Comments | lincolnduncan: Yet another letter to the editor

lincolnduncan

Yet another letter to the editor

Jul 30, 2006 22:16

EDIT (08/04/06): The letter was printed today. I'm not thrilled with how the first section was changed. My point wasn't to rail against the Democrats per se, but to show that both major parties suck at basic economic policy (and running the country).

To the Democrats: Every time you increase the minimum wage (or, in economic terms, raise the price ( Read more... )

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Comments 4

jalfrdprufrocky July 31 2006, 04:29:45 UTC

I agree with you wholeheartedly. But what would the Libertarians do?

I would have called you this weekend but I sound like Clarence "Frogman" Henry. I may call you some time later this week. My departure date has been pushed back due to everyone in my family getting sick at the same time.

lincolnduncan August 5 2006, 04:14:56 UTC

The emotional obstacle in thinking about labor is that people provide it. Once you get over that, labor is a commodity much like anything else. It also helps to remember that every worker is also a consumer, so an increase in worker's wages is countered by the consequential increase in prices for the goods the laborer-consumer buys.

Hence, the "small-l" libertarian solution is to have an open market for labor just like you would have for anything else. People could negotiate a wage or salary at any level they want. (I don't claim to speak for the Libertarian Party, but the answer is likely similar.)

Personally, I think an open labor market would take the labor unions from a cost-inflating bully system to a legitimate force for worker's wages, as long as people were free not to join them.

Well, get better. Call me whenever you feel up to it.

Well... jalfrdprufrocky August 6 2006, 23:28:50 UTC

I'm on the cruise ship, but I don't think I can use my cell phone from here. At least, my phone doesn't get a signal in my stateroom. Maybe there's somewhere else here where my phone will work.

Wish you were here. No, really. I wish you were here, because it's @%#$ing boring just being here by myself.

Re: Well... lincolnduncan August 7 2006, 01:05:55 UTC

I suppose you would have to be able to get a cell phone signal somewhere on a cruise ship, but I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't. I'll be here if you can though. :-)