Economics 101 states that a company's number 1 objective is to "maximize shareholders' interests." Labor is just one ingredient in the mix of putting out a product or service and it's not their duty or problem if you aren't happy. You agreed to be paid an amount when you signed-on and they argreed to pay that. Nothing else. If you're not happy with your pay (or hours or benefits), you're free to find employment elsewhere. We moved from an agricultural economy into an industrial economy 130 or so years ago. Now we're moving to a service oriented economy. Those who don't reeducate themselves will be left behind. The global market is here to stay. Stop crying about and wishing for "the good 'ole days" because America isn't going back to making cars and TV's and steel and (insert almost anything.) You're only worth as much as someone is willing to pay. If I can make more profit manufacturing my product overseas, than you've priced yourselves out of the market. Learn something that will profit my company and I'll pay you handsomely. Almost all of those posters here have a sense of entitlement that makes me sick! You think, "well, I work hard all day; I should make decent money." Well what if I drove a team of mules all day to plow a field and my neighbor used a tractor? I've worked my ass off all day: much more work than my neighbor even, but I'm not going to get one tenth the amount of work done. Should I make as much money as my neighbor? Then answer is NO. My neighbor working smarter, not harder and is rewarded for adapting to his changing environment. There are grants and gov't loans for getting educated. It may take time and be difficult; that's why so many won't even entertain the idea of going to school - they're lazy. But the ones who do will reap the rewards while the rest of you here will still be bitching and moaning and looking for handouts.