[Superman]

Yes that was a black-and-white statement and as we know, all generalizations are false (I love that saying). While I agree that a black-and-white statement like that must necessarily be false in at least some instances, I'm fairly prepared to defend it as presented. Even according to Wayne's subsequent remarks, the Republican party routinely and I would say without exception.....sides with business. So, the B&W statement is pretty true.

Your argument is that what's good for business is good for workers. An accidental or unintended,.....or at least inductively assumed.....position. Secondary.

On that issue, I do understand the connection. Industrial and commercial health produces a certain amount of prosperity. And some other spinoff impacts that are not as attractive as "prosperity." This theory that what's good for business is good for everyone is........also far too black-and-white to be accurate.

Yes, France and Germany have their problems currently. You two guys (you know who you are) are smart. You know that the EU has recently been formed and that there is currently some equilibrium-finding there. Germany and France are, comparatively, economic and productive powerhouses within the EU. Just as America is about to be hoisted on its petard by international wage and consumption competition, France and Germany are taking their lumps now.

You guys will probably never be convinced that anything but unfettered. laizes faire. And that any attempt to redistribute wealth or power will hurt that country. I disagree. Sweden is about as socialist as they get, and their standard of living has routinely, over the last couple of decades at least, been considered the world's highest.

And finally: I stayed out of this discussion, substantly, until about Page 4. The information I gave above was just information. If it sounded like I was hoping for a global political discussion, I apologize. I was not hoping for that. I was presenting information that was, so far, missing from the discussion. CEO's and white collar folks do not have labor unions, and there is a reason for that. If you don't understand the reason for this, then Bob's last post is for you. Labor unions are not for Porsche owners and Porsche owners very frequently just simply do not understand the dynamics of the organized labor game.

Grocery workers have historically had very attractive compensation and benefit packages. For reasons that can be explained and understood. By some. And that background is necessary to understand the current issues.

The construction industry is fickle. Their unions vigorously support the Democratic Party because that party goes to bat for workers' rights and protection. In striking contrast, their members vigorously vote for Republican candidates because gays shouldn't marry and somebody's trying to take away their guns. And this dichotomy becomes very interesting in legislatures and Congress. Conservative electees DO NOT attack prevailing wage worker protections. When they do, they kiss the construction worker vote good-bye.