>Tom,
>
>>With the attitude of American business aimed at making a specific profit for the next quarter, it is little wonder that other countries like Japan and others who have 20 year plans, have taken over many American manufacturing operations.
>>
>>It is all about instantaneous gratification. If the corporate profits do not meet expectations for the coming quarter, fire the CEO, give him/her their $120 million golden parachute, and hire another CEO. Simple.
>>
>
>Have you seen this?
>
>http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070504_002027.html
>
>While the article isn't ground shaking, the comments from inside the company are worth the read.

Good read.

On Saturday I had breakfast with my cousin in Sonora, California, with a group of his friends. Some of the friends were from the Bay Area, and were retired engineers from IBM, Lockheed, and other companies in our area. Everyone at the table was an engineer. We all told the same story about 1957 with the speech from President Eisenhower, after Sputnik was launched. Go to college, become an engineer or scientist, etc.

Well, everyone at that table did exactly that. No one told us about the politics from within a company or our own government controlling every aspect of what you do. No one mentioned how contracts would be canceled overnight and the layoffs that would result in your being out on the street. When they were though with us you hit the pavement.

We even discussed what is happening today. Things are very different. Anyone want to be an engineer? Where do you find a job? China? After being a member of the workforce for over 49 years it gets old.

I guess that all of this is why I have said for the last 17 years, it is all about survival. Good luck to all. Less than 10 months before I can collect full social security (without being penalized for working), and less than 18 days before I will receive my pension from Ampex. Then I will have to live in a third world country so I can afford to exist. :)

The real thrill I have about retirement is that my income will not pay the rent where I live. Not a good feeling. But then why worry? :)