Workers Are Consumers: When a "Recovery" Isn't

[marmar]

from the Working Life blog:



Workers Are Consumers: When a "Recovery" Isn't

by Jonathan Tasini
Monday 04 of April, 2011


There is a deep, deep disconnect between how the political leaders, chattering classes and traditional media view what is happening in the economy versus how the rest of the people feel the economy in their everyday lives. This has been true for quite a long time. But, it is even more true today, at the depths of one of the greatest financial crises in generations. Here is one question to ask: can a "recovery" be "wage-less"?

The answer is, in my view, an absolute NO. It would seem obvious to most normal people that an economy is not some abstract thing. It's made up of a lot of actual people. An economy that does not serve the interests of the people cannot be seen as functioning.

You may say, "well, duh, that's obvious". Well, yes, duh--BUT:

Over time, "recovery" and "economic health" does not always equal "people doing well"--at least if you are not in the top one percent of income earners. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=15144