As part of his Labor Day message to workers in the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday re-upped his call for the establishment of a 20% cut to the workweek with no loss in pay—an idea he said is “not radical” given the enormous productivity gains over recent decades that have resulted in massive profits for corporations but scraps for employees and the working class.
“It’s time for a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay,” Sanders wrote in a Guardian op-ed as he cited a 480% increase in worker productivity since the 40-hour workweek was first established in 1940.
“It’s time,” he continued, “that working families were able to take advantage of the increased productivity that new technologies provide so that they can enjoy more leisure time, family time, educational and cultural opportunities—and less stress.”
I mean, cool, but nothing will happen because one old guy says this.
Someone has to be an early proponent of it. Its not we could go from no congresspersons says such to suddenly one minute all of them decide to announce they support it simultaneously.
Seriously. People must think the $15 min wage and student debt forgiveness just sprung from nothingness to have support across the party. These things start with progressives making the case and saying “this is possible”.
It doesn’t mean much coming from Bernie. He’s all talk. He says these things but he rarely has thought out plans on them.
He proposes bills all the time. It’s not his fault the rest of the corrupt senate won’t give them a fair hearing.
Bills themselves aren’t well thought out plans. He needs to work with his peers to get legislation passed, not just write up his ideals and act like everyone will fall in line. That’s not how anything works.
When his peers are all owned by corporations, how can he?
If the “reform” in work reform is a serious attempt and not just a circle jerk comments like these are not productive.
And yet, it’s true. Name one other senator that hasn’t been bought.
Give me a clear definition of “been bought.”
What’s he supposed to do? Blackmail, threaten, or kill most of congress? Until he has plans for those, having bills written won’t do much but waste time that he could be better using talking about the ideas.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic. A group of 100 having to do what 1 person says is not a democracy. The vibes on this subject are uncomfortably authoritarian. We’re talking about fundamental level stuff here. If you’re in a group of friends deciding where to go to dinner, people can vote and compromise on where they want to go, or you can have one person have total control and decide for everyone. The latter isn’t how the US should be run.
I’m try to figure out what you want from him. The topic is how one person can’t do anything and you’re saying he’s not doing enough by trying to spread the ideas, so I’m trying to figure out what you want him to do as one person if its not promoting the idea.
I want him to come up with a viable plan to get us to where he wants us to be, not just say we should have it. He needs to get enough Senators to support it so it’ll pass, and yes that means compromising on his ideals.
He’s never tried being friendly with his coworkers, maybe he should give that a go
You really truly believe that in his entire political career spanning multiple decades that he’s never once been friendly?
That’s not what I said and you know it
How do you think politics works? It’s all talk. Then they vote on a bill.
Groups of elected representatives are put into committees that workshop ideas / bills and gauge interest. In order to pass committee and receive broad support, riders are typically added to allow other representatives to get something for their constituents. Compromises are made, not everyone gets everything they want, and we move forward.
Senators don’t make proclamations with no plans and immediately get bills passed.
There have been studies showing no loss in productivity too. But rich people want to fuck us over for no reason 🤷♀️
There is a reason. If our lives get too easy, that gives us time to enact our free will and choose to do things they don’t want.
Instead they keep us focused on paying the next bill.
More time to work on your community means that people have less food bills and health bills and rent. If we help eachother out were not helping them.
For some people it’s because an old guy said it. Or because he’s rich. Or whatever excuse they have to not make anything better because they fear change.
First less hours but what’s next? More pay? Healthcare? HOUSING SUBSIDIES?!?! 😱 Then who will be low class enough for certain people to look down on?
You’re underestimating how influential Bernie is. He’ll never be POTUS, but he got into people’s heads in a big way.
By that logic, nothing will happen because one person ever said anything.
No.
You have to join a union or form a union.
If your workplace is already organized, then build further strength through solidarity, help other workers around you, and at every turn find ways to erode the power of the bosses.
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