Hard Unemployment Truths About "Soft" Skills Hi, Folks,   I read a (another!) depressing article in yesterday's WSJ. We've heard for a long time that the U.S. workforce lacks enough people with such needed skills as math, science, technology, computer aptitude, and problem solving. But this article plumbed several manufacturing and human resource employment groups to learn more about skill shortages, and discovered some dismaying data.   I shall paraphrase and condense for brevity.  Representatives were asked, "What exactly are the skills you can't find?" One of the reps looked sheepishly around the room and responded, "To be perfectly honest....we have a hard time finding people who can pass the drug test." They added that applicants are often so under-qualified that just finding someone who could properly answer the telephone was sometimes a challenge. Many employers said they would be happy just to find applicants who have the sort of "soft skills" that used to be taken for granted....qualities like interpersonal skills, enthusiasm/motivation; simple grammar and spelling ability, professionalism, and work ethic.  Employers complained it is harder today to find "punctual, reliable workers," and those who have acceptable social discipline, never mind high-level qualifications like the ability to write computer code or operate complex graphics software -- although those are in short supply also.   After watching the so-called "professionals" on parade during the recent Chicago teachers' strike, and the daily examples in the media of our collapsing communities, the erosion of intact families, the focus on materialism, the abandonment of religious and moral values, and the general dumbing-down of America, is it any wonder that we have so many young people who lack the basics for economic and social success?   the full article is on page A15.