It Was Supposed To Be About His Book | JD Vance #493 | The Way I Heard It

My mother said if I didn’t go to college, I would amount to nothing. I did not go to college. I went to work for my dad in the printing business. 46 years later, I am still in the printing business and turning 65 in 4 months. I took this opportunity and made it my passion. I’ve studied, researched, read, experimented and to this day, I work at doing and knowing more. Sorry mom. I believe I amounted to something.

Great discussion. Just a discussion. No arguments. No attitudes. Just discussion and listening on both sides. Where has that gone?? Thanks for showing it is possible.

Well done Mike. Great interview and it was nice to hear a political figure actually answer the questions that were asked.

A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. Louis Nizer

I'm 78. I still remember my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Whitney, telling us to bring to class, a D battery, a coffee can, tin snips, some flashlight bulbs, nails, copper wire and 3 squares of plywood. By the end of class, we had made three electrical circuit boards; one Direct Current, one Alternating Current and lights connected in a Series. Being a girl, I was amazed that we were expected to complete our project just the same as the boys. And a great respect for electricians was born; as well as the satisfaction of making an invention with our own hands.

I spent 28 years at Bath Iron Works building ships for the United States Navy and now I'm a high school welding instructor. Many of my students go to the shipyard and are making between 65 and 90,000 that first year out of high school. They're building the ships that protect America's freedom and they're getting paid well for it. They have a pride that a college person just couldn't understand.

I have an 18-year-old nephew who is about to start his senior year of high school. He failed first grade, and struggled for years academically. But he has always been a hard worker and good with his hands. His school district has a program in conjunction with the local community college that provides training in the trades for high school students. It's like dual enrollment, but for the trades. He has learned welding, operating a backhoe, and a number of other things. Now he has a job at Home Depot working in the outdoor department, that he absolutely loves. He will call and ask to come to work when he's not scheduled. And they usually let him because he's such a good worker. He's using the skills he has learned in this program. And every time he earns a new certification, Home Depot gives him a dollar raise. He's earning $21 an hour as a high school student. AND, now he's doing well academically too! I'm so proud of him and so excited for his future. I hope more communities start these kinds of programs.

When in my 30s, I told my grandmother that I decided to go to college she said “Okay but don’t become an educated idiot.” I thought that both gentlemen would appreciate hearing that gem from my grandmother. Have a beautiful day.

My dad...never graduated from high school, never went to college, he was an upholstered. Had his own business. My mom had a high school diploma and she was driven to prove to her parents and siblings that she and my dad could work hard and have a blessed life. The believed by hard work and honoring God with the first fruits of their labor they would be blessed. They ended up owning 4 homes in Southern Calif. They lived very modestly and were very humble. But they were proud of themselves for their work ethic and also helping others throughout their lives. I'm so proud of them to this day ❤

My IT job paid me over $100k a year. No degree, no college. I drilled wells and irrigation at age 15 and 16. Moved into Solar Hot Water and plumbing at age 16 and 17. Took electrical in high school. Worked on cars. All of this because I was poor. Joined the military at 18 to one, break the cycle of poverty, food stamp reliance, and two, to learn a different skill. Helicopter mechanic. That skilled started my life and family. As Mike said, DIB (Defense Industrial Base). It taught me one skill that led me to learn the IT side within the DIB. Forever grateful to my Dad for teaching me those blue collar life skills early on. Struggling young man with a young wife, a baby on the way at age 21, and a new house with a 10% mortgage. Yes, 10%! Those skills he taught me forever changed my life. I easily saved another $100K and counting by not paying someone else to do what a man should be able to do for himself and his family. Learn these skill to be self reliant and self sufficient. Don't be a victim.