Economy
You can’t separate the economy from work. When folks are working and feel secure in their jobs, they’re willing to spend on goods and services and the economy soars. On the other hand, when the ranks of the unemployed swell, the economy tanks. You don’t need a Ph.D in economics to know that these two factors will forever be entwined. What does this all mean to the American workforce? It means we have to keep an eye on those policies and factors that are going to have an impact on our wallets and bank accounts. It’s obvious for most of us that we didn’t make this mess. But we’re in it together now and are heavily invested in the “clean-up.”

Gold Fever

From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:

Anybody ever see the movie “Paint Your Wagon?” It’s a musical and it has Clint Eastwood singing. What more could you possibly want? It’s the story of a boom town during the gold rush. After the town was built and the gold in the mines were running dry, a bunch of prospectors dug tunnels under everything so they could collect the falling gold dust from the saloons and shops. You can imagine what happens next with all those tunnels. Any mention of gold has me thinking about “Paint Your Wagon” that and “Goldfinger” and Willy Wonka and the golden ticket. Oh, and Jason and Argonauts and the golden fleece. Let me stop there. Here’s some info about going back to the gold standard that some politico types are supporting in this election cycle. What say you?

IN A FOCUS ON GOLD, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

By Floyd Norris writing for the New York Times

As it was in 1980, could it be again in 2012? Newt Gingrich vows a study of returning to the gold standard. Read More...

Both Sides of the Minimum Wage Coin

From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:

Most of us have an experience with minimum wage. It was either our first pay rate or the pay rate of the fast food clerk where you picked up lunch. Nobody is going to get rich working for the minimum wage for their entire life. But it is a decent start that can open the door for many individuals. That same fry cook could some day grow up to become manager. In fact, that’s exactly what happens. This being an election year means the minimum wage discussion will be bubbling up in the coming debate cycle. The opening salvo could be in New York City as explained in the article below.

MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE PITS BUSINESS AGAINST LABOR, BUT DOES LITTLE FOR MOST NEW YORKERS

By Colby Hamilton

The debate over a proposed state minimum wage increase is heating up as Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver introduced legislation Monday to raise the base from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour. Read More...

The Transformation of American Factory Jobs

This articles from NPR speaks of the changes in one company’s factory – the changes and the education that is now needed to get and hopefully keep jobs.

The Transformation Of American Factory Jobs, In One Company

By Adam Davidson
NPR – Planet Money

This is the second in a two-part series. Part one is HERE. For more see Adam Davidson’s cover story in this month’s issue of The Atlantic HERE .

Larry Sills is the CEO of Standard Motor Products, like his dad and his grandfather before him. The company makes replacement parts for car engines. Larry grew up with the company, and he has seen the workforce change over the years. A few decades ago, a lot of his workers had no high school degree. Some couldn’t read. Read More...