[harpseal]

Before the First World War, it was considered normal for an employer to pay his workers no more than the raw cost of those workers' labor. I find it interesting (and it's no coincidence) that you never saw people clamoring for "jobs" at presidential campaign appearances before that time, either.

It depended upon the job actually. Labor Unions had been declared a violation of the anti-trust laws. But despite this Hebry Ford pioneered paying awage to his employees sufficient that they could buy his products. that was perhaps his true genius. might I strongly suggest if you want the conditions where you can pay your employees only the raw cost of your labor you migrate to China and not expect to sell your product in teh USA without duties levied.

[Alberta's Child]

I think you misunderstand my point.

Henry Ford's idea of paying his workers well enough that they could buy the cars they made was a marvelous one, but I can assure you that this idea would have gone nowhere if he also had to pay a myriad of overhead costs that had nothing to do with the production of automobiles.

[DugwayDuke]

"But despite this Hebry Ford pioneered paying awage to his employees sufficient that they could buy his products. that was perhaps his true genius."

Depends on your product doesn't it? One wonders what Boeing would have to pay for each employee to buy his own 747.