This deserves more than just a link...
COLUMN American workers got what they deserved
Are you an American employee? If so, todays column will likely offend you. If youd rather not be offended, read no further. If you continue and then complain, Im sorry, but that simply proves youre, well, stupid. But then again, stupidity plays a large role in todays topic.
Still reading? OK. Youve had fair warning.
So youre an American employee. Maybe you make car parts. Maybe youre an engineer or designer. Maybe youre an accountant, store clerk or tradesman. Whatever you do, youre probably stupid or lazy. Yes, I wrote it, and I mean it. You are either stupid or lazy. Maybe both.
Now, Im not referring to your work ethic or job performance. No, most of you are competent and devoted to your profession or vocation. Im addressing the way you view economics and employment. Im challenging your gumption to advocate for yourself and your fellow Americans. Heres what I mean.
Remember the Reagan standard? Are you better off today than you were a decade ago? Two decades? Three? Unless you make more than $380,000 a year, the answer is no. In fact, your standard of living over the last quarter century has actually decreased while millionaires have added 30 percent to their net wealth. Why? Two reasons.
First, hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs went overseas while the politicians you elected did nothing to stop them. Yet you continue to elect leaders who offer nothing but tax cuts, as if that would stem the flow of disappearing jobs.
Did you demand your leaders address Americas trade imbalance or continuous outsourcing of jobs? Did you demand your leaders require foreign countries to buy a dollars worth of American goods for every dollar of goods they sell here?
No and no. You didnt bother. You simply crossed your fingers and prayed, I hope my jobs not next. You made concessions to your employer and hoped that would stem the exodus of jobs, or at least yours. Howd that work for you?
Second, you bought into the myth that unions are the cause of Americas demise. You didnt bother to learn America became a world power when union membership was at its peak. You didnt bother to learn America became the envy of the world while 1 of every 3 Americans was a union member.
So, how are things going for you? How do your benefits compare to a quarter century ago? Are you paying a higher or lower percentage of your income for health insurance? Does your company offer a pension plan, or do you now fund your own 401(k)?
Maybe youre thinking, Im not a union worker, so this doesnt affect me.
Stop being stupid. Union benefits provide a standard other companies have to match, or at least come close to. When those benefits are cut, yours are, too. Or do you think you operate in your own little employment vacuum?
To make matters worse, youre again being played for a chump. The same puppets who did nothing while your standard of living decreased are now using the oldest gimmick in the book jealousy to continue their assault on American workers. Rather than protect Americans jobs, they deflect your attention through jealousy.
Cut the pay of government workers, they cry. Increase their health premiums. Decrease their pensions. Break their unions. After all, youve suffered so they should suffer too. And in your misery, you buy their argument while more jobs head oversees. Pretty stupid, eh?
If their antics werent so pathetic, if the consequences werent so dire, if they didnt prey on your stupidity, and if you didnt buy into their convoluted reasoning, this whole situation would be laughable. But of course its not.
I warned you Id likely offend you, and I suspect I did. But once you overcome your anger, consider my analysis. Then, either wise up and do something about it, or resign yourself to a lower standard of living for the next decade.
