America’s political challenge, in one little chart
Two data points:
1.) Corporate profits — corporate after-tax profits — reached $1.75 trillion in the third quarter of 2012, an increase of 18.6 percent over a year ago. In fact, corporate after-tax profits now account for a bigger share of the national economy than at any point since World War II ended.
2.) Workers’ wages, on the other hand, now account for just 43.5 percent of our national economy. That is the lowest share of the national economy going into workers’ paychecks that has been recorded since World War II.
In fact, when you combine those two statistics into a single chart, you have created a snapshot of the single most important, consequential long-term issue facing both the U.S. economy and the U.S. political system. It looks like this:
In the chart, the share of the national economy, or GDP, going to workers’ paychecks is in blue. The share of the economy that is going to corporate profits is in red. (Note that in this combined chart, the two statistics have separate scales.)
Again, those are after-tax profits. While corporate chieftains complain that taxes and regulation and unions have made it difficult to do business here — Bernie Marcus of Home Depot is fond of complaining that he and Arthur Blank could never have created that company in today’s business climate — in reality times have never been better in terms of corporate profitability.
There is every indication that this isn’t the end of it, and that both trends will continue over the long term. They are being driven by factors such as technology and globalization, which empower and enrich capital while undercutting the ability of workers to demand anything close to their previous share of the economic pie.
These trends also create the backdrop for the battles being fought in Washington. Should government attempt to compensate in any way for the massive shift in income distribution away from employees, such as by providing health-care and education assistance? Or must government serve only as a disinterested bystander during this historic transfer of economic wealth and power?
The 2012 election was in some ways a referendum on that question, but its verdict was far from definitive. To the contrary, this conflict will continue to provide the subtext of American politics for at least a generation. The fiscal cliff, entitlements, Obamacare, the 47 percent, the 1 percent, corporate taxes, CEO pay, Wall Street, Medicare — the entire spectrum of economic issues confronting our political system is being driven by the forces portrayed in this chart.
– Jay Bookman
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668 comments Add your comment
St Simons - aboriginal BOOTAKOOK 2014
December 4th, 2012
2:37 pm
mv**2 = what??
JamVet
December 4th, 2012
2:39 pm
The more we move past this last election, the more I love these Republicans!
Talk about loving some losers.
The very things that just got them humiliated (if they had any shame, that is) – their willful stupidity (hat tip Jay Bookman), wholesale malicious lies and made up nonsense and especially their 1% bootlicking – are going to get them more of the exact same.
Crushing defeats by a populace fed up with their hate and ignorance.
And Andy and gang blame everyone but themselves for their current unenviable position.
This neocon thing is gonna be over before you can say Grover Norquist…
stands for decibels
December 4th, 2012
2:39 pm
It ain’t hard promising free stuff to the ignorant masses fully supported and echoed by a fawning MSM.
Here’s an idea–why don’t YOU run for office somewhere and tell us how easy it is?
alex
December 4th, 2012
2:40 pm
@ Bro I was brought up under the old Romanian saying that the fish stinks form the Head, that is how I run my office, if the office fails to work well it is ultimately MY fault, thus the CEO’s are at the Ultimate postion of reward and failure (includes union bosses too)..
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:41 pm
The topic of this blog does not include kinetic energy
nelson
December 4th, 2012
2:41 pm
The reason why the corporate profits are sooooo high is because of having their products manufactured or assembled overseas in third world countries and why they do this is because UNIONS in the USA have wages soooo high for workers that it has made corporations to turn a large profit from thousands of miles away.
Actually I agree with Jay, corporations should get taxed more eqiuitably with workers.Corporations make the money, pay taxes.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
2:42 pm
alex (from earlier, just catching up): “Don’t see increase in militancy with globalization, the industries will simply shift to the less volatile countires;not for all industies as it is difficult to move a steel mill overnight”
Have you been reading anything about labor militancy in China currently?
China is ready to explode with it.
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:43 pm
The companies moved your jobs overseas because your government got rid of tarriffs that were in place to protect your jobs.
Jay
December 4th, 2012
2:45 pm
“I have 10 years experience. I get paid per project, before Obama came into the picture, I was turning down money. Since Obama killed our economy, I am begging for work. Notice how I have time to bring some common since to a board filled with ignorance ?
