American workers' wages stagnant, even in a great economy: why?

[Anomalocaris]

I think the metrics are misleading.

Wages stagnant, but more people working, then business IS spending more on wages. Workers, en mass, do have more money.

And not considering the 'bump' in pay from welfare/unemployment insurance to actual minimum wage (at least) is disingenuous.

You can alway look at average wage instead of quibbling about this and that effect with no consideration for the magnitude of their impact on the whole.

[John V]

Should a worker get more simply because the overall economy grew?

Or, should a worker get more because his individual output grew?

I'm all for taxing the 1% in order to reduce the deficit, but really, the people in the 1% tend to be the innovators who produce wealth.

[RoadRunner79]

Should a worker get more simply because the overall economy grew?

Or, should a worker get more because his individual output grew?

I'm all for taxing the 1% in order to reduce the deficit, but really, the people in the 1% tend to be the innovators who produce wealth.

Yes, for cost of living increases,   If a company still has 1980 wages, I don't think that they would be doing very well (unless they had really high wages previouisly). 

However, I have to disagree on disproportionately taxes those who have done well (just because you can).  They already pay more, because it is a percentage basis.   If they want to cut the deficit, then they need to cut things, and learn how to tell people no.  And people complain about tax breaks, but often those tax breaks, are to encourage people to do good things with there money.   Closing up loopholes, where people are abusing the system is another matter.

[Amarok]

Should a worker get more simply because the overall economy grew?

Or, should a worker get more because his individual output grew?

I'm all for taxing the 1% in order to reduce the deficit, but really, the people in the 1% tend to be the innovators who produce wealth.

The former and the 1%  are neither

---

Yes, for cost of living increases,   If a company still has 1980 wages, I don't think that they would be doing very well (unless they had really high wages previouisly).  

However, I have to disagree on disproportionately taxes those who have done well (just because you can).  They already pay more, because it is a percentage basis.   If they want to cut the deficit, then they need to cut things, and learn how to tell people no.  And people complain about tax breaks, but often those tax breaks, are to encourage people to do good things with there money.   Closing up loopholes, where people are abusing the system is another matter.

La La Land

[John V]

Yes, for cost of living increases,

Yes, I meant in real dollars. From what I've seen, the bottom half or so of the US is making the same in inflation-adjusted dollars as they were 50 years ago.

Conceptually, is this a problem? Is a cashier today doing more than a cashier 50 years ago?

[Amarok]

Yes, I meant in real dollars. From what I've seen, the bottom half or so of the US is making the same in inflation-adjusted dollars as they were 50 years ago.

Conceptually, is this a problem? Is a cashier today doing more than a cashier 50 years ago?

La La Land

[Jackalope]

Greed.

Per-capita GDP, worker productivity, (and corporate profits) have increased greatly. These increases in worker productivity are not being shared with the workers.

Greed.

It's that simple.

[RoadRunner79]

Yes, for cost of living increases,

Yes, I meant in real dollars. From what I've seen, the bottom half or so of the US is making the same in inflation-adjusted dollars as they were 50 years ago.

Conceptually, is this a problem? Is a cashier today doing more than a cashier 50 years ago?

I don't believe so. 

However, I may quibble some over basing it only on output.   Much like a purchase decision, wage is a negotiation based on supply and demand, what it's worth to the consumer and so on. On both ends, you can ask for what you want, but you also have to keep in mind what the guy down the street is selling or buying.

[Amarok]

I don't believe so.  

However, I may quibble some over basing it only on output.   Much like a purchase decision, wage is a negotiation based on supply and demand, what it's worth to the consumer and so on. On both ends, you can ask for what you want, but you also have to keep in mind what the guy down the street is selling or buying.

La La Land

[Jackalope]

Much like a purchase decision, wage is a negotiation based on supply and demand, what it's worth to the consumer and so on. On both ends, you can ask for what you want, but you also have to keep in mind what the guy down the street is selling or buying.

LOL. Largely it isn't because of enormous differences in negotiating power between employers and employees.

Personally, I'm being asked to do more and more (we rolled more than one eliminated department's responsibilities into my group AND laid off part of my department). Each of my engineers contributes more to the bottom line than ever before. We're more profitable year over year.

Yet, our wages are stagnant.

Where's this trickle down that conservatives are always on about? Hasn't been happening, isn't going to happen.