  Get rid of unnecessary regulations, allow the industry to hire non union workers and we might get somewhere. Otherwise, expect China to do our work and produce our goods.

• Anonymous

  I would add that the government needs to make manufacturing more inviting.  Get rid of unnecessary regulations, allow the industry to hire non union workers and we might get somewhere. Otherwise, expect China to do our work and produce our goods.

• Anonymous

  Hope all you want schmidlap. What someone pays, and what someone is willing to work for is really non of YOUR business.

• Anonymous

  Hope all you want schmidlap. What someone pays, and what someone is willing to work for is really non of YOUR business.

• Anonymous

  Hope all you want schmidlap. What someone pays, and what someone is willing to work for is really non of YOUR business.

• Anonymous

  You should have continued your education at EMCC. 

• Anonymous

  I friend of mine is 61 and was recently hired at the Bucksport mill.

• Anonymous

  I friend of mine is 61 and was recently hired at the Bucksport mill.

• Anonymous

  I friend of mine is 61 and was recently hired at the Bucksport mill.

• Anonymous

  I believe that we need to get a better handle on how much the unemployed are receiving each month as well as how long they can draw these benefits.  There is no incentive to return to work when they are making $ 366 from unemployment, IN ADDITION to drawing Social Security.  I have talked to several people lately who want to “use our name” for a unemployment reference but have no interest in returning to work because there is no incentive to.  Once they have no income, they will find work !!

• Anonymous

  China is doing our work no matter what….. get used to it.

• Anonymous

  China is doing our work no matter what….. get used to it.

• Anonymous

  China is doing our work no matter what….. get used to it.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008305985 Patricia Malone-Bessey

  I’m not sure why this was directed to me as I don’t believe I said there was no way to start a business. I didn’t refer to being self-employed at all. I also wasn’t referring to myself and my husband as we earn a comfortable living. I was simply stating the facts of what I see in job ads and from what I hear from recent college grads who are having a difficult time finding in-state work that will let them live and repay their student loans. Congratulations for your success but I don’t believe “anyone” can be their own boss and run their own business. It does take a set of skills that not everyone possesses.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008305985 Patricia Malone-Bessey

  I’m not sure why this was directed to me as I don’t believe I said there was no way to start a business. I didn’t refer to being self-employed at all. I also wasn’t referring to myself and my husband as we earn a comfortable living. I was simply stating the facts of what I see in job ads and from what I hear from recent college grads who are having a difficult time finding in-state work that will let them live and repay their student loans. Congratulations for your success but I don’t believe “anyone” can be their own boss and run their own business. It does take a set of skills that not everyone possesses.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1008305985 Patricia Malone-Bessey

  I’m not sure why this was directed to me as I don’t believe I said there was no way to start a business. I didn’t refer to being self-employed at all. I also wasn’t referring to myself and my husband as we earn a comfortable living. I was simply stating the facts of what I see in job ads and from what I hear from recent college grads who are having a difficult time finding in-state work that will let them live and repay their student loans. Congratulations for your success but I don’t believe “anyone” can be their own boss and run their own business. It does take a set of skills that not everyone possesses.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  LePage: Plenty of jobs, not enough skills

  This headline should read,

  LePage: Not enough skills

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  LePage: Plenty of jobs, not enough skills

  This headline should read,

  LePage: Not enough skills

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  LePage: Plenty of jobs, not enough skills

  This headline should read,

  LePage: Not enough skills

• Anonymous

  Aren’t you the angry one!

• Anonymous

  Aren’t you the angry one!

• Anonymous

  Aren’t you the angry one!

• Anonymous

  Yes true, but they balk at having to pay a living wage to the experienced and mature.

• Anonymous

  Yes true, but they balk at having to pay a living wage to the experienced and mature.

• Anonymous

  Yes true, but they balk at having to pay a living wage to the experienced and mature.

• Anonymous

  They would not get hired because as soon as a job opens up in there field they would take that job an employers don’t like that.

• Anonymous

  They would not get hired because as soon as a job opens up in there field they would take that job an employers don’t like that.

• Anonymous

  They would not get hired because as soon as a job opens up in there field they would take that job an employers don’t like that.

• Anonymous

  It seems to me that Mr. Lepage has followed the route of many other Governors.  He has lost touch with the realities of the people.  Most jobs advertised want a degree or equivalent experience.  To get the experience you have to get the job, meaning you need the degree.  The minimum Wage in Maine is a joke when compared to the cost of living in this State.  As far as skilled labor, there have been many times that I, myself, have been told I have too much experience.  (I absolutely HATE that terminology).  If I am willing to work for the miniscule wages they are willing to pay, and I have THAT much experience, I should be the best qualified for the job. Also, as to “bring back the basics”  For those basics to come back we need to make it affordable for the industries.  Not over regulate them. And as one poster has commented, there are no shoe factories, Parts Factories, Clothing Factories,  etc. Because they all have been “out-sourced” to other countries.

• Anonymous

  It seems to me that Mr. Lepage has followed the route of many other Governors.  He has lost touch with the realities of the people.  Most jobs advertised want a degree or equivalent experience.  To get the experience you have to get the job, meaning you need the degree.  The minimum Wage in Maine is a joke when compared to the cost of living in this State.  As far as skilled labor, there have been many times that I, myself, have been told I have too much experience.  (I absolutely HATE that terminology).  If I am willing to work for the miniscule wages they are willing to pay, and I have THAT much experience, I should be the best qualified for the job. Also, as to “bring back the basics”  For those basics to come back we need to make it affordable for the industries.  Not over regulate them. And as one poster has commented, there are no shoe factories, Parts Factories, Clothing Factories,  etc. Because they all have been “out-sourced” to other countries.

• Anonymous

  It seems to me that Mr. Lepage has followed the route of many other Governors.  He has lost touch with the realities of the people.  Most jobs advertised want a degree or equivalent experience.  To get the experience you have to get the job, meaning you need the degree.  The minimum Wage in Maine is a joke when compared to the cost of living in this State.  As far as skilled labor, there have been many times that I, myself, have been told I have too much experience.  (I absolutely HATE that terminology).  If I am willing to work for the miniscule wages they are willing to pay, and I have THAT much experience, I should be the best qualified for the job. Also, as to “bring back the basics”  For those basics to come back we need to make it affordable for the industries.  Not over regulate them. And as one poster has commented, there are no shoe factories, Parts Factories, Clothing Factories,  etc. Because they all have been “out-sourced” to other countries.

• Anonymous

  Maybe that’s part of the problem.  Too many resources spent on high school sports and not enough on education.  Christian you have a great idealistic attitude and I wish you luck.  That said, the vast majority of folks have to compromise to make a living regardless of what state they live in.  Stay positive, do your best, but don’t be stubborn when the chips are down.

• Anonymous

  Maybe that’s part of the problem.  Too many resources spent on high school sports and not enough on education.  Christian you have a great idealistic attitude and I wish you luck.  That said, the vast majority of folks have to compromise to make a living regardless of what state they live in.  Stay positive, do your best, but don’t be stubborn when the chips are down.

• Anonymous

  Maybe that’s part of the problem.  Too many resources spent on high school sports and not enough on education.  Christian you have a great idealistic attitude and I wish you luck.  That said, the vast majority of folks have to compromise to make a living regardless of what state they live in.  Stay positive, do your best, but don’t be stubborn when the chips are down.

