Most of the country is aware of the current writers strike that is effecting the production of television and movies. Although I will not pretend to know the specifics of the revenue sharing that has caused this strike I can say that the writes that make it all possible are the lowest paid creative people involved in the production of what we watch. My understanding is that the writers are looking for a raise that takes into account the new digital distribution of their product. I say they are entitled to a piece of the pie. Basically, the writers are looking for a long overdue raise and those that produce the show don’t want to share.
I have to admit up front that I am not a huge watcher of television. My wife watches a great deal of television and we both enjoy movies. The real reason I am concerned with the strike is because, well, how much reality television can America really take. Okay I’m kidding. What is really stoking the fire to write outside my normal venues of music and politics is that my sister-in-law writes for television and every day that the strike goes on my nephew loses out. Not only does the little man have to endure the stress of a family dealing with the loss of an income, he has to go on the picket line with his mom and deal with some of that crazy Hollywood talent that has joined the writers on the picket line. Okay so maybe the little man is lucky to be in barfing range of Eva Longaria, but that ain’t much when you don’t appreciate what you’re looking at.
What is really important and what Hollywood writers want, is more equitable distribution of the money made from their labor. Without the writers there are no shows and movies. We have experienced a writers strike before and that ushered in the beginning of reality television. Television has suffered enough with the ridiculous amount reality television that is currently programmed. How many more buffoons can we watch running around some tropical island or running around the planet all in hopes of winning some cash.
What the money people in Hollywood need to understand is that sitting in multi-million dollar homes and complaining about revenue sharing will not put them in a favorable light with those sitting on their couch in Wichita waiting for a new episode of Desperate Housewives. Those that are in charge need to pay the writers what they are worth. Its simple economics. No writers, no product. No product no multi-million dollar homes. It is really as simple as that.
Dear N,
During the Carter Era, when we had high inflation, and a prime rate that was over 20% at one point, I walked a picket line and shook a picket sign.
Why?
Money.
Real easy stuff. Almost always it’s money that causes people to walk.
With that in mind, please support the idea that inflation isn’t a good thing.
Inflation puts pressure on people and companies causing the kind of strife you are addressing here.
We need a dollar that does not inflate. Period.
We had it for 130 years, Britain had it for over 200 years, we can have it again.
Inflation only benefits the Federal Government. Please pay attention to this root cause of a lot of unnecessary hate and discontent in America.
We need a dollar that doesn’t inflate.
Grimgold
Comment by grimgold — November 17, 2007 @ 11:47 am
I would agree that inflation is a bad thing and needs to be constrained a much as possible. However I would disagree that inflation is the root cause of hate and discontent. I would argue that greed is the root cause of our problems. Eleminate greed frojm the equation and peace and prosperity reign.
Comment by N — November 17, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
I meant a root cause of strikes. As workers pay buys less due to the dollar becoming worth less, they have to take action or lose buying power.
Greed and fear are two forces that drive people who take risk. I suppose greed is an extreme of something that isn’t that bad, perhaps ambition.
In order to eliminate ambition and its ugly relative greed, what exactly do you propose to do?
Anyhow, inflation causes unnecessary strife. it should not be constrained, it should be eliminated.
Comment by grimgold — November 17, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Ambition and greed have very little to do with each other. I know many ambitious people who have created create companies but exhibit no greed. They pay their employees what they are truly worth to their success and ride out the good times with the bad.
Inflation is a problem but it cannot be removed completely and forever. It comes and goes with different problems in economic cycles.
No economy is perfect but worker’s rights are important in an effective modern economy and government.
Comment by N — November 17, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
The greedy cannot understand one very simple concept: When the little people win, everyone wins. Instead, they are stuck in a win/lose frame of mind, by which I mean: they believe that in order to win, everyone else must lose.
I personally subscribe to the philosophy of enlightened self-interest. Everyone can win.
Comment by Peregrin — November 18, 2007 @ 2:37 am
P, If by enlightened self interest, you mean doing what’;s good for you and caring about others as well, i heartily agree.
Comment by grimgold — November 18, 2007 @ 1:36 pm