Ask Dr. Maddow
Hey Folks,
If you listen to Air America - liberal talk radio - you might know Rachel Maddow. She's the morning show in Columbus (7:00-9:00 a.m. - on 1230 AM).
She has a bit she does called "Ask Dr. Maddow" in which she answers listeners left-oriented questions. I've had a question for some time that I'd like answered; so I whipped it off to the Doctor!
It's not as sexy as a recent one asking whether plastic or paper was the most environmentally appropriate option* (if and when one has forgotten one's canvas bag), but it's sexy to me.
Who knows whether she'll answer? Probably not, but if she does, I'll pass it on to you. In the meantime, if there is a wonk in the house who can answer in her stead, please do! Your comment will enlighten us all.
- Uke Man
* She said, "plastic."
Dear Dr. Maddow,
Over the years I’ve come to realize that media “business reports” are almost always delivered from the perspective of the wealthy. For example, when Timkin Co. laid off over three thousand workers, "Wall Street celebrated." When profits go up, that’s "good news." When wages stay down, that’s claimed to be "good news" too; and the unemployment rate supposedly “improves” when discouraged unemployed workers finally give up on ever finding another job.
I’ve got most of the hype figured out, but am still wondering about “productivity.”
The business reports always cheer “improved productivity,” and the official doctrine is that workers have become more effective, producing more goods more efficiently; and that this allows workers to get raises while they also increase profits for the stockholders.
Unfortunately – in my experience – “productivity” and profits increase together, and wages lag far behind. My hunch is that cheering for “productivity” is a bit like cheering for layoffs. If I knew as much about how “productivity” is calculated as I do about how the "unemployment rate" is calculated, I think I would be able to quit wondering and know.
So, Dr. Maddow, how is “productivity” calculated?
Yours - Ukulele Man
If you listen to Air America - liberal talk radio - you might know Rachel Maddow. She's the morning show in Columbus (7:00-9:00 a.m. - on 1230 AM).
She has a bit she does called "Ask Dr. Maddow" in which she answers listeners left-oriented questions. I've had a question for some time that I'd like answered; so I whipped it off to the Doctor!
It's not as sexy as a recent one asking whether plastic or paper was the most environmentally appropriate option* (if and when one has forgotten one's canvas bag), but it's sexy to me.
Who knows whether she'll answer? Probably not, but if she does, I'll pass it on to you. In the meantime, if there is a wonk in the house who can answer in her stead, please do! Your comment will enlighten us all.
- Uke Man
* She said, "plastic."
Dear Dr. Maddow,
Over the years I’ve come to realize that media “business reports” are almost always delivered from the perspective of the wealthy. For example, when Timkin Co. laid off over three thousand workers, "Wall Street celebrated." When profits go up, that’s "good news." When wages stay down, that’s claimed to be "good news" too; and the unemployment rate supposedly “improves” when discouraged unemployed workers finally give up on ever finding another job.
I’ve got most of the hype figured out, but am still wondering about “productivity.”
The business reports always cheer “improved productivity,” and the official doctrine is that workers have become more effective, producing more goods more efficiently; and that this allows workers to get raises while they also increase profits for the stockholders.
Unfortunately – in my experience – “productivity” and profits increase together, and wages lag far behind. My hunch is that cheering for “productivity” is a bit like cheering for layoffs. If I knew as much about how “productivity” is calculated as I do about how the "unemployment rate" is calculated, I think I would be able to quit wondering and know.
So, Dr. Maddow, how is “productivity” calculated?
Yours - Ukulele Man
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