Quote:
Originally Posted by BestXXXPorn
I don't look up to the entire situation, all encompassing, but I do look up to the freedom. I agree with child labor laws of course... My point is that we grew to be the largest economic force in the world, the dollar was sound and gaining momentum, unemployment was low, there were ZERO federal taxes, big businesses weren't using legislation as clubs against the competition (because it didn't exist), people respected the liberties and freedoms of others, the government was minimal, etc...
Yes, working conditions were much, much harder back then but that's not about policy that's about technology. Many of us work 10 hours a day, shit I put in at least 14 a day... Nobody complains about the 12 hours days, the 14 hours days, etc... that shit didn't go away! Never has, people need to get ahead so they work odd jobs or whatever it may be. The main thing is that the working CONDITIONS are better. Compare working a steel or coal mine now to back then, lol...
|
To some extent you are right, technology changes things for sure. However, get rid of all labor, environmental and wage policy and you open up a whole can of worms. To think that any industry will self regulate is fantasy. No federal taxes is pretty much an impossibility, sure the state can take more responsiblity but in the 1880s there was no infrastructure, running water was rare, etc, etc. Technology has changed that as well, all of which costs money. As out of touch as unions seem today, they were a godsend for people back then.