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Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

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Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#11

Post by cheez »

metalliqaz wrote: post #8
brenden2 wrote: post #2

I think this plays into the current social unrest as well. People have been trying to separate the looters and protestors, but they seem to completely ignore the extreme inequality that exists throughout the US, especially in this period of high unemployment. People at the bottom have it bad, very bad. Being ignorant of that problem is just going to make it worse. Lashing out at fancy retailers in fancy neighbourhood…

I know a few rich people. They basically want Trump to just shoot all the protesters. I don't see any message being received.

Same

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#12

Post by cheez »

brenden2 wrote: post #9
metalliqaz wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know a few rich people. They basically want Trump to just shoot all the protesters. I don't see any message being received.

Agreed, I (unfortunately) know many of these people. They simply don't understand the problem, and do not want to empathize with "the other side". It's worth trying to help others understand why people are angry. People need real help, police need to be held accountable, and we can't just keep shoveling cash into the pockets of the rich.

Not exactly. They know, but don't care. They believe they are disconnected from the consequences.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#13

Post by asdfasgasdgasdg »

pydry wrote: post #5
brenden2 wrote: post #2

I think this plays into the current social unrest as well. People have been trying to separate the looters and protestors, but they seem to completely ignore the extreme inequality that exists throughout the US, especially in this period of high unemployment. People at the bottom have it bad, very bad. Being ignorant of that problem is just going to make it worse. Lashing out at fancy retailers in fancy neighbourhood…

In all likelihood lashing out at fancy retailers will be effective. Additional police powers and crackdowns will be paired with throwing the rioters a few bones (e.g. greater checks on police powers and throwing the book at George Floyd's murderers). Of course, the elites will pretend that they meant to throw that bone all along and will vehemently deny it has anything to do with a smashed up Gucci store in Beverly H…

Do you really think so? These stores all have insurance. The deductibles will hurt a little but I don't think it's going to be game changing, especially for any national or international chains.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#14

Post by Miner49er »

metalliqaz wrote: post #8
brenden2 wrote: post #2

I think this plays into the current social unrest as well. People have been trying to separate the looters and protestors, but they seem to completely ignore the extreme inequality that exists throughout the US, especially in this period of high unemployment. People at the bottom have it bad, very bad. Being ignorant of that problem is just going to make it worse. Lashing out at fancy retailers in fancy neighbourhood…

I know a few rich people. They basically want Trump to just shoot all the protesters. I don't see any message being received.

Well, history shows us where that kind of disdain for the poor will eventually lead. It isn't gonna be good for the rich.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#15

Post by whatshisface »

pydry wrote: post #5
brenden2 wrote: post #2

I think this plays into the current social unrest as well. People have been trying to separate the looters and protestors, but they seem to completely ignore the extreme inequality that exists throughout the US, especially in this period of high unemployment. People at the bottom have it bad, very bad. Being ignorant of that problem is just going to make it worse. Lashing out at fancy retailers in fancy neighbourhood…

In all likelihood lashing out at fancy retailers will be effective. Additional police powers and crackdowns will be paired with throwing the rioters a few bones (e.g. greater checks on police powers and throwing the book at George Floyd's murderers). Of course, the elites will pretend that they meant to throw that bone all along and will vehemently deny it has anything to do with a smashed up Gucci store in Beverly H…

Wait, so if there were some elites in charge of everything, and if they felt personally threatened, you are suggesting that their response would be to decrease the power of their security forces? Wouldn't they want to make the police even more powerful?

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#16

Post by brenden2 »

asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #13
pydry wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In all likelihood lashing out at fancy retailers will be effective. Additional police powers and crackdowns will be paired with throwing the rioters a few bones (e.g. greater checks on police powers and throwing the book at George Floyd's murderers). Of course, the elites will pretend that they meant to throw that bone all along and will vehemently deny it has anything to do with a smashed up Gucci store in Beverly H…

Do you really think so? These stores all have insurance. The deductibles will hurt a little but I don't think it's going to be game changing, especially for any national or international chains.

It hurts insurance companies, but it's great for anyone who fixes or repairs windows.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#17

Post by whatshisface »

Miner49er wrote: post #14
metalliqaz wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know a few rich people. They basically want Trump to just shoot all the protesters. I don't see any message being received.

Well, history shows us where that kind of disdain for the poor will eventually lead. It isn't gonna be good for the rich.

... or the poor.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#18

Post by minitoar »

asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #13
pydry wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In all likelihood lashing out at fancy retailers will be effective. Additional police powers and crackdowns will be paired with throwing the rioters a few bones (e.g. greater checks on police powers and throwing the book at George Floyd's murderers). Of course, the elites will pretend that they meant to throw that bone all along and will vehemently deny it has anything to do with a smashed up Gucci store in Beverly H…

Do you really think so? These stores all have insurance. The deductibles will hurt a little but I don't think it's going to be game changing, especially for any national or international chains.

They will keep getting smashed up. People don't like to shop for luxury goods in a shop with boarded up windows.

Re: Declining worker power vs. rising monopoly power: explaining recent macro trends

#19

Post by specialist »

+1 Comparing wages to corporate profitability, valuations. Drives me nuts when these aspects are treated as completely unrelated.

I'm still deeply ambivalent about redistribution, cashectomies, etc. But it'd a lot easier to remain neutral if there was (a lot) more profit sharing.

Also, I have a hunch that gross inequity is related to the "missing productivity". I'm hoping someone is researching this.

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