[quote=hemaybedid;637963]In a free market economy labor unions hinder the growth and strength of the economy.

Really? Was the recent economic collapse caused by bloated union wages or the rampant greed and lack of integrity of the investor class?

When a labor union negotiates 50 to 80 thousand dollar wages for unskilled and only basically educated workers it is bad for all of us...

How so? It kills me that it is so easy to argue that a group of workers is overpaid. Where is the outrage over exorbitant CEO salaries and bonuses? Why is money in the hands of the wealthy better for the economy than decent wages for workers? The most powerful engine driving an economy is a strong, growing middle class with a decent amount of discretionary income. Some of this money will be used to buy stuff, fueling economic expansion. Some of this money will be saved, reducing the national debt.

Our economy was strongest in the 50's and early 60's. Blue collar workers could afford homes and college for the kids. The middle class and the economy were booming. Union membership was at its highest.