Reply #50: I agree shifting to a service-sector economy is not better.

[Barkley]

I don't have the numbers but here's a story why.

In the manufacturing process each factor is paid according to the value it adds.

So in the case of a car or fridge as it goes down the assembly line from a clump of raw material to a finished product value is added and people get paid accordingly.

There's a gradual increase in value which makes the difference income less stark.

A call center phone operator is pretty much on their own in serving a customer and the value added is relatively small.

One of my students works for Verizon in Long Beach. He says that they have their lower-paying jobs $8/hr in Al, Tx, Mex, but the good paying jobs $25/hr and up in CA.

The problem is that there are plenty of people in L.A. with skills that match the $8.00 jobs that remain unemployed.

Welcome to the DU megawatt

So in L.A. the difference between the halves and have nots is sharp, distinct and growing.

Neither party cares, because a growing segment of American society see themselves soley responsible for their economic welfare.

If they're unemployed its not the gov't's fault/ responsibility.