Hi Macwire:
Before I make a couple of observations regarding what you have written, let me tell you a little about myself. When I was a kid, it was always my intention to be an electrician when I grew up. When I went to college, somehow my path changed and I wound up receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree 29 years ago and went to work at a small two- year junior college as an audio-visual media specialist, the job I have to this day. I honestly feel that my degree has done nothing to prepare me for the work I do now.

I occasionally overhear "colleagues" at my place of work berating blue-collar workers in one way or another, sometimes saying horrible things about them. And I have heard the same stereotypical descriptions of being "hard-drinking, loud-mouthed, [and] ignorant," along with a few other descriptions that I would not use in any kind of company, polite or otherwise. But one thing that I notice about my "colleagues" who hurl these insults about, is that these highly degreed people (with masters degrees and doctorates...with noses pointing skyward to match [Linked Image])is that they do not come close to having the same kind of honest, get-down-and-get-to-work work ethic that the vast majority of blue collar workers possess. At my college workplace, I find myself "identifying" far easier with the good people on our maintenance staff - housekeepers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, groundskeepers, and so on. These are the people who have a good work ethic, they put their hearts into anything that they do, and they do it with a much greater spirit of cooperation and comradery than any of the "higher level" employees. I have no doubt that any of these people could have gone to college, received a degree and gone to work in some higher paying situation, but for one reason or another, they simply did not. And I certainly would not be presumptuous enough to pass judgement on these people. They are fine people, they excel in their work, and I consider them my friends.

Anyone who would look down their nose at these honorable people needs a swift kick to bring them back to reality!

BTW, I kick myself every day for not following through with my original career plan...I guess that's one of many reasons why I enjoy this forum so much - the ability to be around you workers.

Mike (mamills)