George Rebane
For years these pages have heralded systemic unemployment caused by advancing technology. The current strike of dock workers costing our economy over $4B per day is a milestone in this regard as their International Longshoremen’s Association, in addition to the usual pay increases, etc, also demands to become the gate keeper for dock-side introduction of new technologies. Of course, this tack will do nothing but accelerate the introduction of such advancements and the commensurate reduction of labor costs as the militancy of government-backed unions ups the cost of labor above its normal rate of increase due to market forces.
And the socialist silly season of attempting to restrict and regulate AI developments will do nothing but make in-country innovation into surreptitious enterprises, and drive more expansive developments overseas where governments are not yet heavy-handed. The exodus of companies that can most benefit from these future advances will launch a growing spate of whackamole legislation intended to slow corporate emigration. At best it will be an exercise in futility; at worst it will hobble America’s industry and put a kibosh on our quality of life - all of it in the playbook of our hardworking neo-Marxists.
More later.
"Dockworkers’ union to suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract"
Pretty clear what went down. The union's thug boss thought he could steamroll management into a quick settlement with a strike and management just calmly pointed out that a strike right now would screw up Christmas sales so bad the entire country would be happy to have the union workers all shot by the end of the year. Not to mention the effect it would have on the election and how "certain" people would not look kindly on that.
"If you know what I mean and I think you do"
Billy Bob
Grapevine TX
Posted by: Scott O | 03 October 2024 at 11:01 PM
I'm not usually big on conspiracy theories. Still, I can't help but feel that the strike was a manufactured crisis whose temporary resolution is intended to make the current administration appear competent and powerful.
Posted by: Michael R. Kesti | 05 October 2024 at 02:18 PM