• Anonymous

  I have a lot of respect for Cheesecake though we often disagree.  She/he is a very honest person and not prone to abusive rebuttals.  Cheesecake genuinely wants to converse, not lecture. That said, jj you bring up a very valid point.  Employers can be very greedy and not pay adequately.  That’s why we have immigrant labor in Maine to rake blueberries, clean hotel rooms, and cut wood.  Additionally, corporate greed has sent our manufacturing jobs overseas.  What they fail to realize is that unemployed or underpaid workers cannot buy their junk no matter where it’s made if they aren’t earning a living wage.  In my opinion a living wage for the Bangor region is around $20/hour.  I don’t care if McDonalds or Mardens goes out of business because their profit margin isn’t high enough.  Why?  Because you cannot live on what they pay.  It is outright servitude born of desperation.

• Anonymous

  I have a lot of respect for Cheesecake though we often disagree.  She/he is a very honest person and not prone to abusive rebuttals.  Cheesecake genuinely wants to converse, not lecture. That said, jj you bring up a very valid point.  Employers can be very greedy and not pay adequately.  That’s why we have immigrant labor in Maine to rake blueberries, clean hotel rooms, and cut wood.  Additionally, corporate greed has sent our manufacturing jobs overseas.  What they fail to realize is that unemployed or underpaid workers cannot buy their junk no matter where it’s made if they aren’t earning a living wage.  In my opinion a living wage for the Bangor region is around $20/hour.  I don’t care if McDonalds or Mardens goes out of business because their profit margin isn’t high enough.  Why?  Because you cannot live on what they pay.  It is outright servitude born of desperation.

• Anonymous

  I have a lot of respect for Cheesecake though we often disagree.  She/he is a very honest person and not prone to abusive rebuttals.  Cheesecake genuinely wants to converse, not lecture. That said, jj you bring up a very valid point.  Employers can be very greedy and not pay adequately.  That’s why we have immigrant labor in Maine to rake blueberries, clean hotel rooms, and cut wood.  Additionally, corporate greed has sent our manufacturing jobs overseas.  What they fail to realize is that unemployed or underpaid workers cannot buy their junk no matter where it’s made if they aren’t earning a living wage.  In my opinion a living wage for the Bangor region is around $20/hour.  I don’t care if McDonalds or Mardens goes out of business because their profit margin isn’t high enough.  Why?  Because you cannot live on what they pay.  It is outright servitude born of desperation.

• Anonymous

  Location, Location, Location

• Anonymous

  Location, Location, Location

• Anonymous

  Location, Location, Location

• Anonymous

  So where are all the internships for these Jobs that no one has the skills for? You want people to be skilled? Train them! You don’t want to “waste your time” training a new employee but you want to pay experienced employees low starting wages then don’t be surprised when you get NO work force…..I’d like to know when training your employees became such a liability for companies……Furthermore there is a nationwide trend of company’s not offering jobs to currently unemployed folks, some jobs are need not apply unless you already currently hold a job…..That is just a little ridiculous! 

  HEY LARGE CORPORATIONS! WANT TAX BREAKS? Start hiring some unemployed workers and then we’ll see in the citizens of the United States may be willing to pay your way again…..but then again, maybe we are all tired of paving your way with gold…….

• Anonymous

  So where are all the internships for these Jobs that no one has the skills for? You want people to be skilled? Train them! You don’t want to “waste your time” training a new employee but you want to pay experienced employees low starting wages then don’t be surprised when you get NO work force…..I’d like to know when training your employees became such a liability for companies……Furthermore there is a nationwide trend of company’s not offering jobs to currently unemployed folks, some jobs are need not apply unless you already currently hold a job…..That is just a little ridiculous! 

  HEY LARGE CORPORATIONS! WANT TAX BREAKS? Start hiring some unemployed workers and then we’ll see in the citizens of the United States may be willing to pay your way again…..but then again, maybe we are all tired of paving your way with gold…….

• Anonymous

  So where are all the internships for these Jobs that no one has the skills for? You want people to be skilled? Train them! You don’t want to “waste your time” training a new employee but you want to pay experienced employees low starting wages then don’t be surprised when you get NO work force…..I’d like to know when training your employees became such a liability for companies……Furthermore there is a nationwide trend of company’s not offering jobs to currently unemployed folks, some jobs are need not apply unless you already currently hold a job…..That is just a little ridiculous! 

  HEY LARGE CORPORATIONS! WANT TAX BREAKS? Start hiring some unemployed workers and then we’ll see in the citizens of the United States may be willing to pay your way again…..but then again, maybe we are all tired of paving your way with gold…….

• Anonymous

  Oh yeah, One more thing……WTG governor for blaming your constituents for the current jobs mess in the State…..Can’t create any jobs like you promised in your campaign? It’s okay, just place the blame elsewhere! 

• Anonymous

  Oh yeah, One more thing……WTG governor for blaming your constituents for the current jobs mess in the State…..Can’t create any jobs like you promised in your campaign? It’s okay, just place the blame elsewhere! 

• Anonymous

  Oh yeah, One more thing……WTG governor for blaming your constituents for the current jobs mess in the State…..Can’t create any jobs like you promised in your campaign? It’s okay, just place the blame elsewhere! 

• Anonymous

  I hate it when people point out bad spelling or grammar however in your case, because of the college degree, I will make an exception.  Your post should read, “Cheesecake, if you HAD gone to college you would know THAT it takes AN architect and (I prefer “AS WELL AS”) engineers to build AN ivory (lower case) tower (also lower case).”   I would also add that Cheesecake correctly points out where responsibility lies for designing and constructing said tower.

• Anonymous

  I hate it when people point out bad spelling or grammar however in your case, because of the college degree, I will make an exception.  Your post should read, “Cheesecake, if you HAD gone to college you would know THAT it takes AN architect and (I prefer “AS WELL AS”) engineers to build AN ivory (lower case) tower (also lower case).”   I would also add that Cheesecake correctly points out where responsibility lies for designing and constructing said tower.

• Anonymous

  I hate it when people point out bad spelling or grammar however in your case, because of the college degree, I will make an exception.  Your post should read, “Cheesecake, if you HAD gone to college you would know THAT it takes AN architect and (I prefer “AS WELL AS”) engineers to build AN ivory (lower case) tower (also lower case).”   I would also add that Cheesecake correctly points out where responsibility lies for designing and constructing said tower.

• Anonymous

  This is clearly a BOLD face lie!!! I’m a professional,trained and can’t find a full time job in Maine. It’s been that way since 1996!! If you need training to work at McDonalds, pump gas and work in a small store…………..then their’s a problem here. Gov Leplague can say all he wants in reference to jobs here in Maine…………where are they? His brain is what bath salts will do to you!!!

• Anonymous

  This is clearly a BOLD face lie!!! I’m a professional,trained and can’t find a full time job in Maine. It’s been that way since 1996!! If you need training to work at McDonalds, pump gas and work in a small store…………..then their’s a problem here. Gov Leplague can say all he wants in reference to jobs here in Maine…………where are they? His brain is what bath salts will do to you!!!

• Anonymous

  This is clearly a BOLD face lie!!! I’m a professional,trained and can’t find a full time job in Maine. It’s been that way since 1996!! If you need training to work at McDonalds, pump gas and work in a small store…………..then their’s a problem here. Gov Leplague can say all he wants in reference to jobs here in Maine…………where are they? His brain is what bath salts will do to you!!!

• Anonymous

  The voice of reason in this article…  Many degrees should include a certificate saying there are no jobs with this major.   We need guidance counselors advocating for our state universities, parents promoting them and skilled people going into high schools to talk with students about possible careers in their areas of expertise.  The students need to know what is possible for them.  Please, no more English majors with no jobs unless they have a teaching certificate.

