At take on Industry and Governments Role
Health and Safety
My greatest desire in this life is the health and safety of myself and my family. There is no greater joy than visiting a healthy friend or family member. This is possible because of changes to law by the US Government over time.
Unions and Work Place Environment
Up until the early 1900’s many factory workers were indebted to the factory stores. Unable to move and unable to provide for their families.
Unions drove changes which increased wages, 40 hour work week, improved safety conditions in the work place, ended child labor, provided vacations and time to travel. A middle class grew and life for the average American improved.
In the 60’s and 70’s unions and employers agreed on safety rules. The result was better worker health and fewer industrial accidents.
The other advance was in the environment. Laws were passed to advance clean air and water policies. Practices for disposal of hazardous material were developed. Again the result has been better health for many citizens.
In many instances laws were passed to standardize these practices. The government played a role.
Agriculture
To support farming programs were created to assist farmers through these hard times. The government played a role. Even with these supports, slowly the next generation was enticed to leave the family farm for seemingly more stable jobs in other industries. Today the family farm is an endangered species. Taxes and stable jobs in other sectors have caused a move from family farming to jobs in other industries.
In these United States we have balanced rights between those that have and those that don’t for a long time. For the most part we have done it well.
Since around 1970 the balance has changed
Overtime unions drove wages up to a point where US industry could not compete with our international competitors. Employers lost market share and were no longer able to meet retirement commitments to workers.
The effect of government intervention with the passage of laws reduced the need for the unions. In addition the government balance has over time swung in favor of the employer as well. The worker has lost leverage.
My conclusion is democracy is losing the battle over capitalism.
We need to change the paradigm
The well being of all the people needs to come first.
I started this post by thinking I would argue, that the rights of the people do not include threatening the health and safety of others. For mask wearing to work requires all to wear masks to protect everyone. The government and mandates has a role. Examples to support this logic include speed limits, stop signs, and seat belts. Following the rules of the road make everyone safer.
Everyone Wearing a Mask
Benefits everyone. Government has a role.
I’d like to expand the conclusion.
Government plays a role in so many aspects of life. We need to “build back better” in so many ways. Yes, we need to keep the rewards of capitalism in place. But we need to limit those rewards to not take advantage of the worker. At some point the rewards need to be redirected back to the worker and those of us in need.
I recently saw a diagram which showed the tax rate for the average Staple Center Employee (12%). Lebron James (35%) and Steve Balmer (14%). In my mind this is just plain wrong. This information is either from an MSNBC or CNN news show.
The people working for Steve Balmer are being taxed at a much higher rate then their incomes support.
My Proposal to Restructure Tax and Compensation Rules
But the biggest improvement in my mind would be a personal deduction less tax code. Individual costs and loses should not offset massive income. I’d be willing to forego a mortgage income tax deduction to pay a lower tax rate. The rich should as well.
The business tax rate should be offset by costs such as capital improvement and salaries, but there should be rules in place which require a balance between employee compensation and corporate officer compensation. Bonuses to corporate leadership including stock options, should require wage equivalent bonuses to every employee.
This would incentivize corporate growth at all levels.
Proposal to Restructure Agriculture
In the past government has paid farmers to not plant crops. These programs improved profit margins, but have hurt the farmers in lean years.
I would suggest paying farmers for planting their crops and obtaining live stock. In return the government would retain the rights to 50% of production. The government could supply food banks in this country and throughout the world.
The farmer would be free to retain the remaining or sell it on the open market. So the more they produce the more potential profit. Of course overproduction may continue to drive prices down, but the farmer has less risk based on prepayment by the government.
Is this socialism?
In some form, Yes. But we retain the incentives provided by capitalism and improve the livelihoods of many. It provides a balance between wealth and power and the workers.
Government Has a Role.
Government role defines the balance between the worker and the employer. Today the government rules and laws are slanted for the benefit of the employer. The balance is gone. These or similar ideas help restore the balance.
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