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𝐓𝐒𝐦 𝐁𝐚π₯𝐝𝐰𝐒𝐧's avatar

The problem is providing the means for workers replaced by robots to find another, hopefully better job. Mr. Linares covers this very well in his comment. We have had a massive leap in technological advancement (with machines now doing most of the work) in the last 150 years. The result has not been a vast army of unemployed workers. Unemployment is very low now (thanks in part to Joe Biden).

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Donald Hodgins's avatar

Tim--A huge problem no one is addressing, is there is a distinct difference between a machine and the group of workers it has replaced. Workers pay into programs designed to help this country function. Programs like FICA. that supplies both social security and Medicare, state, federal and local taxes. What percentage of a robot's weekly check goes to these funds? Machines do nothing but help the rich to get richer.

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Phil Clark's avatar

Donald - They help the company stay in business.

How about a machine tax = 3 x employee tax x machine depreciated value?

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Donald Hodgins's avatar

Phil--That's when one generation retires, and you hire a new one. The companies would be in business regardless, they just wouldn't be able to make quite as much money.

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Donald Hodgins's avatar

Tim--People who are unemployed and drawing compensation are considered out of work but over time when those check run out then what. When the checks stop this country no longer considers them as unemployed and they drop off the rosters. They are still out of work, but they are no longer an active part of the unemployment statistics. That low water make is deceiving.

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Phil Clark's avatar

Fake statistics

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Donald Hodgins's avatar

Phil--Not fake, I have a friend that runs a company that has been installing robotics for the past 25 years all over the country, those are his numbers.

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Phil Clark's avatar

Donald - I meant the unemployment is fake for the reasons you gave. If more people fall off the unemployment register than newly employed are registered, then the statistic is skewed. It's just a political tool.

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progwoman's avatar

I believe it depends upon where you live. Textile mills that had been in North Georgia since before the Civil War picked up and went abroad. Nothing has replaced them.

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