Diesel Fitter - It's all about jobs. Cousins Paddy and Mick

There is nothing in the least bit funny about the state the American economy. Unemployment has surged past 10%. In Europe things are worse and the idiot politicians want to make America more like Europe.

Ireland's Celtic Tiger Economy has been put down, like the cat I owned that used the baby's crib as a litter box.

Two cousins of mine from the once economically robust County Kerry(Farranfore and Scartaglen townships - the suburbs of Castleisland) visited briefly after a two years in Canada and have now departed in search of work in Mexico as bartenders.

Paddy Scanlon and Mick Prendergast are healthy and tough young lads -graduates of Meanscoil Phadraig Naofa, Castleisland and played for the Castleisland Desmonds (GAA) football club. They worked for Kerry Ingredients,Ltd. in Listowel in the powdered cheese division, but were laid off in 2006. Subsequently the two went to Dublin and later Liverpool as laborers. Their economic fortunes tanked and they sought brighter horizons far over the foam. They went to Canada in 2008.

Once in Newfoundland, Mick and Paddy worked on fishing trawlers and in local industry, but Dame Fortune smiled not on the likely lads and, sad to relate, which they did, nevertheless;it was time for unemployment insurance to pay them back.

Paddy Scanlon & Mick Prendergast worked together in St. John's, Newfoundland and were both laid off.

So off they went to the unemployment office together.
When asked his occupation, Paddy answered, "Panty Stitcher. I sew da elastic onto ladies cotton panties and tongs".

The clerk looked up panty stitcher on his computer and finding it classified as unskilled labour, and gave him $80.00 a week unemployment pay.

Mick was next in, and when asked his occupation, replied, "Diesel Fitter". Since a diesel fitter was a skilled job, the clerk gave Mick $160.00 a week.

When Paddy found out he was furious. He stormed back into the office to find out why his cousin and co-worker was collecting double his pay.

The clerk explained "Panty Stitchers are unskilled and Diesel Fitter's are skilled labourers".

"What skill?" yelled Paddy. "I sew da elastic on da panties and tongs; Mick puts 'em over his head and says: 'Yep, diesel fitter ..........'"

In the words of Slappy White,"The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you're on the job."