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But the main issue is productivity and profit vs wages paid for those. Currently we have a system where our productivity increases exponentially, yet wages stagnate. The only reason this happens is because we've allowed it to.
Some European nations have toyed with the idea of a shorter work week, which also allows more employment, but they already have things like mandatory 6 weeks paid vacation and maternity leave etc.
The biggest problem I see is the value we put on inanimate objects instead of placing our value on our fellow humans and their quality of life. Life should be measured by happiness, not some monetary index. If we lived our lives in service to others no one would want for anything material or emotional.
originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
originally posted by: intrptr
So the solution then is work less, get payed more?
In a nutshell, yes.
Another thing to do would be to make it easier for people to start small businesses and help the small business owners that may be struggling. The government, local, state and national, should let up on the laws and ordinances that stifle the growth and creation of small businesses.
Personally, I believe that many of these prohibitive laws were made on behalf of the big businesses that want to limit competition. Also, the government is always trying to take advantage of every possible revenue source and the small businesses are the easiest to target compared to big businesses.
No international workers rights
originally posted by: tothetenthpower
a reply to: ChaoticOrder
I see a different problem, although yours is certainly at the forefront.
We have international markets, international trade relations, international banking.
No international workers rights. No rules that govern companies across the board when they step out of 'home plate' so to speak.
But the main issue is productivity and profit vs wages paid for those. Currently we have a system where our productivity increases exponentially, yet wages stagnate. The only reason this happens is because we've allowed it to.
Or should I say the government has allowed multi-nationals to create the rules for themselves.
Some European nations have toyed with the idea of a shorter work week, which also allows more employment, but they already have things like mandatory 6 weeks paid vacation and maternity leave etc.
~Tenth
originally posted by: Asktheanimals
The biggest problem I see is the value we put on inanimate objects instead of placing our value on our fellow humans and their quality of life. Life should be measured by happiness, not some monetary index. If we lived our lives in service to others no one would want for anything material or emotional.
The aboriginal people valued social standing, which was gained by how much you could do for others in the tribe. Maybe your value was as a warrior and you kept the people safe or you were a hunter who provided extra meat for widows and orphans. Or maybe you were a healer, or a great weaver of baskets or made the best leather. What guided us was our inner vision, to choose our vocation and in so doing provide something of value to our people. You could only be marginalized for betraying your people, being lazy and indolent or breaking some taboo.
We treated each other as family and extended the same to the plants and animals we share the planet with. We took only what was needed and did so with both respect for it's sacrifice but also an eye towards ensuring it's continuity. We never took the last patch of a certain plant or last pair of a species of animal. Our survival was mutually bound to theirs. It still is but we fail to recognize that critical fact.
originally posted by: interupt42
a reply to: tothetenthpower
No international workers rights
That is a biggie.
First world employees can't compete with the cost of living or cost of doing business of a third world employee.
In order to globally compete the third world quality, cost of doing business and cost of living has to go up or first world quality and cost of living has to come down.
I think its easy to see which route the world is heading.
Sadly its also a cookie cutter approach that can be applied in a cycle: Crash one economy build another.
Even Walmart has suffered in recent years. The income bracket they cater to ( majority of their employee income brackets) has lost buying power, is a perfect example.