Does Everybody Hate Pres. Obama?

[Lynnie]

My guess is that most states if not all have pretty strong labor laws now.....and, if a State doesn't, Fed does. Collective Bargaining/Unions were a great institution up until about 1970. Arguably and factually, the Union Executives are benefitting monetarily off of the union member fees and negotiating power among the group. Why does a UAW worker make substantially more than a non-union worker? And, it makes perfect sense that the GM workers agreed to a reduction in wages. The alternative of no job or worse, a job sans union security didn't seem very appealing, which is another reason GM can show a profit for 2Q 2010. This was the first full quarter of reductions. So, GM isn't servicing their debt they owe to the American People (because someone announced they didn't have to), their union workers took a cut in pay and suddenly GM is an American Hero? NAH! Hardly.

So, to compromise, maybe not abolish the unions, but rather heavily regulate. I am for abolishing, however and have been since studying this in business school in the early '90's.

 

[Will B]

I'm surprised that nobody has brought this up. I've been sitting idly by waiting, but it hasn't happened. Good thing that GM is taking their new found wealth and reinvesting it in the US economy...

Yeah...they have unions down there, but they are paid far less than workers here.

IndustryWeek : GM to Build New Vehicle at Plant in Mexico

 

[ugabuga]

So, to compromise, maybe not abolish the unions, but rather heavily regulate. I am for abolishing, however and have been since studying this in business school in the early '90's.

It seems to me that corporations really run this country. Both major political parties largely do their bidding. The once-powerful unions have had their powers greatly reduced, while the power of the corporations grows steadily. The Health Insurance Reform Act--maligned as "socialist"--still leaves most people's health insurance in the hands of for-profit corporations. With unions now representing only about 12% of workforce, you're not far from getting your wish of no unions at all.

You say "heavily regulate [unions]." In a world without unions, would more regulation of corporations be called for? Or can we trust the invisible hand of the market to ensure that workers and consumers will not be exploited?

 

[Lynnie]

Things change and more regulation usually surfaces out of crises. Corporations are presently regulated in this Country.....arguably could be more or less depending upon your politics.

Unions today are no different than Affirmative Action in some respects....i.e. job security.

 

[sisters4]

Who are the "corporations?"

 

[ugabuga]

Who are the "corporations?"

Wal-Mart
Exxon Mobil
Chevron
General Electric
Bank of America
ConocoPhillips
AT&T
Ford Motor
J.P. Morgan Chase
Hewlett-Packard
Microsoft
Apple
Haliburton
Google on Fortune 500 for the rest

 

[sisters4]

My question was to make a point. I am sure you understand.

 

[ugabuga]

My question was to make a point. I am sure you understand.

I'm sorry if I'm stupid, but I honestly don't understand your point.

Can you explain it slowly & clearly for me?

 

[BrentS]

I don't hate him he is just a left wing radical that belong on a back bench complaining to keep true leaders in check!

 

[Andy A]

My question was to make a point. I am sure you understand.

The simple answer to your question is...people. They are the people who create the technology, build the cars, washing machines and a myriad of other goods and supply the services we need to operate our businesses and lives. Some fail or don't wish to realize that a corporation is not an evil, underhanded and nefarious many headed monster that is absolutely against all that is for the benefit of the public in general. Look at the list that UB so generously supplied. Are those corporations headed by some unknown enity? They are made up of people, nothing more, nothing less and yes those people make mistakes just as you and I do. BTW, this applies to the unions composed of people who,also, are subject to make mistakes just as the corporations do. Nothing is perfect in this world but there are idealists who would try to convince you that such can be so.