Prof. Richardson’s recounting of the origins of the Labor Day holiday, and the ups and downs of of workers in America, is a good review as we seem to be at a tipping point going into the November election for government policy regarding workers, with a stark difference between Trump and Harris. And, of course, it goes beyond workers. After 40+ years of living with the so-called “neo-liberal order”, characterized by free markets, the free flow of capital, reduced worker rights, weak unions, and unfettered by regulation, we now have a country whose economy and tax structure allows billionaires to go on joyrides in space while millions upon millions of children live in poverty and food insecurity. How proud we must be! Some say Trump and the GOP want to take us back to the 1950s, but in the 1950s the percent of workers in unions was around 35%, a peak, and the top income tax rate was around 90%. Also, income inequality was much, much less than today. So, I think the only part of the 1950s Trump and the GOP want to take us back to are the cultural parts of suppressing minority’s and women’s rights and freedoms. Trump says he’s on the side of workers, but in his so-called interview with Elon Musk on X, he was lauding Musk for firing workers that wanted to strike for better wages and working conditions. He is a fraud and workers had better wake up to this before the election.
no time to write but just want to say, really beautiful statement. if workers vote for Trump we will all go down with them. this society is built on workers. loved "joyrides in space"
I wonder, what exactly was “liberal” about so-called “neo-liberalism”? It sounds more like “laise-faire” government policy, pretending to be liberal but only benefiting the powerful industrialists; a lie in other words? Isn’t that what the Republican extremists plan to bring back?
You are correct. Neo-liberal is a misnomer, a euphemism for anti-liberal. Remember “trickle down economics”, in which wealth and a better life never trickled down to the average person? Another lie.
Neoliberalism is more an economic philosophy rather than a political one. It comes out of the term economic liberalism (classical liberalism) of Europe that was defined by individual rights, private property, and free market economics of the 19th century. I may have oversimplified it, but essentially it comes from an old European meaning of liberalism having to do with economics rather than how we define liberalism here in the USA politically. I hope it clarifies your understanding even just a bit. I’d be happy to explain further if you want me to.
Good one! I've learned the truism of how students, young and old people, require an average of 7 repetitions to firmly learn new things. Such has been the case in my American History (and other) learning. Some of these topics were presented to me earlier, but not often enough. Some, I ignored. Some people who loved history from the beginning and went after it full throttle, they had those repetitions, as well. I'm currently in the "half-throttle" mode and learning level. My continued interest will continue to get me to where I now want to be, and Heather, I have you to thank for both getting me to want it and in providing us all with more repetitions that we still need to get to knowing what we've talking about. Yay! And thank you, Ms. Full-Throttle history lover!
I agree, Heather is wonderful in describing history so that it piques my curiosity and leaves me wanting to know more. Of course I was taught all of this in school but back then I didn't find much of any of it interesting or important. Oh how wrong I was. Lol
Where by the fact that LABOR built this Country...! It was the workers who built the Egyptian pyramids that is the FACT of history... A society of taking care of the workers can do great things... The fact wealthy elite have to unite the laborers into a valued state of cooperation. Then they can have the ability to create great works... So to take advantage of Capitalist labor, not a system of Slavery, Usury, and the Mechanization of exploitation... Seems that the ability of lawful and cooperative agreement builds the future for all, not just a few elites or privilege... Thank God for Union Labor... And thank goodness for all its work to build a strong capitalist and productive environment for everyone to live in...
It was revealing to hear about the impact of the laborious laying of the transatlantic cable.Paris banners made headlines in NYC. It kinda makes sense - validation and popularization of a shared reality.Thank you HCR.
On another note. I don't know how many of you listen to these (as opposed to reading them). The "reader" has changed, the voice is now more "lifelike" but reads like this is a dramatic novel IMO, too much intonation. If you feel the same way, please let Substack know that you'd like to be able to choose the reader voice. Thanks.
