Reply #74: Yep. Why address the system when you can set the peons at each others throats?

[wickerwoman]

When was the last time you saw a paper-boy who was under 18? I bet the average age of McDonalds workers has increased by 5-10 years since 1970.

That's not because older people are "stealing" jobs from younger people or are "holding on" to their crappy jobs. It's because they lost higher paying jobs and are being crushed in with the 16 year olds.

And sorry, but if you're 55 and have limited savings, a mortgage to pay, incipient health problems and very likely family members to support, you *need* two or three of those shitty service jobs just as much if not more than a teenager living at home.

But it's the fact that that 55 year old needs to work 2 crummy part-time service jobs that we should be addressing. Not who deserves them more.