Kansas City Playlist: Show-Me Bitter 'Great Resignation' Push Back

The labor shortage sparked by the COVID pandemic has inspired homespun outcry among employers and a noteworthy public shaming effort. 

Accordingly . . .

We don't want TKC readers on the wrong side of this issue because of homespun, reactionary drivel. 

Fact is . . . 

IN A CAPITALIST SYSTEM, EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT, DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO HOLD OUT FOR THE BEST OFFER THEY CAN FIND!!!

Translation: If low end garbage employers want workers, they're going to have to pay for it. 

How much? 

As usual, whatever the market will bear. 

The reactionary response is that Prez Biden's stimmy and so-called "entitlements" are thwarting the capitalistic biz model. That might be believable if so many cash-rich companies didn't also earn an EPIC amount of corporate welfare

Like it or not, EVERYONE got their hands dirty with COVID stimmy. 

Even MAGA biz associates were spotlighted for taking government handouts. 

Spare us the pious partisan blathering from both sides: 

Adults understand that money has no politics. 

And so, in this context, we contend that a controversial billboard that recently garnered media attention was nothing more than a sales pitch for wage slaves. 

Southwest Missouri business owner collaborate on '"GET OFF YOUR BUTT! Get. To Work.' billboard

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KMOV.com) -- A billboard in southwest Missouri is making headlines across the state. The billboard reads: "GET OFF YOUR BUTT! Get. To Work. Apply Anywhere." Brad Parke, the general manager of Greek Corner Screen and Embroidery in Springfield, said he is trying to lock down employees like many other business owners.

Again, we don't deny that this is clever . . . But it's important to properly deconstruct this message . . . 

It's a sales pitch using shame in order to convince low-wage workers to trade their labor at rock bottom prices. 

As usual, most "journalists" miss the most clever part of the message . . . GET OFF YOUR BUTT! makes for a great headline but it's really the last word that's most important: 

"Anywhere." 

The term implies desperation and seeks to convince workers that their labor is an abundant commodity and not something that's growing increasingly scarce and now has rising value. The term "anywhere" attempts to persuade the public that the onus for solving the current labor shortage crisis falls upon the public rather than owners who hope to avoid paying higher wages.

And again . . . Since biz owners are making the pitch, their exigency is betrayed to anyone who stops to think about this message for more than a moment rather than submit to the sign at face value.

This isn't a debate over economics that usually takes care of itself . . . Rather, the semiotics clearly indicate that the "call to action" directed at the public is one of humiliation in order to devalue the labor market. 

It's easy enough to see that billboard is an insult to the working-class but the motive of the aspersion isn't just directed at low-wage workers . . . The ethos of the message dehumanizes anyone with the cajones chutzpah temerity to bargain, time the market and find a price that's most advantageous for their own self-interest. 

Biz owners speaking to the public like a bunch of lazy hipsters seemingly hopes that the workforce will focus on their own self-doubt rather that charging more for the value of their skills.

Selling labor "anywhere" is for suckers. 

Moreover . . .

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS UNSKILLED LABOR. 

A couple of low-end examples: 

Cleaning efficiently and thoroughly takes hard work and effort . . . Not every schmuck can consistently flip a tasty cheeseburger. 

Every job demands respect. 

People who labor "anywhere" are slaves and not valued employees. 

And again the context of ALL OF THIS is the ongoing "Great Resignation" wherein more people have decided to carefully direct their hard work . . .

The pandemic pushed millions of U.S. workers to join the 'Great Resignation.' Here's why

The September jobs report shows that the unemployment rate fell to 4.8% and job openings are at a record high with wages increased again last month, as companies tried to attract new employees. But more than 25 million people quit their jobs in the first seven months of this year.


New Report Reveals What Employees Will and Won't Tolerate at Work

After 18 months of uncertainty, stress, and adaptation on the job, employees know what they will and won't tolerate at work--and soaring resignation numbers are the result. That's the top-line finding of " The Great Resignation," Workhuman's fall 2021 international survey.


Nearly three-quarters of workers are actively thinking about quitting their job, according to a recent survey

Millions of Americans have quit their jobs, seeking new career opportunities or better pay. The Great Resignation isn't over yet; many people currently employed are considering quitting. According to a new report from Joblist, 3 in 4 current workers are actively thinking of leaving their jobs.

Again, we can only hope that readers will move beyond the headlines in order to more carefully consider the messaging directed their way. 

Accordingly . . . 

Tonight's www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist focuses on songs hoping to lure lovers back . . . Which is almost always a mistake for the person who decided to leave in the first place.  

A world-class dancing effort to win back affection . . . 

A 90s boy band repeats the same steps with limited success . . . 

Diva sings of destiny . . . 

Another classic effort to lure back a loved one . . . 

Finally, the king sings of coming back . . . 

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe and fun Saturday night.

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