When it comes to the economy who has the power? You might have heard the tongue-in-cheek version of the golden rule, “whoever has the gold makes the rules.” It is true that money can open some doors that otherwise couldn’t be opened, the question of who owns the economic power is a slightly different issue than just having money. Our last president, President Obama, marketed his ideas as good for the working class and against the uber wealthy. In the New York Times, Jan. 29, 2009, Obama stated in reference to rich Wall Street executives, “Now is not the time for profits.” On the other hand, President Trump gets criticized for his tax cuts as only being for the wealthy. Nancy Pelosi stated Dec. 20, 2017, the tax cuts are “monumental, brazen theft from the American middle class.”
So, is it true that the Obama economy gave power to the working class and the Trump economy (the one we are living right now) gives power to the ones with money? I contend the math is fairly straight forward that the opposite is true. Thus the emotional marketing of both presidents’ philosophies needs to be reversed.
I am in the construction industry and need labor to complete each project. Under the Obama economy I had subcontractors and labors approaching me begging for work. I had multiple business cards left at the job site, all in hope of acquiring work. As the employer, I could choose the workers that gave the most competitive bid and did the best work. I was in control. My biggest competitor was unemployment insurance. The employer had the power in an Obama economy.
Now let’s fast forward to the Trump economy. Unemployment is low. For my current building project it is hard for me to even get someone to give a bid, let alone to get competitive bids. I have to offer higher wages just to get laborer’s attention. If I don’t there are 10 other projects that the worker can instantly be hired to do. In this Trump economy the employee has all the negotiating power.
As I talk with business owners in differing industries; retail, service, hospitality, food, the story is the same. Employers are paying more and giving more concessions to the working class’ stipulations, why? Because the working class is in demand. The working class has the power in this Trump economy. I am not saying that the wealthy don’t still have power and influence and are not gaining more wealth in this roaring economy. They do, and they are. All I am saying is that a roaring Trump economy gives more power to the employee and less power to the employer. So when Sen. Jon Tester calls the Trump tax cut bill “one of the sh@%tiest bills that’s ever come in front of the Senate” (The Hill 12/20/17) the reality is that he was advocating against the worker. There needs to be honest discernment as to whose policy really helps the middle class and whose doesn’t. Republican, Democrat, Independent I don’t really care, the bottom line is what are your ideas promoting. Jon Tester’s ideas are hurting the influence of the Montana worker. The economy can be a very confusing and dynamic machine. However, it is clear in this simple aspect that a roaring economy gives power to the working class. That is worth applauding.
Rep. Matt Regier
R-Kalispell