About jobs - it has to be a part of the discussion that machines have replaced so many jobs. I don't even see with protectionism how there are really enough jobs to go around if you cut back to things that aren't entirely fluff in the economy.
Maybe part of the answer needs to be spreading around the work a little better - cutting hours instead of cutting workers. The government has a *lot* to do to pick up the benefits in that case, since only "full-time" workers get these in most cases. Kellogg's did this during the Great Depression - cut hours - and the workers were happier than they had been even though their pay was cut, most who had the option decided to keep the 30-hour lower pay plan even when offered more hours and higher pay. They still had benefits, though, even at 30-hours.
It just seems so stupid that we have all the goods to keep everyone fed, clothed, and sheltered, but our distribution system which is work and pay, is just breaking down.
I definitely agree about it all coming down to jobs, but the problem is so complex, with outsourcing to other countries, automation, a workforce dependent on their employers for healthcare, etc. Many, many problems all tangled together.
Maybe part of the answer needs to be spreading around the work a little better - cutting hours instead of cutting workers. The government has a *lot* to do to pick up the benefits in that case, since only "full-time" workers get these in most cases. Kellogg's did this during the Great Depression - cut hours - and the workers were happier than they had been even though their pay was cut, most who had the option decided to keep the 30-hour lower pay plan even when offered more hours and higher pay. They still had benefits, though, even at 30-hours.
It just seems so stupid that we have all the goods to keep everyone fed, clothed, and sheltered, but our distribution system which is work and pay, is just breaking down.
I definitely agree about it all coming down to jobs, but the problem is so complex, with outsourcing to other countries, automation, a workforce dependent on their employers for healthcare, etc. Many, many problems all tangled together.