• Anonymous

  The voice of reason in this article…  Many degrees should include a certificate saying there are no jobs with this major.   We need guidance counselors advocating for our state universities, parents promoting them and skilled people going into high schools to talk with students about possible careers in their areas of expertise.  The students need to know what is possible for them.  Please, no more English majors with no jobs unless they have a teaching certificate.

• Anonymous

  The voice of reason in this article…  Many degrees should include a certificate saying there are no jobs with this major.   We need guidance counselors advocating for our state universities, parents promoting them and skilled people going into high schools to talk with students about possible careers in their areas of expertise.  The students need to know what is possible for them.  Please, no more English majors with no jobs unless they have a teaching certificate.

• Anonymous

  That’s an inspiring story! Starting your own business is probably one of the hardest things that anyone can do! But your statement doesn’t highlight how much hard work you must have put into it…..If you can do it, anyone can try! Maybe that is the issue! No one wants to work hard at anything 8( Employees apparently don’t want to work hard a schooling, Employers don’t want to work hard at training 8(

  One more question….Did you or your husband already hold a degree before you went to trade school? My mother was a computer programmer until it became cheaper for the hospital to hire new programmers rather than train the old ones….Now she can’t get any assistance with going back to school because she already holds a degree. 

  There are a lot of problems with the job market that can’t be solved with plain old fashioned hard work….but again Congrats to you!!!! 8)

• Anonymous

  That’s an inspiring story! Starting your own business is probably one of the hardest things that anyone can do! But your statement doesn’t highlight how much hard work you must have put into it…..If you can do it, anyone can try! Maybe that is the issue! No one wants to work hard at anything 8( Employees apparently don’t want to work hard a schooling, Employers don’t want to work hard at training 8(

  One more question….Did you or your husband already hold a degree before you went to trade school? My mother was a computer programmer until it became cheaper for the hospital to hire new programmers rather than train the old ones….Now she can’t get any assistance with going back to school because she already holds a degree. 

  There are a lot of problems with the job market that can’t be solved with plain old fashioned hard work….but again Congrats to you!!!! 8)

• Anonymous

  That’s an inspiring story! Starting your own business is probably one of the hardest things that anyone can do! But your statement doesn’t highlight how much hard work you must have put into it…..If you can do it, anyone can try! Maybe that is the issue! No one wants to work hard at anything 8( Employees apparently don’t want to work hard a schooling, Employers don’t want to work hard at training 8(

  One more question….Did you or your husband already hold a degree before you went to trade school? My mother was a computer programmer until it became cheaper for the hospital to hire new programmers rather than train the old ones….Now she can’t get any assistance with going back to school because she already holds a degree. 

  There are a lot of problems with the job market that can’t be solved with plain old fashioned hard work….but again Congrats to you!!!! 8)

• Anonymous

  What I noted above was:  It’s ironic that Penguin, of all people, is telling us that we don’t have the skills for a job.  Somebody want to explain to me what’s so inappropriate about that?

• Anonymous

  What I noted above was:  It’s ironic that Penguin, of all people, is telling us that we don’t have the skills for a job.  Somebody want to explain to me what’s so inappropriate about that?

• Anonymous

  What I noted above was:  It’s ironic that Penguin, of all people, is telling us that we don’t have the skills for a job.  Somebody want to explain to me what’s so inappropriate about that?

• Anonymous

  Let me tell you that this business owner isn’t interested in training any worker that nobody else will hire. 

  You wouldn’t expect to “train a nurse to do her job”, so why should you be expected  to train anybody else unless they want to work for a minimum wage?  They can cost you thousands of dollars by screwing up  sensitive electronics and equipment because they aren’t trained. 

  There is no incentive for anybody worthwhile to get off unemployment right
  now… Let’s give them another free year of working under the table !! They get free heating fuel and live much better when they work and have travel expenses. 

  We have a new trainee right now who comes in every single day with a cup of coffee in his hand, waltzes around the place socializing and thinking he’s still back in high school.  He pays more attention to looking outside watching traffic, watching other employees working, going to the bathroom, etc. than he does to his own job.  When all he can do is worry about his “text messages he has to wait to read at break “.  His days are numbered.  When we stop babysitting new workers and expect a day’s labor for a fair wage then we will keep them. 

• Anonymous

  Let me tell you that this business owner isn’t interested in training any worker that nobody else will hire. 

  You wouldn’t expect to “train a nurse to do her job”, so why should you be expected  to train anybody else unless they want to work for a minimum wage?  They can cost you thousands of dollars by screwing up  sensitive electronics and equipment because they aren’t trained. 

  There is no incentive for anybody worthwhile to get off unemployment right
  now… Let’s give them another free year of working under the table !! They get free heating fuel and live much better when they work and have travel expenses. 

  We have a new trainee right now who comes in every single day with a cup of coffee in his hand, waltzes around the place socializing and thinking he’s still back in high school.  He pays more attention to looking outside watching traffic, watching other employees working, going to the bathroom, etc. than he does to his own job.  When all he can do is worry about his “text messages he has to wait to read at break “.  His days are numbered.  When we stop babysitting new workers and expect a day’s labor for a fair wage then we will keep them. 

• Anonymous

  Let me tell you that this business owner isn’t interested in training any worker that nobody else will hire. 

  You wouldn’t expect to “train a nurse to do her job”, so why should you be expected  to train anybody else unless they want to work for a minimum wage?  They can cost you thousands of dollars by screwing up  sensitive electronics and equipment because they aren’t trained. 

  There is no incentive for anybody worthwhile to get off unemployment right
  now… Let’s give them another free year of working under the table !! They get free heating fuel and live much better when they work and have travel expenses. 

  We have a new trainee right now who comes in every single day with a cup of coffee in his hand, waltzes around the place socializing and thinking he’s still back in high school.  He pays more attention to looking outside watching traffic, watching other employees working, going to the bathroom, etc. than he does to his own job.  When all he can do is worry about his “text messages he has to wait to read at break “.  His days are numbered.  When we stop babysitting new workers and expect a day’s labor for a fair wage then we will keep them. 

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Margy-Spence/100000775343505 Margy Spence

  Maybe the Governor should meet with the unemployed who have been turned away by all these businesses and really see the skill sets they have been turning down?  I think that would be a real eye opener!

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Margy-Spence/100000775343505 Margy Spence

  Maybe the Governor should meet with the unemployed who have been turned away by all these businesses and really see the skill sets they have been turning down?  I think that would be a real eye opener!

• http://www.facebook.com/people/Margy-Spence/100000775343505 Margy Spence

  Maybe the Governor should meet with the unemployed who have been turned away by all these businesses and really see the skill sets they have been turning down?  I think that would be a real eye opener!

• Anonymous

  It would be nice if someone would sock it to the insurance companies…..It’s sad that when I was 18 pretty much any job I applied for offered a health insurance plan for full time employees….now employers can’t afford too…..With insurance companies making record profits…does anyone else see an issue here?

• Anonymous

  It would be nice if someone would sock it to the insurance companies…..It’s sad that when I was 18 pretty much any job I applied for offered a health insurance plan for full time employees….now employers can’t afford too…..With insurance companies making record profits…does anyone else see an issue here?

• Anonymous

  It would be nice if someone would sock it to the insurance companies…..It’s sad that when I was 18 pretty much any job I applied for offered a health insurance plan for full time employees….now employers can’t afford too…..With insurance companies making record profits…does anyone else see an issue here?

