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    Race To the Bottom

    By Tommy Holmes on Mon, 06/27/2011 - 8:14am |

       If you don't know what I mean by this, odds are you will; just give it time.

       What I'm alluding to is the talk of making America competitive in the global workplace. This is code for bringing us to the same level as workplaces in other countries. No unions, no collective bargaining of any kind, poor safety regulations, no pentsions, no benefits except what you pay for yourself. Need I go on?

       The first step will be the continuation of the destruction of the unions We are seeing the continuing attempt to kill the unions. Using the deficits as justification, budgets are being balanced on the backs of teachers, public sector and other unions. No mention of any tax hikes on the rich, only the slow whittling away of the vehicles that gave rise to the middle class. Taking away any solidarity of the workforce is of key importance to the powers that be. This is why the unions are being targeted. Divide and conquer. Also more and more effort is being made by Republican state governors to make their states "Right to Work States, further driving a wedge between people and organized labor."

       And, as a nice little slap in the face, corporations are promising to create jobs if we let them repatriate their money back home with very little tax penalty. Don't buy it. The money will be used for M & A, stock buybacks and increased dividends. Business only hires when the need is there to satisfy demand, not because they have extra money. What they really are doing is holding us hostage to their demands by laying seige to our ability to work.

       Sad but true, labor is at its weakest point in 65 years. Yes the race to the bottom is upon us. It's all a setup to get corporations the biggest bang for the buck while the middle class only gets BANGED.

    Comments

    I suspect we're finding that despite cultural and political differences between societies that the people who actually control companies and capital, wherever they reside, have more in common with each other than with their employees or fellow citizens.  In short, the wealthier classes have globalized and have consolidated their power.  Tariffs and taxes aren't the answer.  A global labor movement is, and at its core must be the idea that the lot of American and European workers must improve, and that all other workers around the world must be quickly raised up to an ever-improving American and European standard.


    by Michael Maiello on Mon, 06/27/2011 - 11:54am

    Yes destor23,

        I agree 100 percent, that would be the perfered path. Such a shame Ameican labor is been lead in the opposite direction. What is needed like you say IS a global labor movement. Solidarity is the key. Hope the workers of the world are quick to understand this and to act. We need to form in a sense the world's largest, unbreakable union. Then maybe we can hold them hostage for a change. Don't mean to sound vindictive here, would just like to turn up the pressure enought to get a fair shake leading to a fair standard of living for al. There is plenty to go around. Maybe when man's spirtuality catches up with his technology this will become a reality. Until then we DO NEED TO ORGANIZE !


    by Tommy Holmes on Tue, 06/28/2011 - 9:05am

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