This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1383766
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1383766
Those who forget the past are condemned to relive it. Personally, I am sick and tired of paying taxes to subsidize Walmart and McDonald’s making billions by under paying its workers. It will take Government action to make jobs in today’s economy pay living wages this just like it took Government action 80 to 100 years ago to make mining and manufacturing jobs safe and pay a living wage.
“You load 16 tons and what you get,
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t ya call me cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store”.
That song was about what coal mining and manufacturing jobs were like before progressive policies turned them in to safe employment paying a living wage.
The problem has been that for some reason, today’s America looks differently at unions and today’s workers. That is today’s America thinks that the jobs made living by progressive policies 80 to 100 years ago were always good jobs and the jobs in the service economy just are not as valuable.
But make no mistake, the only reason manufacturing and mining jobs are “good paying safe jobs” is because of liberal progressive policies that forced good pay and safe working conditions. Furthermore, if America really wants to increase its standard of living and stop incurring Government spending costs for subsidizing less than living wages, what was done by Government for manufacturing and mining jobs 80 to 100 years ago must now be done for jobs in today’s economy.
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Fun fact:
Tennessee Ernie Ford’s dad was Clarence Thomas Ford.
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While I agree with this article, I do wish that Democrats could just unabashedly celebrate good economic news without qualifiers. Nearly 1 million jobs added in July is an astoundingly good number.
And its not like the Democrats aren’t pushing solutions to these problems. Some have gotten passed (monthly child tax credit payment), while others have not ($15 min wage, thanks Sinema /s). The true barrier is rarely Democrats as much as its the GQP and the unequal structure of our government (i.e. Senate inequality/filibuster, House gerrymandering, etc).
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Agree about taking a breather to celebrate. I recall watching a movie years ago featuring galley slaves being ordered to row at “ramming speed.” While there is always more to do, it seems that perpetually proceeding at ramming speed will end in exhaustion and despair. Rest oars; take five, then, back at it.
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I agree with your entire post…We should also keep Trump in the rear view window…meaning keep tabs on, but that’s about it.
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Nobody in America should be earning less than $15.00 an hour–and preferably more. Places like Walmart and Target are doing their part–though it isn’t enough. Yes, that will make life more expensive but I would rather pay more for my Wendy’s junior cheeseburger than let families earn less than they deserve and pay their bills.