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Duke Stratosphere wrote:

As far as people getting food stamps, I don't see where that has anything to do with recessions or depressions. It has more to do with employers who don't want to pay people any wage that's worth a smurf.

Maybe they can't and remain competitive.

We are in a global economy - it is cake to get goods from other countries. Countries where they have a much lower standard of living. Countries where they can pay their employees less than our employers pay just in OSHA insurance.

Maybe it's time we went to the FairTax.

freecat wrote:

JakeTheTall wrote:

I don't know about EU numbers, but some noticeable portion of Americans have moved from the "unemployed" to the "not actively looking for work" column, so they don't show up in those numbers, but that's a bad sign.

What's the argument for counting people who aren't "actively looking for work" as unemployed?

Er, I'm not saying to count them in the official unemployment numbers.  I'm saying its a sign of a souring economy to have these people dropping out of the "looking for work" group.

freecat wrote:

JakeTheTall wrote:

freecat wrote:

What's the argument for counting people who aren't "actively looking for work" as unemployed?

Er, I'm not saying to count them in the official unemployment numbers.  I'm saying its a sign of a souring economy to have these people dropping out of the "looking for work" group.

Then I agree. Well, sort of. Relative to our current standard of living, it's a bad sign. It's amazing, though, that people can afford to be discouraged workers.

Actually I've always wondered what the deal is there. How do they live? Are they on welfare or something?

I think they may be the Queens that have been reported on.

Last edited by isaly (2008-04-02 5:18 pm)

Duke Stratosphere wrote:

resedit wrote:

Duke Stratosphere wrote:

As far as people getting food stamps, I don't see where that has anything to do with recessions or depressions. It has more to do with employers who don't want to pay people any wage that's worth a smurf.

Maybe they can't and remain competitive.

bullsmurf.

C'mon Duke, evil OSHA is destroying the American competitive edge !  You know this is true !

ShnickyShnack wrote:

freecat wrote:

JakeTheTall wrote:

Er, I'm not saying to count them in the official unemployment numbers.  I'm saying its a sign of a souring economy to have these people dropping out of the "looking for work" group.

Then I agree. Well, sort of. Relative to our current standard of living, it's a bad sign. It's amazing, though, that people can afford to be discouraged workers.

Actually I've always wondered what the deal is there. How do they live? Are they on welfare or something?

Go to San Francisco, close your eyes, and walk ten feet.  You'll trip over at least three of them.

JakeTheTall wrote:

Duke Stratosphere wrote:

resedit wrote:

Maybe they can't and remain competitive.

bullsmurf.

C'mon Duke, evil OSHA is destroying the American competitive edge !  You know this is true !

I've never actually seen anyone from OSHA. I have heard that things change drastically in some workplaces whenever OSHA calls ahead to say they're coming over, but I've never actually seen it happen.

Duke Stratosphere wrote:

I've never actually seen anyone from OSHA. I have heard that things change drastically in some workplaces whenever OSHA calls ahead to say they're coming over, but I've never actually seen it happen.

California has its own OSHA which apparently actually enforces regulations occasionally. The Bush administration OSHA? Hahahaha.

ShnickyShnack wrote:

after-life wrote:

JakeTheTall wrote:

C'mon Duke, evil OSHA is destroying the American competitive edge !  You know this is true !

Don't forget the onerous corporate tax rates! And class action lawsuits. You can't forget about them!

Aaaaaand the crippling environmental regulations!

Not to mention the terrifying power of unions!

Corp tax rates aren't crippling. I've not heard of anyone saying they currently are.


What is true is corp, indeed all business taxes, are passed on to the consumer.
Every idiot that screams about raising them is only shooting himself in the foot.

after-life wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:

Corp tax rates aren't crippling. I've not heard of anyone saying they currently are.

Hey, we're attempting to mime the Wall Street Journal editorial page, not to be credible!

Sounds more like your attempting to ridicule and discredit what you can't debate.

Here's a link off the top of Google.

It's become their new "LIBERALIZE YOUR LABOR MARKET!"

Farmerkev wrote:

What is true is corp, indeed all business taxes, are passed on to the consumer.
Every idiot that screams about raising them is only shooting himself in the foot.

In a sense, yes, but that's an oversimplification. Tax revenues are needed for all kinds of things. If this administration had spent this money on this stupid Iraq debacle (since 1990) on infrastructure here at home, I think we'd all be a LOT better off.