• Anonymous

  Amen to THAT!!!

• Anonymous

  Amen to THAT!!!

• Anonymous

  Amen to THAT!!!

• Anonymous

  The illogical censure dolt is at it again at the BDN, that’s why you were flagged.

• Anonymous

  I think LePage’s idea of skilled labor is training people to say “would you like fries with that” or “welcome to Walmart”.   Look around, there are very, very few jobs available in central and northern Maine….and our older population might as well forget trying to get a  decent job that doesnt being with the two statements at the beginning of my comment.

• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1151927862 Kathrine Long-lozier

  Everytime I read an article about this man I wonder what state he lives in, because it cant possibly be the one I’m living in.  And i agree with Patricia Malone-Bessey, any job I’ve applied for they want experience,  well, give me a job and I’ll get experience!

• Anonymous

  Check the want add sites…..Last fall we relocated to southern Maine, I have a great work history and glowing work recommendations and it took me a little over 6 months to find a job in an area I expected to have more jobs available, Most jobs were requiring multi years of experience or a degree….If you have a little creativity you can try to squeeze experiences from one job into another but as far as I am concerned they missed out on a great employee all because they are not willing to train….

• Anonymous

  Sounds like a great way to let go of an employee and not get sued for age discrimination

• Anonymous

  That’s all well and good jj, but never the less we have an economy where we are told that there is a lack of jobs. One was available to someone if they wanted one. Yes the pay was only $25000 per year. But it was a job, perfect for a person just out of high school. It didn’t take a lot of skill maybe but young people need to start somewhere. Not everyone should expect to start their lives out making $75k-$100k per year.
  Let me tell you another thing. If my business fell apart tomorrow, I might not have the physical skills anymore needed to climb a ladder but I would be walking up the street to the neighborhood convenience store to get that job as a store clerk.

• Anonymous

  At least it’s good to know that the problem isn’t too much regulation or high taxes.

• Anonymous

  I believe this point has been made but…..If people fresh out of school are expecting to get paid what people already experienced are getting paid just because they have an education then they are always going to have an issue with finding a job! It’s that “instant gratification” attitude floating around. People don’t think that they have to work hard for what they want anymore….and as for Minimum wage, I agree that raising it doesn’t solve much….It’s supposed to be the MINIMUM you make….don’t like the minimum? Work hard and get a raise……That’s what it’s all about!

• Anonymous

  Grow what you eat….Now that’s a skill set!

• Anonymous

  Just out of curiosity, what are your degrees in?

• Anonymous

  Since the technical aspects of schools are being closed due to budget cuts…I’m not sure how they are going to afford to add a 5th year of high school…… 

• Anonymous

  wow, menative, quite the comment. An open forum such as this allows for hope, comments and thoughts…do you own a business and pay your employees minimum wage? That is the only thing I can garner from your rude statement. I know many people who are looking for work, and some who have given up looking, and I hope (yes, I can hope all I want) that you are never in that position.  

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

     You need to understand that the flavour of the day is the need for the ( Hand Picked)buisness community to back up his assertions!

  Or ( maby?) someone elses assertions as promoted through the Governors Office.

  As it turns out, the concerns from businesses seemed to fall in line with the governor’s idea to create a 5-year high school program that readies students for jobs in the real world. That idea was one of the centerpieces of his campaign last fall and, just last month, LePage announced the creation of a task force that will examine what is possible and when.

• Anonymous

  menative, you sure are good at telling people what they should have done.

• Anonymous

  Can’t create jobs like you promised……place the Blame elsewhere! WTG LePage! lol

• Anonymous

  lol!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I’ll bet you drink coffee!

• Anonymous

  I once lost a job many years ago because they said I did it so well that they could eliminate my position! How is that for ya?

• http://www.michigal.net Sue

  Some companies do appreciate the older person’s work ethics. The company I’m at now hired me when I was 54. The one previous to that took me on when I was 48. 

  It really just depends on the company, and how easily you can BS convince the HR dept. about your abilities. ;-)

• http://www.michigal.net Sue

  And how many are still around in a year? 

• Anonymous

  you say that vocational school is a joke….is it because of the curriculum, the teachers, the students, or a combination of the 3?

• http://twitter.com/AnnaUncorked Anna Bennett

  Who are these employers and where are their job listings?  I’d love to apply.  Show us the jobs.

  I looked at Mid-Maine Machine Products, they had two listings.
  http://www.mid-statemachine.com/abb-subplates.html

• Anonymous

  Sorry to pin this to your post  schmidlap….. STOP FLAGGING BANGORIAN! His posts (or hers) are humorous….

• StillRelaxin

  Oh your eyes and mind are much too wide open.  Pretty transparent huh?  One has to wonder why the BDN or any other news ogranization doesn’t connect their stories together for a public that geneally doesn’t have or take the time to put it all together for themselves.  Guess the days of Edward R. Murrow have long passed us by.  Now we must fend for ourselves to defend against a government that increasingly seems to prefer we remain as ignorant of their dealings as possible.

• Anonymous

  and sorry to pin this on you, I have never flagged anyone!  do you not understand that I wrote “good one” meaning I liked his statement….don’t even know how the flagging system works.

• Anonymous

  The old Great Northern Paper Co. never had this problem because they had the foresight to run Apprentiship programs,assuring that they would always have a supply of well trained workers.They also supported continuing education some onsite and some at the college level.

• Anonymous

  Schwartz said people’s aspirations need to change to meet “the emerging
  needs of employers and the skill gaps of young people coming through the
  system.”  We have got to stop promoting college for all and encourage children to have more work study programs in high school where they can go out and actually work with a plumber, electrician, roofer, programmer etc. to see where their interests and talents lie.   Then we all need to show some respect and admiration for these wonderful trades where people can make a living. 

• Anonymous

  It’s my specialty. I suppose it was pretty obvious that continuing his learning of a skilled trade would have been a great benefit.  It’s never too late.  There are many non traditional students at EMCC.

• Anonymous

  Someone right out of high school has the same expenses as anyone else, more so if going to college on the side, more so again if trying to get car insurance and other age discriminatory fees. Just because someone is “right out of high school” does not mean they have to work for substandard wages. Working on a roof for instance is a very arduous and can be extremely dangerous, especially with the chance of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and lack of safety measures. A job like that needs to absolutely at a higher wage than working the drive-thru at McDonalds, don’t you think? Same with working in the woods or climbing 5 flights of staging carrying bricks. These seemingly “unskilled” jobs that place people in harm’s way should be rewarded with a living wage. It certainly isn’t rocket science to run a chain saw, but without common sense and experience, intellectual or academic ability are meaningless.

• Anonymous

  I hope people will find jobs and take them.  I hope people will not refuse a job because it doesn’t offer as much money as they want.  I hope people will decide working is better than collecting unemployment.  I don’t own a business.  If I did, I wouldn’t hire someone like you. I hope people looking for work accept what is available, and not make unrealistic demands on the business owner, like you.  I hope people will not give up looking just because they can’t find that perfect job, with perfect pay, and perfect bennies……How’s that for hope friend?

• Anonymous

  It’s obvious that some of you can’t read or your comprehension of what you read is not what it should be.  Re-read the first couple paragraphs – the skills related comments came from the business community.

