Ted Rall for February 12, 2018

Thanks, Ted.

With a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, it does seem odd that their representatives would interpret that to create “right to work” laws that are actually removing wage increase leverage. or “at will” employment that heavily favors corporations. Allowing tech companies to hire highly skilled H-1B workers to avoid on the job training/retraining also doesn’t see like something a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, would do. Could it be there is something wrong with supply side economics that both party’s ideologies endorse?

When will our consciences grow so tender that we seek to avoid human misery rather than avenge it? — Eleanor Roosevelt

I don’t take Uber. This is a company founded on the principle of circumventing the law by pretending they aren’t taxis, and I don’t like the way they run their company.

So does Ted Rall wish to force all New Yorkers back into Yellow Cabs or Black Cars ? Has he ever actually taken a black car in New York ? They are very expensive and difficult to reserve. Yellow taxis are dirty, uncomfortable, and are driven by disrespectful personnel. Services such as Uber, Lyft, and Juno exist for a reason.

Getting from one point to another is up to you. The point of the strip, as I saw it, was that people need help from time to time, and it ain’t there. This was one example of desperate measures. Coulda been any person, in any job, and for any one of a number of work related reasons.

Predatory capitalism.

Too bad the liberals forced Trumps voc-ed schools to close. He could have taken out a loan and learned how to become a real estate tycoon.

Huh. I recall a female politician running for president recently who suggested we retrain people in the coal industry. She was crucified for it.

Halv, many coal miners/workers refuse to retrain waiting for trump promised coal jobs to materialize.

Are NYT readers a reflection of the paper itself?

NYC Taxi Driver dies by suicide after Facebook note on financial struggles, highlighting the “race to the bottom” in the cab industry. He posted that politicians had destroyed a “once thriving industry” It’s not clear what kind of regulation would help drivers stay afloat— Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempts to cap the number of Uber drivers in New York have failed so far, largely because of the company’s influence. A tortured soul who was so boxed in to what he was doing he didn’t know how to adapt or structure his business model. Politicians and corporations deregulated his industry and destroyed his ability to make a living as a car-service driver in New York. He posted on Facebook, “I hope with the public sacrifice I make now that some attention to the plight of the drivers and the people will be done to save them.” Schifter also blamed changes to the taxi industry for deflating wages, arguing that there were too many drivers on the road, depressing demand. “Companies do not care how they abuse us just so the executives get their bonuses,” he wrote. “Due to the huge numbers of cars available with desperate drivers trying to feed their families, they squeeze rates to below operating costs and force professionals like me out of business. They count their money, and we are driven down into the streets we drive, becoming homeless and hungry. I will not be a slave working for chump change. I would rather be dead.” He killed himself to illuminate how ride hailing services have devastated taxi workers financially.

Clearly a democrat cartoonist. Democrats always believe that it’s the responsibility of others to train (prop up) those who refuse to do it on their own. They only believe in personal accountability when their opponents do something wrong, but excuse everything on their side. It’s always someone else’s fault when a democrat is involved.

Republicans believe they should break the social contract, steal all they can and make the mass of society every man for himself. Don’t forget, republicans and the NRA have made sure everyone is armed.

Over regulation of taxis & private livery created the opening for the ride service companies. When taxi medallions were being sold for a million dollars someone should have realized there was a problem. But, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement between the city & taxi companies.

Other than making sure fares aren’t exploiting drivers or passengers & taxing operations like any other service, politicians shouldn’t be involved.

That said, I wish Democrats would do better on the issue of job retraining/skill retention. Its always a back burner issue. Germany has a good model of how to do this, without sacrificing global competitiveness.

Of course, it’s hard to get traction when the GOP is making false promises to save dead end industries. Not sure how you get through to people who buy into it.

Ugh. I had to look at exactly what taxi medallions were selling for. I was figuring well into 6 figures, but the million dollar peak was a surprise.

Now, they’re selling for an average of $186,000. And, hedge funds are buying them up.

smdh

https://nypost.com/2017/10/14/investors-see-opportunity-as-taxi-medallion-prices-bottom-out/