Columnist forgot role of workers
I believe Todd Shockley is confused about who produces the wealth in society. He writes, “The U.S. market-oriented economy has created the greatest economy and the greatest country in the history of the world.” Were no workers involved in this creation?Ohio State University’s work force is heavily supplemented with temporaries, teaching assistants and cheap student labor. Suppose under the banner of “equal pay for equal work” these employees unionized, then stopped work to protest unfair treatment. Would the university function normally?Shockley’s exaltation of capitalism comes with an obligatory swift kick at communists. Communists are unpopular. But he misses their point. Karl Marx proposed people receive in accordance with their need and work in accordance to their ability. Marx argued for the abolition of a system where one advantaged class lived off of owning another class. That’s the equalization he was talking about. Liberals protest slave wages. Communists protest wage slavery. It’s a serious distinction for those who can digest it.Shockley’s column misses the contributions of those who produce the wealth and provide the services. Shockley berates communism, but misses the communist analysis. This is no way to “establish facts.” Faced with a dictatorship of Todd Shockleys, I’d advocate revolution.
David L. LesherStaff
