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hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: Being Poor... ( discuss ) (6/9/2008 4:03:49 PM)
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Worker's Comp is elective in Oklahoma like it is in Texas. As a sole proprietorship, I don't feel like it's something that I need. I have both business liability and homeowner's that would cover him (as a guest in my home, where my business is run) should something happen to him due to accident. I'm damned unlikely to sue Myself for an accident - wouldn't make much sense to do so, would it?
What the kid wants Is to learn. He came to me and suggested this arrangement with his mother's consent after talking to her about it. (His dad wasn't consulted because his dad isn't part of his life.) His mom actually Appreciates the fact that someone in a better position than her is willing to do something with him. I didn't go to them and suggest an apprenticeship, and when he broached the subject I told him flat out that the business isn't making enough money to pay him. He's ok with that and Asked to do this, because money isn't the point of him being here - learning and experience ARE. He spends about 6 or 7 hours a week with me. He has not been allowed yet to make anything that gets offered for sale because until he has learned more About my business - I can't guarentee that what he's made is up to the standards that I set. I maintain a pretty high bar as far as standards go, and it takes time and practice to reach that bar - practice that he wouldn't be able to afford the supplies for at home. He isn't under a contract or formal apprenticeship program, so legally I guess I shouldn't even refer to him as an "apprentice". On the Strictly legal side, he's a teenager who hangs out in my shop with parental consent, learning things under my guidance, and gets his hands dirty with the practical Doing of things. Not much difference there from a teenager who enjoys hanging out with a shadetree mechanic and learns how to work on cars that way - but who isn't getting paid to turn a wrench. He is a LOT more to me than "free labor" despite what you'd like to think. He's my godson, my friend, and a good kid who revels in seizing opportunities. I do a lot more with him than simply teach him a skill. I tutor him in school classes that he's having trouble with, I give him advice on practical issues in life when he asks for it, and I'm someone that he knows he can turn to when he's down about school or the process of growing up or life in general. I'm sure as hell not going to quit teaching him - or letting him gain proficiency in the skills I teach him - simply because someone gets a bug up their rump about it based on their personal dislike of me.
It can't be both ways, folks. We can't whine about the plight of the poor, and then turn around and rail because an opportunity is being offered to help someone ultimately not be poor. We don't live in a black and white world - as you yourselves have been quick to point out concerning the circumstances of those who are poor during this very thread. You want me, and others, to acknowledge that it's not all one way or another - but at the same time expect to reserve to yourself the right to view things as either one way or another? You wanna call something hypocritical - THAT is hypocritical. And just as an FYI - I'm not a republican, nor am I a member of the GOP - I'm actually Registered as a Democrat, since Oklahoma law only allows those 2 parties to vote in Primaries, otherwise I would be registered as Independant. I have never and will never vote based on party line for ANY political party - I vote my conscience dependant upon the issues and a candidate's established record.
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