The Difference Between Labor and Capital

[Octafish]

Happy Labor Day 2014!

Remember! One thing that separates Democrats from Republicans are policies that advance the interests of working people.

[leftstreet]

1. DURec

[Octafish]

4. Here's another Shakespearean classic...

...or is it Dickensean? Either way, justice needs to depend on more than cash on hand.

[malthaussen]

7. I remember seeing that one awhile ago.

Out-of-context to this post, but looking at the third tier of that wedding cake: I've been wondering recently if the militarization of the police isn't due to the ruling class fearing that they won't be able to rely on the army to shoot the people when the time comes. Discipline is supposed to turn the trick, but most of the army comes from the same class (to say nothing of race) as the people they'll be expected to eradicate. Naturally, the military has contingency plans to deal with Der Tag (they'd be remiss if they didn't), but one of the first lessons a good officer learns is never to give an order unless there's a reasonable expectation that it will be followed. The old army of the USSR showed us that, when push comes to shove, the military just might side with the People, and not the Bosses.

OTOH, the way the police have been militarized and encouraged in viewing the citizens as the enemy may just make it easier for them to open up than for the army. How big a step is it, really, from pepper spray and rubber bullets to lead? From flash-bangs to frags? From CS gas to nerve gas?

-- Mal

[hifiguy]

11. This all reminds me of something John F. Kennedy once said:

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

[malthaussen]

12. Yeah, I think JFK nailed it, there.

In his time, at least some of the ruling class knew not to bind the mouths of the kine. The lesson has been lost, I'm afraid: they think they can win when Der Tag comes. And they certainly don't care how many of their disposable labor-units are destroyed.

It's ironic, too. The US public will put up with a lot of crap. Just looking at the decline in the top tax brackets proves that. But they have to keep pushing it...

-- Mal

[Omaha Steve]

2. K&R!

[Octafish]

5. Our Global Situation

Keep up the Good Fight, Omaha Steve!

[malthaussen]

3. Ah, that was then.

Labor is capital now. Unlike other forms of capital, however, the Bosses freely expend it.

-- Mal

[Octafish]

6. Do they ever!

XOXOXO from Detroit.

[panader0]

8. "Labor is prior to, and independent of capital.

Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."---Abraham Lincoln

[hifiguy]

10. One of my all time favorite quotations.

[TexasProgresive]

9. Easy-Capital gets a golden parachute, Labor gets a golden shower. n/t

[Rochester]

15. Zing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NBachers]

17. Trickle Up, No More Trickle Down

[icnorth]

13. "It is labor...

that gives life and value to capital. It is labor that creates the products, the exchange of which gives employment to money." It is labor that consumes these same products; and it is labor that not only pays the workman's wages but also the interest, rent and profit of the capitalist." ~Edward Irving, Breakers Ahead

[DrewFlorida]

14. Great post, thank you!

[Rhinodawg]

16. great post

[moondust]

18. Helpful chart.

http://qz.com/257222/us-workers-kick-off-labor-day-weekend-with-some-depressing-charts/

[Jackpine Radical]

19. Good thing we've had a Democratic administration

these last 6 years to turn that curve around.

Oh, wait…