• Anonymous

  sorry, dont know you, not a friend. You don’t know me, I have worked hard all my life, am friendly and cooperative, stayed late when needed and pitched in to help others. I know I am a good, hard worker dedicated to my job where i make a decent wage and have benefits…all offered when I started the job, not having to wait 30 days to 6 months for bens to kick in. what are unrealistic demands of a business owner?  Asking for a living wage and maybe health insurance. I doubt people give up without a great deal of looking, applying, and willingness to accept a lower rate of pay than what they had. These are desperate times and I don’t believe most people would refuse a job where they made enough to survive. There is a big difference between wanting and needing a livable wage. Minimum wage will not support a single person, never mind one with a spouse or family to support as well.  Warm up that cold heart, menative….you could be in their shoes someday.

• Anonymous

  And the fool wants to cut education.  Brilliant!

• Anonymous

  Yes.  The only problem is LePage isn’t providing any funding for the 5th year program.  Guess local property tax is supposed to cover it.  Meanwhile, business and business owners, who are seeing lower taxes and fewer regulations, get the benefit.  And yeah, kill the unions too, so these locally subsidized new workers can be paid little more than minimum wage.  Way to look out for the little guy, Paul LePage!

• Anonymous

  Actually, I believe that I was flagged because the tea-heads who support Penguin don’t like to see criticism of him & so they flag my comments as inappropriate, when in fact they just offer a different opinion.  I’d prefer to see the BDN become a bit more reasonable.

• Anonymous

  Come on. LePage knows he isn’t going to create jobs like he told us he was going to. So now what does he do. He tells us that there are plenty of jobs available in Maine. And then places the blame for unemployment on the unemployed. I agree I shouldn’t have used the word bologna but if I had used the one I wanted to use it would have got flagged.

• Anonymous

  He likes to keep it simple, lol.

• Anonymous

  LePage has a job with no skills,same with the legislature.

• Anonymous

  He is blaming water because his open for business thing doesn’t float.

  So is there any new business to be discussed, yet, Govenerah ?

• Anonymous

  I must ask  less big government conservatives :  

  Why is training a company’s workers a function of the government ?
   

• Anonymous

  I did it…and as a single mom with 2 little children…yes, i have student loans to pay back, but I did end up getting some grant money, and a job that can support me and my children.  Oh yea, I also worked 12 hour days, Fri, Sat & Sun…..I’m glad I did this and happily pay back my student loans!

• Anonymous

  Their listings show:CNC Machinist** (Nights)Maintenance Technicians

  Are you a qualified machinist?  Probably not.

  Maintenance Technicians is plural.  Who knows how many individual positions are involved?

  Why don’t you apply and see?

• Anonymous

  “The only problem is LePage isn’t providing any funding for the 5th year program.’

  That’s the beauty of this big government regulation scam;

  The funding for the Governah’s program comes outta the town’s budgets.

• Anonymous

  congrats to you fenway1, I know that is a difficult job you had, school, kids, working. Its so sad that you must have had to sacrifice family time to make it through to your successful end.  We cant have it all, can we? Best of luck to you

• Anonymous

  Religion in science class, Revisionism and Reaganomics ?

• Anonymous

  “You need to understand that the flavour of the day is the need for the ( Hand Picked)buisness community to back up his assertions!”

  Actually, in his business model taking advantage of the latest train wreck  detrimines what is the flavor of the day.

• Anonymous

  I’m sure as soon as the flu season gets here Governor LePage will blame the flu on the sick. He’s one hell of a guy isn’t he.

• OldWench

  There is no shortage of Social Worker jobs.

  http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Social+Worker&l=Maine

• Anonymous

  You are SO right!  This is the biggest bunch of crap I have ever heard.  I have applied for positions where I am overqualified and still have not received the job, as well as, been offered 11.50/hour when I am used to making closer to $20.  I can create enough work for myself to maintain 11.50/hour so why would I want to work for a corporation who would want to take advantage of experience and get an entirely different skillset for free.  Then people like LePage wonder why Unions were created.

• OldWench

  Okay…I just looked at the link and it appears that the program you are referring to is geared towards those who want to pursue a career in public policy as it regards to women, often internationally.  Someone might take this program if they want to work for international agencies that fight against things like female circumcision or honor killings in other parts of the world.  

• Anonymous

  You actually think that becoming a high school art teacher is a higher goal than becoming a mechanic or a welder?

  Next time you drive over a steel bridge or see a large building with a steel skeleton, thank a welder for helping to build it.

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.

  You decided what you wanted to do for a living; it’s nobody else’s fault that you can’t find employment in a field you consciously chose to go into. 

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Maby some crony wants to start a 5 th year private charter school !

• Anonymous

  Generations of schoolkids have fallen for the concept that self-esteem is a divine right, not something to be earned.

  Your new trainee sounds like a perfect example.

• ladybaroque

  He’s so full of poop.  I know people who have Bachelor’s Degrees and education certifications and still cannot find a job. 

• ladybaroque

  LePage is so full of it, he stinks.  I know many people who have bachelor’s degrees and certifications who cannot find jobs here in Maine.  My own daughters who graduated from University of Maine had to move elsewhere because there were no jobs that paid a decent salary here.  They had to pay back their student loans and it just was not feasible here.

• ladybaroque

  LePage is so full of it, he stinks.  I know many people who have bachelor’s degrees and certifications who cannot find jobs here in Maine.  My own daughters who graduated from University of Maine had to move elsewhere because there were no jobs that paid a decent salary here.  They had to pay back their student loans and it just was not feasible here.

• ladybaroque

  LePage is so full of it, he stinks.  I know many people who have bachelor’s degrees and certifications who cannot find jobs here in Maine.  My own daughters who graduated from University of Maine had to move elsewhere because there were no jobs that paid a decent salary here.  They had to pay back their student loans and it just was not feasible here.

• ladybaroque

  LePage is so full of it, he stinks.  I know many people who have bachelor’s degrees and certifications who cannot find jobs here in Maine.  My own daughters who graduated from University of Maine had to move elsewhere because there were no jobs that paid a decent salary here.  They had to pay back their student loans and it just was not feasible here.

• Anonymous

  24,000 jobs – 21,000 unemployed = Lepage is right and you people need math skills!

• Anonymous

  24,000 jobs – 21,000 unemployed = Lepage is right and you people need math skills!

• Anonymous

  24,000 jobs – 21,000 unemployed = Lepage is right and you people need math skills!

• Anonymous

  24,000 jobs – 21,000 unemployed = Lepage is right and you people need math skills!

• Anonymous

  24,000 jobs – 21,000 unemployed = Lepage is right and you people need math skills!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  No it wasn’t, Patricia! I accidently posted under your statement. Thats why I posted it again. Sorry about that.

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• PaulNotBunyan

  I am so skeptical. Prove to me that those 21,000 postings represent jobs that are currently unfilled. I suspect that some of them are just trolling recruiters and employment agencies. I suspect some others are not new jobs (meaning that some person gets laid off or fired for every person they hire).

  Show me the real job openings!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  When we started out, my husband worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is no lie! He did this for years. I NEVER saw him!  He is good at what he does, is a fast learner, and VERY dedicated! He has excellent people person skills. With all of these combined, this is how we are successful. It wasn’t easy, it was one of the hardest things we went thru in our marrage thus far but you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. Too many people give up to easy.
  Another reason too is because the trade we are in is dirty, hot, hard, and nobody wants to do it.
  Another answer to your question is no. No degree.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  I wish this guy would go back to his Mardens Check out job and give the Governors job to someone who doesn’t need training!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

  Discernment,

  Maybe thats why I keep gettin kicked offline!

• ladybaroque

  Good luck maineteacher2!! I was being trained in special education to get my certification but was laid off.  My daughter is a teacher in New York.   She got her math and education degree at Orono but couldn’t afford to stay in Maine because of student loan responsibilities.

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”

  Wow, that is some out of the box, radical thinking, isn’t it? 

• Anonymous

  “Maine was prosperous one time in forestry, in fishing and farming, and we need to go back to the basics,” he said.”

  Wow, that is some out of the box, radical thinking, isn’t it? 

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YE3XFN7AV6MWMPAVMVPYVSEQEY sweetie

  Yeah.  Her source is the local want ads.  Try looking at jobsinme.com or myjobwave.com.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YE3XFN7AV6MWMPAVMVPYVSEQEY sweetie

  Yeah.  Her source is the local want ads.  Try looking at jobsinme.com or myjobwave.com.

• Anonymous

  Don’t be sorry! I’m glad to see you are coming around to more reasonable thinking.

• Anonymous

  Don’t be sorry! I’m glad to see you are coming around to more reasonable thinking.

• Anonymous

  Don’t be sorry! I’m glad to see you are coming around to more reasonable thinking.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    China is doing the work for the Corporatist Union Busters. A flood of cheap labor is what the oligarchs use to put the rest of the world labor market in its place.

     They dont need the American Worker anymore, the American Soldier however is what they need to hold the whole globalist vision in place.

  America has become the policeforce of the world for the corporastist global vision.

  http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/u-s-military-spending-is-out-of-control-12-facts-that-show-that-we-cannot-afford-to-be-the-police-of-the-world

  http://pubrecord.org/nation/6376/federal-spending-exceeds-state/

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    China is doing the work for the Corporatist Union Busters. A flood of cheap labor is what the oligarchs use to put the rest of the world labor market in its place.

     They dont need the American Worker anymore, the American Soldier however is what they need to hold the whole globalist vision in place.

  America has become the policeforce of the world for the corporastist global vision.

  http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/u-s-military-spending-is-out-of-control-12-facts-that-show-that-we-cannot-afford-to-be-the-police-of-the-world

  http://pubrecord.org/nation/6376/federal-spending-exceeds-state/

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    China is doing the work for the Corporatist Union Busters. A flood of cheap labor is what the oligarchs use to put the rest of the world labor market in its place.

     They dont need the American Worker anymore, the American Soldier however is what they need to hold the whole globalist vision in place.

  America has become the policeforce of the world for the corporastist global vision.

  http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/u-s-military-spending-is-out-of-control-12-facts-that-show-that-we-cannot-afford-to-be-the-police-of-the-world

  http://pubrecord.org/nation/6376/federal-spending-exceeds-state/

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  Oh, and one other thing. A roofing contractor, being seasonal, does not offer anyone paid days off, vacations, sick days, or insurance. That 29%-37% of someone’s salary on top of their salary that most employers have to offer does not apply. That money goes right back in the contractors pockets. If you fall or somehow hurt yourself, too bad, don’t let the door hit ya on the way down the road. Since there are no benefits do you still feel $12.00 an hour is enough?

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• Anonymous

  schmidlap,
    if Derek_Long continued his education at EMCC, he’d be a journeyman by now….actually he’s be a Master Technician, six years out of high school.  This man is EXACTLY who LePage is trying to reach!  A five-year trade/traditional high school would have given this young man the appropriate education and training necessary to enter the trades as a journeyman.  He would complete his apprenticeship during the 4th and 5th year of school.  He would have been out in the field under the supervision of a master technician earning the hours necessary to complete the apprenticeship.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JHK2PMU3IW5G5DLS4DOWLEKXEE Dana

  I tend to disagree with Lepage , skills are needed to vote someone in office, and it take skills to veto someone out? my question is, how many diplomas, and degrees and training does one need to get a job? education costs money and if theirs no money for that and theirs no money for anything else, then people go homeless and jobless because the grants aren’t there for the people ether, so please help us unskilled people who  have had training and education  that were downsized out of jobs. because the state wanted to save money per budget or businesses that were closing, the truth is the businesses aren’t making the money and their out is to blame the people hired or wanting to be hired. i worked for the state hospital with lot’s of training that i paid for., but yet I’m unskilled, so no job here huh? ya thanks political party, I’ll remember that when it comes time to vote.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The employer didn’t discriminate against Hassenpheffer, he wasn’t hired in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The company didn’t “let him go”, they didn’t HIRE him in the first place.

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  The way it works is that some tea-bag who disagrees with my views (that Penguin is a terrible ‘leader’), clicks on the flag button & reports my post as ‘inappropriate’, even though it is not, denying my right to freedom of expression. 

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  So, if I read the article correctly, the problem isn’t taxes, it isn’t regulations, it’s that government isn’t big enough and we’re not spending enough money on education.
  ******************************************************
  ah, no, you didn’t read the article correctly.  The problem is that we are not spending our education dollars wisely.

• Anonymous

  Since the technical aspects of schools are being closed due to budget cuts…I’m not sure how they are going to afford to add a 5th year of high school……
  *****************************************************
  How do you come to that conclusion?  Do you think schools are funded solely on the premise that each student is only going to use it for 4 years?  That’s silly.

• Anonymous

  Since the technical aspects of schools are being closed due to budget cuts…I’m not sure how they are going to afford to add a 5th year of high school……
  *****************************************************
  How do you come to that conclusion?  Do you think schools are funded solely on the premise that each student is only going to use it for 4 years?  That’s silly.

• Anonymous

  Now you sound like the governor!  When are you running?  You are successful because your husband went to trade school and you are entitled to half of what he makes.  Did he pay you from the day you started working?  How can you think that anyone can do that?  That is close-minded thinking.  Some people don’t even have the right to marry so, they can’t possibly do what the two of you have done together on one person’s education and only owing one person’s student loans.

  The governor uses the same close-minded thinking when he cuts budgets for programs to help children.. because if he could grow up homeless and succeed, then any child can!

  Most people learn compassion from their struggles.  Some people don’t.

• Anonymous

  Now you sound like the governor!  When are you running?  You are successful because your husband went to trade school and you are entitled to half of what he makes.  Did he pay you from the day you started working?  How can you think that anyone can do that?  That is close-minded thinking.  Some people don’t even have the right to marry so, they can’t possibly do what the two of you have done together on one person’s education and only owing one person’s student loans.

  The governor uses the same close-minded thinking when he cuts budgets for programs to help children.. because if he could grow up homeless and succeed, then any child can!

  Most people learn compassion from their struggles.  Some people don’t.

• Anonymous

  Now you sound like the governor!  When are you running?  You are successful because your husband went to trade school and you are entitled to half of what he makes.  Did he pay you from the day you started working?  How can you think that anyone can do that?  That is close-minded thinking.  Some people don’t even have the right to marry so, they can’t possibly do what the two of you have done together on one person’s education and only owing one person’s student loans.

  The governor uses the same close-minded thinking when he cuts budgets for programs to help children.. because if he could grow up homeless and succeed, then any child can!

  Most people learn compassion from their struggles.  Some people don’t.

• Anonymous

  I completely agree on increasing tariffs.  For people with the great idea of buying only American products.. Go try to buy a car built with all American parts.  Try to go grocery shopping and buy fresh produce that is grown in the US.  If we raise tariffs, it will become easier.  I am willing to pay more for my products so that my neighbors can have good jobs.

• Anonymous

  I completely agree on increasing tariffs.  For people with the great idea of buying only American products.. Go try to buy a car built with all American parts.  Try to go grocery shopping and buy fresh produce that is grown in the US.  If we raise tariffs, it will become easier.  I am willing to pay more for my products so that my neighbors can have good jobs.

