J. Bradford DeLong

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: space-age factory closed. Downey still looking for its new rocket to the middle class. They are not coming back

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: in 81% of counties, median income lower than in 2000. Bob retired in 2005, making $25/hr, good pension

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: when Rockwell won Space Shuttle contract, 24-hour party thrown by Rockwell. 200K aerospace wkrs in LA County

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: *Before* 2008 the decade of the 2000s looked to be worst job creation decade ever.

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: Ed Greene in Carolina—road crew/ballpark janitor—employee of the year. Once held middle-class job. Now 2 LC

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: jobs lost have been easily outsourced, mechanized—overwhelmingly middle-skill jobs “hollowing out”

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: abandoned union New York bus-driving job to care for mother with cancer. “If I can’t make what I need hourly…”

#uoeconforum @jimtankersley: Ed and wife work 110 hrs/week to make a middle-class income of 25 years ago. Expects to retire 14 yrs @ 68