Reply to "Back on the “Soap Box” !"

I guess I am totally out of touch, have no knowledge of how unions work today or am just plain stupid.

For the past 30 years I have been running businesses where my employees are treated like my family and friends. And more often than not they are or end up as my friends – in some cases, my family too.

They come and go as they please. They are free to take care of their kids, parents and themselves. They never punched a clock nor did I ever see one. I have managed to build quality teams of motivated workers who care about their product. Period. So I leave it to them to find the best way to get done what I need done.

The rest of it is a total free for all – what time they arrive or leave, or even if they come in at all. They pick a schedule that works for them and it lasts until it really interferes with someone else's.

I give them what they need to work in the office, or from home or from anywhere else on the road. Our offices are nice and pleasant, with food and drink and comforts for all to enjoy. I often find kids and dogs all over the place whenever I drop in.

No one kisses my a$$ or bows down to me. Quite the opposite. It’s a bit frustrating at times but it is the way of the world. It’s called democracy.

I only care about what they produce. If it’s done well and on time then the rest of the deal is unimportant. They do what they want for lunch, or breaks and have time off for everything they need, plus lots of holidays that they are free to schedule. And although I think they have it made, I am sure they think they are worth more than I pay them. But hey, I feel the same way.

Unions certainly have a place wherever unscrupulous employers treat folks badly. Other than that, I wonder.

Unless a worker is illegal, infirm, unable to speak the language or desperate for employment, most legal citizens of the developed world have the upper hand. Most modern governments provide enough assistance to keep them off the streets even if they never work a day in their life. Which is another story.

Our problem is that managers of big governments and big corporations waste huge amounts of other peoples’ money, have no long term goals or vision beyond a few years and no regard for their employees, the environment or the impact of their products and policies.

Our system is the best in the world. But badly flawed. I would have thought with all the history, knowledge, talent and intelligence there would be several viable alternatives. I know they exist, but every time a new idea surfaces it is attacked and quickly destroyed. Why is that?