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+--- Thread: Why do we export so much unskilled labor and then wonder why the uneducated can't seem to find jobs? (/thread-46176.html)
Pages: 1 2
- George S - 11-27-2012 06:49 AM
The grossly overpopulating cultures pump out ever more desperate excess labor that is always willing to work cheaper than our unskilled work force.
- Peppermint Patty - 11-27-2012 06:49 AM
Because the "we" in your question is different for the two cases you mention -
unskilled or low-skilled labor is outsourced because "we" (the people acting through Congress) subject our own labor force and factories to regulations, taxes, wage levels and other uncompetitive factors,
then "we" (our businessmen and their lobbyists) let countries with lower wages, less safe workplaces, poorly-protected work forces and more polluting factories compete very unfairly for work with our own people,
then "we" (you and me and everyone else who is frustrated because ten percent of us in the United States are out of work) wonder why not just the uneducated, but people of all walks of life and educations, can't find jobs.
"We" (the people, acting through Congress) should demand that cheap goods built in ramshackle, polluting, unsafe factories by poorly-paid, poorly-treated workers (some of them prison labor) not be imported and sold in the United States. I think that on a level playing field, even people with modest educations in this country can compete effectively with overseas workers.
"We" should also stop labor unions from committing the abusive practices which make our products and our workers uncompetitive on the world stage.
"We" (the people) should demand that the press cover ALL the reasons American industial workers are not competitive - gouging American consumers by demanding relatively huge wages in the auto and other heavy industries for our new cars and other heavy durable goods. We should take a long and searching look at labor unions and how they enjoy power far beyond any benefit they may provide to American society.
And "we" (the people) should never vote for or support any candidate for public office who has promised to help labor unions gouge us and their own workers by demanding inordinate wages, much of which in the form of union dues support corrupt and outright evil politicians. The power of labor unions is so pervasive that I don't have to point out who's in labor's pocket - the President, Vice-President and most of the Congressional leadership are terrified to tell Big Labor to take a hike.
When we go back to a fair day's work for a fair day's wage, demand that goods built under terrible conditions not be imported and sold here, and put Big Labor back in its place, we won't have to wonder why so many of us are out of work.
- Herald - 11-27-2012 06:49 AM
You probably meant to ask why we export so many unskilled jobs. It is simple economics, and is primarily due to government regulations over the free market in America. There is an artificial wage (minimum wage) scale forced upon businesses operating in America, for one. People rarely note the connection, but unemployment invariably rises when these policies are enacted. The government responds by taxing companies (and individuals) at higher percentages in order to pay for social programs to soften the blow for those who become unemployed as a direct result of minimum wage increases. This doubles the 'hit' on private industries, and so they must adjust their labor forces even more to compensate. They also come to rely more on machinery that can replace workers as it becomes less feasible to employ people over machines. On top of that, many small businesses are family owned, so when it gets to the point that they are struggling under the yoke of government regulations and taxation they simply choose to close up shop and retire and/or re-invest in areas where jobs aren't created because it is no longer worth the 'hassle'. Add to that illegal immigrants who take many of those unskilled labor jobs and it isn't hard to see why things are the way that they are. It is actually worse than that because artificial wages force costs of commodities up as well, and so any 'raise' people received is eaten up by their day to day expenses increasing. Those who no longer have employment face a more difficult time with their reduced incomes, whether getting unemployment in the wake of the loss or welfare. It is all smoke and mirrors, and yet those who are harmed the most fall for it hook, line, and sinker ... and re-elect those who advance such policies that a compliant media assures people are in the best interests of the American people.