The number of union workers in the private sector now stands at a pathetic 7%, the lowest since the murderous union busting days of the thirties. Taxes on the extremely rich (over 370k) now stand at only 35%, a mere 7% more than Erin and I pay. The capital gains tax stands at a laughably obscene low of 15%.
Those two facts--the first is more important--account for the demise and/or demolition of the American middle class, which was at its most numerous and well off for the 30 years from 1950-1980 (Truman-2, Kennedy/Johnson-8, Carter-4 = only 14 years of Democratic hegemony). In the 30 years since 1980, unions have been all-but destroyed except for those in service industries (teachers, firemen, police, SEIU, et.al), corporations have shipped our manufacturing jobs overseas rather than pay American workers a living (union) wage--thus those jobs are gone, baby, gone, and finally, governmental regulation of hi-jinks and greed by corporations is non-existent. All thanks to Reaganism and trickle-down economics: the rich drink the Champagne, it goes through the System, the resultant effluent trickles down to us and we are allowed to collect as much of it as we can! What's wrong with that? (Reagan-8, Bushes-12 = 20 years of Republican hegemony).
I really don't know where I'm going with this. I belonged to the Teamsters and the Steelworkers unions as a young man. It was backbreaking work, but I was paid very well, thanks to the unions and to the fact that there were only men on the jobs.
When I worked for banks and as a janitor one summer I was paid next to nothing because banks consisted mostly of women workers and janitors were mostly black. Hence: no unions! See how that works? I worked 35 years for private universities and was paid much less throughout than I would have been had I worked for state universities or the University of California branches. Unions! I was told at the private schools never to divulge my salary; the professors' salaries in CSU and UC are published. You could look 'em up. Still can.
Enough. It's not exactly accurate, but I gotta repeat Marx on this day because no one else will: 'Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.'
1 comments:
Been away from blog-reading for a while but I'm glad to be back... enjoyed your last few posts (Oh, and, a VERY belated Happy BD).
Your point about labor is so true. And let me at the the respect for honest work, honest negotiation, and honest compromise is really dead. In my husband's school district the Union says "NO" to everything and the administration tries to screw the teachers on everything. I wish we could step back, treat each other with respect and try to create a more civil world. Instead, we're all rabid capitalists who always fight everything with a deep sense of distrust for everyone.
May the unions, middle class, and honest social contract come back and live long!
Keep up the posts.
A hug to you both,
M
Post a Comment