One time for Rick Nappier for breaking down the economic climate as it relates to these shootings.
In a way, I blame all these shootings on government economic policy.
When jobs become scarce, people get nervous about their current work
situation. They come to work thinking that today might be their last day
because of layoffs, or being fired unjustifiably.
If they
economy is booming, the worker has the advantage because they can leave
for a better job, or leave for a higher salary. Not in this economy.
Companies have the upper hand because they can work you like a dog
because "where else are you going to work"?
The labor
participation rate is down to 62%...the lowest since 1979. This means
only 62% of the people available and willing to work can find
employment. So hell yes, people are nervous about losing their jobs to
layoff or getting fired.
When you lose your job, you are about
2-3 months from being homeless if you can't find other employment. The
unemployment checks are about 70% of what you could not live on anyway.
Blacks, in particular, typically get the short straw when it comes to
employment. Blacks don't own many companies. Unless it's state, federal
or county employment, black people represent a small percentage of the
private sector workforce. Many blacks don't network nor have colleagues
in high places.
And in California, most blacks don't speak
Spanish...so they are out of luck again with nothing in their favor. I
remember an employee in Sacramento at a national bank was laid off
because most of the clients sitting in the lobby were Hispanic and he
didn't speak Spanish. So he was mostly emptying the trash and doing
clerical duties from the work the Spanish speaking bank reps generated.
He was laid off three months later sipping on a refill coffee at
Starbucks. I said "what's up playa?". He said he got laid off because
the big bank only wanted bilingual bank reps. I told him that he had
better take some Rosetta Stone language courses.
So black
people's mental state are on the fritz right now about their careers and
livelihoods. I tell all black people that they had better start their
own businesses so they can stay above the fray or you will become a
likely, unfortunate statistic.
In summary, a booming economy causes less work related stress and provides more employment opportunities.
