THE DUTCH MIRACLE

When automation came along in the 1960s, I recall the authorities telling us that while automation would displace a few workers, it would also create many fine new jobs. A few individuals might not make the transition smoothly, but most of us would benefit. If you were working class, that turned out to be incorrect, and today, thanks to automation, outsourcing and population growth, there aren't enough good jobs in the world to go around.

When you watch science fiction movies, do you wonder at times what kinds of jobs people work at? The main characters usually have military jobs, but what do the other billions of people do?

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In 1982 Dutch business and labor leaders, according to MOTHER JONES, struck a deal that cut the work week to four days. That drove unemployment down from 10% to 5%. This event is known as "the Dutch miracle." And there is no chance at all that American leaders, hobbled by ludicrous ideologies, could consider this solution.