Monday, April 30, 2007

Another Economic Disconnect: PAUL KRUGMAN - Profit Gusher

THE COMPLETE ARTICLE
THE NEW YORK TIMES

OP-ED COLUMNIST

Another Economic Disconnect

By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: April 30, 2007

In the Bush years high profits haven’t led to high investment, and rising productivity hasn’t led to rising wages.


Last fall Edward Lazear, the Bush administration’s top economist, explained that what’s good for corporations is good for America. “Profits,” he declared, “provide the incentive for physical capital investment, and physical capital growth contributes to productivity growth. Thus profits are important not only for investors but also for the workers who benefit from the growth in productivity.”

In other words, ask not for whom the closing bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Unfortunately, these days none of what Mr. Lazear said seems to be true. In the Bush years high profits haven’t led to high investment, and rising productivity hasn’t led to rising wages.

--MORE--

No comments: