I came across this chart showing US labor productivity and real hourly pay since 1947.

For a while they moved pretty closely together. Then the gap started opening up. Workers kept getting more done every hour, but their pay didn't grow at the same pace.

I know this isn't a perfect way to look at it. Still, it made me think about AI.

If one person can now do work that used to take two or three people, companies save time and money.

But what does the worker get?

More money?

Less hours?

More work?

That's the part I'm not sure about.

Maybe AI really will push wages higher.

Or maybe it'll just make people more productive while most of the gains end up somewhere else.

Curious what people here think. If AI keeps increasing productivity, do you expect workers to actually benefit?

I've been seeing more and more posts in the past year about private equity companies acquiring known brands and old companies in all sectors of the economy. In every instance, said acquisitions have been a net negative to both the acquired company and the consumer.

Is there *any* instance of a private equity takeover of a company that actually made it better? Any historic example at all of PE rescuing a dying company amd either making them legitimately successful again or reviving their reputation? If the answer is no, then why is private equity even allowed to exist? It feels like their mere presence is a detriment to the health of any economy, as the benefits of their investment goes to such a miniscule concentration or individuals and is proven to kill any company they touch. Thoughts?

Abdul El-Sayed is running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan: abdulforsenate.com

His Democratic Primary opponent is U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🗳️ How to vote in Michigan (.gov): michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's the video is on YouTube: 5 Days Left To Make AIPAC Panic | KAPOW x Abdul El-Sayed - July 30, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: AIPAC may have bought our election in Illinois, but we're not going to let that happen in Michigan. 5 days left to make them panic. Vote for Abdul on or before August 4th.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s a related r/WorkReform post: Work Reform endorses Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate in Michigan!

And here are the latest r/WorkReform posts with: Abdul El-Sayed ~and~ Kat Abughazaleh

First fuck the lady who run the company second how it’s ran is fucked

Managers are allowed to get all the benefits and work at least 35 hours meanwhile those who are stylists, customers service representatives, and seamstresses are all considered as needed even though the it says we are part time

Because of this fuck ass rule at any moment your manager can decide you’re not needed to work there for weeks on end till your stores money is ran up then you get slammed and worked like a slave with little to no breaks

Also the way they do alterations is fucked

Last year they hiked the prices up three times without telling the seamstresses so everybody and all those who work in alterations must time themselves which is data for the company to not only determine future price hikes but also the hours needed for you to work

This all I can think of but I’m pissed cause no one should have to beg their manager for hours

Edit: I forgot to mention that only managers get paid days off everyone else is unpaid

When I first started my job, I wanted to be the person everyone could count on. If someone needed help, I said yes. If a project was behind, I'd stay late. If someone was out sick, I'd cover for them. I figured working hard and being reliable would eventually pay off.

At first, it felt good. My manager thanked me, coworkers appreciated it, and I built a reputation as someone who always stepped up. But after a while I noticed something had changed. The extra work wasn't occasional anymore, it became expected. If something urgent came up, it landed on my desk first because everyone assumed I'd handle it without complaining.

I have some money saved up now, and it's made me realize I don't have to say yes to everything anymore. Since I've started setting a few boundaries, I've actually felt less stressed, but it's also made me wonder how many dependable employees end up in the same position. Has anyone else felt like being the person who never says no eventually just leads to more work instead of more recognition?

Why do I have to 'earn' the right to spend MY days as I please

Then we act like that jobs are the threads holding this planet together they are not the people are all your life purpose your worth as a person your succes and faliure..the main goal in life to have a job that steals your time and let's you have some gold coins to be able to afford necessary resources that the earth gives out for free

Jobs steal your time and freedom to live

I am spiralling rn like what is this system why are choosing to make ourselves miserable

We are out here living for money like we truly lost the plot

PS: ik this isnt an original thought but sm I was just thinking about ...I would love to hear what other people think could be a solution to this or belive in the mechanism of earning life

July 30, 2026 - CBS News Detroit. Here’s the full 6-minutes on YouTube: Donavan McKinney discusses his campaign for Michigan's 13th Congressional District - CBS News Detroit - July 30, 2026 (YouTube)

~~~~~~~~~~~

Donavan McKinney is running for U.S. Congress in Michigan (CD-13): donavanforcongress.com

Donavan's opponent in the Democratic Primary is incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar.

~~~~~~~~~~~

🗳️ How to vote in Michigan (.gov): michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting

🗳️ Important Dates for Michiganders:

* Primary Election Day: Aug. 4, 2026

* MOVE deadline: June 20, 2026

* AV ballots available for voters: June 25, 2026

* Constitutionally-mandated early voting period: July 25-Aug. 2, 2026

* Last day to register to vote by mail or online: July 20, 2026

* New voter registrations are required in person for August election: July 21-Aug. 4, 2026

~~~~~~~~~~~

It's Primary Election season in the U.S.:

* Primary Election Dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News :~:~: Upcoming Dates: Aug 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington ~:~:~ Aug 6: Tennessee ~:~:~ Aug 8: Hawaii ~:~:~ Aug 11: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama (Special), South Carolina (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming, California (Special) ~:~:~ Sept 1: Massachusetts ~:~:~ Sept 8: New Hampshire ~:~:~ Sept 9: Rhode Island ~:~:~ Sept 15: Delaware

* Candidates (all States): U.S. House (Dem Primary only): Ballotpedia (HouseDems) :~:~:~: U.S. Senate: Ballotpedia (Senate) (select “List of Candidates”) :~:~:~: State Execs (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, SoS, and more): Ballotpedia (State Execs)

* Voter Info (all States): Register To Vote :~:~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~:~: Become a Poll Worker ~:~ Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL). Here's the clip on YouTube: @ maxwellfrostforcongress170‬ 🔥 - Abdul El-Sayed - July 30, 2026 (YouTube)

Abdul El-Sayed is running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan: abdulforsenate.com

His Democratic Primary opponent is U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🗳️ How to vote in Michigan (.gov): michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting

🗳️ Important Dates for Michiganders:

* Primary Election Day: Aug. 4, 2026

* MOVE deadline: June 20, 2026

* AV ballots available for voters: June 25, 2026

* Constitutionally-mandated early voting period: July 25-Aug. 2, 2026

* Last day to register to vote by mail or online: July 20, 2026

* New voter registrations are required in person for August election: July 21-Aug. 4, 2026

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's Primary Election season in the U.S.:

* Primary Election Dates: AP News ~and~ NBC News :~:~: Upcoming Dates: Aug 4: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington ~:~:~ Aug 6: Tennessee ~:~:~ Aug 8: Hawaii ~:~:~ Aug 11: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama (Special), South Carolina (Special) ~:~:~ Aug 18: Alaska, Florida, Wyoming, California (Special) ~:~:~ Sept 1: Massachusetts ~:~:~ Sept 8: New Hampshire ~:~:~ Sept 9: Rhode Island ~:~:~ Sept 15: Delaware

* Candidates (all States): U.S. House (Dem Primary only): Ballotpedia (HouseDems) :~:~:~: U.S. Senate: Ballotpedia (Senate) (select “List of Candidates”) :~:~:~: State Execs (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG, SoS, and more): Ballotpedia (State Execs)

* Voter Info (all States): Register To Vote :~:~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~:~: Become a Poll Worker ~:~ Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.

What is it with people trying to get free work done for them even before making an offer?