[Lunatic Fringe]

In fact, a meat-packing job paid $19 an hour in 1980, but today that same job pays closer to $9 an hour, according to the Labor Department.

PUH-lease!!! There are lots of factors involved in this drop in wages. Better machinery, computers, JIT processing...

Who would seriously pay $19 these days to pack meat..?

[A. Pole]

There are lots of factors involved in this drop in wages. Better machinery, computers, JIT processing... Who would seriously pay $19 these days to pack meat..?

Better technology used to lead to the rise of wages, especially of the jobs which are nasty. How much would trash collectors be paid if the illegal aliens could do their jobs?