RE: Slightly extended (was Re: [Futurework] David Ricardo, Caveman Trade vs. Modern Trade

[Harry Pollard]

Title: Re: Slightly extended (was Re: [Futurework] David Ricardo, Caveman  Trade vs. Modern Trade

Ed,   Not only to liberty and justice not taste too well, when they aren't there to taste, you will be sure that ends will not meet.   Two hundred years ago, Ricardo postulated the "Iron Law of Wages" and about 125 years ago George picked it up and ran with it. Of course that's all Classical stuff  - out-of-date for these complex modern economies.   So, we have welfare for people with full-time jobs who can't survive on what they get. We even have a name for them - the working poor. We have a law to force employers to pay a minimum wage, when in the England of half a millennium  or so ago - there was a law to keep wages down (the Statute of Laborers).   Why don't we laugh? Even though it might sound a trifle hollow.   So, in ten years, or twenty, or a hundred, will we still be trying but failing to provide something for an ever increasing number of the poor?   On second thoughts, don't laugh.   Harry   ******************************************** Henry George School of Social Science of Los Angeles Box 655  Tujunga  CA  91042 Tel: 818 352-4141  --  Fax: 818 353-2242 http://haledward.home.comcast.net ********************************************    From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ed Weick Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 6:08 AM To: Thomas Lunde; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Slightly extended (was Re: [Futurework] David Ricardo, Caveman Trade vs. Modern Trade Thomas, very good posting.  Ontario has just raised the minimum wage from peanuts to peanuts.  Many of the poor are working full time and even double time, but are still unable to meet the rent or buy enough food, let alone get their kids the kinds of in toys ("status goods") that are going around.  They can try eating freedom and justice, but they don't taste very good when you can't make ends meet.   Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: Thomas Lunde To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 3:36 AM Subject: Re: Slightly extended (was Re: [Futurework] David Ricardo, Caveman Trade vs. Modern Trade   They don't need money, Thomas. They need justice and the freedom to enjoy it.   Harry   Thomas: In a way, you are right.  Being poor and working with the poor as customers and neighbours let's me see the many ways the poor are lacking justice.  A recent article in the paper made the outstanding statement that 37% of workers in Canada are not covered by the Labour Code and laws.  When wages for the poor are kept artificially low, then the only way to compensate to maintain a survival standard is to work more.  Of course, there are about 4 to 5% who are mentally incapable, or physically disabled or in the case of single mothers, family challenged.  However, the work more solution has only produced the working poor, who still have to use food banks and subsidized housing, if thet can get it.  Not only that, as you suggest, they do not even have the freedom to enjoy what little they have.  I would agree, that justice and freedom would go a long way to compensating for money - or as you might suggest, make the earning and spending of money a by product of an effective system of justice and the freedom and thereby create a surplus to enjoy. Respectfully, Thomas Lunde      --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.548 / Virus Database: 341 - Release Date: 12/5/2003