[redgolum]

Do you think that companies offer benefits based upon the level of benefits that other companies competing for employees offer? If a company has an extra $200 million, are you positive that would not end up in compensation?

Do you honestly think that they would? Why would they? Wouldn't the CEO and HR guys just get a killer bonus that year? If you cut out employer insurance, the windfall will not go to the workers. It will go to capital projects, top tier bonuses, or to pay off debt.

[the808bass]

Wouldn't the CEO and HR guys just get a killer bonus that year? If you cut out employer insurance, the windfall will not go to the workers. It will go to capital projects, top tier bonuses, or to pay off debt.

Either capitalism works or it doesn't. In your scenario, no wage increases would ever occur. Why would any wage increase ever occur if money only goes to "capital projects, top-tier bonuses, or to pay off debt" ?