[who_would_fardels_bear]

That's not the same thing. A plumber is a tradesman, whereas a worker at Walmart is just a retail clerk.

There are plumbers who put up their own shingle, and there are others who work for larger plumbing outfits. I'm sure the independent plumbers make more gross income, but then they have a lot more expenses.

Also, as the baby boom generation goes into retirement, wages for all tradesmen would tend to go up whether they are independent or working for someone else.

But then if illegals are filling the trucking and plumbing ranks, then that's the real problem.

[MercyFlush]

An owner-operator is a self-employed free man. Why would the government force such a person into a job that traditionally abuses and overworks people?

Why do you not see the difference here, you’re a FReeper, right?