Economist Dean Baker is featured on today’s July 4th Common Dreams. His message is simple: Follow Germany’s example – ask people to work less, not more. The average worker in Germany (and the Netherlands) works 20% less than the average U.S. worker, which means those countries generate more jobs. Germany also subsidizes companies that cut workers’ hours and hire other employees. As Baker notes, this model would never work in Washington today (I’m sure some conservative would read Baker’s article and call the German model “French.”). Something more than tax cuts needs to be done. Baker and his fellow economist Paul Krugman are clearly on the side of government intervention. Hopefully, the Democrats will be brave enough to follow their example as they campaign in the fall.
Have a safe, happy (and cool) 4th.
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Fireworks from Dean Baker: Americans Should Work Less
Tags: average hours worked Germany, average hours worked U.S., Common Dreams, Dean Baker, Germany subsidies for workers, hours worked in Germany, Paul Krugman
Economist Dean Baker is featured on today’s July 4th Common Dreams. His message is simple: Follow Germany’s example – ask people to work less, not more. The average worker in Germany (and the Netherlands) works 20% less than the average U.S. worker, which means those countries generate more jobs. Germany also subsidizes companies that cut workers’ hours and hire other employees. As Baker notes, this model would never work in Washington today (I’m sure some conservative would read Baker’s article and call the German model “French.”). Something more than tax cuts needs to be done. Baker and his fellow economist Paul Krugman are clearly on the side of government intervention. Hopefully, the Democrats will be brave enough to follow their example as they campaign in the fall.
Have a safe, happy (and cool) 4th.
Like this: