The Eighty-Twenty Rule Explains A Lot
Every now and then (for what it’s worth) I stumble upon an insight.
For some time I’ve wondered why Wall Street, business gurus, and others cheer when thousands of workers get laid off. I’ve wondered why these same folks positively report small increases in the number of NEW jobs, but downplay the vast differences between these new minimum-wage/no-or-reduced-benefits jobs and the jobs from which the “new” workers were laid off. I’ve wondered how they could cheer when the number of new jobs fell short by half compared to what the “experts” had much earlier said was required each month – OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS - just to catch up with what had been lost.
I’ve wondered why, as the numbers laid off increased and the numbers relying on food banks increased (I’ve visited the food banks – ask them if you don’t believe me), and the numbers giving up on finding work (and thus being removed from the totals of the “unemployed”) increased, the official line was that “the economy has turned the corner” and that “all the economic indicators are good.”
How could this be?
I’ve wondered why we could end the inheritance tax, cut the taxes for the wealthy (and make those “temporary” cuts permanent), make war on Iraq (whether we really needed to or not), and give tax handouts to Halliburton, oil interests, and others - without the slightest regard as to whether we could pay for it – while being most certain that we CAN’T afford Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid .
Hmmmmmmmmmm . . .
I’ve wondered how non-Social Security pensions could be dropped or degraded without an uproar, how such a destructive loss could be seen as a PLUS for America.
It all seemed crazy. Then two things converged: “The Corporation” Disk 2 and The Wall Street Urinal Editorial Report on PBS.
If you get the chance, see, rent, borrow, whatever “The Corporation.” It’s quite informative and – depending on where your eyelids presently rest - eye-opening. On Disk 2, which offers commentary not in the film, Noam Chomsky reports on a “law” taught in business schools (of which I – and probably you too – had never heard):
“ Every corporation knows – in fact it’s a rule, a law, taught in business schools. It’s called ‘the eighty-twenty rule,’ which is that 20% of your customers give you 80% of your profit, and if you can figure out a way to get rid of the other 80%, you’re better off. By now there are ways to do that.”
Well, that explains it, if you ask me.
The thousands who get laid off, the few who get shitty “new” jobs, those who give up on finding life-sustaining jobs, those who are pressed into frequenting food banks and charity-handout clothing outlets, those who have lost their pensions and health care, those who never had a pension or health care, those who will be screwed by the putting off of and the downsizing of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; all of these folks are in the 80% that business schools teach should be “gotten rid of.” No big F’n deal! Actually, OUR problems are a PLUS for THEIR America – at least from the perspective of the 20% who RUN America and run the Business Schools!
OK, you think I’m over-reacting, that I’m hyperbolizing! Well that’s where “The Wall Street Urinal Editorial Report” on PBS comes in!
I’m not making this shit up!
Tune in to these morons some time (their most recent excess is at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/journaleditorialreport/072905/briefing.html . They are like vampires sitting around bitching about how their victims resent having their blood and independence sucked right out of them by their “betters.” My god!! How gauche we all are!! The 80% should shut up, kiss these fucker’s bourgeoisie asses and shut up! They smirk and chuckle in disbelief at our outlandish notions of reality.
They report – and they are astonished – that a large majority of us (according to polls) think the economy is getting worse and that an even larger majority of us believe that Bush’s policies are not helping. Impossible!!
These assholes are perfectly ecstatic over the plight of the 80% - it helps the 20% (they actually express glee that unions are declining, and that pensions and health care are being eliminated). It helps the 20 %! Fuck the rest of us!
Hey! It all makes sense. Everything that happens here and in the world is measured by how it affects the few shit-heads on top. The next time some news report sounds confusing, just look at it as if you are one of the anointed, and even if you don’t like it or agree with it, at least you’ll UNDERSTAND it.
- Uke Man
For some time I’ve wondered why Wall Street, business gurus, and others cheer when thousands of workers get laid off. I’ve wondered why these same folks positively report small increases in the number of NEW jobs, but downplay the vast differences between these new minimum-wage/no-or-reduced-benefits jobs and the jobs from which the “new” workers were laid off. I’ve wondered how they could cheer when the number of new jobs fell short by half compared to what the “experts” had much earlier said was required each month – OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS - just to catch up with what had been lost.
I’ve wondered why, as the numbers laid off increased and the numbers relying on food banks increased (I’ve visited the food banks – ask them if you don’t believe me), and the numbers giving up on finding work (and thus being removed from the totals of the “unemployed”) increased, the official line was that “the economy has turned the corner” and that “all the economic indicators are good.”
How could this be?
I’ve wondered why we could end the inheritance tax, cut the taxes for the wealthy (and make those “temporary” cuts permanent), make war on Iraq (whether we really needed to or not), and give tax handouts to Halliburton, oil interests, and others - without the slightest regard as to whether we could pay for it – while being most certain that we CAN’T afford Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid .
Hmmmmmmmmmm . . .
I’ve wondered how non-Social Security pensions could be dropped or degraded without an uproar, how such a destructive loss could be seen as a PLUS for America.
It all seemed crazy. Then two things converged: “The Corporation” Disk 2 and The Wall Street Urinal Editorial Report on PBS.
If you get the chance, see, rent, borrow, whatever “The Corporation.” It’s quite informative and – depending on where your eyelids presently rest - eye-opening. On Disk 2, which offers commentary not in the film, Noam Chomsky reports on a “law” taught in business schools (of which I – and probably you too – had never heard):
“ Every corporation knows – in fact it’s a rule, a law, taught in business schools. It’s called ‘the eighty-twenty rule,’ which is that 20% of your customers give you 80% of your profit, and if you can figure out a way to get rid of the other 80%, you’re better off. By now there are ways to do that.”
Well, that explains it, if you ask me.
The thousands who get laid off, the few who get shitty “new” jobs, those who give up on finding life-sustaining jobs, those who are pressed into frequenting food banks and charity-handout clothing outlets, those who have lost their pensions and health care, those who never had a pension or health care, those who will be screwed by the putting off of and the downsizing of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; all of these folks are in the 80% that business schools teach should be “gotten rid of.” No big F’n deal! Actually, OUR problems are a PLUS for THEIR America – at least from the perspective of the 20% who RUN America and run the Business Schools!
OK, you think I’m over-reacting, that I’m hyperbolizing! Well that’s where “The Wall Street Urinal Editorial Report” on PBS comes in!
I’m not making this shit up!
Tune in to these morons some time (their most recent excess is at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/journaleditorialreport/072905/briefing.html . They are like vampires sitting around bitching about how their victims resent having their blood and independence sucked right out of them by their “betters.” My god!! How gauche we all are!! The 80% should shut up, kiss these fucker’s bourgeoisie asses and shut up! They smirk and chuckle in disbelief at our outlandish notions of reality.
They report – and they are astonished – that a large majority of us (according to polls) think the economy is getting worse and that an even larger majority of us believe that Bush’s policies are not helping. Impossible!!
These assholes are perfectly ecstatic over the plight of the 80% - it helps the 20% (they actually express glee that unions are declining, and that pensions and health care are being eliminated). It helps the 20 %! Fuck the rest of us!
Hey! It all makes sense. Everything that happens here and in the world is measured by how it affects the few shit-heads on top. The next time some news report sounds confusing, just look at it as if you are one of the anointed, and even if you don’t like it or agree with it, at least you’ll UNDERSTAND it.
- Uke Man
2 Comments:
Hi Tom,
You are soooooo right! I saw The Corporation and I watched Wall Street Journal last night. I wanted to smash my television.. Especially when the stupid woman said it was good that we lost manufacturing jobs for Walmart jobs BECAUSE that meant no pensions and no big money for health insurance. I hope all of her crooked teeth fall out. Sondra
Tom and The Others Out 'Here'
I ventured back into the work world today (08-01-05)! I survived and feel like I've died and gone to heaven! It is so NOT like the GULAG I toiled at since 1978!
I believe my new employer might actually treat me as a....heaven forbid do I even risk typing it...A FUCKING PERSON!
YEP...I like this new place! NO STRESS...day work...Internet access...free beverages!
WOW!!!
I would like to thank all the 'folks' that helped keep me sane since my Pearl Harbor Day--December 7, 2004...YOU ALL know you are!
I couldn't have survived without your support and help!!!
Love you all! I made it and I think I just might have stayed sane too!
Phyll
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home