It’s amazing to me how many times these devotees of bootstraps and personal responsibility then turn around and put the blame on President Obama because they can’t find work.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 4th, 2012
2:46 pm
R. Reagan — “The above chart is too complex for most Liberals to read & comprehend. As a rule they don’t do very well when math is involved.”
Dead guy with Alzheimer’s says what?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
2:46 pm
Why did they turn off comments on the Chip Rogers story?
Too many folks arguing about who he wants to gay marry or what?
I noticed they pulled one of your comments “for violation of the visitor agreement.”
They seem to be a lot less tolerant about that than Jay.
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:47 pm
Jay,
It also amazes me, how those on the left, constantly blame Bush for why they can not find work.
Brosephus™
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
why they do this is because UNIONS in the USA have wages soooo high for workers that it has made corporations to turn a large profit from thousands of miles away
Once again, when you have to lie to make a point, you don’t really have a point to make. Union membership and clout has been on a steady decline since the 1970s. At the same time, outsourcing and “free trade” has been increasing during the same time span. As long as a company had to pay tariffs on goods shipped into this company, it was cheaper to use labor here. Remove that cost from the supply chain, and then it becomes cheaper to use foreign labor. Why else have all these corporations been paying their congresspeople to push for free trade agreements? Unions have nothing to do with that other than being the scapegoat.
Nero
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
More take home pay now! The Boomer leeches can’t get by without those payroll taxes. Soooeey!! Here pig! pig! pig!
Doggone/GA
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
” put the blame on President Obama because they can’t find work.”
especially the ones with “common since”
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:50 pm
I am going to be here every day, just to teach you guys some common since.
LOL
stands for decibels
December 4th, 2012
2:50 pm
Dead guy with Alzheimer’s says what?
“A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that’s true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.”
awww.
water33
December 4th, 2012
2:50 pm
Cons? Libs? As long as we have both sides, we will always be screwed. I hate to break it to all of you but Democrats and Republicans are both IDIOTS. They do not have the answers and have no intention of working together to make the country better. Their goals are plain and simple. When in power, work to keep it. When not in power, work to get it. It’s sickening reading the same stupid arguments on every political subject. Do you really consider youselves balanced when you’re all so partisan?
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:51 pm
water33
December 4th, 2012
2:50 pm
Cons? Libs? As long as we have both sides, we will always be screwed. I hate to break it to all of you but Democrats and Republicans are both IDIOTS. They do not have the answers and have no intention of working together to make the country better. Their goals are plain and simple. When in power, work to keep it. When not in power, work to get it. It’s sickening reading the same stupid arguments on every political subject. Do you really consider youselves balanced when you’re all so partisan?
This guy makes more SENSE, than all of us combined.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 4th, 2012
2:53 pm
SfD — “A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that’s true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.”
I did not have sexual relations with those rocket launchers.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
2:55 pm
UNIONS in the USA have wages soooo high for workers that it has made corporations to turn a large profit from thousands of miles away.
In 2011, 6.9% of private sector workers were members of a union.
Is it you contention that less than 7% of the workforce can bully corporate America?
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
2:55 pm
JHM
S. Liberal — “Notice how I have time to bring some common since to a board filled with ignorance ?”
No time for common SENSE, though, it would appear
——————————————————————
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.
Real Scootter
December 4th, 2012
2:55 pm
Do you really consider youselves balanced when you’re all so partisan?
Yes!!!!! They do.
IMA FLAMING A-HOLE
December 4th, 2012
2:56 pm
Laborers make too gosh darned much money.
They should be happy to live in the greatest country on the planet in the history of planets.
Also I am a noob and I can prove it because I don’t know how to make quotes italicized, not like that guy who some of you seem to think I am, but really I am not.
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
2:57 pm
Nero
December 4th, 2012
2:57 pm
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hear the Boomer leeches squeal when their COLAs get filleted to the bone.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
3:03 pm
F. Sinkwich: “We’ve gone over this before. / This is called PRODUCTIVITY. It’s a good thing. It accounts for our prosperity”
Good for WHOM?
It’s good for capitalists (the 1%), I would contend, and not so much for the rest (99%).
If you’ve studied anything about the history of capitalism since WWII you’ll perhaps know that productivity under post-war capitalism entered a severe crisis in the 1970s, as unemployment was far too low and inflation was getting out of hand.
