Used to be that unions (or the threat of unions) could compel employers to pay decently. Government efforts to achieve something approaching full employment, combined with welfare payments (or unemployment insurance) to the unemployed or marginalized, mitigated poverty somewhat.
These government actions were paid for through taxes, proportionately falling upon the wealthiest.
But now, globalization has killed jobs. Union-busting has weakened the ability of many workers to get a living wage. Tax-cuts (mainly benefiting the wealthy) have reduced governments' ability to pay (even more necessary) welfare benefits, or to fund counter-cyclical public works.
It has not been a recipe for success.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment