First, companies are able to have their goods manufactured in
parts of the world where people live on slave wages at best. These companies
can then import those goods back into the United States and sell them cheaper
than they sell goods made right here to home. How is it that a television set
can sail across the ocean and still sell for less than a television set built
here? However it happens, that’s what has taken place. Globalization just
pushes the pedal to the floor in the process.
For those companies that cannot import their goods from
other countries, namely, service industries and agriculture business, the
companies have pushed for lax laws that allow cheap labor to flood into
America. These are the illegal immigrants. Those Americans who cry foul,
including those in the traditionally organized labor camp, are told that
complaining is tantamount to racism. Nobody wants to be a racist, do they? Of
course not, so it’s an effective way to quiet the resistance.
Here’s the question. When you have so many Americans sitting
out of work, and are trying to automate more jobs, just who will have any money
to purchase these goods and services?
These companies have found ways to squeeze more and more out
of their labor force and the profits that were once spread across an entire workforce
are now being pocketed by those at the top of the corporate ladder. This is
evidenced by a truth that hardly anyone disagrees with; the rich are getting
richer and the poor are getting poorer.
These titans of industry are now turning to the Democratic
Party and aligning themselves with socialists. They are calling for people to
be given “free” this and “free” that, but none of them are willing to pay
higher taxes, or, God forbid, pay higher wages to their employees.
When companies pay a good living wage to their employees,
their employees can afford to purchase goods and that is good for the economy.
Also, by paying a good wage, employees no longer have to turn to the government
for help. Walmart and McDonald’s both pay such low wages that the United States
government subsidizes their labor costs. Most McDonald’s and Walmart employees
cannot raise a family or live on their wages alone, and therefore turn to heat,
health, and food assistance. Walmart’s owners are some of the richest in the
world. They have enough money stuffed away that their great grandchildren will
be rich. Imagine if that money had been spread amongst their workforce. Think
of the savings to the government, aka; You, the taxpayer.
Here are some changes that would make the situation better.
1.
Tax any money not paid out to hourly employees. In other
words, if a company makes billions and pays a paltry wage, they will be taxed
heavily on that money because odds are, their employees are accepting
government assistance. This will encourage companies to pay better wages as
opposed to paying taxes. Either way, that money will be spent on the employees.
I believe most companies would rather pay the money directly.
2.
Tax automation. If the government taxes automation and uses
that money for the poor, many businesses may forgo automation and keep real
people employed. The only time machines should be used is for dangerous work,
which should be taxed at a low rate. We would rather have robots do dangerous
work.
3.
Companies should be taxed for exporting jobs. If a job could
be done in America, and it is not, the goods should be taxed to compensate for
the under-employed. This could be pegged to the unemployment rate. In other
words, if few are unemployed, it may make sense to have items made abroad. If
certain items are meant to be made abroad, like Chinese silk, or Pakistani
rugs, then that should not be taxed as high. There’s no reason that televisions
are made overseas and shipped here cheaper than they can be made here.
We already use our tax system to influence people’s
behavior. Corporations are not people. It’s true that they are made up of
people who have collectively invested their money, but most corporations are
run by a select few people, who in almost every case, are paid astronomical
wages compared to most company employees, and they have fantastic benefit and
severance packages. This is money that could be used to lift the lifestyles and
retirements of their employees, while still allowing those at the top to be
filthy rich. The only difference is that they won’t have as many succeeding
generations able to inherit the wealth.
I am a capitalist, but a personal capitalist. I am not a
corporate capitalist. I am also not a globalist. I believe in being a part of
the global system, but I believe in forced diversity. Those who are globalists
are trying to homogenize the world, to essentially form a world monopoly of
power and influence. A monopoly is not a good thing. While having multiple
different governments and systems is a pain in the ass to multi-national
corporations, it is good for humanity. Diversity is good.
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