Job wanted?

[santa claus]

Sorry sammy, my comment wasn't directed at you but at the theme of some comments made

[sammyc]

okey-doke. ...no-one's mentioned anything like the areas where they operate the LETS barter system - don't know how far it would get you toward self-sufficiency but it's one starting point..
me personally I would opt for a lifestyle combining elements of work and dropping out if it were possible - ie reserving the right to pick up various work at certain times say, not necessarily dropping out & never working in the system at all. If that could be achieved without the state all the better. I suppose the classic travel & work type thing.. (which again is better for the young & fit). There's not much backing for that sort of lifestyle from the usual sources of parents/school though - express the opinion at careers interviews etc that you mightn't want to go down an orthodox route & a v. dim view was always taken (in my day).

[switchmode]

Life's a whole lot nicer if you enjoy your work, even if that's stating the obvious, it's the key to how you answer Santa's question really. I guess your guy is among the ones who wouldn't find not working hugely appealing, and would consider in hindsight he'd made good choices. Have never thought for a moment myself that manual work means you are stupid, it's all about the individual - that's why I always hate to hear of people doing physical work they enjoy but having the sort of parents that want you to train for a 'profession', medicine or law or whatever, & make their disappointment felt all the time. If you're fit enough to do manual work it means you have your health that should be the main thing; & even if you've got the biggest IQ going but you want to go & keep chickens or build dry stone walls or whatever then you should... - and get the last laugh on stressed out businessmen probably.

I agree 100%

Its true nothing wrong with manual work if you like it and are happy, some jobs are horrible in Electrical Work, up a loft full of glass fiber in the summer is a killer. I know lots of people me included who have not found it so easy to settle as things are very competitive now and just need to do whats available.

Generally profesions with a degree will have more earning power on average I suppose. I've met people with a Cambridge education who was as daft as a brush, and self educated people as smart and useful as any profesional person. A Degree is nice but its no measure of a person beyond its scope. I've often seen the most stupid mistakes from trained pros with degrees who only know calculations and no common sense, they over specify because they are frightened to get it wrong.

Dave is relaxed and enjoys his job because he is established, Competent and has been doing it for years and can relax a bit with no boss.

[sammyc]

I've met people with a Cambridge education who was as daft as a brush, and self educated people as smart and useful as any profesional person. A Degree is nice but its no measure of a person beyond its scope.

Case in point, 'The Apprentice'...

[santa claus]

Yep, I thought that too. For a barrister, he did seem rather lame.

[TheAnimus]

I voted Lib Dem on the basis that our local candidate makes a damn good MP regardless of which party he's with.

I think this is where our country fails.

Take cornwall for instance, granted plenty of the residents don't seam to of realised the first renaissance happened, whilst manner still show worship to the horseless carrage by bringing offerings of bad accessories.

However they've voted Lib Dem a lot lately, and also they've been screwed. Even wales has been given infrastructure (roads etc) whilst cornwall is just in an archain state, lacking a proper backbone road. When you compare it to other 'developing' areas of the uk one major factor i think could be to blame. Labour and Tories have been in power, so they every now and again through some scraps the way of these god forsaken voids. However the lib dems have not.

I think its harder for a minority governmenty to get funding for anything. As such if you're not with a party thats in power, or likely to be in power and wanting to cement its support base, your going to do worse off.