General Discussion

AgingAmerican

(12,958 posts)

59. It's easy

Tue Apr 28, 2015, 02:01 AM

Apr 2015

Strong labor unions. That's how you keep industries from leaving a country, and keep wages livable. That's how you 'level the playing field'.

Before unions, there were rich and poor with a tiny sliver of 'middle class'. With the advent of unions, came a vast middle class.

Every country with a large/strong middle class has strong labor unions, no exceptions. Once upon a time this country had strong labor unions, and a very stable economy. In the early 80s, the GOP at the behest of corporations started chipping away at labor unions. The middle class started shrinking. At the rate the Republicans AND Democrats are now attacking labor, we will have almost no middle class within 20 years. Mark my words.

Trade deals like this one do the opposite of what is needed. Everything is about campaign donations now. It isn't rocket science.

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President Obama Weekly Address: Fighting for Trade Deals that Put American Workers First [View all] lovemydog Apr 2015 OP

Presuming President Obama is correct, lovemydog Apr 2015 #1

one allows congress to go thru it and modify it where needed nt msongs Apr 2015 #4

What did we suggest as Democrats, when Bush asked for the same thing in 2007 sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #5

How do you think we can fix the trade deficit we have since NAFTA? lovemydog Apr 2015 #6

First of all, the trade deal HAS been negotiated in secret. But our Reps on the Trade Commission sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #17

Plus infinity! Level playing field implies we all have the same standard of living... cascadiance Apr 2015 #28

Yes, now that we know about this horror that is part of this Trade Agreement and since sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #56

Thanks for this post sabrina 1. lovemydog Apr 2015 #52

Thank you, and yes, a minimum wage IS important. However, much as I agree with that, the TPP sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #54

Strengthen unions and start following German practices better? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2015 #33

Yeah, I think that's a big one. lovemydog Apr 2015 #51

KNR! JaneyVee Apr 2015 #2

What did you think of it JaneyVee? lovemydog Apr 2015 #3

This bill is not like the old trade bills - from what we have seen so far it is about profits for jwirr Apr 2015 #43

The nail in the coffin of the middle class AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #7

The President says it will help strengthen the middle class. lovemydog Apr 2015 #10

Can you tell us what is in this Trade Deal that will help the Middle Class? Other than sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #25

No I can't. But I don't think we're ever going to completely lovemydog Apr 2015 #50

I'm not sure what you are asking 'without the trade deal'. Do you want us to assume sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #53

It's easy AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #59

The President is wrong. [n/t] Maedhros Apr 2015 #34

Same line of crap was used to sucker us into NAFTA. 99Forever Apr 2015 #35

Bingo Populist_Prole Apr 2015 #48

zz recho2com Apr 2015 #8

What a great first post. lovemydog Apr 2015 #11

does the tpa bill that just got voted through house and Senate committees cali Apr 2015 #9

I'm sorry cali, I don't know. lovemydog Apr 2015 #14

"Trade Deals that Put American Workers First" marmar Apr 2015 #12

Are you referring to NAFTA lovemydog Apr 2015 #15

I believe he is sincere, and I'll tell you what... joshcryer Apr 2015 #13

Thanks for the kind reply joshcryer. lovemydog Apr 2015 #16

It shouldn't affect the US (IP-wise). joshcryer Apr 2015 #18

Based on what you're saying, lovemydog Apr 2015 #19

That's the thing. joshcryer Apr 2015 #23

Don't understand all you are saying but it seems to me that this would be a way of keeping the jwirr Apr 2015 #46

How about putting Americans that are unemployed but seeking work first? Rex Apr 2015 #20

I was just thinking the same thing Rex. lovemydog Apr 2015 #21

Totally agree, the argument that wage increases hurts overall profit if crap and needs Rex Apr 2015 #22

Mr. President, stop renegotiating NAFTA (and the FTA's with Australia, Chile, Peru and Singapore). pampango Apr 2015 #24

Do you know whether or not our Trade Deficit has been addressed in the TPP? sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #26

If it enforces higher labor and environmental standards on trading partners then it should address pampango Apr 2015 #29

So we don't know. Which is why Democrats are correct to oppose it. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #32

Your faith in congress to make this a better agreement, if given the chance, is intriguing. pampango Apr 2015 #38

What do you think of Obama's 'level of bi-partisanship'? Thanks for the slam, this is what has made sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #40

"Most Republicans support Obama on this, while most Democrats do not." Not true. pampango Apr 2015 #44

Where are you getting that 'democrats support fast track'? Unions oppose it, even sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #49

"Only Democrats that identify as �liberal� strongly favor the idea. ... Republican majority oppose . pampango Apr 2015 #58

As if you aren't an unflinching supporter of the un-regnegotiated NAFTA, WTO. Romulox Apr 2015 #27

Kudos to your continued focus on discussing policies not posters. Many have missed pampango Apr 2015 #30

Um, you're doing the same thing. Right now. Romulox Apr 2015 #36

Some days I'm a little slow. I blame it on age. Thanks for your concern. n/t pampango Apr 2015 #39

Also, notice you couldn't dispute my first post. SUBJECT CHANGE TIME! nt Romulox Apr 2015 #37

I try not to respond to posts about posters including ones about me. pampango Apr 2015 #41

Your "opinions" are crystal clear. That means you aren't doing a good job Romulox Apr 2015 #42

Great Revealer of True Motives and Beliefs strikes another blow for truth, justice and pampango Apr 2015 #45

Workers. Right. Marr Apr 2015 #31

Translation of American workers = the 1% ananda Apr 2015 #47

Thank you lovemydog.... sheshe2 Apr 2015 #55

You're welcome my friend. I'm still opposed the TPP. lovemydog Apr 2015 #57

I support the TPP and here's why . . . Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #61

Unions put American workers first AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #60