What's wrong with being a janitor?

In the most recent Republican debate in Myrtle Beach, SC, Juan Williams and Newt Gingrich got into a lively back and forth over comments that Gingrich had made concerning President Obama, food stamps and jobs. In Newt's response to Williams he further stated an example of how jobs could be created for young people. He suggested that, given the very high pay rate of janitors in New York that, if they were to reduce the number of janitors by just a few, that money could be paid to many more young unemployed people at a starting wage and help them to earn money, learn the benefit of a job and paycheck, and learn about the responsibility that comes with having to come to work on time and put in a full shift of work.

Somehow, Mr. Williams thought that suggestion was demeaning, especially to young African-Americans. I guess doing the job of a janitor is somehow beneath some people. Newt's comments drew a very rare, standing ovation.

When I was 15, my first job that provided an actual paycheck and eventual W2 form was working at a softball field one summer...I made a whopping $1.60 per hour; then minimum wage. My job was to pick up all the trash that remained from the previous evening's games, and to prepare the field for that night's games. The coolest part of the job was dragging the infield. During the interview, I was asked if I knew how to drive a stick shift vehicle. I lied and said of course I could. The ball field had an old, beat-up Volkswagen Beetle that was used to pull a small section of chain link fence in a circular pattern around the infield to smooth out the clay. That's how I learned how to drive a manual transmission. I mowed grass, striped the baselines and batter's boxes with chalk, and even built some new bleachers...pretty much everything. I was the only one there all day long. My boss told me that I could help myself to anything I wanted out of the concession stand behind the backstop. I learned that if I worked a vigorous pace, I could spend a good part of the day sitting in the small concession building drinking Fanta Grape soda and listening to the latest hits on the cheap AM radio. If I dragged the work out, well...less time to relax.

When my junior year of high school started in the fall, my next job was working in the motor pool at an Army Reserve Center. I worked in the afternoon after school from 1-5 since our school was doing double sessions and my school day ended at noon. That's where I learned about working with folks with all sorts of different personalities and opinions (I was the only young guy working there.) I also learned a few dirty jokes, how to make strong, black coffee and how to drive all of the vehicles there...jeeps, deuce and a half, and the big 10 ton trucks (essentially like the big over-the-road tractor-trailer truck on the highway.) I wasn't able to play sports or run track that year because I needed the job and couldn't do both.

Moving to Augusta for my senior year, my job on weekends was working as a janitor at the NCO Club at Fort Gordon. I pushed a broom, picked up trash, mopped and did just about any other menial task I was asked to do. By the way, minimum wage was still $1.60 per hour.

I never believed that any of those jobs were beneath me. Hey, I needed a job and was willing to take whatever I could get. I learned so much in that process. I also learned that I didn't want to do those types of jobs for the rest of my life.

I won't bore you with all the jobs I've had but my last employer hired me to work in a warehouse shipping out parts for a whopping $2.35 per hour. I retired from that company nearly 33 years later and was blessed to climb the ladder doing several different jobs, including 15 years as a VP. Not bragging....just illustrating the fact that we all have to start somewhere and for most, it is near the bottom of the ladder. Oh, and that metaphor is intentional...we learn that climbing is hard work.

But some believe that suggesting that someone do a janitorial or other menial job is insulting and demeaning. Wow, I never realized that I should have been insulted all those years. I was just thankful to have a job, a paycheck and an opportunity.

Get a job

Let me just proclaim up front that I am no economics expert. I spent many years in corporate America, about half of those years in an executive position, and have a pretty good idea of how large corporations operate and how they make business decisions. I have been a small business owner for almost 5 years and have learned (sometimes painfully) about what it takes to operate and try to grow your own business. Over my career I have hired and fired and laid off many people. Hiring people is pretty cool...the other two...not so much.

The President is going to give a speech later this week about his ideas for creating more jobs. I'm not sure why he has waited so long to release his plan. Like most of you, I will listen intently to what he has to say although I am not optimistic that he will present much that will actually be successful in creating more jobs. Again, I'm no expert but here's my opinion. Take it or leave it...

• Real job growth has to come from the private sector...that is the engine for job creation
• Adding government jobs is a stop-gap measure that, while providing some short-term relief, ultimately has a negative effect on our free market economy. However, this is the only way the Executive Branch can directly "create" jobs (assuming Congress will fund it,) but not a good reason to employ this strategy.
• The White House and Congress need to stimulate job growth by making the regulatory, monetary, trade and tax policy changes necessary that will create the incentive for businesses to move back down a path of spending with some confidence that the government is not going to do things that add to the inherent cost and risk of investing for the future. The White House seems to be in a punitive mode regarding business. It might satisfy some personal desire to "get back" at business but we all now are facing the consequences of that posture. Bashing business does nothing to enhance the economic environment. Helping businesses and workers that are non-union must carry as much priority as your union favorites.
• The passage of the "to hell with what they think" Obamacare has had a serious negative effect on the business world. Just look at what many companies say they are going to do...pay the penalties and drop their employer sponsored health plans. Of course, this fits well with the ultimate goal of the Democrats of a single-payer system. Those businesses that keep their health plans will be looking even more closely at their headcount.
• While we must provide some safety net, we have to be mindful that extended unemployment benefits, while keeping some people afloat, can do great harm to a person's psyche. The hope has to be in finding a job, not in getting an unemployment check. I have had people turn down jobs I offered because they could make as much, if not more staying home, watching TV and receiving a check. I was told, "if my benefits were about to run out, I'd probably take the job, but I'll just keep drawing unemployment as long as I can." I know most people probably don't have this mindset. But, the longer the benefit remains the more likely the person will eventually acquire this kind of attitude. This is a tough issue. I don't know the answer...more jobs is really the only answer. 
• It is going to take many years for the unemployment rate to drop to historically low levels...it may be never. The world has changed.
• The minimum wage should not have been changed. Minimum wage jobs are not intended to provide a living wage. Most of these jobs are targeted towards students, part time employees and the lowest skill level workers. Unfortunately, raising the rate hurts more than it helps.
• The progressive/liberal ideology that generates a particular view of "social/ economic fairness" has clouded, not only the view of the role of government, but has also made it convenient to stereotype the business community as greedy and evil. There has been and will always be parts of the business world that do really bad things and they need to be dealt with accordingly. But let's make sure the federal government isn't part of the problem by manipulating our very complex economy with unrealistic objectives such as home ownership for all. We see how that turned out.
• Overhaul the tax system. Period. I personally like the concepts of the Fair Tax but I'm open to anything that is better than what we have now....which would be just about anything. Neither party, however, wants to lose the power that is inherent in our current system. They can reward those they want to reward and punish those they want to punish...not a good system....completely corrupted. I doubt I will ever see this change in my lifetime without term limits.
• President Obama...give ONE speech where you do not blame our problems on the Bush Administration and where you do not attack the Republicans/ Tea Party/ Conservatives/ Talk Radio or any other group you disagree with. Do not talk as a partisan Democrat...talk like you are the President of the entire United States...because, at least for the next year or so...you are. Powerful, dynamic leaders have the ability to inspire others to do incredible things. Show us what you've got. But remember, it's not all about you or fulfilling your own personal agenda. It's about America and Americans. Be realistic but also be positive. In many ways, you set the tone.
• The reality is that some people do not like you and will never listen to you simply because you are black. They are ignorant, small  people and represent an insignificant portion of the population. They have always been around and, unfortunately, always will be. Those of us that do not agree with your policies resent being included in that group and are angered to be accused of being racist.

 President Obama, I continue to pray that God will grant you wisdom and courage to lead this nation. Millions of Americans need a job. Let's figure this thing out.