Labor Unions-The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

100 years ago Labor Unions were extremely important to Americas continued financial expansion and success.  Today, Labor Unions actually hurt the economy.  Why?  I'll spell it out.

100 years ago companies could and did hire people to work and pay them almost nothing.  As the economy grew and the wealth of the working class grew, transitory goods were able to be purchased. So said cycle expanded the economy. 
Today the same can not be said.  Companies are paying a large share of their profits to the people who work for them.  By forcing companies to continually up-the-ante by way of wages and benefits causes a loss in profits.  Remember yesterdays lesson?  If it becomes less profitable to a company to remain in business, then the only option is to move to where costs of production are cheaper or close the company.  Modern companies have that option. 

Lets look at the Triangle Shirtwaist fire as an example.  Due to the desire to make MONEY Triangle Shirtwaist locked women into a sweatshop building.  There was a tremendous fire and subsequent loss of life.  Laws were passed, better working conditions resulted, and Unionization took place.  Today there are almost NO garment makers making clothing in the USA.  The costs of production outweigh the ability to sell the product cheap.  We like cheap clothes in the USA.  Just go down to Walmart and look at the costs of womens clothing.  Really 5$ for a shirt, chances are it is NOT made in the USA. 
Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are all places of origin I've seen recently.  In fact I am sitting here in a pajama from AVON, that was made in Vietnam.  Yes, these places still have sweatshops.  I do not condone sweatshops, but you wanted to know why...

US Labor Unions only stay in business because we want MORE Take Home Pay, MORE Benefits, MORE Vacation and Sick Days.  In essence we don't want to work.  If we don't want to work we shouldn't get paid it's as simple as that.  Labor unions will continue to tell you that you deserve more or they wouldn't stay in business.  They ARE a business.  They do not work for free and they only get paid if they get you MORE.

Companies are leaving the USA because the workers are encouraging it. They can not blame it on Taxes or the EPA alone. If US workers would understand economics they would be better off.   Be content with what you have.  You live better than anyone else in the world.  Why must we always want more.