So what happened? Well, capitalism extricated itself from the crisis with an orchestrated attack on labor in the interests of capital, starting with Volcker’s Federal Reserve which jacked up interest rates and sent unemployment soaring. And when the pain got to unbearable levels, what did they do? They kept their hands on the necks of the labor market until world markets were convinced that the Fed had the situation in hand. This was followed by an unprecedented attack on unions. And the rest, we know from the diagrams Jay posted above. Profitability has soared as wages have sagged.
So, given that we can probably safety assume you’re not one of the 1% Sinkwich, why do you keep assuming that this is a good thing when the numbers clearly show it is anything but?
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 4th, 2012
3:04 pm
Well, maybe there is a God:
Elizabeth Warren will reportedly be tapped to serve on the Senate Banking Committee, the Boston Globe reports.
Dumb arses are everywhere
December 4th, 2012
3:04 pm
Nero
Most ‘boomers’ haven’t reached retirement age. I am sure reading was optional in your home school.
A baby boomer is a person who was born during the demographic post-World War II baby boom between the years 1946 and 1964
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
3:07 pm
Elizabeth Warren will reportedly be tapped to serve on the Senate Banking Committee, the Boston Globe reports.
And there was much rejoicing.
alex
December 4th, 2012
3:08 pm
@ Welcome, Yes I’ve been following the issue as much as actually gets out, I’m not as impressed with the movement as you are , but absolutely if there are significant worker rebellions then all bets are off, anyway there’s India and Africa ready witha labor force to fill the void……
Free trade agreements had to be put in place, the world demanded them and would have quit trading with us if we haf not. Perhaps it was a corporate “globalization ploy”, perhaps it was simply the early signs of globalization of the work force.
yuzeyurbrane
December 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
Right on Jay. You cut through all the bs. I would add that at one point in our history the workers were looked upon as the makers and the corporate oligarchs were looked upon as the takers. I would bet that the change in narrative corresponds fairly closely to the charts you show. Have to give the oligarchs credit for a massive propaganda victory in changing mindset of American people. Shows you what persistence and a lot of cash can do. Even look at someone like Bernie Marcus who has definitely forgotten his roots and, although a big philanthropist (good), I doubt has ever turned his back on a government benefit, whether it be a tax loophole or using his Medicare benefits quite liberally (hypocrit).
Reality
December 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
Seriously, is there any rational person that thinks Unions are NOT needed anymore? The Unions in this Country were the organizations that protected the individuals from corporate greed. Notice that as corporate profits rise, worker wage falls, all the while laws are changed to handcuff unions – coincidence? No way.
Corporations have too much control over our politics. This is the first place to change things. Give the power back to the people and away from the banks, the drug companys, etc.
Next, change back the laws to allow real Unions full rights to protect the people. Should the Unions run amuck? No. But they certainly fulfill a role!
We need to restore balance in America. Otherwise we are all doomed.
Paul
December 4th, 2012
3:09 pm
getalife
You are right. Cons will support corporations and billionaires and find endless ways to protect them, but when it comes to the average American worker, it’s all about blame and greed.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:10 pm
Just heard the CEO of FedEx state in an interview that raising the rates a few points is not going to hurt business, since in his opinion it’s investment that businesses make (capital investments, etc) that will lead to more jobs.
Who woulda thunk it.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
3:11 pm
Jay:
Maybe you didn’t notice when I asked this before but, now that the Peach Pass lanes in Gwinnett are a year old is there any data yet to support or refute justifying the expense?
Granted that I travel on I-85 off-peak hours, I see very few cars using that lane.
Reality
December 4th, 2012
3:13 pm
@Jay B. – LOL! Love your comment. These types of people are quick to give themselves credit if things go well, but also just as quick to blame ‘the other guy’ when things do not go well. They never consider that if they are responsible for their own success then they are also responsible for their own failure.
Jay
December 4th, 2012
3:14 pm
Kamchak, that depends on how you would define success. If you define it as a program that paid for itself, then it remains a failure. Revenue won’t even cover the cost of putting in the cameras, etc., let alone the cost of paving those lanes of highway.
On the other hand, if you define success as keeping a lane of traffic open and largely unused for those willing and able to pay the extra expense, then it’s been great. Mission accomplished.
Paul
December 4th, 2012
3:14 pm
“Elizabeth Warren will reportedly be tapped to serve on the Senate Banking Committee, the Boston Globe reports.”
