[fabsroman]

Wolvie,

I think you are mistaken about blue collar workers not being able to have a rich life. One of my brothers graduated high school with a 0.9 gpa and went to work at a body shop washing cars while he failed out of junior college/decided it wasn't for him. A spot opened up as a painters helper in the body shop and he took it. About 6 months later he moved to another shop as a painters helper and within a year he was promoted to painter. Within two years he became the head painter. He makes about $100,000 a year. My other brother took almost the same route. They both started on the wash rack at the same dealership but the other brother went to college for 5 years before deciding that he was never going to be able to pass enough classes to get a degree. So, he started working in the office as a helper. 7 years ago he was making $38,000 a year, now he is making $160,000 a year.

Sometimes, I wonder why I went to college, took the CPA exam, went to law school, and took the bar exam because there has only been a single year where I made over $100,000. I believe a lot in life has to do with luck and what you want out of life. I know I could do either job that my brothers do, and probably do it better than them, but I just do not want to do that type of work. So, I sit here thinking that I got the shaft because they make more than me. In essence, it is my choice.

Bottom line is that a lot of blue collar workers make a pretty good living nowadays because nobody wants to do that kind of work. A good, honest, home improvement contractor can make a fortune because it is very tough to find one. It all has to do with supply and demand.