Bargaining Power
by DCDave

It seems that upon the latest inspection,
(Please help me here if you have a correction)
We're headed in exactly the wrong direction.

They promised us growing prosperity,
Instead we get income disparity
When labor's a global commodity.

The outcome is natural according to some,
The problem, they say, is our workers are dumb.
One can't help hoping their time will come.

It's clear to us now we've been deceived,
We made a mistake when we believed
The "expert" advice that we received.

The doctrine of totally unfettered trade
Is just an ivory tower charade
To have us compete with the underpaid.

So well-trained workers in the West
Can do their very level best
And wage rates still will be depressed.

Some still make out, you wonder why
Their recompense remains so high:
See how they limit their supply.

Those who really know the score
Will tell you that often less is more,
What counts is what you can sell it for.

David Martin