550: Unit 3
23. Labor
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 118-132 and in the Appendix, the selections from the book, What Unions no Longer Do, by Jake Rosenfeld (All of the Introduction and from the top of 187-199)
QF: Unions are no longer necessary.
The free rider card was found among the possessions of a man who worked in the aerospace industry for several decades in the mid twentieth century.
24. The Politics of Immigration Policy
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 133-153 &
WATCH: One of these videos on abuse of H-1B visas: PBS documentary (25 minutes); or CBS promo (4 minutes).
Also, WATCH: Trump's comments from 43 to 46 minutes in this video interview.
UPDATE: Divisions seemed be forming in the MAGA movement at the end of the year over immigration, esp. regarding the H1-B visa program.
At one point, Musk tweeted:
The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and F*** YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.
The Wall Street Journal reported: "Musk’s argument for merit-based achievement and reforming the H-1B visa program for high-skilled workers doesn’t go over well with a group of people who profess to be worried about Americans losing high-paid jobs to foreign workers for the benefit of rich elites."
NOTE: you have a free subscription to the WSJ through the PEA library.
25. Trade
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 153-169.
QF: Until Trump came along, no US president cared about the fate of American manufacturing workers.
How does what you read about Trump's approach to international trade in his first administration help to understand his recent action in this second administration--that is, his imposing 10% tariffs on China and 25% on Canada and Mexico?
Extra Reading if you're interested: Thomas Edsall column, Nov. 2, 2022. Ties trade issue to current politics and rise of conservative populism.
26. Miscellaneous Policy Issues
READ: 169-194
These readings are just scratching the surface of these three topics. What other angles should we consider. EG, what do you think about legislation enabling education vouchers in states like NH (recall that this was a pet idea of Milton Friedman)? On this FED website you can compare home ownership and vacancy rates in various states.
A FORMAT AND E FORMAT WILL BE ON DIFFERENT SCHEDULES FOR THE REST OF THIS PAGE OF THE SYLLABUS.
A: Wednesday, Feb. 12: Election 1: How Trump won: 195-217.
A: Thursday, Feb. 13: Election 2: Why Trump won: 217-235. See NYT graphs on shifts from 2020-2024
A: Friday, Feb. 14: Essay on policies related to inequality due.
A: Tuesday, Feb. 18: Election 3: Lessons for Democrats: 235-262.
A: Thursday, Feb. 20: Meet in the library to go over and begin research project. Go to page Page 4 of the syllabus for info on the research paper.
A: Friday, Feb. 21: Work in the library and online on research project. Email me with any questions or if you need to update your topic choice.
A: Next assignment Monday Feb. 25 go to page 4 of the syllabus. You will be working on your presentations for the rest of the week.
E: Friday, Feb. 14: Essay on policies related to inequality due
E: Monday, Feb. 17: 12: Election 1: How Trump won: 195-217. See NYT graphs on shifts from 2020-2024
E: Tuesday, Feb. 18 Meet in the library to go over and begin research project. Go to page Page 4 of the syllabus for info on the research paper. Then return to this page for the Monday, Feb. 24 class.
E: Friday, Feb. 21: Work in the library and online on research project. Email me with any questions or if you need to update your topic choice.
E: Monday, Feb. 24 Election 2: Back in the classroom. Why Trump won: 217-235. See NYT graphs on shifts from 2020-2024.
E: Tuesday, Feb. 25. Election 3: Lessons for Democrats: 235-262.