Fancy-free trade
To the editor:
On May 5, 1818 a middle-class Jewish boy was born who became a famous philosopher, historian, economist, social scientist and revolutionary. He ultimately graduated from the University of Berlin with a PhD in philosophy. In 1848, 167 years ago, he published a document that became one of the most widely read and discussed social and political testaments ever written. I personally do not agree with the political aspects of his “solution” to class struggles. I did, however, find it astounding to learn that any one in 1848 had the foresight to predict, with a certain amount of accuracy, today’s current economic state of affairs.
He observed that all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. In the earlier epochs of history we find almost everywhere a complicated arrangement of society into various orders, a manifold graduation of social rank. In ancient Rome we had patricians, knights, plebians and slaves. In the Middle Ages we had feudal lords, vassals, guildmasters, journeymen, apprentices, serfs, and, of course, slaves. A definite subordinate graduation of classes. In 2015 we still have class antagonisms. A continuing parade of new classes, new conditions of oppression and new forms of struggle to replace old ones.
In 1848 he predicted, based upon previous history, a never-ending struggle between capitalists and workers. The rich want to get more rich and the workers also want to get rich. Obviously everyone can not be rich as we will always need production workers. In order to succeed, the rich must constantly build larger cities, promote new products and secure cheeper commodities, while eliminating large quantities of workers in order to increase profits without increasing production. This scenario is still happening today in the USA. In recent years, today’s owners simply move factories to foreign countries, or states, without labor unions and less government oversight, where labor is much cheaper, thus producing more profit. Fifty years ago, 53 percent of the USA economy was dependent on manufacturing jobs. Today it is a mere 9 percent. This is a reflection of exactly what happens when we price ourselves out of the world market. We can not compete. We will never be able to sell $20,000 to $30,000 cars to citizens of a country where the average annual wage is $1,000 to $4,000. Most of us even buy imported cars because they are cheaper.
I hate to hear politicians tell us they have a plan to “bring those jobs back.” Who are they kidding? They also like to tout “free trade” as a means of increasing domestic employment as a result of selling our expensive goods abroad. What are they smoking? It will not happen. They are every bit as far off base as Karl Marx’s political solution was in 1848. Class struggle, greed and insincere/dishonest politicians are unfortunately an ongoing fact of life.
Finally: Food for thought. By Junius P. Long
If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working or supporting your illegitimate offspring is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing and utility bills, and free cell phones…..You might live in a country founded by geniuses, but currently run by idiots.
R.E. Workman
Cape Coral