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JonLP24

(29,322 posts)

139. Hopefully there are new opportunities

Reply to Fast Walker 52 (Original post)

Sat Aug 20, 2016, 03:06 PM

Aug 2016

But that isn't always the case.

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Why do coal miners want to continue working such a horrible, dirty job? [View all] Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 OP

An income is a significant motivator True Dough Aug 2016 #1

Yes, and they should be compensated for their hardship Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #5

But there's no guarantee that those people eased out of their jobs will have another job. Lars39 Aug 2016 #37

There is no land for new jobs to be created on. n/t X_Digger Aug 2016 #81

you mean the lung diseases associated with it lame54 Aug 2016 #56

Yeah, lung disease has long been known to be a risk of a coal mining career True Dough Aug 2016 #75

When you start at 18 and at 54 the government shuts down the mine yeoman6987 Aug 2016 #104

But not with the frequency and severe see of coal miners cap Aug 2016 #117

I'm sure not but that's up to the miner to accept the risk and nobody else. yeoman6987 Aug 2016 #123

It's good to have choices. JustABozoOnThisBus Aug 2016 #128

And nobody's handing out money to move, either. X_Digger Aug 2016 #79

All good points True Dough Aug 2016 #83

It is related. Grew up in coal country, picketed for the UMWA. X_Digger Aug 2016 #86

I have no answers for you True Dough Aug 2016 #91

Our young kinds once did the same thing w/ Detroit & the midwest for factory jobs. X_Digger Aug 2016 #93

It is a sacrifice working far from home True Dough Aug 2016 #95

You say you "can understand their fear of losing their jobs." enough Aug 2016 #2

I'm sure it's a great fear, but there are alternatives to supporting Trump Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #4

I have friends and family that used to work... Blanks Aug 2016 #138

They should have good jobs selling phone cases and sunglasses at the beach FrodosPet Aug 2016 #3

there are better options, and Hillary has a fairly well thought out plan Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #6

"Google’s plans to build a data center on the site of a recently closed coal plant in Alabama..." EL34x4 Aug 2016 #144

They probably do realize coal mining is on way out, but they hold on. And it's a GOPer state. Hoyt Aug 2016 #7

It pays big money in areas where there's no jobs for common joe. ileus Aug 2016 #8

Thanks for the insight. You're not worried about climate change? Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #23

And what is it that you do? Brickbat Aug 2016 #9

Why is it relevant? Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #25

Oh, I was just going where many other posters took you before I could get back to this. Brickbat Aug 2016 #164

You have to be kidding - it's a dying industry womanofthehills Aug 2016 #178

Yeah and I'm sure.. cannabis_flower Aug 2016 #10

I think people underestimate how little flat land there is for 'new industry'. X_Digger Aug 2016 #84

At that time, there were other industries to go to yeoman6987 Aug 2016 #107

It's all that many of them have known. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #11

true... Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #26

Some people work hard, some people work smart. People aren't all the same; there are differing underahedgerow Aug 2016 #12

Smart people get the best-paying jobs they can XemaSab Aug 2016 #17

Sometimes. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #19

Well, I think we can safely say it's not the influencers and tech moguls who support trump underahedgerow Aug 2016 #20

I disagree. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #24

Trump doesn't have a job. He's a con man, and that's not a job. No one would hire him or underahedgerow Aug 2016 #33

+1 TexasMommaWithAHat Aug 2016 #44

Agree about Trump. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #45

Why did you feel repulsed? n/t MicaelS Aug 2016 #55

They repulsed me because I considered their extreme love affair... Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #59

That is a better explanation. MicaelS Aug 2016 #63

I majored in math and physics. Let me put it this way... Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #73

Sure I understand. n/t MicaelS Aug 2016 #74

This is why I really hate the BS neo-liberal "education and retraining" talking points. Odin2005 Aug 2016 #102

They chose that over becoming stock brokers, a more horrible, dirty job. rug Aug 2016 #13

LOL, true Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #27

We propose much we offer little dembotoz Aug 2016 #14

True, that is a huge problem... but still, Trump? Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #29

Would not be my choice but I understand it dembotoz Aug 2016 #50

I live in an old coal mining area in England T_i_B Aug 2016 #15

It started in Britain because they invented the Lathe FreakinDJ Aug 2016 #30

Can't make cannons without bronze or iron, and after you've cut down all your trees... hunter Aug 2016 #70

And if you invent the steam engine.... T_i_B Aug 2016 #76

Swing and a miss - Lathes meant you could make cannons from STEEL FreakinDJ Aug 2016 #100

Coal and Steel go hand in hand T_i_B Aug 2016 #101

Hate to say it but Nuclear Energy is the only way to clean up steel production FreakinDJ Aug 2016 #113

