What is the average American worker’s wage? This is something economists should have at the tip of their collective tongues. I heard on TV the other day it was $14.50 per hour. Out of context, that means nothing. In Michigan, autoworkers were earning a much higher wage. In the right wing Southern states, autoworkers were earning much less. Republicans were bragging that the low wages down south were bringing new jobs to these southern states. That was, as old time actor Walter Brennan used to say, “That’s not brag that’s fact.” It is pertinent today because of the terrible thing that happened to workers in Gov. Snyder’s Michigan. The average wage when calculated by a Republican who wants to compare Michigan wages to Southern states wages includes pensions and health care benefits. In the south, wages do not include these things. They compare apples to oranges, which is dishonest but FOX NEWS is there to sell the idea and the American people buy the comparison as valid. It is a “Bumper Sticker” Comparison.
Those who care, we do not reject the Republican’s claim that Right to Work Laws attract manufacturing argument, but we know the damage it does to workers wages. When workers have to pay for health care and save for retirement out of the $14.50 per hour wage, it is in truth a dramatic lowering of wages. For those that argue Social Security will be there for them to retire, are telling the truth. Social Security comes out of the $14.50. If they can destroy Social Security by privatizing it, they can lower the wages further—is there any doubt in the minds of Americans why they want to lower wages? They want American workers to work for Chinese wages for one reason: profits. This is an argument Democrats what to have with Republicans because it shows who is on whose side.
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