House Republicans are absolutely lousy chess players. Can’t see one move ahead, let alone evaluate probabilities two or three moves downstream.
They should’ve confirmed her to protect consumers.
RB from Gwinnett
December 4th, 2012
3:14 pm
“It’s amazing to me how many times these devotees of bootstraps and personal responsibility then turn around and put the blame on President Obama because they can’t find work.”
No more amazing than a president who refuses to even accept responsibility for the 4 years he’s been in office and continues to blame his predecessor for the dismal state of things.
And the minions STILL can’t tell me a single Bush policy that caused the collapse and has been reversed by Obama. NOT ONE!!!!
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
3:14 pm
Yes, Liberals love to blame other people and want to be rewarded for failing.
Jay
December 4th, 2012
3:15 pm
In that case, Paul, it would be Senate Republicans. Remember, the House has no role in confirmations.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 4th, 2012
3:15 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DUIWbZ5KQ
Keep the home fires burning
While Papa’s earning the pittance he calls his pay
You’ve got to get up so early in the morning
To keep your job, let alone find one these days
Hear them sing in the streets now
Hear the sound of marching feet now
Sifun’umsebenzi — work for all — we need to work to be
Sifun’umsebenzi — work for all — there’s a jobless army in the streets
Sifun’umsebenzi — work for all — in a wage, a hidden war
Sifun’umsebenzi — funumsebenzi
Papa sits alone in the kitchen
Thirty years a mining man
He still has to fight for the right to work
Whether times are good or bad
Hear them sing in the streets now
Hear the sound of marching feet now
Sifun’umsebenzi — wo thina sifun’umsebenzi
We need work for all
Hum o hum
Corbin Sharpe. Baby Boomer leech...and earned it!
December 4th, 2012
3:16 pm
RB,
You’re still a hoot.
jms
December 4th, 2012
3:17 pm
Education and the choice of a career in a high-demand field are important if you want to make any money. The rich and upper-middle class have figured that out. Blame your parents if they didn’t teach you the value of these things.
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:20 pm
Dumb arse,
I’m not just talking about the current slate of Generation Greed that’s already lined up at the trough. I’m also talking bout the rest of the hogs who will scream about not getting their “fair share” of the largess they continue to vote themselves. The butt hurt crying will be music to my ears.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:22 pm
JHM
When the American Pinstripe Crew figures out that their gigs can be outsourced just like assembly line workers or IT code monkeys
——————————————
I resemble that remark
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
3:25 pm
I say we begin to tear this country apart. Starting on the day we go over the cliff
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 4th, 2012
3:27 pm
I say we begin to tear this country apart
So much for “Country First” patriotism and belief in democracy and the ideas of the founding fathers….. apparently part of the crazed 25% of the GOP who want to secede.
Dumb arses are everywhere
December 4th, 2012
3:28 pm
Nero
The butt hurt crying will be music to my ears.
————————————————————-
So you are saying you a wearing a leech butt as a hat?
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:28 pm
Can’t wait for all the Gen-X and Gen-Y leeches start creeping up in age and realize the Boomer hogs left them with just the bill. Oh the s*** storm that’s gonna happen will make the 60s hippies look like afternoon tea. It’s gonna be awesome! A little insurrection will be good for the national soul.
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:29 pm
Dumb arse,
No, that’s just you and the rest of the blood suckers.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
3:30 pm
alex: “Free trade agreements had to be put in place, the world demanded them”
NAFTA and other agreements were pushed for by big capitalist interests. That’s who demanded them. That’s about it.
“Perhaps it was a corporate “globalization ploy”, perhaps it was simply the early signs of globalization of the work force.”
The latter part of that statement implies that globalization is perhaps some natural tendency towards which world markets tend on their own. But this is not true. Just as barriers to globalization were set up as part of an orchestrated effort, the removal of those barriers was also very deliberate and planned.
Paul
December 4th, 2012
3:30 pm
Thanks, Jay.
RB from Gwinnett
“And the minions STILL can’t tell me a single Bush policy that caused the collapse and has been reversed by Obama. NOT ONE!!!!”
You really do conveniently ignore that which you’ve repeatedly read, don’t you?
Did the lead in the thread about ” corporate after-tax profits now account for a bigger share of the national economy than at any point since World War II ended” go whistling by?
How about the what, near doubling of the stock market?
