This Labor Day

[Crewleader]

Florida Today


Our View: Working class blues

This Labor Day, middle and lower-income families still losing economic ground

WEB EXTRAS

Poll: Is your family losing ground in the current economic climate?
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President Bush said two weeks ago "things are good for American workers" in the fourth year of recovery after the 2001 recession.

He needs to take off the blinders.

Economic data released last week shows Bush is completely out of touch with reality, for all but the highest-level earners.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060904/OPINION/609040309/1004

[Deja Q]

1. WHAT things are good for American workers?

I'll think about that one for a while.

Maybe Bush could elaborate on HOW things are good for American workers.

Unless his idea of a worker is being an executive... but we can't have a country full of executives...

[Crewleader]

2. Vote For Better My Friends!

American workers heading to the polls for Tuesday's primary elections and on Nov. 7 should use their votes to elect leaders who'll put their interests above those of powerful corporations and the nation's wealthiest citizens.

Those who do the nation's labor deserve their fair share of its benefits. :thumbsup:

[Higans]

17. That might work if they actually counted the votes.

[Loki]

3. Crew, is it really you?

:hug: You were our Welcome Wagon here in the early days of DU. I'm so happy to see you back dear lady. :hi: Almost 7 years have gone by since those dark days of early 2001. and hopefully this will be the year that we have been working so hard for. Good to see you back.

Loki

[Crewleader]

6. Thanks My Dear Friend Loki

Hard to believe 7 years already then again with what we've been through, too much of NOT a good thing, with each year declining for working families. Are you better off is the question everyone needs to ask themselves and then they will know how to vote! This year is Great Hope to change it around and
won't it feel Wonderful when we accomplish that!:hug:

Always GOOD to see you! :hi:

[W_HAMILTON]

4. Yep, kinda funny how the real workers get screwed over today

The nice, cushy, city office positions all get off work today...but the people that pick up trash and recycling are at work.

I have to pay a pricey medical bill for an expensive test I had done awhile ago; I called in, and of course, they are off work today.

Many of the big-time celeb shows start tomorrow, not today (ie Couric on the news, Rosie on The View, etc).

Back when I was employed, I was the one that would usually work on Labor Day for my hotel while the higher-ups took the day off.

All the while, just about everyone that I know that has lesser jobs -- they're all working today.

Funny thing, this thing they call Labor Day...

[Crewleader]

8. Funny thing, this thing they call Labor Day...

I know where you are coming from friend...be sure to vote! :hi:

[kentuck]

5. This is the toughest time for workers in my lifetime...

and a good day to you, Crewleader, my Friend.

[Crewleader]

7. I'm with you on toughest times for workers kentuck

I'm Keeping Hope Alive My Friend! :hug:
You and Your Family Have a Wonderful Labor Day! :hi:

[Bozita]

9. Agreed! ... Toughest since the '30s

[Retired AF Dem]

10. And hopefully you wouldnt be one of those

that bitch about not being able to buy gas, go out to eat, go see a movie, go to the mall, go to the beach (lifeguards) rent a room at a hotel with you boy-girlfriend, and all the other things we would like to do on our labor day off. People have to work to keep others happy on their day off.

[stevedeshazer]

11. 87.5% adversely affected, according to the poll

Nice to see you, Crewleader! :hi:

[Crewleader]

13. Right Back At Ya Steve_DeShazer

:hi:

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Lazy people vote for republicans so they don't have to work!

They know that if a repig is in the White House nobody will have a job. That's why Miz Harris had to pay $400 for a possum in Florida the other day! Out of work folks all over the country have eaten all the critters they could catch or run over since 2000. That's why Bush is pushing those books on Goat Husbandry in schools all over the country! The only thing they teach in school here now is the 33 non poison weeds, so that the kids can eat after they graduate. The home economics classes here are teaching road kill recipes I heard! No Possum Left Behind Act...I think they call it... A turnip sandwich is $5.00 here now, without the bread! But I think we might turn the corner soon.

At least Reagan gave us some cheese!

Edit...I'm having fried rabbit tracks for breakfast!

Bush has ruined everything he's touched and lied about everything he's ruined!

[Crewleader]

14. Well said Hubert!

:hi:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. -snippety-snap-

Incomes are up because more people in households are working, but in lower-paying jobs. Also, big increases in income for the wealthiest Americans boost income averages for those lower down the scale.
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Median hourly wages have fallen 2 percent since 2003, when inflation is factored in, according to The New York Times.
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That means you're working harder, but the rewards of that labor aren't coming back to you.
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And, despite current economic growth and strong corporate profits, wages and salaries aren't keeping up with inflation for the first time since World War II.
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It doesn't take a genius to read those tea leaves.

[DallasNE]

16. Care Needs To Be Taken

This article was good in pointing out the need to use median figures rather than average figures as they paint a more accurate picture. But care needs to be taken so that fairly small losses aren't played as catastrophic loses. While a 2% loss in income over 2 years certainly reflects on the right direction/wrong direction question it is also less than a dire number, except for some special cases.

Labor Day is a good day to reflect on the employment picture. Here we see 4 straight months where the average increase in employment has been roughly 120,000 while it requires roughly 160,000 a month just to stay even with population growth. While Bush likes to tout "strong" job growth the reality is that job growth is also a wrong direction indicator. Participation Rate, rather than Unemployment Rate should be used to measure the true employment picture. Obviously, Participation Rate is another wrong direction indicator.

Taken together these all point strongly to a wrong direction conclusion and when that happens new leadership is the solution. But let's not overplay the rhetoric.

[DallasNE]

18. More Grim Numbers Afflict Young Workers

When drilling down and looking at sub-categories the picture is often even more grim. And this is the case with younger workers.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/04/us/04labor.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin>

[ComerPerro]

19. Republicans shouldn't even have the day off

[Crewleader]

20. Let's Give Them Early Retirement in 06!

:thumbsup:

May Next Labor Day Shine Alot Brighter For Working Families! :hi:

[UrbScotty]

21. So much for a 'single-state recession,' right Mr. DeVos? (nt)

[Anakin Skywalker]

22. Only if these "American workers" are corporate bigwigs!

[Oldtimeralso]

23. I am a worker!

I am union always have been and always will be but this administration has handcuffed labor. My contract expired and my last pay raise was on January 1, 2000, yes over 6 and 1/2 years ago and I am in an position where our union is not allowed to strike! So my family has been amBushed.