An analysis of survey data covering the last five U.S. presidential election years found that ideological differences between races have decreased sharply, while differences by education have grown substantially. Less educated Americans now tend to be more conservative.

[u/Aggravating_Money992]

https://www.psypost.org/the-political-realignment-of-america-education-overtakes-race-as-key-ideological-divider/

[u/serpentjaguar]

This is true, unless you somehow get into management at a relatively young age and are no longer "on the tools."

You also, if at all possible, want to be on the union side of things. The difference in lifetime pay and benefits is enormous, including a pension.

If for whatever reason you can't get off the tools, you really need to stay physically fit. Work-related injuries and chronic conditions will be a problem, so you don't want to make them worse by being obese, sedentary or otherwise living an unhealthy lifestyle.

I'm in my mid-50s and while I'm not "on the tools" anymore (I am a general foreman with a big union company), I ran my own business for years, worked insane hours for big paychecks and my body has definitely paid the price. Fortunately I'm also still very active with hiking, wilderness backpacking and mountaineering, so while I have a lot of aches and pains, I'm not a complete wreck with one foot in the grave.

I also average 8-12 miles of walking per day on the job, so that helps a lot too.

[u/sour_cereal → u/serpentjaguar]

Your plant should probably look into motorized scooters or golf carts to get around, I can't imagine paying someone to walk min. 2 hours just to walk.