Given the heated political environment and the tenuous state of the economy, Labor Day will take on added significance this year. The holiday is sandwiched between the Republican and Democratic presidential conventions, where the question foremost in most voters’ minds is, “Where are the jobs?”
On this we can all agree: America needs more jobs, and needs them to be better paying and more secure. That song is the same regardless of the choir. But the harmony ends when it comes to the particulars — how did we get to this place of persistent high unemployment and how do we get out? Instead of workable solutions and new ideas, we are treated to a constant refrain of grandstanding and finger-pointing. Politicians, as well as labor and management leaders, have perfected the art of war at the expense of job protection and creation and America’s success in a global economy.
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Yes, collaboration can be a successful process in the work environment. Unfortunately it doesn't create jobs. This country needs more manufacturing jobs to sustain the middle class which pays a majority of taxes. Will corporations invest the capitol in creating such jobs or continue to outsource jobs to maintain their profits?
The capitalist American culture has long assumed a model of competition between labor and management. This results in a competitive mindset on both sides which resists change. Lately, management has been "beating" labor by achieving greater productivity with fewer unions and lower wages and benefits. Yet the overall shared goal of an improved economy is elusive. Collaboration can only improve outcomes for both sides if management can accept that labor will share their interests and goals, if they are allowed to share in some of the decision making and profits.
I have never in my lifetime seen such an anti business agenda. The private businesses fuel this economy. This current administrations attempt at class warfare makes it no climate for anyone to innovate, take chances or even know what the future holds, yet they get demonized for not creating jobs or being too successful. Personally I think the democrats have jumped the shark.