Subj : Shortage of workers in the US To : Gregory Deyss From : Lee Lofaso Date : Sun Jun 18 2023 21:07:21 Hello Greg, JP>> The US economy is suffering from a shortage of workers. GD> There is no labor shortage, There is, however, a shortage of jobs paying GD> sufficient wages to attract workers to fill job openings, that will be GD> enough to overcome this ridiculous Biden Inflation. Republicans have been blocking efforts to raise the federally mandated minimum wage for years. Since the last time it was raised - to $7.25 an hour - the rate of inflation would make it $19.36 an hour. Would you want to work for such a measly wage? The state of Louisiana has no minimum wage, the same as four other states. Employers can choose to pay whatever wage they want, as long as it meets the federally-mandated $7.25 an hour. Please tell me why the Republican Party is, and remains, the party of scrooges. I really would like to know. Bernie Sanders suggested a federally-mandated minimum wage of $15 an hour. He was wrong. Today, we need to start at $20 an hour. If we act now. GD> For most Americans, real (inflation-adjusted) wages continue to drop. Wages GD> have been increasing less than prices. Wages never keep up with inflation. It has been well over a decade since the last time the federally-mandated minimum wage was raised. So why does the Republican Party choose to keep millions of people in abject poverty? GD> Those price increases include the costs of food, energy, rent, childcare, GD> eldercare and transportation (cars, gas and public transit) all big GD> expenses for working people. That is why working people need better wages. And retirees need higher incomes, as most are on social security or other fixed income. GD> Meanwhile, the federal minimum wage continues to plummet. No shit, Sherlock. Whatever gave you that idea? GD> It hasn't been raised in 13 years the longest period without a raise in its GD> history. Adjusted for inflation, its real value is the lowest it's been in GD> 66 years. Republicans want to make slaves out of everybody. GD> You don't have to be a financial wizard to see why some workers might say GD> the hell with it. People have to eat. And when those are the only jobs one can get ... GD> Economists offered similar warnings of a "labor shortage" after the GD> financial crisis and recession of 2008-09. There is no labor shortgage. We have full employment in this country, thanks to the policies of the Biden administration. The only sector that had a rising level of unemployment was for minimum wage workers. And that number was very small in relation to overall employment. So please tell me why the Republican Party refuses to raise the federally-mandated minimum wage. GD> But when the economy strengthened and wages rose, the so-called "labor GD> shortage" magically disappeared. And yet the federally-mandated minimum wage remains the same. Why is that? The Repulican Party wants to make slaves out of all of us. Only, it ain't happening. And they don't like it. JP>> So by not taking Covid seriously, the previous president helped create JP>> this problem. GD> Covid or The Chinese Virus should of never happened. Trump should never have killed off over a million Americans with his policies. Not to mention the half-million Americans no longer able to work. Pandemics happen. The Spanish Flu was a pandemic. It should never have happened, either. But every few decades, sh*t happens. What we don't need are politicians playing doctor. GD> It wouldn't of ever shown up here in the U.S. if The Chi-Coms would of taken GD> responsibility and locked down their borders to restrict international GD> travel out of China. Total BS. It was already here before Trump had his meltdowns. The pandemic affected every country on earth. Including islands in the middle of the sea. Nobody was immune to it, and certainly no country. JP>> Many farmers would love to exploit foreigners legally, but even they JP>> don't get that chance legally because conservative Americans, fearing JP>> foreigners, would rather close the border than see those foreigners JP>> working in the fields. GD> Conservative Americans do not hate immigrants, Yeah, right. Trump really loved Mexicans, wanting to build a wall to show them their welcome. And let's not forget his love for Chinese, as he mocked them by calling the pandemic "kung flu" and other nasty names. Conservatives are the same old cons they have always been. GD> we were all immigrants at one point, but there is a major difference - w/ GD> the deliberate choice that is made intentionally with being a free loader GD> or working hard to support your growing family. Trump didn't give a flying f*ck about Mexicans, or Chinese, or any other group (aside from white people). So why should anybody give a flying f*ck about him, or other conservatives? GD> but.. here is what WE do hate. GD> But here is what we do hate: GD> A broken immigration system that allows illegal immigrants to go to the head GD> of the line in front of those who have waited their turn. GD> Luring poor people to make the dangerous trek through Mexico with GD> unrealistic promises. Many are injured or become ill along the way. Some do GD> not make it GD> at all. Show me. Show me your desire to have a comprehensive immigration bill. Help put it on Biden's desk. He will sign it, and then you and your conservative pals can congratulate yourselves for a job well done. GD> To your other baseless points. Put the bill on Biden's desk. For Life, Lee -- Probably the best beer in the world --- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb * Origin: news://eljaco.se:4119 (2:203/2) .