WL> -=> Quoting Gregory Procter to Alec Cameron <=-
GP> We, (and I include the USA, Europe, the UK and NZ etc.) have
GP> an overall drop in living standards, lower average wages,
GP> ever increasing unemployment and an ideological cry for
GP> higher productivity from less and less workers over the last
GP> few years. As total production falls year by year, either we
GP> accept the increasing problems and social costs of more and
GP> more unproductive people dragging down the rest, or we come up
GP> with a new ideology to allow them to work at differently
GP> productive tasks. There are several other alternatives,
GP> but Adolf, Idi and co. aren't generally popular at present!
WL>       I can't speak for NZ or the other countries you mention
WL>except the USA, but in the USA unemployment has been steadily
WL>declining and is just about at what most economists feel is
WL>basically zero (there are always some people temporarily
WL>unemployed because they are between jobs, moving from one city
WL>to another, or something similar).
This is a misrepresentation of the facts. Unemployment is figured
based on those atively seeking work, as a percentage of the total
workforce (working + seeking). There are large numbers of unemployed
not seeking work (due to the availability of public charity), and a
large number of UNDERemployed, like myself. I have TWO  Bachelor of
Science degrees: one in "Fuel Science", the other in "Ceramic Science
& Engineering". FSci compares to ChemEng, for combustion; CerSE
compares to Metalurgy or Polymer Science. I am currently working at
just over minimum wage at a shoe factory. I am "not" unemployed, but
boy am I UNDERemployed!!!
WL>       In the USA, total production has been increasing, not
WL>falling, year by year.
But net wages have been falling.
WL>       It has been noted with some interest (and puzzlement)
WL>by economists that in spite of the repeated downsizing of
WL>work forces in the USA there has been a decrease, not increase,
WL>in unemployment.  So what is happening is not a new ideology
WL>to allow these downsized people to work at other tasks, but
WL>that they are finding productive work under the present
WL>ideology.
At McDonalds, Merry Maids, and WalMart.
WL>       This does not make it any less painful for the person
WL>who is downsized, but overall it seems to be working.
"Seems". We're working, but not achieving.
WL>       This is indeed relevant to motive power on railroads.
WL>Many authorities have noted that the steam engine developed
WL>as comparatively a simple machine in the USA with rather
WL>broad tolerances, while in the UK they were often precision
WL>machines requiring skilled machinists and constant attention.
You think a US-made steam engine is made sloppy? :D
WL>       The reason often cited for this is that in the USA
WL>the skilled machinist was relatively less common and
WL>commanded a substantially higher pay than in the UK, where
WL>there was an abundance of skilled artisan who as a result
WL>could be hired for less to maintain the high-maintenance
WL>UK locomotives.
Horsefeathers. Faulty premise, ridiculous conclusion.
Reggie Arford
___
 X SLMR 2.1a X if your mind goes blank, remember to off the sound.
--- Maximus 3.01
---------------