Imagine an American in which unions hadn’t gone into decline.

In that world, workers would have had the leverage to bargain. So instead of flat compensation for 40 years, we’d turn some of that Ever growing executive compensation into higher wages for labor.

In the world where workers have more money year over year, they don’t need to borrow money against their houses in order to afford their lifestyles.

In the world where second mortgages do not become normal, Wall Street lacks the raw material to create the CDO, and the synthetic loan.

In the world where Wall Street cannot do that, the housing crisis doesn’t happen, or if it does happen it’s effects are minimized.

In a world where the effects are minimal or non existent, We’re not facing 10% unemployment that’s causing the US government to borrow even more money.

I could go on. But you should get the point. Unions are the key by which America unlocks prosperity. We let managment break that key, but a new one can be forged. They’re doing it right now in Wisconsin.

It's a big mack. Get it?

One of the things I haven’t talked about on this blog is that I’m trying to lose weight. Technically, I’m on a diet; what I’m really trying to do is change the way I eat. It’s harder than it seems. Part of this means that when I’m out with friends and they want to go to McDonalds, I need to find something on that menu…

So: last night I ordered a hamburger, medium fries and a medium drink (Total calories: ~680). The woman then suggested I could get a McDouble Meal for less money (total Calories: 770). I said that no, I’d prefer just the regular burger. Oh! Perhaps I mean the 2 cheeseburger? (Total Calories: ~1000).

The weirdest part of the experience is this: the woman taking my order was trying her hardest to give me a positive experience. What I wanted to do was more costly— and less filling– than what she wanted me to do.

This is the result of a bizarre food scheme we have where consumers are looking to maximize not their health, but rather their total caloric intake– for the least amount of money. The net result is that we get fatter. Not only that: because its the poorest of us who are unable to afford healthier food, fat becomes a class issue. Fun times all around.