Fight or Flight in the USA

What will it be?

The term used for years was brain drain.

It referred to the phenomena of (usually younger) people leaving their familiar places they grew up in for greener pastures, where they could thrive by finding greater opportunities. They were taking their knowledge and skills away because of various reasons, from lack of opportunity to unrest in the local marketplace.

In my own experience, this was strongly seen in the last few decades in Louisiana, where the brain drain was quite acute. I remember a commercial for a politician there where it was pointed out that many of the newly minted college graduates were the next day put on planes and road trips to other states by their families.

The most often cited reason? Lack of opportunity in the state. Staying would mean a long period of unemployment and job search, if a job was found at all.

This didn’t just happen in Louisiana, but around the country at different times as well. Texas had a huge influx of people seeking new chances from the “Rust Belt” states as manufacturing jobs there began to dry up. It caused such a disturbance among the locals that bumper stickers were printed up targeting the newcomers: “Welcome to Texas. Now go home.” The 1980s were a fun time for all in the Lone Star state.

That kind of attitude is nothing new. We saw it in the Dust Bowl years when large groups of people uprooted themselves and headed to California and other points West. Eventually, things settled down and an equilibrium was restored after a period of unrest.

But what happens when their “grass is greener” spot to head for is no longer in your home country at all?

Before you dismiss this out of hand, consider the current climate in this nation as we head towards the elections over the next two years. The pandemic mismanagement has idled thousands of workers, many of whom won’t be going back to their old jobs for varying reasons. Companies have closed or seriously downsized operations, and one-time work considered “layoff proof” has been found to be illusory.

People are losing homes at an alarming rate, too, with the end of government programs that offered a minimum of help. Minimum seems to be the US default position at this time.

Where do those folks and their children go to look for opportunity as doors close on them?

Overseas. Especially if they speak languages other than English and can assimilate into THAT workforce.

Don’t believe me? Wait and see.

The next ten years will be telling for the American workforce trying to find work within our borders. Not because of immigrants taking their jobs, but the fact that the jobs are no longer there at all.

Fight or flight? What will YOU do to survive?