3 Diabolical Lies Told To Workers
The following are lies used to fool workers. They are so pervasive and repeated so often by business interests and politicians that many people have accepted them as facts. Knowledge is the best defense. Become familiar with these falsehoods so you can avoid becoming a victim and counter their attacks.
1. Trickle down economics – The lie goes like this; the rich get richer, and it’s a good thing for the middle-class and poor because the spending leads to more and better opportunities through job creation. They argue that a rising tide floats all boats, but they’re the only ones who can afford one. Meanwhile you drown in debt.
Trickle down economics was at the forefront of the Reagan Era when unions such as the Air Traffic Controllers were crushed. It wasn’t good for workers then and it’s not good for workers now.
2. What’s good for Wall Street is good for Main Street – If this lie seems similar to trickle down economics you’re partly right. The lie goes like this; rich investors should not pay taxes on capitol gains because that money is the grease that keeps the economy going. After all you might discourage the rich from participating in the market and the middle-class and poor will suffer through loss of job opportunities.
As we saw with the 700 billion dollar bailout of Wall Street in 2008, wealthy CEO’s and millionaire investors get the government to save their corporations when they mismanage them. The argument then becomes the government can’t let us fail or everyone will be dragged down with us and lose their job and the government will lose tax revenues. Of course, it is the poor and middle-class that got stuck holding the bag when CEO’s of major corporations fall asleep at the wheel.
3. Free trade is good for American workers – The lie goes like this; the benefit of being able to purchase less expensive imported goods will offset any pain caused by loss of jobs at home. Ask yourself; is it good when jobs get shipped overseas? Is it true that Americans won’t do the work? Or is it more likely that they won’t do the work for the low wages being offered? Is it really a benefit to ship products half way around the globe when they can be made here at home?
Lies such as these are an insult to our intelligence. If not countered and countered vigorously they somehow become accepted as fact by the general public.
Labor needs advocates who will counter such falsehoods. Union organizers are uniquely suited for the job. Their ability to reach out and persuade workers gives them an edge. Personal contact with workers at their place of employment gives organizers credibility.
