Brewed Fresh Daily

People who read this blog know that I think Cleveland needs more unionization... especially in the sectors which employ the most low-income, undereducated Cleveland residents, like big-box retail, hotels, food service, building maintenance and security services. I think we need unions, not just for reasons of economic and legal fairness -- though those are perfectly good reasons -- but to advance the more fashionable goals of wealth creation and resurgent entrepreneurism.

The City Club debate is a good excuse to spend a few entries on why I hold this strange opinion. So, from now till next Wednesday, it's "Union Week" at Cleveland Diary.

Let me start with two simple propositions:

1. In general, a community gains wealth to the extent that a) its members create economic value, and b) the economic value created by its members becomes their income.

2. The cure for poverty is not more work (as any slave can tell you), but more wealth.