The halt in the collapse of the housing market?
More government jobs eliminated than under Pres Bush?
More jobs created than under both terms of Bush?
Or are you going to try and convince us that that was all entirely due to House Republicans blocking Pres Obama’s proposals?
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:33 pm
Country first is overrated.
alex
December 4th, 2012
3:33 pm
If house Repubs agree to tax increase, the Dems will cut entitlements and USA wins—–we are the pawns……..It’s called the game of LIFE (DC style)
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
3:34 pm
Jay
Kinda what I thought. I see it as more skyboxification and using my tax dollars to boot.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:34 pm
STUPID LIBERAL@12:58 pm
I do not make 70k a year, and I am an Engineer
——————————————————-
Learn to speak Hindi and move to Bangelore
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 4th, 2012
3:34 pm
Some people use the economic downturn to re-vitalize their skill sets or move their skills into a career that is more in demand.
Other spend that down time on blogs bitchin and blaming the government for them not having jobs…..
Even if you have a job it is a good idea to spend some time every day learning new skills to pad your current set.
williebkind
December 4th, 2012
3:37 pm
“but nope, what they did instead was demand pay cuts and abandoning pension plans”
Wow more free stuff like pensions! Anything else unions want from an honest days work.
Paul
December 4th, 2012
3:39 pm
RB from Gwinnett
And as far as any Bush policies that caused the collapse, I suppose you never even bothered to glance at the report on the causes of the collapse that was posted here innumerable times, did you? ‘Bush policies’ were cited.
You can’t learn with your fingers in your ears and your eyes closed, RB.
But if big reports are too much for you, here’s a real small newspaper article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/business/economy/26inquiry.html?_r=0
Nero
December 4th, 2012
3:39 pm
Even if the spineless and no ideas Repubs give in, the plantation Dems will balk at spending cuts because they are beholden to the leech class and Generation Greed. There will be no agreement. They’d rather have their political club to beat the GOP with than do the right thing.
Tom Middleton
December 4th, 2012
3:39 pm
Jay, I can’t believe we will allow this kind of inequality to rule our future. I mean, we’re still the greatest country on earth, with a Constitution of freedom for all, and we will find the way.
But can you imagine what the South would have been like had it won the Civil War and secession become permanent? Like Mexico, we would be spending all our lives next door to the greatest country on earth and trying to find ways through the fence designed to keep us out.
Like I said, we will find the way, for we have to, sir. All in all, freedom for all must always win!
williebkind
December 4th, 2012
3:40 pm
” Unions have nothing to do with that other than being the scapegoat”
Now that is a hooooot!
williebkind
December 4th, 2012
3:42 pm
“But can you imagine what the South would have been like had it won the Civil War and secession become permanent? Like Mexico, we would be spending all our lives next door to the greatest country on earth and trying to find ways through the fence designed to keep YOU out.
That is the South without progress communists liberals.
williebkind
December 4th, 2012
3:46 pm
The conservatives sure do have their work cut out for them. As soon as our communist leader ends his reign of horror, the conservative leadership will step in and undo the damage. It will take as long as it takes the American people and those on the east and west coast to realize if you dont work you dont eat.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
3:48 pm
Finn de Siècle “Some people use the economic downturn to re-vitalize their skill sets or move their skills into a career that is more in demand.”
What the hell world are you living in man, 1971?
There are 20 plus million un- and under-employed, millions looking for jobs who can’t find them. Capacity utilization levels through the floor (compared to historical levels). In other words, there are millions of square feet of shop floor, millions of dollars in perfect good capital goods, simply sitting idle when it could be easily put to work by a government works program.
But that’s what capital demands. Because when unemployment is too low, then the disciplinary cudgel of unemployment fear (capital’s ace in the hole) is unavailable.
Capitalism: the most brutally inefficient system for organizing a human society known to man.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 4th, 2012
3:50 pm
It will take as long as it takes the American people and those on the east and west coast to realize if you dont work you dont eat.
So you’re planning on a lot of dead infants, children and elderly as well as those with disabilities. Creating jobs in grave diggers as a method to get to full employment? Or perhaps counting on a plague?
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
3:51 pm
^^^^^ so that is what Obama meant by shovel ready jobs
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
3:51 pm
Unemployment is capitalists’ greatest and most cherished tool. It’s a tool for labor discipline.
And nobody (outside of radical circles) ever talks about it.
No wonder we’re in the predicament we’re in.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:52 pm
williebkind @
3:46 pm
It will take as long as it takes the American people and those on the east and west coast to realize if you dont work you dont eat.
————————————————-
Can we start with a pilot program in Ga.?
All those that get food stamps and other public assistance and voted Republican go the first year.
After the results are released we can move forward.
Ought to be interesting
alittlecommonsense
December 4th, 2012
3:53 pm
“Union membership and clout has been on a steady decline since the 1970s”
True – because unions have pretty much strangled all the heavily unionized industries. So those jobs went overseas. You seem to believe that unions aren’t having as much effect because membership is down. You are getting your cause and effect reversed. Union membership is down because unions got their way. Their way strangled unionized industries. Therefore union membership is down.
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
3:53 pm
Can we start with a pilot program in Ga.?
All those that get food stamps and other public assistance and voted Democrat go the first year.
After the results are released we can move forward.
Ought to be interesting
Fixed it for ya..
Tom Middleton
December 4th, 2012
3:54 pm
You’re a very good man, Keep Up The Good Fight. I’ve given up even trying to talk to him.
Buzz Belle
December 4th, 2012
3:55 pm
Ttoally off subject but I’m so glad Chip Rogers is resigning. Can’t wait to hear this story!
Continue on.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 4th, 2012
3:55 pm
Sure Stupid
….. Hey I saw your car the other day, right. You know with that bumper sticker that said “my dog creates more shovel ready jobs”. I was the one who asked why your dog couldn’t beat Obama in an election.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:56 pm
Stupid
Look at the makeup of the GA gov’t they haven’t FIXED shyte
St Simons - aboriginal BOOTAKOOK 2014
December 4th, 2012
3:56 pm
Senate Republicans Kill Treaty on the Rights of the Disabled –
”The horrifying spectacle of Senate Republicans voting against the UN treaty on the rights of the disabled — and walking past Bob Dole in a wheelchair on their way to do it — should be news, real and big news.”
damn – now i want them to go extinct, go to hell, go fast & hard,
and not stand in line behind other cons to get there.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 4th, 2012
3:56 pm
because unions have pretty much strangled all the heavily unionized industries.
Other than the junk-bond fueled leveraged buyouts of the 80s — then still no.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
3:57 pm
keep
My post to stupid dovetailed perfectly into yours
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
3:58 pm
Keep Up,
That was not my car, my car has a bumper sticker which reads, “too lazy to get a job, now give me your money, or I will send Obama after you.”
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 4th, 2012
3:58 pm
Tom, oh there is no talking to most of our conned….. only mocking
Birthers, Benghazi nutcases, ODS sufferers and the deluded speedonut garbage rarely have anything intelligent to contribute. They just keep repeating the same disprove nonsensical claims.
alex
December 4th, 2012
3:58 pm
@ Welcome, When you and I (you, if you own stocks) demand a return for your investment then the CEO is inclined to use measures to improve the efficiency of his/her compnay, if that includes globalization of the work force, then that is fair play. I was referring to capitalist influence on the NAFTA-tization of free trade. I think this is the natural progression of globalization, sped up by various interests for immediate money making opportunities. This phase will pass as the China and India labor markets “mature”…..
Joe Hussein Mama
December 4th, 2012
3:59 pm
williebkind — “It will take as long as it takes the American people and those on the east and west coast to realize if you dont work you dont eat.”
Please, by all means run with that slogan in 2014 and 2016.
Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease
St Simons - aboriginal BOOTAKOOK 2014
December 4th, 2012
3:59 pm
“Can’t wait to hear this story!”
Let’s say he rolled the dice & came up snake eyes heheh
Tom B
December 4th, 2012
4:00 pm
getalife 11:57 am “At what point will the cons stop fighting against their own pay checks. When will the cons stop being self defeatists and fight to increase their own pay checks.”
I fight for it by doing my job to the best of my ability, increasing my knowledge, and don’t whine. But hey, if sitting on your fat #&$ doing nothing except complaining is how you want to get thru life, who am I to stop you. Stepping over you to advance my paycheck is what I do, not by “oh please give me what I don’t deserve.”
N-GA (on the winning side 2 federal elections in a row!)
December 4th, 2012
4:00 pm
Liberals and Progressives need to shop at Costco and cancel their Sam’s & BJ’s memberships: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/costcoceo.asp#jO0yHJRCLEzOaFDD.01
At the same time all you conned voters must shop only at Sam’s and Walmart. It is spoken.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 4th, 2012
4:00 pm
alex
it’s tough to mature a Communist State
Welcome to the Occupation
December 4th, 2012
4:01 pm
alittlecommonsense – “because unions have pretty much strangled all the heavily unionized industries”
So what is your point, that we should do away with unions and then those industries would flourish?
Another angle to go at it: how do you then explain the fact that heavily unionized countries such as Germany — countries where, heaven forbid!, there are laws requiring labor representation on corporate boards — have continued to have very strongly performing industrial sectors even since the financial crisis began?
Do you deny the fundamental antagonism, conflict of interest between capitalist (owner) and laborer?
The other half of your brain.
December 4th, 2012
4:05 pm
Brosephus™
December 4th, 2012
11:45 am
Seems that the American worker has been getting shafted, without lube, since the 1970’s. It’s probably coincidental that the attacks on organized labor as well as supply sided economics takeover happened around the same time.
As much as the conservatives like to talk about Obama turning us into Greece, that process has been going on for a long, long time. When that powder keg explodes, Greece will look like a Girl Scout’s picnic in the park.
Bro, You’re probably right, so when do we stop the craziness? or do we just keep going down the same path. Seems to me that all parties are about the same.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 4th, 2012
4:06 pm
Stupid, well that is much too long for a bumper sticker and way too deep in thought for the right wingnuts but it certainly does sound like the insane spins you get from Fox that even the brain dead would reject as idiotic. Congrats!
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
4:09 pm
Keep Up,
I ride the 48 thomasville daily. There is plenty of room for a bumper sticker of that nature.
Paul
December 4th, 2012
4:10 pm
Tom B
” I fight for it by doing my job to the best of my ability, increasing my knowledge, and don’t whine. But hey, if sitting on your fat #&$ doing nothing except complaining is how you want to get thru life, who am I to stop you. Stepping over you to advance my paycheck is what I do, not by “oh please give me what I don’t deserve.””
That chart at the top of the thread includes workers just like you. The point of it is, all those things have not mattered one whit in the shrinking share of workers’ wages as a share of the national economy and corporate profits at an all-time high.
Did you get that? All the hard work and doing your job and increasing knowledge and not whining //has not mattered//.
alex
December 4th, 2012
4:11 pm
Union membership has declined in mobile industiries, not heavy industries as they exist in the midwest and N.E.( and much of that continues to have problems because of over supply of production in the world, i.e. steel in china), after all if a company wants to close a billion dollar steel mill because of a union that is a billion dollar loss and companies are reluctant to do so..But then again there is Cleveland and Gary and Buffalo and….has little to do with anything but corporate profit…
Paul
December 4th, 2012
4:12 pm
N-GA
I’ve been thinking of doing that for a while, for reasons unrelated. Although it’ll cost me buck to do so, it’s a small price to pay in light of all the circumstances.
indigo
December 4th, 2012
4:12 pm
Republicans were at a loss as to how to handle Romney’s defeat. However, with brutal prodding from their Big Business masters, who want to ride the conservative gravy train as long as possible, a solution was found. Just go into complete denial, pretend the election never happened, and carry on as though it’s still early 2011. Above all, do NOT, under any circumstances, raise taxes on the rich. Better to let the nation go over the fiscal cliff as rich CEO’s will not suffer all that much. Then, blame everything on Obama and hope the majority of American voters will want things to get “back to normal” by having a white man in the White House.
STUPID LIBERAL
December 4th, 2012
4:13 pm
^^^^ that guy is so racists
alex
December 4th, 2012
4:13 pm
@ Common, absolutely….
josef
December 4th, 2012
4:14 pm
TOM
Had the South won the Civil War…the Imam linked an interesting take on that from Churchill. He (the Imam) didn’t much care for it, since it did fly in the face of his dearly beloved Yankee Sharia version of things, but Winnie did make some interesting points.
In my own view, your bleak picture does not hold. The North would not have entered the age of the Robber Baron with such success were it not for the wealth it garnered in the rape and pillage end of things and an unburnt wasteland South would have been in a much better position to have a higher standard of living than it had due to the failures of Reconstruction.