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Death Tax Keeps The Wealthy Rich. With Increased Wages, Poor Lose ©

Update: The Bill did not pass. Nevertheless, the games are expected to resume soon.
I recently read an article in the New York Times titled, “The Rise of the Super-Rich.” Journalist Teresa Tritich reports, under the auspices of a Compassionately Conservative Administration even the affluent are not doing well. She states that the axiom, “The rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer,” is no longer completely accurate. Currently, the super-rich, the upper crust is profiting; all others are left behind.

As I read this information, I was reminded of a two-pronged topic that I think needs discussing, “Abundance and Scarcity.” Apparently, there is a belief amongst Americans, that there is only so much wealth to go around. We must divide what there is. Some will prosper and the others must suffer. I think this notion contrary, as does the natural world.

Mother nature does not deplete her resources; she regularly replenishes these. On occasion, there are circumstances that seem contrary. Droughts, a horde of locust, or a spontaneous fire might reduce the wealth within the ecosystem temporarily. However, these occurrences serve to protect nature. They restore the environment. Nature returns to its balance. Only man makes long-term deficits, imbalances. While shortage need not be, man continues to actively create these. Please consider the passage of a convoluted Bill that boosts the minimum wage while leaving low-wage workers with less.

“The Center for Union Facts” Fuels Fiction ©

Days ago, it called to me from the next room. What had been white noise was now blaring. I could not believe my ears. However, I just sat there. I did not jump from my chair and go to the next room so that I might see and hear the disturbance. I was in a state of shock. I rarely watch the television; I listen to it. I do not have the tube in the room where I work. Nevertheless, this anti-union commercial caught my attention.

The set was turned to Cable News Network. This seemed contrary to what I would expect; nevertheless, I heard it. At the time, I dismissed this intrusion as an event, one in isolation. Then this morning, while preparing breakfast, and in a room with a view of the small screen it played again.

My thoughts were many. Why was this maligning message being presented? Who was responsible for this slander? Moreover, how much did this production cost? Forget the money spent to fabricate this ditty; airtime is extremely expensive! Apparently, union busting is no longer a tasteless practice; it is a respected art. This frightens me. Philosophically and politically, I honor, the words proclaimed in Aesop’s Fables, The Bundle of Sticks, “Union gives strength.”

Immigration. Intertwining Self-Interests and Ignoring Interdependence ©

When discussing immigration it seems that what we in America know is what we ignore. We know we want higher wages. Americans strongly support increasing the income of native-born and naturalized workers. Citizens of this country consider their wages and benefits vital. Those of others in “foreign” lands are not our problem, or possibly, they are a cursory consideration.

Persons residing in the United States want to ensure their quality of life. The general public wants “stuff.” They are proud of their possessions and property. They flaunt these on airwaves and movie screens throughout the world. People in this nation want the others on this Earth to see how good they have it. Americans say, “Look at me. I am so happy and healthy because I have this, that, and the riches that you do not.” People of the USA pose for the cameras and profess, “This is America, the land of the free, home of the brave, and the land of opportunity.” Citizens of this country invite and entice people from afar to come to this great land. Then when immigrants do, [the ugly] Americans says, “Now, go home!”

Americans are offended when those residing in this country without papers crave what citizens have or when they use our services and resources. What happened to hospitality? Hostility replaced it.

The USA In Our Chevrolet Looks Bad. Ford Did Not Have A Better Idea ©

For years, we have heard General Motor’s executives complain of costs. They say the cost of doing business in America is too high. According to corporate administrators, American laborers insist that employers cover health care expenses. Companies must honor pensions awarded in the past, and then there are those wages, oh, those wages. The management has cried out; they cannot continue do business under these circumstances and still make a profit. General Motor’s bosses plead for understanding and ask their workers to sacrifice their wages and benefits. Even when the laborers comply, it is never enough.

Chief executives at General Motors, and in other American companies, ultimately take control. They cut and cut; overhead must go. Production and producers be damned, the bottom line lies with the shareholders. To boost the numbers corporations have reduced the workforce. They have decreased the dollars paid out for health care. They have eliminated many sick days and are unwilling to provide benefits for families. Now, they are “Offering [a] Buyout Deal to More Than 125,000 Workers.” Though not all news reports mention this, if the employees accept the deal they must forego once expected health benefits.

The New York Times article, G.M. to Offer Buyout Deal to More Than 125,000 Workers, seems to paint a rosier scenario than some other media sources. They quote Robert Betts, president of the U.A.W. local at the Delphi plant in Coopersville, Michichan, as saying “the offers were attractive.” Mr. Betts claims, "If someone is going to give you $35,000 to take your pension, that's good," He continued. "I think a whole lot of people are going to hit the road over this."

“Wonderful” said stockholders; shares of G.M. rose shortly after the news was released. Is the action good; or is it only one more blunder in a longstanding series of shortsighted solutions?