Can it make steel cheaper than China can recycle scrap metal? T_i_B Aug 2016 #121

You still have to smealt it and China does it with coal FreakinDJ Aug 2016 #134

"Mystery Metal" is what's depressing steel prices right now T_i_B Aug 2016 #159

You absolutely described get the red out Aug 2016 #60

In some areas its the only high paying job around Travis_0004 Aug 2016 #16

"why doesn't somebody on welfare just get a higher paying job". EL34x4 Aug 2016 #64

I think a thread like this is good now and then. Not everyone knows everything or has the underahedgerow Aug 2016 #71

its a job...can't fault any one for wanting to work even though its not a great job beachbum bob Aug 2016 #18

Yep. Coal not dole. SMC22307 Aug 2016 #118

Looks like an image from the 1984 Miners Strike T_i_B Aug 2016 #122

Yep. Was he pro-Thatcher or just anti-Scargill? (n/t) SMC22307 Aug 2016 #127

He was somewhere to the right of Ghengis Khan T_i_B Aug 2016 #131

LOL gotcha. (n/t) SMC22307 Aug 2016 #135

Please, get over yourself. AngryAmish Aug 2016 #21

Gee, thanks for the insight. The question is-- is money the only reason they want to keep doing Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #22

Yes. Coal mining sucks and children need to eat. AngryAmish Aug 2016 #39

"The pit and the people are one and the same." SMC22307 Aug 2016 #40

Money is why nearly everyone does any job. Codeine Aug 2016 #114

Because it's still better than working at Walmart FreakinDJ Aug 2016 #28

Thank you! get the red out Aug 2016 #61

It's all they know, generational. Avalux Aug 2016 #31

I like what you way mothra1orbit Aug 2016 #36

"...they feel betrayed by the country they helped build." SMC22307 Aug 2016 #49

Because there is no vision past coal liberal N proud Aug 2016 #32

and Hillary actually has a plan for them? Will they listen to it? Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #34

These guys have heard plan after plan none of which came to pass. bklyncowgirl Aug 2016 #42

Exactly dembotoz Aug 2016 #51

Yup, I keep in touch with relatives who still live in coal country. X_Digger Aug 2016 #97

They need proof that something is there and will work liberal N proud Aug 2016 #65

how many times can they be lied to..... dembotoz Aug 2016 #120

They are kept uninformed for a reason liberal N proud Aug 2016 #126

Coal is being fazed out Motley13 Aug 2016 #35

Coal is being fazed out - because gas is way cheaper womanofthehills Aug 2016 #154

That's kind of like asking why poor people in inner cities don't leave. TexasMommaWithAHat Aug 2016 #38

Good point. Or like asking poor AAs in Eastern North Carolina... SMC22307 Aug 2016 #53

Unfortunately, you can't create jobs all across the country TexasMommaWithAHat Aug 2016 #103

I live in coal country grubbs Aug 2016 #41

Dazzling naivete on your part. (nt) Paladin Aug 2016 #43

Thank you. cwydro Aug 2016 #47

That's for sure cali Aug 2016 #124

Because it's all they have. Adrahil Aug 2016 #46

We lived in a mining area of Indiana radical noodle Aug 2016 #48

Many coal jobs are union jobs which pay well. JonathanRackham Aug 2016 #52

Both my grandfathers were coal miners get the red out Aug 2016 #54

Post removed Post removed Aug 2016 #90

Sadly agree...nt jonno99 Aug 2016 #108

I've nothing against the men who do these jobs! It's about an industry that is dying and should die Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #163

I argue that we need new jobs get the red out Aug 2016 #165

I agree that new jobs are key. Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #167

Republicans block the message a lot get the red out Aug 2016 #170

What effing options?? Are you nuts? Yo_Mama Aug 2016 #57

Placing blame MadCrow Aug 2016 #96

<-- Great granddad was a UMWA organizer at War Eagle, Maetwan, and Yeager. :) n/t X_Digger Aug 2016 #98

The demand for coal has dropped by a third in the USA - the only option would be to export coal womanofthehills Aug 2016 #179

Fact: Coal is not "out of date". KittyWampus Aug 2016 #58

Can you expand on that? -nt Bradical79 Aug 2016 #171

It's out of date in the US, unless you want to pollute the world to export it womanofthehills Aug 2016 #180

This is without a doubt MicaelS Aug 2016 #62

Bingo. n/t QC Aug 2016 #66

The Democratic Party is rapidly becoming the party of educated white collar people on the coasts. Odin2005 Aug 2016 #105

