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The thread title is misleading. He is not proposing a 4-day work week as in 40 hrs/4 days. Bernie wants a 32-hour work week with no reduction in pay or benefits. That is mighty generous of him.
Does Bernie understand that this will just add to our inflation problems? His idea will kill manufacturing in the U.S., construction costs will increase significantly, and service industry people already working under 32 hrs a week due to Obamacare rules will have their hours cut to conform to new rules.
Of course, this has nothing to do with his term expiring and needing to get re-elected in the fall. He is pulling a Biden trying to reel in dull people who think it is in the realm of possibility.
Sanders represents Vermont, a tiny state with 643,503 residents (as of 2020). For some reason, they vote for him, term after term. I think they will vote for him even after he has died. Seriously speaking, considering he is 82 years old, it's not clear how many more 6 year terms he can handle. But after he does retire, or goes to that great socialist paradise in the sky, Vermonters will no doubt elect another socialist to replace him. Maybe Ben or Jerry?
As for forcing corporations to cut a day out of the work week at their own expense... it's beyond foolish. If 32 hrs/week were such a great thing, every employer would be doing it already.
We're up against very hard working Asian countries where people routinely put in 50-60 hour weeks. In China, they have the 9-9-6 system: 9am-9pm, 6 days a week. It's horrific for the workers, but if somebody objects, there are thousands of applicants waiting to take their place, not to mention a nasty government that will imprison anyone who speaks out or tries to unionize.
Just speaking personally, I don't see how I could possibly get all my work done in 4 days, back when I was full time employed (am part time employed right now but looking for full time work).
The whole thing's a ludicrous idea, in my humble opinion.
Sanders represents Vermont, a tiny state with 643,503 residents (as of 2020). For some reason, they vote for him, term after term. I think they will vote for him even after he has died. Seriously speaking, considering he is 82 years old, it's not clear how many more 6 year terms he can handle. But after he does retire, or goes to that great socialist paradise in the sky, Vermonters will no doubt elect another socialist to replace him. Maybe Ben or Jerry?
As for forcing corporations to cut a day out of the work week at their own expense... it's beyond foolish. If 32 hrs/week were such a great thing, every employer would be doing it already.
We're up against very hard working Asian countries where people routinely put in 50-60 hour weeks. In China, they have the 9-9-6 system: 9am-9pm, 6 days a week. It's horrific for the workers, but if somebody objects, there are thousands of applicants waiting to take their place, not to mention a nasty government that will imprison anyone who speaks out or tries to unionize.
Just speaking personally, I don't see how I could possibly get all my work done in 4 days, back when I was full time employed (am part time employed right now but looking for full time work).
The whole thing's a ludicrous idea, in my humble opinion.
It doesn't hurt his election prospects to propose something he can't deliver. He knows his useful idiots and how to play them.
Im behind Bernie on this one.
I am tired of chasing inflation. For some time now I am all about work less, enjoy life more formula. As long as there is roof over our heads, Im done chasing dollars.
What people really want is more flexibility, and to not have to sit at a desk from 8 to 5 because "that's how we used to do it." Some jobs require coverage, but if people can easily work 4 9hour days and get their work done, and allow for work/life balance, how does that make them entitled?
Anecdotal, but not many of the folks I talk to, to include some of my relatives. Beyond anecdotes, though, this is something that is more widely seen in society. For instance, in the UK, young men working an average of 3 hours less a week than older generations is hurting the country's economy: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mille...124201428.html
Flexibility may be a part of it, but many also want to work less. And this proposal calls for not only a shorter work week in total days, but also fewer hours at work.
Well definitely Sanders is right that automation now forces people to mentally compute faster, to manage more information input, and to respond faster. We are an information-based economy now but it is still exhausting. It's not leisurely work.
But perhaps more importantly, if we rely more on automation AND expect people to continue to work 40+ workweeks, there just won't be enough work for everyone. And then if there isn't enough work, it also means there aren't enough consumers. That's a problem for everyone, including businesses.
I worked a 4-day work week, but it was 10 hr. shifts, Tuesday-Friday, or Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. I was young when I started that schedule & even then it was exhausting. But having 3 days away from work made me stick with it.
I worked a 4-day work week, but it was 10 hr. shifts, Tuesday-Friday, or Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. I was young when I started that schedule & even then it was exhausting. But having 3 days away from work made me stick with it.
I generally only have a desire to go back to work if I have two or more weeks off.
I'm a conservative and right there with you. Americans are burnt out, taken advantage of, and given scraps and none of this is working anymore.
None? Big brush for the picture you're painting.
People don't know good they have it... and our system is the best in the world to create wealth. However...
we do need it to make families a priority again, especially for those who are married and want children. We need the birth rate to go up and families to be families again.
Work and careers are no substitute for "a life". In that regard we might have some common ground.
Bringing back the draft would actually help. The military will test you to see what and where your innate skills are. People like doing what they're good at.
People don't know good they have it... and our system is the best in the world to create wealth. However...
we do need it to make families a priority again, especially for those who are married and want children. We need the birth rate to go up and families to be families again.
Work and careers are no substitute for "a life". In that regard we might have some common ground.
Bringing back the draft would actually help. The military will test you to see what and where your innate skills are. People like doing what they're good at.
... just sayin'
I agree with all of this. And I also feel there desperately need to be changes. Having policies that benefit the average worker and incentivize having families. Parental leave for both genders & 3 weeks of PTO should be the standard. If businesses are profiting off of our labor, we should be guaranteed basic benefits that promote our health and wellbeing. We're spending ridiculous amounts of money on people in other countries, we have the wherewithal to benefit the citizens here. My hope is that both factions come together on these issues to better the lives of the working class.
Last edited by allenk893; 03-16-2024 at 06:39 AM..
If anyone thinks that a 32 hour work week with pay remaining at a 40 hour standard they really need to rethink the premise.
What will happen is that people will be laid off, productivity will have to increase and costs, therefore prices, will rise.
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