American workers not "best in the world." In fact, we're actually kind of bad.

[Baron Scicluna]

Oct. 17, 1979

What is ... the Pirates winning their last World Series?

 

[old_tony]

Oct. 17, 1979

What is ... the Pirates winning their last World Series?

Among other things.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Oct. 17, 1979

What is ... the Pirates winning their last World Series?

Among other things.

Show your work.

 

[old_tony]

Oct. 17, 1979

What is ... the Pirates winning their last World Series?

Among other things.

Show your work.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/business/economy/stubborn-skills-gap-in-americas-work-force.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=1&

 

[Dick Whitman]

Oct. 17, 1979

What is ... the Pirates winning their last World Series?

Among other things.

Show your work.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/business/economy/stubborn-skills-gap-in-americas-work-force.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=1&

What does that have to do with the establishment of the Department of Education?

 

[YankeeFan]

I understand what you're trying to say, but the first three jobs are pretty essential in life. Buildings need to be built, and wired, and have good plumbing. With all due respect, and I'm sure some on here scream if they don't get their daily coffee, espresso is not a need, it's a want.

If the economy crashes, and jobs are lost, those workers don't have enough money to spend. They won't be going to the espresso shops to buy coffee. Which not only means those machines won't break down as much, but the shops won't have as much money to spend to fix those machines.

Not ironic at all.

Coffee consumption is up in recent years, even in the bad economy, as is espresso sales. And, it's only going to continue to grow. A lot of older folks would never order a latte or cappuccino. They think of them as "fancy" drinks. But, young people can't get enough of them, and will continue to drink them, as will the next generation that comes along, and replaces the older one that doesn't drink "fancy" coffee drinks.

Every McDonald's in America has an espresso machine. Every Dunkin' Donuts, Panera Bread, etc. too. They will only become more ubiquitous.

Now, hospitals, colleges, and corporate campuses have to have them. And, where there was one, there are now multiple machines.

And, it really doesn't matter how great there sales are. If they offer the product, they have to get the machine repaired when it breaks down. (And, if they don't do regular maintenance, and replace water filters, they will break down.)

 

[Armchair_QB]

Tony, you pinpointed the day the Department of Education was created as the downfall of the American educational system. I believe you twice posted it, sending me to Google. You brought it up. I didn't. Now defend it, or forever hold your peace.

Sorry, who died and made you ****ing king?

 

[IllMil]

In the least surprising news since Tim Lincecum was busted for smoking weed, ****ty American students have turned into ****ty American employees or, as the case may be, unemployees:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/business/economy/stubborn-skills-gap-in-americas-work-force.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

In a nutshell:

One big reason that Americans remain unemployed isn't because they don't want to find work, as the mantra so often goes. It is that they don't have anything to offer.

American in his/her 20s to prospective employers: "I don't have anything to offer because you won't offer me a company phone, company car, 2 p.m. naps, X-boxes in the break room and two free meals a day in the cafeteria for an entry-level job. Oh, and you won't tell me five times a day that I'm special because I try really hard."

This is such utter bull****.

 

[old_tony]

Tony, you pinpointed the day the Department of Education was created as the downfall of the American educational system. I believe you twice posted it, sending me to Google. You brought it up. I didn't. Now defend it, or forever hold your peace.

Sorry, who died and made you ****ing king?

**** believes it's just coincidental that we were near the top in 1979 and are sucking **** now.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Tony, you pinpointed the day the Department of Education was created as the downfall of the American educational system. I believe you twice posted it, sending me to Google. You brought it up. I didn't. Now defend it, or forever hold your peace.

Sorry, who died and made you ****ing king?

**** believes it's just coincidental that we were near the top in 1979 and are sucking **** now.

It has to be coincidental, since a certain ex-actor won an election the next year.
(Sorry, cou;d