"However, if you are going to say there is no union cronyism-"

Never said or implied any such thing. In fact the unions are sadly far too often used to shield those who are only marginally qualified over those who might excel.

I've NEVER said Unions are good. I simply think that it should be a free market where a bunch of owners of a corporation can talk with a bunch of workers. Why do so many have a problem understanding the notion of equality? Isn't that what America is about?

Sadly there are some laws in place that are very bad, but that doesn't change the fundamental notion that folks should be able to negotiate from an equal basis.

Rob

Thank you for your enlightenment (not).

Guess you don't know the answer either. Maybe you can call in and ask Rush.

Rob

Actually I'm neither. I'm a professional who has gotten what I've asked for in the past and anticipate doing the same for a little while longer until I retire. I'm very good at what I do and those who want my services appreciate that. Personally I've never needed or wanted a union to bargain for me although early in my career had to join one. I thought it was an abuse and I actually very much resent unions because those who are good at what they do just don't get what they are worth until it is recognized by the union or they get out of it. I got out and moved on. I have successfully since won any time a union has tried to move in on anything I was in charge of. I respect and treat my people well.

Quite frankly it could be said in a very broad way that I was quite over qualified as Howard Roark was played, and figuratively shot down for many of the same reasons. Until I learned how different I was I was very confused. "The Fountainhead" helped my enlightenment, but it wasn't exclusive.

Rob

If McDonald's is allowed to charge what the market will allow it to, why can't Labor do the same thing? Looks to me like such would be right out of Ayn Rand's playbook.

Rob

Looks to me like a bunch of dittoheads. But please let me be clear that's only my theory at this point.

Rob

Really? Where was I wrong, what did I miss? Who was the engineer on the train celebrating the new rails?

Instead of abusing you have a chance to teach here. Are you up to it?

Rob

Contacted or looked at the website to PROVE your crazy theory that America has a different standard yet?

Rob

Thank you, Rozar, for pointing out that a deal should be for mutual benefit and it just doesn't work to kill any golden geese, either from the labor side, or from management.

Working together is part of what has made America great.

Rob

Hi sdesapio,

I liked the notion that she was able to assert herself so completely and the wife was so completely clueless about how things really work. I had a wife like that once.

The train thing was simply raw feeling good about the whole situation that brought it to that point.

I've always been curious if the Engineer of that train was paid as a union member, if he was a scab, or some other way was found to drive the train. Except for Dagny standing up to the silly union thug and showing just how petty his "demands" were it wasn't followed up as to how the Engineer was chosen, unless I simply missed it.

Rob

From AJA: "It doesn't matter if that money was used to fund technology, hospitals, research and development, exploration and a variety of businesses which have colluded to provide an unfair advantage in the free market."

Do you want America to compete in a far market in the auto industry? Great. Then you should be a strong advocate for universal health care administered by Uncle Sam.

Why? BECAUSE the Japanese, Canadian, England, and the rest of the manufacturers don't have to dangle heath insurance (and those expenses) to assure their employees are healthy.

Consequently they can sell their cars at a more competitive price. AND THERE'S MORE! Because their economy spends less on Health Care per person than we do they get a lot more bang for their buck.

Rob

Wrong, AJA...

If the government spends the entire ten grand on the project it counts as ten grand spent for patient care. Regardless of where the money comes from the OVERALL cost per patient is less than in America.

It's not what each patient pays, it's what it costs to treat each patient, regardless of where the money comes from.

Rob

Awwww AJA, you think you got a slam dunk, do you? Not exactly. Do you read Forbes? It's generally a pretty conservative business magazine. Let's go to: http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/...

From there:All of which means that the real change in the cost of a Big Mac, or the dollar menu, if McDonald’s workers were paid $15 an hour is: nothing. For production costs simply do not determine the prices that can be achieved in a competitive market."

IOW, it will only change their profits. So, who is greedier? The workers who sweat and toil each hour, or the investors who put their money down and grab it back with both hands?

BTW, there is some discussion about automation and how that might cost some jobs, thus shooting the Union in their own footsies.

It will be interesting to see how this negotiation shakes out.

Negotiation???? Something you believe in, right AJA?

Rob