Billy Bummer

In 2011, corporate profits reached highs not seen since 1950.  Between 2009 and 2011, 88% of our national income growth went to corporate profits, and only 1% to wages.  In 2011, American wages increased a whopping 1.4%, while inflation rose our prices 3.2%.  With 4.2 unemployed people for every job opening, Americans are not in any kind of bargaining position these days.

Forty percent of American households are less than three months from poverty should a personal crisis arise--and I was kind of surprised it was that long.

Turns out, state tax breaks to corporations in return for jobs doesn't always work out so well.  Job creation is often minimal to non-existent, and all too often it's for poor paying jobs.  Or the corporations end up cutting jobs anyway--ask the good folks of Illinois how they feel about Sears Holding Corp. and its tax breaks....

It's not going to get better anytime soon--and while Democrats are going to be marginally better on issues concerning working Americans than republicans, it's no guarantee that their first priority will be helping the rest of us with better paying jobs.

And that's why we need to keep looking for the union label.

Peace,
emaycee