Forum Post: The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World – When do we Draw the Line?
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 13, 2011, 8:36 p.m. EST by usaworktomuch
(55)
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I'm not sure about when but the work till your 70 because more are living to be a 100 pushers are nothing but liars. Don't get me wrong but older folks who have all the money they need to retire but won't need to volunteer more and retire sooner to open up the gap for our young adults to get work. The scale is tipped way too much. The work till you die ethic is way over played. Work until you can afford to volunteer is a much better ethic.
Who wants to have to work till you die? and how many are physically able to work in their 70's, 80's and 90's? Our system lacks human values. Profits over people, survival of the "fittest? Our 'civilization' has not evolved.
EXACTLY!!! they should put an age cap on for sure!!
Maybe not an age cap. They difinitely have to quit their propaganda and support the old to do what is right.
I agree with this. We should've moved to a 4 day work week decades ago; increased leisure time was the original reason for this whole capitalist deal.
Now the pundits (themselves millionaires who can retire anytime they tire of celebrity) smugly tell us we need to put off retirement.
This is one of many reasons I was really excited about the OWS movement when it first started.
But now, it's become a movement dominated by extremely partisan, far leftists, and shallow trustafarians more interested in welcoming millionaire entertainment celebs seeking a photo op like Kanye West and Russell Simmons and reenacting the late 60s than any serious political agenda.
I'm concerned that, ironically, as the movement grows, it is alienating potential allies and becoming way too leftist and fringy. This could've been a 99% movement but it's becoming at best a 5% movement because it's too dominated by morons.
SIGH
I agree with you Owstag. However, i have hope and faith that OWS's memebers will stick to their path and not become trivialized.
And the worst part is that there's little work to be done in the first place. Labour is pretty much becoming an exchangeable commodity.
I think full-time jobs should be replaced with part-time jobs. Make work cyclical. Then everyone would be able to work and have an equal balance of work:life ratio. (Just an idea ;-)!
I disagree. Let's not go from full time to part time, but make full time equal to part time.
Ohallothar - you might be right - I have not given that much thought - but something needs to change.. The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World – When do we Draw the Line?
That line is for you to draw. Work part time or don't work, at all. Be self employed and make your own hours. It's up to you. Some people are workaholics and you can't change that.
It's not about me - it's the REALITY of CORPORATE AMERICA - we are going down a road where there will be 1 day weekends and 70 hour work weeks. I used to work in Copr America and worked til 9 almost every night. TO ME this is Inhumane, unlawful and unhealthy. There needs to be LAWS to stop this.
Yes, it's about you, and me, and everyone else. The point of power is within yourself. You said you used to work for corporate America. You no longer do. We all have that choice to NOT work for them. Lots of people are willing to sell their souls for a buck, though. THAT is the problem.
To EndtheFednow - you MAKE a VERY good point!! A point that is hard to argue. A point that both my parent's make all the time - that "we live ina free country and you have the freedom to make choices - to do or not do something" This is TRUE and I agree. BUT It doesn't change the fact that what is going on now in Americans working longer work hours, less vacation/holiday time off etc.. IS WRONG. It's wrong that we are letting this happen. I always thought that is something is WRONG then it should be fixed. Make a HUMANITARIAN law that limits work hours and increases vacation time - I know in my heart this is right to advocate.
Well, I'm probably old enough to be your mom ;-)
If people refused to work for abusive employers then those employers would be up shit creek, would they not? I have gone without a lot routine material things in my life because I refuse to play. It isn't easy but it must be done if we want to have any shred of control over our own lives. I don't disagree that world in which the golden rule were the law would be better, but I doubt it can be achieved. There are really are people who love to work insane hours in their climb to the top. We can't stop that. We can choose to not be that person, though.
I see your point but if something is not done soon everyone will be working these crazy hours. I remember being frowned upon for leaving the office at 6 while most everyone stayed until 7, 8 or even 9 every night. The fact is: "Working hours are already longer than they were forty years ago. ." we are on a WRONG path. And I think it can be achieved. France did it and imposed a 35 hour work week.
http://users.ipfw.edu/ruflethe/american.html
You can devote your energy to those kinds of mandates. Whether it would ever fly in the US, I can't say. It runs a bit contrary to a system of free enterprise where everyone engages in association as they please. You see the answer in legislation and I see it in people exercising their freedom to not play. It's easier to not play.
Again "Endthefednow" your points are extremely GOOD!!! All I can say is what I feel right in my heart and that is we as Americas are working longer hours then we had ever been before in our history and this is wrong. I lived it - I experienced it. What you say works in a "perfect" world but I feel the intrinsic core of Capitalism does not allow this. There is no "limit" on wealth - it is an ever growing greedy state of being and it is hurting both people and our environment.
Great article from <<20somethingfinance.com>>