Prof. Richardson’s recounting of the origins of the Labor Day holiday, and the ups and downs of of workers in America, is a good review as we seem to be at a tipping point going into the November election for government policy regarding workers, with a stark difference between Trump and Harris. And, of course, it goes beyond workers. After 40+ years of living with the so-called “neo-liberal order”, characterized by free markets, the free flow of capital, reduced worker rights, weak unions, and unfettered by regulation, we now have a country whose economy and tax structure allows billionaires to go on joyrides in space while millions upon millions of children live in poverty and food insecurity. How proud we must be! Some say Trump and the GOP want to take us back to the 1950s, but in the 1950s the percent of workers in unions was around 35%, a peak, and the top income tax rate was around 90%. Also, income inequality was much, much less than today. So, I think the only part of the 1950s Trump and the GOP want to take us back to are the cultural parts of suppressing minority’s and women’s rights and freedoms. Trump says he’s on the side of workers, but in his so-called interview with Elon Musk on X, he was lauding Musk for firing workers that wanted to strike for better wages and working conditions. He is a fraud and workers had better wake up to this before the election.
no time to write but just want to say, really beautiful statement. if workers vote for Trump we will all go down with them. this society is built on workers. loved "joyrides in space"
disgusting people with disgusting values.
I wonder, what exactly was “liberal” about so-called “neo-liberalism”? It sounds more like “laise-faire” government policy, pretending to be liberal but only benefiting the powerful industrialists; a lie in other words? Isn’t that what the Republican extremists plan to bring back?
You are correct. Neo-liberal is a misnomer, a euphemism for anti-liberal. Remember “trickle down economics”, in which wealth and a better life never trickled down to the average person? Another lie.
Neoliberalism is more an economic philosophy rather than a political one. It comes out of the term economic liberalism (classical liberalism) of Europe that was defined by individual rights, private property, and free market economics of the 19th century. I may have oversimplified it, but essentially it comes from an old European meaning of liberalism having to do with economics rather than how we define liberalism here in the USA politically. I hope it clarifies your understanding even just a bit. I’d be happy to explain further if you want me to.
Good one! I've learned the truism of how students, young and old people, require an average of 7 repetitions to firmly learn new things. Such has been the case in my American History (and other) learning. Some of these topics were presented to me earlier, but not often enough. Some, I ignored. Some people who loved history from the beginning and went after it full throttle, they had those repetitions, as well. I'm currently in the "half-throttle" mode and learning level. My continued interest will continue to get me to where I now want to be, and Heather, I have you to thank for both getting me to want it and in providing us all with more repetitions that we still need to get to knowing what we've talking about. Yay! And thank you, Ms. Full-Throttle history lover!
I agree, Heather is wonderful in describing history so that it piques my curiosity and leaves me wanting to know more. Of course I was taught all of this in school but back then I didn't find much of any of it interesting or important. Oh how wrong I was. Lol
Thank you for sharing the history of Labor Day!
Where by the fact that LABOR built this Country...! It was the workers who built the Egyptian pyramids that is the FACT of history... A society of taking care of the workers can do great things... The fact wealthy elite have to unite the laborers into a valued state of cooperation. Then they can have the ability to create great works... So to take advantage of Capitalist labor, not a system of Slavery, Usury, and the Mechanization of exploitation... Seems that the ability of lawful and cooperative agreement builds the future for all, not just a few elites or privilege... Thank God for Union Labor... And thank goodness for all its work to build a strong capitalist and productive environment for everyone to live in...
How history repeats itself. Her column is one of the best reads of the day. Let's take it to heart.
It was revealing to hear about the impact of the laborious laying of the transatlantic cable.Paris banners made headlines in NYC. It kinda makes sense - validation and popularization of a shared reality.Thank you HCR.
On another note. I don't know how many of you listen to these (as opposed to reading them). The "reader" has changed, the voice is now more "lifelike" but reads like this is a dramatic novel IMO, too much intonation. If you feel the same way, please let Substack know that you'd like to be able to choose the reader voice. Thanks.