On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:50:05 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 08:23:57 -0500, Harry Krause wrote:


Some of us realize that if the US had a decent program of national health
insurance and pension programs, as most other modern nations do, our
manufacturers would be more competitive.

You have a point. Last time I looked, health care costs were very close
to 15% GDP. The rest of the industrialized world is around 10% and under.
That is a major anti-competitive cost.

I'll try and find the article I read about a month ago, which indicated that
Ford & GM had an ancient deal with the unions which involved paying workers
to sit around and do nothing. The deal continues, and I'm not kidding.


I remember seeing it. Maybe it's part of their health plan. People sitting
around don't get sick as often?
--
John H

"It's *not* a baby kicking, beautiful bride, it's only a fetus!"

A Famous Hypocrite