[Superman]

The first nation to eclipse our steel industry was Japan, and they did it using technology and economies of scale. It had virtually nothing to do with wages, except that the staffing needs of our smaller, antiquated blast furnaces were much higher than theirs. At one point, we were virtually shipping dirt to Japan and they were shipping ingots back to us. That was cheaper then using our steel mills. This, and frankly just about every other commercial tragedy, was the fault of management. The same management whose signature goes on those ruinous collective bargaining agreements.

I would heartily agree that union representatives, like any other humans, sometimes behave badly. I would also vigorously agree that union representatives' agendas in the very unfortunate upcoming downturn America is scheduled to experience due to international competition......will frustrate management's agenda. I think it will be enlightening to take a good hard look though, at certain peoples' anticipated accusation that Labor will be to blame for American getting its ass kicked on the international market. Just like this crap about Ford being victimized by its unions. BS. When we get our asses kicked on the international market, MANAGEMENT WILL BE 100% TO BLAME.

I think it's pretty interesting to pretend that when profits are good, management gets the credit and when businesses go tits-up, Labor is the culprit. Making sense when you talk.....requires careful forethought.

I hope that didn't sound disrespectful. Heck Wayne, you're probably almost as smart as I am. (wink) Yes, I respect capitalism. I truly believe in it. Big time. Let me use another analogy. When someone says it's wrong and a big mistake to take resources away from industry in order to satisfy the needs of society......it sounds similar to suggesting that it's a big mistake to put a v-belt on an engine, drawing off some power to run an alternator so that the vehicle can have lights.

It is a very thin argument to suggest that taxes will take the fuel (which is greed, by the way) out of our economy.