Two
letters in Sunday's WSJ attempt to 'solve' the 'labor shortage' issue
in the U.S. One proposes to create 'private labor offices'
south of the border to funnel documented workers northward. The
other calls for a 'civilian draft,' to legally require the draftees
to do the less desirable jobs.
Is there a compelling reason why we can't just allow the price to 'float' to the intersection of supply and demand? Is that 'un-American,' or something? If it's 'wrong' to artificially boost wages in the fast food industry, why is it OK to artificially suppress them in other fields? Roofing work is mentioned in the second letter. Physical labor, out in the elements, with an element of danger. 'The market' says higher wages are called for. Who is it that's looking to game the market? And why?
Is there a compelling reason why we can't just allow the price to 'float' to the intersection of supply and demand? Is that 'un-American,' or something? If it's 'wrong' to artificially boost wages in the fast food industry, why is it OK to artificially suppress them in other fields? Roofing work is mentioned in the second letter. Physical labor, out in the elements, with an element of danger. 'The market' says higher wages are called for. Who is it that's looking to game the market? And why?
In this case, WSJ is short for Wisconsin State Journal
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