3 out of 4 Americans have no personal financial safety net

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

I would really like for someone to emerge from the Republican Party that has something substantive to contribute to this problem.

They don't consider this a problem, but rather the goal.  An desperate and thus obedient and cheap-to-exploit working class is precisely their dream, and they have most definitely achieved it.  The GOP is probably the most successful political party in history.

This.  It is easily visible in their policy aspirations.  This one is a wonderful example:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/25/1189635/-Eric-Cantor-will-propose-Federal-Law-that-Ends-Overtime-Pay-for-hourly-workers

They do this in steps. 

Step 1: Squeeze the middle (stagnant minimum and base wages, non-progressive taxation, less collective bargaining rights, privatize everything so costs go up, etc.) and working class with policies that make it difficult to continue to support their households on their base salary. 

Step 2: Give them incentives to work overtime. 

Step 3: Squeeze them more until overtime is no longer a nice bonus... but a NECESSITY.  The working class gets used to working 50, 60, 70 hour weeks. 

Step 4: Eliminate any benefit to working overtime, and just reel in all those savings.  The worker is used to the long hours... so they just take it in stride, because, frankly... what the hell else are they going to do?  Quit their job and die/starve/look for a better (lol) job?

It's all very apparent and right in front you.  It's quite sad, the whole thing, considering that the American everyman is all worked up about "conspiracies" like Bengazi, the IRS, 9/11 truthism, etc. etc.... when the real conspiracy to [Inks] them over is being perpetrated right in front of them by the very people they vote for.

Sad.  Sad.  Sad. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Hockeydude's America: Where CEO's deliberately increase the cost of labour for 30 years in hopes of increasing the firms profits long after they're dead.

Yet another thread destroyed by complaineypants who do nothing but whine about the GOP being evil while never bothering to actually debate the issue at hand. (IndyTX & TNF exempted)

I'd rather just get to the meat of matter than beat around the bush with things like "safety nets".  How the hell is the working man supposed to save enough for a "safety net" these days, Al? 

Uh... money in America stays in the family and 30 years is RIGHT about when a 35-40 year old board member is going to start enjoying his most lavish retirement years. 

But it's ok, continue being the champion for the rich if that's what you like. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Probably 2 out those 3 who  have no safety net are under-employed.  A horrible situation that doesn't hit you in the face because there's not a monthly stat that's covered heavily by the media, like the unemployment rate.

Unfortunately underemployment is a far more nebulous concept than unemployment, so it's more difficult to measure.

To answer Hockeydude:

1) Re: Overtime: You really need to retake grade 7 math. Compound interest (or profits) is key here. Reducing profits 30 years ago takes a heavy toll on future growth, one that won't be made up by suddenly reducing overtime pay for most firms 30-50 years down the line. Even if it was a good business decision, executives aren't incentivized to make decisions that long term.

2) Re: Savings: Assuming the working dude is within the middle more or less, here's how he or she could save...

1) Avoid living alone until there is you've saved the safety net.
2) If married, try your best to stay married.
3) Get a 2nd job or side hustle until debt is paid down/savings accumulated
4) Don't drive or only have 1 car if possible
5) Get rid of cable
6) Eat cheap bulk staples and other inexpensive food.
7) Try for cheaper health insurance if possible.

When did I say companies/agencies (because my example specifically affects them) are reducing profits, anyway.  The "incentive for overtime" comment?  Maybe I should've used a different word, and I take back trying to completely defend the comment, but do I think a good chunk of the so called 1% have been ****ing the rest of us over for years?  Do I think squeezing the middle class into long hours and then cutting their overtime pay is typical of the ownership class as a way to completely shatter the spirit of the working class?  Of course.  I'm not going to go back on that.   

And "guy in the middle" these days isn't do so hot despite cutting corners.  Mean income and median income in America are wildly out of whack. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Probably 2 out those 3 who  have no safety net are under-employed.  A horrible situation that doesn't hit you in the face because there's not a monthly stat that's covered heavily by the media, like the unemployment rate.

Unfortunately underemployment is a far more nebulous concept than unemployment, so it's more difficult to measure.

To answer Hockeydude:

1) Re: Overtime: You really need to retake grade 7 math. Compound interest (or profits) is key here. Reducing profits 30 years ago takes a heavy toll on future growth, one that won't be made up by suddenly reducing overtime pay for most firms 30-50 years down the line. Even if it was a good business decision, executives aren't incentivized to make decisions that long term.

2) Re: Savings: Assuming the working dude is within the middle more or less, here's how he or she could save...

1) Avoid living alone until there is you've saved the safety net.
2) If married, try your best to stay married.
3) Get a 2nd job or side hustle until debt is paid down/savings accumulated
4) Don't drive or only have 1 car if possible
5) Get rid of cable
6) Eat cheap bulk staples and other inexpensive food.
7) Try for cheaper health insurance if possible.

When did I say companies/agencies (because my example specifically affects them) are reducing profits, anyway.  The "incentive for overtime" comment?  Maybe I should've used a different word, and I take back trying to completely defend the comment, but do I think a good chunk of the so called 1% have been ****ing the rest of us over for years?  Do I think squeezing the middle class into long hours and then cutting their overtime pay is typical of the ownership class as a way to completely shatter the spirit of the working class?  Of course.  I'm not going to go back on that.   

And "guy in the middle" these days isn't do so hot despite cutting corners.  Mean income and median income in America are wildly out of whack. 

I agree that the working class and guy in the middle are being squeezed, but that is not what you originally postulated. As is your habit, you made an inflammatory, poorly thought out statement, and when cornered, redefined your argument beyond recognition.

Yes it is.  Glad you agree.