At least we're not at the Slawson Cutoff.

Getting the PROPER education in these changing times is the key. SHORTY was right. A college education doesn't insure you'll have a career. There's nothing wrong with college, there's just not that much offered to as many people in regards to the "age" we're in now. People need to understand (many close their eyes to it) it's time to re-shape the thought process as to how to earn a decent income in the future. The future is now. It's called humbling one's self to the new information needed to educate one's self on how to prosper in this age we've entered. It all boils down to hunger and the willingness to change.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Shorty I am doing just fine.

DUH???? I don't work at GM I do have a college education in the medical field, and perhaps I could offer you the name of a good therapist, it is apparent that you two need help. Best of luck to you if you ever enter my office.

His name is Matt Foley. Now, he's been down in the basement eating NoDoz for the about the last 4 hours.

If your out of work. riding four-wheelers or obtaining an education. I would put all my bets on obtaining an education. The market is bad now. It will get better in the future. So keep saying "doesn't gurantee you ANYTHING" Let me know how that works for ya.

An education today doesn't gurantee you ANYTHING!!! Talk to any college grad lately and they will testify the same. And if you think it's easy raising a family on McDonald's wages you must be the motivational speaker we all need to listen to. I can smell the coffee, jvldude!!!! can you?????

You'll have plenty of time to live in a Van down by the river when ... you're livin' in a VAN down by the RIVER!

dude must be a motivational speaker. He lives in a van down by the river.

Hard work and determination. People who make excuses about why not to get an education are just plain lazy and unmotivated

As someone recently pointed out to me... As property owners we are paying $70million, I believe, in improvements to Parker and Craig. Now enrollment is going to be down by a significant amount due to people having to move out of Janesville to find other jobs. Jobs that they lost at GM, or at one of the many other businesses affected by Gm's decision to close.

Go on the internet or get a copy of the Fri/Sat/Sun August 1-3,2008 USA Today. Read the front page article on state and local government boosted spending at 7.8% in just the second quarter over 2007 while revenue only rose 2.5%. "State and local spending has been rising three times as fast as revenue amid warnings from governors that their finances are nearing crisis stage". It is emergency time right now for the Janesville city fathers to start cutting spending before the GM crisis hits. You can't keep spending like janesville does and expect that revenues are going to raise. City government needs serious cutting and stop spending on more land for the city, hiring retired workers for part time jobs instead of those in need of employment. Stop sending two and three garbage trucks around the city when it can be done with one. Conduct a time study on all city employees and look for ways to cut. When the incomes continue to decline the city can't continue to expect to simply raise taxes to pay three city workers to stand and watch one or two do the work. They should all be productive or eliminate the position. If the foreman can't use a shovel or equipment you don't need him or her. It's crunch time before the storm is all I am saying. Be prepared, proactive instead of reactive all the time. Demand it taxpayers or you'll pay the higher price.

jvdude, just because one has a degree of some kind doesn't guarantee a "great" job. My husband has a bachelors degree in business. 2 years ago he wanted out of his job, applied ALL over and found it EXTREMELY difficult to even get an interview with companies that wanted 5-7 years experience. How does one get that type of experience? Going to college doesn't always mean you will find that great paying job you were educated for. Nowadays you need to look at job security etc.. There are no guarantees with ANYTHING these days.....

stevev - you are right there. I did go to college for 2 years but stayed with GM because at that time the economy was slow and I saw alot of people on the line with degrees. Everyone can have regrets, and wish to change things in their lives, but working at GM was not all bad. Yeah, the work sucked sometimes and it was hot. But I look at all the positives I had. I met alot of great people, had the money and time to help charities, and my family go great discounts on cars! Plus much more. What will hurt the most is having to see friends move away.

The thing I have found to be pretty surprising in talking to people who are losing their jobs at either GM, LSI, etc is how many of them actually do have post-high school education, whether tech school or college but still chose manual labor over a job in the field they studied in. Of course, there are many reasons why someone would have done this, whether schedule, benefits, or whatever, but I wonder how many of them are regretting the decision now. And from what I hear, Blackhawk Tech and U-Rock have been flooded with applications.

If I worked at GM, I'd be looking to relocate. Since I don't work for GM, I'm looking for ways to make the city a better place to live. One quick check of the ads in today's paper shows a large number of area firms that are hiring. Now - that is not hiring at the same pay and benefit rate as GM, but at least there are jobs out there.

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Milwaukeeman's bleak vision of the future is based on a pretty old view of Janesville as a "one horse town". Yes - the loss of the high paying jobs will hurt, and I'm sure some stores will close over the next few years. Stores close all the time. Still - there are several non-GM businesses in town that are doing well. The location of Janesville is another huge plus. Time to ditch the "We're not Madison" mantra and start pursuing the employers from that area.

Either way, you guys are in for some rough times. I wish you the best and hope that you *can* rebuild the city.

This whole thing is terrible for the economy of both the city and the state. There were several comments that imply that this situation will only affect GM workers, which simply isn't the case. This will decrease city funding, leading to less funding for schools, *and* the city/state funded medical institutions. That is, even the "educated" people in Janesville are in deep trouble. And when professionals suffer, the service industry also suffers. Expect stores to close down, businesses to move, and professionals to relocate. And when they (GM workers, service workers, and professionals) want to move to a better place, expect property values of homes to be worth less. Who would want to move _to_ Janesville right now? The population in Janesville is going to shrink, and the people left who can't sell their homes or have no where else to go are going to suffer.

I second that post, unidentified! Janesville is not in a rebuilding mode yet. So if someones intent was to still work in this area, going to school is not a lock for a local job. Everyone has different criteria for making a decision, so there isn't just one RIGHT answer for all.

Anyone with over 30 years senority should consider taking the next and possibly final buyout. The real purpose of these offers are to ensure ratification of the reopening of the UAW contract, which is right around the corner,Wages,vaction, holiday and sunday double time will be on the table.along with everything else. GM is in much more trouble than the UAW is telling its members, and will do what is necessary to hopefully keep it out of bankruptcy, and soon!

Rebuild the city with what? Start new careers in what? Many of the management jobs in this town were also related to GM or suppliers. Getting an education doesn’t guarantee anything right now. Most of jobs available in Rock County are medical related. After that, there isn’t much selection and even Mercy is cutting back. Leadership seems to turn a blind eye to this fact, maybe because they just don’t have answers, but it doesn’t change the truth. There seems to be absolutely no sense of urgency from the Governor down to local officials, which means either GM is staying (and they know, but can’t say anything) or they are completely clueless on how to proceed. It’s easy to tell all these people to get an education and move on from GM or a related supplier, Janesville has a diverse economy, we don’t need GM, and so on, but talk is cheap and I’m not buying.

My definition of a loser is someone who kicks others when they are down. Sound familiar, dude?
These people are going through a major life change and many decisions that affect families and communities. Yes, many others have been in the same boat, but have not had as many people trying to sink that boat like there is here in Janesville. They say misery loves company - so all the negative people here must be overjoyed that someone else is at a low point in their life too.

Janesville will be in a terrible state without GM. Look for lean times ahead, folks.

The fork is sticking in GM.

What will they rebuild it WITH. No one put a sign outside your city saying "only GM". For some reason they don't want to go there. The whole state, for that matter. Face it you live behind the "Cheddar Curtain".

How about GM workers get an education and work their way though another career like most of us have

Cardtrader, let us all hope that you have one heck of a deck so you don't ever have to deal with having to relocate etc. Sounds plain and simple that you are a very unhappy person. What a shame.

I hope they all leave so we can start rebuilding this town