privatization, outsourcing(locally and overseas) tax cuts for the wealthy, and our system of giving/getting raises(the percentage deal).
Privatizing necessary services and products costs us double what it should. High energy costs in an energy driven society starts the recession Congress doesn't include this in SS determination of Cost of Living??!!??
Telephone, the airwaves used to be gov't regulated. Satellites seem to have been designated off-limits. No regulations seem to apply to companies co-trolling them, except you can't show titties before 8:00 EST(just kidding there).
It goes on and on. Even to the point if cities outsourcing their water supplies that they already own. Hiring private security firms instead of real policeman.
Outsourcing to China and Mexico, et.al. takes jobs away from Americans. Outsourcing to a local shop can be almost as damaging. Vertically integrated companies, where a manufacturer makes a product and fabricates the parts that make it are almost gone. The companies reduce labor costs by sending these parts to another manufacturer. It may be union or not. The employees may competent or not. What's sure is that manufacturer will make a profit or try to. He may offer benefits, but not if he is to be the lowest cost. So, the original company has fewer laborers(direct labor). It 's paying more for their parts, the end product costs more so the price goes up, sales go down, the company closes. Yet, management gets a good resume and all their bonuses.
As for the percentage system of giving out bonuses and raises, it all sounds good until you figure out what happens after 20 years or so.
Management starts at $100 after years and years of 5 - 10% raises and bonuses, compared to direct labor $10 or even white collar workers $25 - 65. It doesn't take long to figure out we're screwn.
Like I told my boss, "10% of what I make isn't very much".
It's the wealth gap, and unnecessary wars and bought and paid-for politicians.
That's my line and I'm sticking to it, for now...