9 Reasons Your Salary Isn't Higher

On the other hand.....

The reason people are not making more money is that the government is actively undermining the US labor market by promoting outsourcing and illegal immigration. People are too afraid of losing their jobs to ask for a raise. Trade agreements allow foreigners to take US jobs, but we are banned from taking jobs in many foreign countries. Instead of mandating a legitimate social security number for a job, big business has lobbied to make it optional. We would not even need a border patrol if mandatory SSN checks were in place. Big business wants workers of all skill levels to have no bargaining leverage - which is why your salary is not higher.

Interesting stuff

Overall an interesting study, but it is important to remember that correlation is not causation -- that is, just because lefties earn more does not mean that they earn more because they are lefties.

To the first commenter: you do not have a right to a job. You do not have the right to keep anyone out of the US who is honest and wants to come here. You do not have the right to set the terms under which other free people can associate and do business. If you are unhappy with your current compensation then find a new employer, but do not clamor for more government. Government ruins everything it touches; our only hope is that everyone sees that before it is too late.

You forgot one thing

Tom from IL makes great points, but I think the biggest factor in stagnating salaries for US workers can be summed up in one word - GREED.

From over-compensated corporate executives, to price gouging oil companies, to the sub-prime mortgage mess, to outsourcing and corporate requests for more H1B visas, to Nike manufacturing sneakers for $1 and selling them for $150, to our elected political "leaders" with their hands out for special interest contributions -- all come back to GREED.

Meanwhile, the average US worker falls further and further behind.

As a nation we need to communicate that we've had enough through the most effective channels available to us -- don't purchase products or services from the many corporations that are causing this problem and use the voting booth to elect leaders that will act in our best interests (if there are any out there!)

Interesting but incidential

I think most of these statistics are incidental occurences. Lefties make more money? I just don't buy it that executive management across the nation give lefties higher salaries, even for some subconscious reason.

Perhaps I work in a bubble in the consulting industry, but people ask for (and receive) salary increases nearly every half at our organization. It comes down to the fact that our organization recognizes how hard we work to grow the company. They appreciate our efforts and incentive us to continue working at that level. Simply put, most commpanies take their employees for granted.

Statistics, Shoe Size, the Hairiness of Your Knuckles, and More...

The author presents observations which are intended to surprise and confound, yet only some of the factoids are supported by a reference. As anyone who has worked with statistics will confirm, it is how you manipulate the numbers and who does the manipulations. Add to the picture the non-statistically oriented journalist who cherry-picks items for inclusion out of their original context and you have this article: something with an attention-getting headline, but short on meaningful content.

The author acheived her goal (I'll admit it - I bit the bait, too): she wanted readers. Objective achieved.

Reply

From Seeing Clearly in TX: "To the first commenter: you do not have a right to a job. You do not have the right to keep anyone out of the US who is honest and wants to come here. You do not have the right to set the terms under which other free people can associate and do business."

What on earth are you talking about? All countries have restrictions on who they let in and laws which set terms for doing business.

The problem of salary stagnation is one of supply and demand. Since 2000, in this economic cycle only 1/6 the amount of new jobs has been created as compared to the last cycle in the 90's. This job growth does not even keep up with the growth in population. Big business, in collusion with government has jammed the supply of labor through unfavorable trade agreements, out-sourcing, worker visas and willful ignorance of illegal immigration.

It has all worked nicely for corporations at the expense of middle and lower American workers. Corporations have had record profits these last few years while salaries have stagnated. In the old days companies would tell their workers that they could have pay raises if productivity increased. Well, productivity has increased dramatically but business owners have decided to keep the extra profits for themselves. There is no point in sharing because they have rigged the labor markets to their advantage.

When supply and demand gets out of whack for corporations - they are the first to run to the government for help. It’s time for employees to contact their elected officials to put an end to this distortion of the labor market. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

your finding

I found your finding to be absurd and contrary

to what I have seen and experienced in my

present position: I make more than my manager who is

married with a baby boy. Also, I made more than a lefty who

has left.

to Tom of IL

You tell'em, Tom! But, who's listening???

Marraige

Marriage frees up men to focus on work? The positive relationship between marriage and salary exists because people with higher salaries are more likely to get married (financial security). It is not the case that married employees are somehow more attractive workers, or that marriage allows men to focus and perform better at work.

To Bill of RI

I completely agree with you Bill.Greed is really the only word for it.I mean I worked in retail for years and the cost that it was to make the products was nothing compared to what people have to pay for them, and though the cost to make a certain product may never go up the price of the actual poduct does...all this is proving is that over time the nation decides oh im not getting enough money so lets raise this price.its redculous.