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To: Skeeter Bug who wrote (88428)	4/1/2001 3:01:40 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

>>then what has the worker really done? what has the worker really improved? our economy is not about productivity for productivity's sake. it is about getting more dollars and increasing the nation's economic wealth.<< Well, now I understand why we aren't making any progress in this little discussion. You've just managed to ignore more fundamental economic concepts than I am able to count, but let me tell you the biggest one you missed - it's called "standard of living." If productivity increases output so that workers who used to make 5 shirts at $20 each = $100 can now make 20 shirts at $5 each = $100, that means that more people can wear shirts - maybe not 15 more, some people might buy two shirts, one to wear and one for a spare. The person who used to pay $20 for a shirt can take the $15 and spend it on something else. And don't tell me personal consumption isn't going up, because it is. The lion's share of GDP is consumed here in the US, personal consumption expenditures. The percentage spent on clothing is one of the categories that is always dropping. Is it because people are buying fewer clothes, or because clothes are getting cheaper due to mass production and importation from countries with cheaper labor? Come on, you're a bright guy. It's because clothes are getting cheaper.