• Anonymous

  I completely agree on increasing tariffs.  For people with the great idea of buying only American products.. Go try to buy a car built with all American parts.  Try to go grocery shopping and buy fresh produce that is grown in the US.  If we raise tariffs, it will become easier.  I am willing to pay more for my products so that my neighbors can have good jobs.

• Anonymous

  It’s called taxing the hell out of imports so manufacturing comes back home!  I’ll gladly pay more for products so my neighbors can have good jobs!

• Anonymous

  It’s called taxing the hell out of imports so manufacturing comes back home!  I’ll gladly pay more for products so my neighbors can have good jobs!

• Anonymous

  It’s called taxing the hell out of imports so manufacturing comes back home!  I’ll gladly pay more for products so my neighbors can have good jobs!

• Anonymous

  Wow, really??  It’s everyone’s business!  What happened to love thy neighbor?  I hope you never need help and don’t get it, because it’s none of anyone’s business!

• Anonymous

  Wow, really??  It’s everyone’s business!  What happened to love thy neighbor?  I hope you never need help and don’t get it, because it’s none of anyone’s business!

• Anonymous

  Wow, really??  It’s everyone’s business!  What happened to love thy neighbor?  I hope you never need help and don’t get it, because it’s none of anyone’s business!

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Again…the vast majority of the jobs LePage is talking about, and virtually all manual labor type of jobs do NOT require college and classrooms. The BEST way for someone to learn this jobs is to be trained on the job by those who know the job best. The fact that all of these companies aren’t doing that tells me that those companies are lazy and/or don’t really want to hire anyone.     
  ***************************************************************
  WRONG.  Forestry requires classroom education as well as farming (refer to Benevolent Despot’s post), welders, electricians and plumbers require extensive classroom work….in fact, they require 4000 hours of formal classroom learning and training before they can become licensed….that’s 2 YEARS of full time training.  A barber, hairdresser and cosmetologist require 2000 hours of classroom training in order to obtain their license.  CIANBRO isn’t “lazy” because they are prohibited by law from hiring an electrician who has not completed the basic education requirements.  LePage is trying to help the high school students who are all being PUSHED to go to a 4-year college to get a degree in social work but who really want to be an electrician or mechanic.

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  Next time your car throws a rod or its brakes fail, thank a mechanic for fixing it.**************************************************
  GOOD mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re PRICELESS!

• Anonymous

  You keep saying HE did all this work, yet you also keep saying that WE are successful. 

• Anonymous

  You keep saying HE did all this work, yet you also keep saying that WE are successful. 

• Anonymous

  You keep saying HE did all this work, yet you also keep saying that WE are successful. 

• Anonymous

  You keep saying HE did all this work, yet you also keep saying that WE are successful. 

• Anonymous

  You keep saying HE did all this work, yet you also keep saying that WE are successful. 

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  He said there are24,000 unemployed ?  last month the state releases figgers said there are 53,000  people unemployed  ??

• Anonymous

  I plan on staying home with my son while he goes to pre k and then work on my masters slowly as money allows.
  **********************************************
  You have a degree and a teaching certificate and you’re sending your son to daycare, even though you are not working outside the home and can teach him at home?

• Anonymous

  He said there are24,000 unemployed ?  last month the state releases figgers said there are 53,000  people unemployed  ??

• Anonymous

  He said there are24,000 unemployed ?  last month the state releases figgers said there are 53,000  people unemployed  ??

• Anonymous

  He said there are24,000 unemployed ?  last month the state releases figgers said there are 53,000  people unemployed  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Would the same apply for people that work for the state that need degrees  ??

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• Anonymous

  Absolutely!!  Back in the 30s and 40s my grandmother learned how to be a nurse on-the-job!  Hospitals trained medical personnel.  The military also trains their own beyond basic training, even if they have experience.

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  So the company keeps him on, why ?

  Probably because it’s getting what it’s paying for, perhaps ?

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• AionNV

  Less than a third, I believe.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then.  It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• kkmousse

  From where I live in Maine and what some of my friends have been though.  There are qualified people out there in some areas…..however they are only paid $12.00 for those skills.  They provide the tools, training and sweat and get paid squat. 
  Going backwards is not the answer either unless there is a real change in the perception of manual labor.  Electronics, Carpentry, Automotive were all taught at schools to get students ready for a skilled job.
  Those classes got relegated to being filled up with students that did not fit into the regular classes.  They just wasted time till they graduated and that was that. 
  However if there could be a return to those skilled professions that were apprenticeships or journeymen possitions with a way to a real job that would be great. 

  I just do not see the Business community wanting to pay a real wage for all that skill.  They would be just as happy paying someone without a certificate ..the way they pay.

  I agee with NE_Voter.  Business should hire and train and get a quality workforce.   

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  ..and they should be billed for the medical care they receive.

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  I’m not sure if you are being sarcastic or that you really are clueless, so I’ll explain in a way that suits both scenarios.  His proposal is not “adding a 5th year to high school”.  It is to adjust the schools as they are now to incorporate training that a student would get if he/she went on to a technical program after 4 years of English (as a second language) New Math, Social Studies (where IS that U.S. History?) Science (the ONE subject that is still taught with merit).  It would be similar to the Vocational Schools existing now, but with an extra year of education and training, so that the student could begin the apprenticeship for which he/she is studying.  Numerous programs are offered at EMCC and other community colleges that are 1-2 years such as EMT, CNA, CRMA and X-ray Tech.  Why not give these high school students a ‘leg up’ on getting their certifications?

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  What federal jobs?  I’ve had mostly federal jobs and they didn’t pay half that amount. You obviously don’t have one.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• Anonymous

  They won’t.. it won’t happen.

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• kkmousse

  I am wondering how he plans to do that with a drop out rate of about 24% in this State.  What stufent would be around in high school long enought to benefit from 5 years. 
  It is more likely that the students would be listed  in a grouping of sublower wages for a longer period of time (I bet that would also be included in the mix, since that proposed bill failed.  It will come back again)

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  When they see family farms going out of business.. that’s not exactly an invitation to become a farmer.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• Anonymous

  You obviously don’t know what discrimination is then. It is illegal to not hire someone based on age.     
  ***********************************************
  …..and you obviously don’t know the law.  Please cite for me the exact LAW that forces an employer to hire an elderly person over a 28 year old.  Yeah….you can’t.  Age discrimination laws are in place to protect older persons in their current job, NOT when applying for a new job.  Additionally, these laws apply ONLY to businesses with MORE than 20 full time employees.

• kkmousse

  Many people hate the idea of Big Government and all the regulations that come with it.  However when you deregulate and eliminate programs and serviced …all that reverts back to the Towns to provide for people in their own towns.  But in essence it go to the property owner to pay those increases.  The idea of something for free is only for those that do not work or own anything.  The all get services that are paid for by the property owners.
  No one likes to see a family in need in there community.  But if the whole community is in need there is a Bigger Problem.  Lack of services would most likely lead to a break down in Order of any type.  This needs to be addressed before Big Government is gone. 
  I do not like the idea of people milking the system for all the freebees at the expense of the tax payer.  We should all be pulling our weight rich, poor everyone.   

