Cowcatcher wrote:
While present day blue collar workers have forgotten, even the most right leaning economists will allow that without the labor union movement a true middle class might never have developed in the USA. Many would offer that the waning strenght of unions in the last thirty years is in no small part responsible for the dwindling middle class in the USA today.
I agree that initial union activities did promote better working conditions, pay, etc and were right at the time. Not convinced of that today.
I am convinced that the largest problem for workers today is that the present tax structure and government regulation has made a situation that business is going "off shore" and the union will never be able to cure that.
It has been confirmed by more than just the political candidates that the U.S, has the 2nd highest corporate tax rate in the world (second only to Japan) and I know, living in Iowa, that Iowa has the highest corporate tax rate in the U.S. (yes... even higher than CA or NY). Is it any wonder that good "union" jobs like Maytag and Titan Tire have bailed and moved out of Iowa.
I believe that is a larger problem. The unions would be able to survive better if this situation was changed. Right now, the union is the "last straw" for large business and then they move out. If a corporation had only the union to contend with, we might not have this discussion.
Even though I may not be "pro" union, I am more anti big Government. I really don't have a real dog in the union hunt. I do have real animosity towards political meddling that is screwing up the whole thing for us all.
Time for a "Fair Tax" and putting Government on a fiscal and regulatory diet. I know.... long shot at best. Keep hope alive.