Maybe they could be people ask customers how they are doing and if you need help. Maybe society could invest in something besides just shopping.

I used to be a staunch conservative, but now I'm much more Libertarian-esque. My dad is a mechanic and my mom was a receptionist, so I did not grow up lavishly by any means. I put myself through trade school and college by working full time (making minimum wage) and getting student loans. I didn't get much as far as financial aid (maybe $1500) and I was a D student in high school, so I didn't get any grants, scholarships, etc. I know that a lot of people hate hearing about boot straps, but I didn't expect anyone else to take care of me, so I took my own future into my hands.

As far as the trades go, most of them are hurting for help so much that you could literally walk into your local business of choice and let them know you're interested in working. They will probably do on the job training, or like the company I work for, send you through college. The opportunities are out there, you just have to show initiative, and stop expecting someone else to take care of your life.

They fail to realize that if they want the public to buy their goods then the public needs a living wage in order to afford those items. I avoid the self checkouts.

Did you notice Wal Mart made a big deal over their bonuses and wage increase but not so much over the closure of their Sams Clubs and the elimination of jobs recategorized and given a lower pay rate which the eliminated employee could apply for. A hospital in Orange County CA pulled this when my brother worked there. Made them all start over as new employees and lost their seniority.

They...don't...care....Individual welfare - bad! Corporate welfare.....good! Even Adam Smith, the so-called father of capitalist free market economics, wrote the unrestrained capitalism will destroy itself it too successful. Modern conservatism, actually reactionary conservatism has more in common with religion than economics or political science. Faith.

Hmm. It seems to me conservatives are generally against welfare for people, but LOVE corporate welfare. I think they're less concerned at lower prices for the consumer and more concerned at maximizing profits; automation means lowering costs at the same price which increases profits.

This is why the idea of guaranteed income is starting to be floated around in more progressive countries. Don't think we're at that point yet, but just imagine when self-driving vehicles are ready to be rolled out in force. Every truck driver, delivery driver, and cab driver will be out of work.