How many of those 80,000 Staples jobs Romney created resulted in mom and pop stationary stores

[JaxsonRaine]

20. Why do you think

That the majority of workers don't have anything to do with basic necessities of life anymore? It's because we have innovated our technologies so we don't have to spend our labor-capital on those activities. Any time innovation occurs, it phases out old jobs, but opens up new opportunities.

Think of it like this. You have an ancient people who have very little technology, but they can grow, let's say, corn. Some of the corn fields are quite a distance away, and 20% of the population is engaged in growing/harvesting/transporting corn.

Then, someone invents the wheel. This makes transporting corn much easier, so only 15% of the population is engaged in growing corn. Now the other 5% can be put to work in other ways, such as making carts, making wheels, fixing carts and wheels, etc... Now, a smaller number of people get the same amount of work done corn-wise, but the population as a whole gets more wealthy because they now have wheels, carts, etc...

Then, another person innovates by using a water-wheel to grind the corn. Now only 10% of the population is engaged in growing corn. The people who don't have to grind anymore can be employed in other ways. They can start new fields(growing wealth) or work in the water-wheel construction/related businesses.

After enough innovation, you get to where we are now. Less people work to provide the basic necessities of life, which means we have more people to make all the wonderful things like TVs, computers, and political forums.

Yes, innovation can phase out old jobs, but the population as a whole always comes out ahead.