A fair and logical suggestion for people who are demanding upwards of 100% hike in minimum wage for one of the many entry level service jobs out there.

quote:
we shouldn't be withholding the same argument from those who are waiting for lower skilled manufacturing jobs to return

Seems like both the left and right agree that there is a problem, but differ massively on how to address it.

The problem is that there are not enough job opportunities for low skill workers to have the upward mobility that they need to live comfortably off of their wages. That reality helped shape the "occupy" protests from 4 years ago and was likely a driving force behind the rise of populism in 2016.

The obvious (to me) solution is:

1. Document and explore the real challenges faced by companies in those industries and honestly evaluate the role of government in their struggles. Some of them can't be helped, but many can.

2. Implement meaningful changes to help facilitate growth in manufacturing within the US and encourage investment into manufacturing facilities. That could mean overhauling needlessly heavy handed environmental regulations, a simple streamlining of permitting processes, or the daunting task of revamping the corporate tax structure.

3. Organize and invest in trade school facilities that can help prepare low skilled workers for higher paying jobs out there. This should probably come in conjunction with drug abuse treatment centers to help the labor pool prepare for their future. Both worthy investments.

Simply mandating that minimum wage be hiked for low skill jobs is a cop out and represents either a misunderstanding of the economic realities of America today or an obvious pandering scheme to low income voters. Likely both, as there is ample evidence that progressive lawmakers (and some republicans) have demonstrated the lack of understanding of the movement of capital and the need to pander to low income voters without actually helping them. Hiking minimum wage is not a medium or long term solution to the problems they face. It's a cop out.

From where I am sitting, Trump is at least trying to understand and address the realities faced by manufacturing companies. He has not pledged to destroy entire industries with environmental red tape. He has not indicated a desire to ignore the plight of workers just because they belong to a labor union that shovels money into the campaigns of his opponents. He has neither pledged to force card check or fight organized labor. He seems to be meeting with representatives of major manufacturers and trying to understand their issues. That's more than what we've seen out of Washington politicians in a while, and it's refreshing.

This post was edited on 12/7/16 at 8:52 pm

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Posted by buckeye_vol

Member since Jul 2014

35255 posts

Posted on 12/7/16 at 8:52 pm to dewster

quote:
Document and explore the real challenges faced by companies in those industries and honestly evaluate the role of government in their struggles.

Agreed.

quote:
Implement changes to help facilitate growth in manufacturing within the US and encourage investment into manufacturing facilities. That could mean overhauling needlessly heavy handed environmental regulations, a simple streamlining of permitting processes, or the daunting task of revamping the corporate tax structure

Agreed. Less government is always the ideal solution. Even if it doesn't solve the intended problem, it solves the problem of government meddling.

quote:
Organize and invest in trade school facilities that can help prepare low skilled workers for higher paying jobs out there. This should probably come in conjunction with drug abuse treatment centers to help the labor pool prepare for their future. Both worthy investments.

Agreed. If the government is involved then it should be to give people the resources to improve and find opportunities in a changing market. This is especially better than trying to artificially change the market itself.

quote:
Trump is at least trying to understand and address the realities faced by manufacturing companies.

And this is great, expecially when he is lessening the government involvement. But if he starts implementing Bernie-like policies that increase government involvement in the market itself, then I cannot support those means.

Great post!!!!