Ranger Rick: It’s life, not books, that taught me all I’ve learned

Ranger Rick has lived many years and has earned everything he has.  Nothing given to him other than what was earned either with his own two hands or brain (some people doubt the brain part as they don’t believe I have one!).

Such is life — win some, lose some.  I worked up from a factory floor to successful positions within several departments, making a good salary, great benefits and a solid career.  I did earn a college degree later than most, at night, and weekends when most others were enjoying themselves.  I knew the edge in moving up was a college degree.

However, most of what I learned was bullsheet, in subjects I had no interest in (Non-Western World) and most of what I learned was just to pass the test and get on to the next subject.  I forgot most of it within a few months.

I illustrate my working and college days only for the sheer fact I had friends working right out of high school, without benefit of college (most with 0 hours of college credit).  They made great money because they were willing to do what others weren’t — work hard, make it to work on time every day, work all the overtime when offered, and paid themselves by putting a portion of money away for the future.

These were hard working folks taking advantage of every opportunity offered.  Yes, I made more than some for a long period of time, but many performed beyond expectations.  One works for an international company as vice president of sales. The only college he had, a few accounting classes to understand financial information concerning the monetary health of the company and to manage his salespeople to measure sales performance.

Another is a partner in a huge construction firm, where he started as a draftsman and project manager. He went to a two-year technical college, associates degree – no bachelors, no masters, no PhD.  Both people in these examples are leaders in their communities, giving huge amounts of money to charities, serving on boards of non-profit companies.

Where did they come from and how did they do it?  They came from farming families where everyone was expected to pitch in to work the farm.  Milking and feeding of cows, baling hay, working long hours on a tractor to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. They came from solid families that had rules, expectations, and challenges.

The college debt is at $1.52 TRILLION.  Thanks to President Obama, it is no longer on the student and his/her family to pay for this if they declare bankruptcy.  It is on YOU, the taxpayer.  College students are encouraged and expected to take federal student loans to pay for college.  The average student loan debt total per person is $31,172, with the average monthly student loan payment of $393.

Yes, you read that right!  For what, a beginning wage in most companies that may be $35,000 to $55,000 per year, depending on the job.  From that salary, close to $5,000 per year for student loans.  Most, if they can keep the job for a few years, still aren’t making enough money to start a family, buy a house, afford a new car, etc.  No wonder a number (29% according to recent Pew poll numbers) still live with Mom and Dad after graduation.

Is college a requirement for a good paying job?  Only if you are to be a professional in the medical and legal areas of employment.  Much of the information needed to have a great paying job is available in apprenticeships for construction (electrician, plumber, skilled trades (tool & die maker, machine repair, carpenter, millwright, etc., some technical classes are required).

There are many factory jobs that pay very well, manufacturing is booming again and needs young people to fill the positions being opened through new positions and retirements.  What is wrong with working and going to college part-time, paying for your education or if your employer has a program for college reimbursement?  Many companies want employees to start/continue their educations and they are ready to help.

At a meeting a few years ago, I commented to the assembled group of co-workers how when I was laid off from a job, our family used to glean fields for potatoes to clean and can.  We grew our own vegetables and bought beef, pork, and chicken in quantity to save on food costs.  We didn’t eat steak once a week.

The young workers laughed and said I was telling stories. I looked at another co-worker my age and he said his family did the same thing.  We worked second jobs, I worked as a janitor, from operating million dollar machines to mopping floors.  But it was good honest work and I needed the work to pay my bills.  How many would work a second job nowadays?  How many would work in a factory?  I’m afraid not too many.

Yes, the world has changed, as it always has.  To make $5 per hour when I started in a factory was a pretty good wage.  I now give my barber a $5 tip because I can. I was frugal in my younger years, and now I can afford to do that now.  People starting now are angry if they aren’t offered a position with good wages and benefits.

By good wages I’m talking $50,000 to $60,000 per year starting out.  What would ever happen if a recession hit and they lost those positions?  Would they lower themselves to lesser paying jobs.  Would they wield a mop to pay the bills?  I doubt it.

I fear if a recession/depression ever happened as in the 1930s our social fabric would tear apart because the younger folks have never had to struggle for anything.  I’m not blaming them. I blame the parents and society for supporting this illusion a college education is the only way to earn a living.  It is killing the avenue to good paying jobs young people could have right out of high school and work their way up like we did in my generation.

I’m all for college if YOU, THE STUDENT, can pay for it.  Otherwise, get a job and work for it.

The rotting of America from within continues…