• kkmousse

  Many people hate the idea of Big Government and all the regulations that come with it.  However when you deregulate and eliminate programs and serviced …all that reverts back to the Towns to provide for people in their own towns.  But in essence it go to the property owner to pay those increases.  The idea of something for free is only for those that do not work or own anything.  The all get services that are paid for by the property owners.
  No one likes to see a family in need in there community.  But if the whole community is in need there is a Bigger Problem.  Lack of services would most likely lead to a break down in Order of any type.  This needs to be addressed before Big Government is gone. 
  I do not like the idea of people milking the system for all the freebees at the expense of the tax payer.  We should all be pulling our weight rich, poor everyone.   

• Anonymous

  Easier said than done!  I’m doing it but I also have an income that allows me to still pay for my household and go to the university at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t stop at a bachelors because an entry level position with my degree won’t pay my bills. I need a graduate degree which means, at 47, I will probably retire still owing student loans.

• Anonymous

  Easier said than done!  I’m doing it but I also have an income that allows me to still pay for my household and go to the university at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t stop at a bachelors because an entry level position with my degree won’t pay my bills. I need a graduate degree which means, at 47, I will probably retire still owing student loans.

• Anonymous

  Easier said than done!  I’m doing it but I also have an income that allows me to still pay for my household and go to the university at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t stop at a bachelors because an entry level position with my degree won’t pay my bills. I need a graduate degree which means, at 47, I will probably retire still owing student loans.

• Anonymous

  Easier said than done!  I’m doing it but I also have an income that allows me to still pay for my household and go to the university at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t stop at a bachelors because an entry level position with my degree won’t pay my bills. I need a graduate degree which means, at 47, I will probably retire still owing student loans.

• Anonymous

  Easier said than done!  I’m doing it but I also have an income that allows me to still pay for my household and go to the university at the same time.  Unfortunately, I can’t stop at a bachelors because an entry level position with my degree won’t pay my bills. I need a graduate degree which means, at 47, I will probably retire still owing student loans.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  LePage doesn’t qualify for his job either.

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  I will!  Right on dhume!  It’s really true.  Why do you think he gets so enraged when people question him??  Because they might figure out he has no idea what he’s doing.. that’s why!

• Anonymous

  Hahahaha!  Wow.

• Anonymous

  Wow it’s only been 8 months?  He sure has done a lot of damage in that short time.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  Sorry, guess I wasn’t specific enough…I answer the phones, do the scheduling, do the estimates, billing, ect…

• Anonymous

  Trust me, no one is overqualified to be a dishwasher.  If it’s your dream to be a dishwasher, I’m sure you can find a job being a dishwasher.  Go for it and follow your dreams!

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YCHHYD25F2IQ2WE5QPODQTB5UA Tabitha

  There is something wrong with you, Frito chip… O_o

• Anonymous

  That’s good to hear, so,are you hiring any help at your half a million dollar business ? 

• Anonymous

  I have a degree in secondary mathematics education, and am certified to teach math in grades 5 through 12, not at the pre k level. I can teach him algebra, but have little knowledge about teaching reading to someone. 
  And here in New York, pre k is serious business. It is not daycare like I have done in the past when I had to work due to finances. It is a trial run for school so he knows what next year will be like. By the time my son leaves high school he will have to take tests to prove he learned things. Not the case in Maine.  I decided to enroll him for the following reasons:1. He only goes for 2 and a half hours in the morning and it will give him a leg up in New York, where they demand a lot of children who attend kindergarten, which he will attend as a 4 year old next year. In Maine he would not be allowed into kindergarten until he was 5 because of his birthday. 2. The pre k is free, run from the community center, and will help him meet the kids he will be in school with next year. I feel the socialization is a great part of what he needs to be successful in school. He will need to be able to get along with the other kids in class and have friends.3. The program is very structured and tied into the local school district. I still teach him at home, but appreciate the support from the program to reinforce what I do and teach him what I can’t. I feel fortunate that I can take him to a program and still have most of my day with him to be his mom. 

• Anonymous

  I have done the teachers aide (ed tech) thing also, but felt that some of the teachers thought less of my skills because of the title I held, not the experience I brought to the table. Many though appreciated that I could step into their classroom at a moments notice and pick up the lesson and continue it. My building principal used me in that capacity last year for a teacher who was out regularly. I might consider that again, but a lot depends on the economy picking up. Pretty soon many teachers aides will be certified teachers in disguise.

• Anonymous

  there’s tons of skilled labor here.. but none of these buisness will shell out the coin for the work being done. last I knew the average wage of a welder anywhere else and a welder worth his bead, would be making $30-40/hour.. problem is no production facility pays near that, or competative benefits.. so why stay here? especially when it’s so damn expensive to live anywhere in this state..

• Anonymous

  It doesn’t matter whether he was hired or not, anti-discrimination laws bar employers from discriminating against employees (or potential employees) based on age (and a number of other statuses) with regard to hiring, firing, and wage decisions.  The question hinges on intent, which is, in practice, difficult to prove.

• Anonymous

  Unions may have hastened their demise by demanding inordinately high wages, but even wages more in line with non-union workers wouldn’t likely be competitive with offshoring in most instances, even when shipping and logistical costs are factored in.

• Anonymous

  In fact, studies on the topic have almost categorically shown that a high IQ correlates with liberalism.  That is not to say that conservatives have low IQs, only that as a group they are somewhat less sophisticated cognitively than those who identify as “liberals”.  I my opinion, however, someone with a truly sophisticated worldview would shy away from either political party for a number of reasons.

• Anonymous

  Most “Women’s Studies” majors are pre-law students, as is the case with many liberal arts degrees.

• Anonymous

  I have often found the average American’s command of the English language appalling.

• http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DZVOZU6JNL5ZDZW3VNASGTCCTY Clyde Grant

  Again I ask; who are these employers, the jobs, the skills required, salary and benefits.  Otherwise this is just politics as usual and hype by the Media for profit. 

• Anonymous

  Just to make sure I understand, let’s review the situation.  

  *Businessmen in Maine say there are no skilled workers to fill the jobs.
  *Businessmen almost always vote Republican
  *Republicans like to cut taxes, especially to education because school taxes are too high and teachers just get paid for sitting around and professors only work 3 hours a week.
  *Republicans cut funding  to all levels of public education.
  *The the number of teachers and professors, have been reduced, class sizes have been increased, budgets for learning materials and equipment have been reduced , university level  agriculture, forestry, computer technology, food science, mechanical and machine tool  technology have been eliminated or reduced.  Secondary school agriculture, homemaking have been eliminated and shop classes have been reduced.

  Question for businessmen:  how did you arrive at the conclusion that cutting funding to education and hating on teachers would improve the pool of educated and skilled workers?

• Anonymous

  Businessmen and the Republicans they vote into office are big on personal responsibility.  OK, let’s see you take some personal responsibility, support education so it can educate and train  the people you need for your business.  And if you don’t want to support education to  the same level they do in, say, Canada or Europe then at least have the good manners to quite complaining about the American educational system.  

  You don’t get to have it both ways.  You can’t keep wringing educational spending dry and whine about the educational level of workers. Either pay up or do your own training.  That’s taking personal responsibility. You’re big on that, remember?

• Anonymous

  Toyota is showing ads on TV which claim their trucks have more American parts/labor in their construction than Chevrolets do.

• Anonymous

  Okay….I’ll accept your premise that what people earn is everyone’s business because you love your neighbor. Tell me what you do for work, how much you make and what you get for benefits.  I want to make sure you are getting your fair share.

• Anonymous

  Right, and these are the same people that keep screaming to  cut educational spending so their taxes will be still lower.  Real brain trusts,  these business types.  Maybe they could use some skills training, thinking skills.