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bullydogsmom · 02-21-2009, 06:45 AM

There is a guy in our area that does a very nice job buffing and polishing cars. He has done this for a long time. He has also buffed an airplane.

He has been out of work a LONG time. He has lost his business, his house has been forclosed on, he just waiting for the sheriff to put him out in March.

SO we thought maybe he'd like a job. We told him that we would remove all the awnings, we're replacing them anyway, all the running lights, all the refectors and anything else that would unbolt and we would strip all the clear coat off, Plus supply him with all the compounds and supplies he needed to polish the Airstream,and pay him $2,000.00. Oh and the AS would be in a heated garage.

Nope. he saw if it wasn't a job he could complete in a day he wasn't interested! I was kind of speachless. Our younger son who is 29 was standing there he was also speachless. This man is about to be homeless and he turns down a job.

Next morning we arrived at our garage where we have the Airstream inside a heated garage, makes it nice for working

! And Harold fines a piece of the old belly pan shining like a new dime.

Josh, our son, says. "I'll do it, I'll even strip the old clear coat off for $2,000.00." So I guess our airstream will be his learning curve! He's a very, very, fussy young man, much like his father, while Josh always said he would never be that fussy. Harold Always said to him "As I am you soon shall be." And he has turned out JUST like his father! I know he'll do a great job.

Annette

centennialman · 02-21-2009, 06:48 AM

It amazes me how many people are like your neighbor. I have one that has not worked for two years. All he does is sit in his house and wait for a job to come to him....I don't get it.

Post some pics of your trailer before and after the polishing.

Silvertwinkie · 02-21-2009, 09:14 AM

...and why not, the entitlement society we are becoming lately dictates that if you can't cut it, you'll get bailed out from John and Jane Q. Taxpayer who have worked hard...and as you all know that is no easy task these days either.

Want a fresh dose of reality, go to the UP of MI. It's more lucrative for folks not to work than it is for them to work. The reason I say go to the UP is because the issue is rampant there. Some folks in the lower penn of MI think that if the UP was allowed to become it's own state called Superior, like many of the folks up there want, the State of MI's unemployment rate would drop, and of course, the newly formed State of Superior would basically collapse because it could not self support itself in ANY way.

Sorry, I don't want to open a bucket of worms here, but it's that kind of mentality that really bothers me. I know there are hardworking folks out here that have just had bad luck and I am by no means referring to those folks, but it's folks like this guy that I find just insulting.

**Stefrobrts** · 02-21-2009, 09:17 AM

I'd polish your trailer for that kind of money!

53flyingcloud · 02-21-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

...and why not, the entitlement society we are becoming lately dictates that if you can't cut it, you'll get bailed out from John and Jane Q. Taxpayer who have worked hard...and as you all know that is no easy task these days either.

Want a fresh dose of reality, go to the UP of MI. It's more lucrative for folks not to work than it is for them to work. The reason I say go to the UP is because the issue is rampant there. Some folks in the lower penn of MI think that if the UP was allowed to become it's own state called Superior, like many of the folks up there want, the State of MI's unemployment rate would drop, and of course, the newly formed State of Superior would basically collapse because it could not self support itself in ANY way.

Sorry, I don't want to open a bucket of worms here, but it's that kind of mentality that really bothers me. I know there are hardworking folks out here that have just had bad luck and I am by no means referring to those folks, but it's folks like this guy that I find just insulting.

Did I hear correctly that, the UP of MI has a "First Nation" driven economy based upon the tribal Casino?

clancy_boy · 02-21-2009, 09:27 AM

Hummm, let me get this right: you remove hardware, strip the clearcote, provide me a warm place to polish, and just so I can have a place to sleep........say you throw in a place to hook up my CCD with water and electricity (30 amp of course) there next to the garage, and the $2K and I'll take me a two week expenses paid vacation to CT. When do I leave? BTW I have a cyclo and a compounding polisher and some experience on my '66 Caravel.

Glad the young man stepped in - it will be a learning experience for him.

Journalist · 02-21-2009, 10:06 AM

When I was in the military stationed at Ft. Meade, MD, I used to carry around a pocket full of business cards for the nearest Army recruiter. When I would be approached by people in their mid 20s begging for spare change, I'd hand them a card. That simple act got me cussed out more than you can imagine. People don't want to work any more. They just want the quick buck for minimal effort. This country is in for a rude awakening very soon.

**Stefrobrts** · 02-21-2009, 10:12 AM

Be careful we don't drift into politics here folks. And I'd also caution you not to generalize too much about our slacker society - I know an awful lot of hard working folks who will do anything necessary to get by. I know a 16 year old who works three jobs! There's still a lot of hard workers in America!

easyride · 02-21-2009, 10:15 AM

Boy do I know what you mean,I live behind a church,which has a food bank open on Wed. Some of the people coming in there have nicer cars than me.I tried to get 1 guy to work a few hrs. one day helping me recover my Chickee hut [all he had to do was hand me up the palm fronds,which I had already cut.Offered $10. per hr cash,he said he wouldn`t do it for less than $15. ,neighbors kid [14] said he would do it for nothing,he wanted to learn how. So don`t knock all the younger generation. Dave

summerkid · 02-21-2009, 11:21 AM

Just be glad that you aren't one of those people. Think about it -- yes, they may be working the system, but they probably have been conditioned that way since childhood, and they will always live hand to mouth. It's not as if they will bust out with a 100k job & suddenly see the light.

