4 ms·
Why shouldn't the global economy seek to make labor fungible? Why shouldn't Indians and Hungarians have the same opportunities to work that I do? I think puttin
by natrius 11y ago
Why shouldn't the global economy seek to make labor fungible? Why shouldn't Indians and Hungarians have the same opportunities to work that I do? I think putting other people who are trying to produce value at a disadvantage for personal gain is a bad thing.
Yes, some people get to buy new yachts when they stop buying labor from American workers. We could prevent them from buying labor from other workers, or we could do something about the yachts.
- tosseraccount 11y agoHighest paid people in our society are doctors and lawyers. Are there special laws to subsidize importing them or new laws to deregulate these profession? Let's try these first, see how it works.
- natrius 11y agoWe should not emulate the legal protectionism that those industries have pursued. The legally imposed shortages in these industries raise prices and make everyone else poorer. I want no part in that. The aim of our industry should be to make everyone else wealthier by producing zero marginal cost goods that solve people's problems. We should celebrate when problems become cheaper to solve.
- tosseraccount 11y agoInteresting take on it you have. What can American middle class workers do about stagnant real wages? Productivity is up, but it's been a while since we've had a raise.
- natrius 11y agoIf you believe that too much of the gains from progress have accrued to capital, you can fight to redistribute those gains. Protectionism is redistribution too, it's just poorly directed. Personally, I'd rather see the wealthy fund more public goods. Few people are struggling, and we should support them. Other than that, let's pursue abundance together instead of trying to adjust relative wealth.
- tosseraccount 11y agoI just don't think this approach has worked very well. You have an interesting take on it; I'll respect that and leave it at that.