Three Scary Economic Signs

Three Scary Economic Signs

July 03, 2012 

In a brilliantly simple article, Business Insider shared three statistics that are both shocking and fascinating at the same time:

1. Corporate profit margins are at an all time high.
2. Fewer Americans are working than at any time in the last three decades.
3. Wages as a percent of the economy are at an all time low.

These statements almost speak for themselves. The implications are serious and mean we need to make changes in the way wealth is distributed among the economy. One could argue that these profits will trickle down the economy into the hands of the little guys, but even if that’s true does it justify hiring less Americans and paying the ones you do hire even less money? I think we all know the answer to that.

In even the most healthy economy there’s going to be people without jobs, there’s going to be kids flipping burgers for minimum wage, and there’s going to be corporations who’s profits far exceed the profits of other corporations – but let’s not mistake that for what’s happening now. BI put it best:

Our current system and philosophy is creating a country of a few million overlords and 300+ million serfs.

That’s not what has made America a great country. It’s also not what most people think America is supposed to be about.

So we might want to rethink that.

Yes, it’s very true. No society should make sacrifices on the lower levels of the economy to benefit the very top levels. We all know that. Don’t steal cookies from the cookie jar, don’t take advantage of millions of people just to put a little more in the bank. Come on guys.