It became that years ago. MicaelS Aug 2016 #110

I was scared to say that get the red out Aug 2016 #146

^^^ cwydro Aug 2016 #137

You have to be kidding - what about the flooding going on now in Louisianna womanofthehills Aug 2016 #181

Are you serious in asking? TransitJohn Aug 2016 #67

Check your (class) privilege. n/t QC Aug 2016 #68

to feed their families? DrDan Aug 2016 #69

Because they need the jobs Calculating Aug 2016 #72

I'm from Coal Country, and I picketed for the UMWA before I could walk. Have a seat. X_Digger Aug 2016 #77

Thanks for this. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2016 #85

Lumber used to be big there, too. X_Digger Aug 2016 #88

Flat land vs mountains cap Aug 2016 #119

There is flat land ... cap Aug 2016 #87

Mountain top removal is a nasty process, too. Both literally, ethically, and environmentally. X_Digger Aug 2016 #92

Trust me, I am not advocating mountain top removal cap Aug 2016 #115

I'm 45 minutes from Grungy as I type. ileus Aug 2016 #112

Health care is the other big one in my family. X_Digger Aug 2016 #145

In America, there are six jobs for every ten people lumberjack_jeff Aug 2016 #78

People need a way out of coal cap Aug 2016 #80

The part about transport is important T_i_B Aug 2016 #89

My grandfather was a Welsh coal miner. Boudica the Lyoness Aug 2016 #82

And this contempt for "dirty" jobs - it sucks, it's hurting the Dems badly. Yo_Mama Aug 2016 #94

It's a longstanding problem at DU. Codeine Aug 2016 #116

Yes. alarimer Aug 2016 #175

Because there will be no new well-paying jobs to replace the coal-mine jobs. Odin2005 Aug 2016 #99

Coal-fired power plants supplied 33% of the electricity demand stopbush Aug 2016 #106

However, demand for coal has dropped big time womanofthehills Aug 2016 #150

As I said, solar power was one half of one percent in the USA in 2015. stopbush Aug 2016 #156

It doe not have to be 1% - check out Germany womanofthehills Aug 2016 #182

Because there are no guarantees anyone will support them and their families while they look for work Agnosticsherbet Aug 2016 #109

Presumably because it's the only jobs they and their community have? LeftishBrit Aug 2016 #111

I don't think the Tories did think about solutions T_i_B Aug 2016 #130

Indeed LeftishBrit Aug 2016 #133

Some of the old pit villages have recovered well T_i_B Aug 2016 #136

What new options exist? HerrKarlMarx Aug 2016 #125

Talk About an Elitist Question OP lib87 Aug 2016 #129

I've known miners who were incredibly proud of what they did Warpy Aug 2016 #132

Hopefully there are new opportunities JonLP24 Aug 2016 #139

Where are those other Jobs ? they see their reality as coal jobs or no jobs JI7 Aug 2016 #140

What an insulting OP. former9thward Aug 2016 #141

It's what they have done their whole lives oberliner Aug 2016 #142

Ever consider that they might be proud of the hard work they do? Throd Aug 2016 #143

"Good healthy jobs" do not EXIST. Shandris Aug 2016 #147

My Dad was a Coal Miner in Bobtown Pa. (died of black lung) yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2016 #148

We are never going to reach these people standingtall Aug 2016 #149

Problem is - gas prices now are much lower than coal - womanofthehills Aug 2016 #153

Yeah natural gas is booming right now standingtall Aug 2016 #157

You use that word 'want' as if they have a choice. nt Rex Aug 2016 #151

They should all become college professors. ForgoTheConsequence Aug 2016 #152

LOL at "NPR tote bag"! Odin2005 Aug 2016 #173

In WV you can make way more as a miner than a college professor. hollowdweller Aug 2016 #177

Because they need to make a living and that's the only job skills they have davidn3600 Aug 2016 #155

I remember UnFettered Aug 2016 #158

I have nothing against the common man -- but the coal industry has to end Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #162

I honestly don't disagree with you. UnFettered Aug 2016 #168

We don't have to go cold turkey on coal Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #169

Maybe they could borrow money to start a business from their parents... That Guy 888 Aug 2016 #160

Real life responsibilities duncang Aug 2016 #161

Thinking like this is why Trump Rallies have overflow rooms. RagAss Aug 2016 #166

Not only that why do they continue to work for such horrible people? Initech Aug 2016 #172

If you have a HS education and can earn 100,000 a year in an area where the average wage is 15k hollowdweller Aug 2016 #176

Because it pays better than what has replaced it. alarimer Aug 2016 #174

Because they see it as honest work and nobody has offered an alternative Lee-Lee Aug 2016 #183