[investigateworld]

Gotta pull this thread back to "on topic".

I'm seriously disappointed in Dubya's attitude towards people who work with their hands for a living. But what can one expect from a Texan millionaire?

Some researchers actually trace capitalism back to the Black Plagues which devastated Europe. Once workers became in short supply, those that were remaining could start to demand terms for their labor, IE. less mandatory days for the lord of the manor, more free days to work on their own projects. As I understand human nature, this soon produced a surplus which lead to 'market days', then the 'town dwellers' or freemen which were free of the various lords.

[durasell]

My belief is -- and always has been -- that capitalism is a pure expression of human nature. At its best, it spurs innovation and allows people to really better their lives.

The world seems to be in a real odd place at the moment. It no longer matters where a thing is made. Manufacturing chases cheap labor to the other side of the planet. It no longer matters where you were born -- labor chases jobs across borders (both low end and high end).

The bottomline is that if a significant portion of what's left of the American blue collar workforce gets to a place where they lose hope, then we've got some real serious problems. Political, social and economic problems that'll take decades to repair.