Lou Dobbs; War on the middle class

[techweenie]

Originally posted by RallyJon
techweenie, got the same chart for 1994-1997? My memory is vague (though not as vague as that of the financial press) but the whole "productivity up, wages stagnant" story seems very ten years ago. And we all know what happened next.

The economy is at its best under these conditions. When wages start to go up and the punk in the cube starts driving a Boxster, look out 'cause it's all about to end.

"The economy is best" under conditions of decline in real income for the majority of the population?

Are you serious?

[RallyJon]

Call it what you will, but it's at its best when productivity growth outstrips wage growth. The other way 'round is inflationary and will get the fed to shut down the economy pronto.

I like to think of it as, we sneak up on a boom so the fed won't shut it down too quickly.

[hytem]

Dobbs is OK when it comes to issues, but he doesn't criticize the people in power responsible--the Republicans.

Health insurance premiums have been climbing out of sight since 2000, when Bush became President.Those tax cuts which put the country into deep debt were unconscionable. Downright unpatriotic.

How Gore could lose in 2000 running on a record of 8 prosperous years and a balanced budget is a testimony of what a poor campaigner he always was.Couldn't even win his home state. He and Monica were Clinton's biggest mistakes.

Fact is, the Republicans have screwed the middle class, and I hope they pay for it in November.

[tc-sacto]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
So what are you talkin' 'bout, Rick, maybe a buck or so an hour? How much has your hourly salary increased over the past half a dozen years? How much has Congress'?

Let's see $5.15/hour x 2,080 hours/year = $10, 712 gross per year. Yeah, that'll buy a plasma TV and a nice vacation, as long as you don't need to eat or keep a roof over your head. Oh, no money for electricity to run your fancy TV, bummer, dude.

Of course, since there's actually 8,760 hours per year (24/7/365), you could become middle class at $45,114/year gross. What are you waiting for...get to work!

But, hey, let's not pass on the cost of a min. wage hike to the consumers. Let's bring in more illegals and offshore more skilled/salaried jobs. That'll make it all better...

PS: Rick, if your dirt poor, how you gonna move? I figure the great depression migration to CA in reverse, huh? The reverse-Beverly Hillbillies.

That's such BS. Damn, I made $9.00/ stocking shelves back in 1990. I started out at min. wage and promptly moved up. If your working for min. wage(other than food server) for longer than 12 months, you aint doing your job right. I've found good workers need to be paid or they will move on to someone who will pay them better, and your left with a bunch of slackers.

Damn the AAA call center here is starting people at $13/hr

On an aside. My sister in law only makes $19/hr. She lives in South Dakota. Just bought a brand new home for $185,000. You can find affordable housing and a job that will give you some discretionary income if your willing to look outside your current situation.

Don't blame the economy, if you won't change with it.