Enough work to go around?(with statistics)

[Cassius23]

Good morning,

In a recent response to the post on a minimum income it was stated that one of the arguments for a minimum income was that because of automation there aren't enough jobs to go around.

The first statistic from the Census Bureau, that being the number of people in the US from 18-64, which is 190 million people. Of those approximately two million are unable to work due to some form of disability which leaves 188 million people.

Now, let's look at manufacturing. As per the following article(http://www.controleng.com/article/CA6567383.html) producing 750 cars per day is by no means unusual for an automotive plant and the same plant employs approximately 8,000 people. 200 such plants could produce a car for everyone in the world in 118 days and would employ...less than two million people. Most other manufacturing has similar numbers.

Let's look at the service industry for an alternative. One can get a job in fast food, but keep in mind that usually will be between 24-32k per year, depending on if you are an assistant manager, manager, or general manager.

I've heard it said that technical support can fill the gap(with an average turnover/burnout rate of six months), computer programming, or research. I'm not sure, honestly, how that can employ 188 million people or even a significant portion of that number.

So, discuss.

Cassius23

[Cassius23]

1. Anyone, maybe? Last attempt before letting the thread get buried..

N/M Bump