Someone I'm close to who has busted his hump his entire life just found out his bonus amount for this year: roughly $250k. He's a liberal guy & grouses mildly about all the deadbeats he probably supports with his taxes, but ask him whether he would like to trade places.

aircooled4 · 02-21-2009, 11:37 AM

This all kinda reminds me of 'Christmas Vacation' ...Cousin Eddy hasnt worked in 7 years because hes 'holding out for a management position' !

StevenG · 02-21-2009, 04:48 PM

It isn't politics, and it isn't generational, its an attitude. I know older folks and younger folks with that "entitlement" attitude, and heaven help them, because the day is coming they're in for a rude awakening... us taxpayers have only so much $$ before we're broke too. Wasn't it Margaret Thatcher who said Socialism only works until you run out of the other person's money?
Steven

Silvertwinkie · 02-21-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53flyingcloud

Did I hear correctly that, the UP of MI has a "First Nation" driven economy based upon the tribal Casino?

More than you ever wanted to know about DA U.P.:

Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

mutcth · 02-21-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullydogsmom

Next morning we arrived at our garage where we have the Airstream inside a heated garage, makes it nice for working

!

It IS a nice garage.

It's probably warmer than my drafty mid-century-modern house.

That's shocking - $2000 cash (meaning probably tax free.) It's what, about $85 a foot, and you're paying for the expensive polish and buffer?

I wonder if your neighbor is sinking into some sort of depression and would just rather wallow in his misery - but that might be giving him too much credit.

Tom

53flyingcloud · 02-21-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

More than you ever wanted to know about DA U.P.:

Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, I agree...this is what I found.

Casinos

American Indian casinos contribute to the tourist attractions and are popular in the U.P. Originally the casinos were simple, one-room affairs. Some of the casinos are now quite elaborate and are being developed as part of resort and conference facilities, including features such as golf courses, pool and spa, dining, and rooms to accommodate guests.

Bay Mills Resort & Casino - Brimley
Island Resort & Casino - Bark River
Kewadin Casinos - Christmas; Hessel; Manistique; St. Ignace; Sault Ste. Marie
Kings Club Casino - Brimley
Lac Vieux Desert Casino - Watersmeet
Ojibwa Casinos - Baraga; Marquette
Since the UP is listed as the 10th most traveled tourist destination in the world..
I assume the Casinos are equally popular spots.
Thanks~!

**Stefrobrts** · 02-21-2009, 06:42 PM

You can't go far in the NW without running across a Casino, and most of them are pretty big. Isn't it like that everywhere?

The PO of my trailer told me how he'd travel cross country to International without paying a single night for camping, just stay in casinos and walmarts the whole way. I've managed to avoid both so far!

Ganaraska · 02-21-2009, 08:50 PM

I know a guy nominally self employed who has not worked since July. Some con man promised to get him a shady loan for $250,000 by paying $12,500 up front.

He was supposed to get the money in August. Since then they have put him off a few days at at time. Something unexpected always comes up to stymie the loan.

At the present time his phone is cut off, his credit cards are so far behind they don't even call anymore, they were supposed to cut off his electricity on Monday, and he is 4 months behind in his mortgage payments.

He still refuses to go to work because he is going to get $250,000 tomorrow.

I told him his plan was financially unsound.But he still thinks he is going to ge t the money any day.

If you ask me he is bat **** crazy.

fastrob · 02-21-2009, 09:10 PM

I do not know about you people but I am going to get 3 stimulus checks.
As a disadvantaged, disabled person of dubious character I deserve it.
No doubt the money will be spent on the Airstream.
I mortgaged it for 10 times it value and now that my job as an investment banker is in doubt I can apply for you taxpayers to subsidize the mortgage.
Sorry that this will probably bankrupt the grandchildren but oh well, I am in the majority now.
The Airstream will be polished by illegal aliens, they work cheaper, harder you know.
I will also get the upholstery done in something gaudy, a little tacky, but good.
I only travel in the best circles so most of you people would never see me or my girl friends.
Remember, it is not a republic any more, it is democracy rules now with 51% of the vote.
Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Happy Airstreaming!

SilverPal · 02-21-2009, 10:17 PM

You guys just make my day

Thanks for sharing your wit & charm!

danalee · 02-22-2009, 06:27 AM

Your son is a good example that not all young folks are like the guy you were talking about. We should try to dwell on the positive example rather thanthe negative. I think we are about to see things start to turn in the right direction-it took us awhile to get in this shape-just like dieting, its going to take us awhile to get out of it. In the long run I believe the folks who aren't willing to put forth the effort, will be the losesrs.