Balance of Power, Corporate Interests, Unions, and Justice

...the outcome of both market fundamentalism and anarchism, if applied universally, is identical. The anarchists associate with the oppressed, the market fundamentalists with the oppressors. But by eliminating the state, both remove such restraints as prevent the strong from crushing the weak. Ours is not a choice between government and no government. It is a choice between government and the mafia." George Monbiat



Government wasn't intended to bring about justice, but prevent injustice. Those that petition their government for a redress of grievances are seeking justice from our courts. Ideally, our courts weren't to defend "justice", as our government's "checks and balances" were to prevent abuses of power.

James Madison viewed government as horizonally protecting or balancing of power among the braches of the Federal government (executive, legislative and judicial), while the vertical relationship was to be no less a balance of power.

Today many are seeking to uphold the Tenth Amendment, where States have the right to nullify the Federal government. Indiana's "Right to Work" was one such attempt to give "the people" a choice about whether the worker should be granted protection by "collective bargaining", that leaves the States at the mercy of teachers and thier union contracts.

Collective bargaining is a hierarchal form of governing, and without realizing it, the worker is less able to control his "outcome" than if he went about negotiating the terms himself. Collective bargaining has an intial appeal, as it grants "protections" and advances interests. But, once the unions are entrenched,  the worker becomes, again a pawn of others . Collectivity does nothing to enhance industry, creativity, and self-governance. And it does nothing to protect the corporation from manipulations from the worker. And honest job requires an honest wage, and those terms should be negotiated terms, in a free society. Corporatons, nor the Union has a right to impose their terms upon the individual, without consent!

So, while I don't believe that anarchy is the means to further "good government", neither is collective bargaining. The individual must deal with his company himself, and the company should have the decency to negotiate the terms of the contract with the full knowledge and consent of those employed.

An Owner's Responsibility and A Worker's Right

Yesterday, I wrote about government being "man's best friend". Government is any form of leadership. In the economic realm, the relationship between "boss" and "worker" is a governing one and I mentioned how important it was that there be a mutuality of respect and trust.

These past couple of weeks has challenged my son in these attitudes. He is a "worker". In his company, the "boss" decided there must be "cut-backs" and suggested that the work week be cut to four 10 hours days. This "cut-back" would bring savings in many areas to the company. This is just good "business sense". But, my son found that many of the workers were hesitant about going to a four day week, suggesting that their pay would be cut from "over-time". My son argued that the "workers" could choose to look at their four day week as a three day week-end and that saving the company would save many of their jobs. I was proud of his attitude, as were his bosses.

Workers do need to respect and regard their bosses, but they also deserve respect in their commitment to their company and their work. A mutual attitude of co-operation and an understanding that no "role" determines the value of the person is an important atmosphere for companies who want to prosper through another's "work" and commitment. It is unfortunate that in a competive market, this atmosphere is hindered and attitudes of disregard for another further anomoisity and suspicion. There can be no "winners" when competition leads to disregard and disrepect and a lack of consideration for another's life.

My son has learned that a proper attitude on his part and defending the companie's right to consider beneficial options were only the result of being respected by his company as well. He has worked for this company for several years. It is hard manuel labor on third shift. He hopes his commitment and loyalty pay off with promotion.

It behooves all of us in this economy to respect both worker and boss, as the only way out is the way of "respect" and a concern for the future welfare of all. It used to be an assumed attitude of civility in the past, but our market economy has made beasts of us all.