But the odd thing is, American productivity still shows as increasing, despite the fact that fewer people are doing the work of more. US workers also have fewer benefits than their European counterparts.
Every time someone suggests an increase in basic pay in the US, we hear about how that will mean a loss of jobs. We also hear about how US unions are responsible for job loss to overseas. Yet Germany has much stronger unions than the US, and no companies are rushing to leave Germany.
Any time there is a possibility that US workers might rebel against increased hours and no increase in pay, or increased costs for their medical insurance with no improved coverage, some industry leader either threatens to move overseas or to hire ‘immigrants’, and suddenly US workers line up with their bosses to protest better hours and pay…
This isn’t accurate…. The cuts would not be the billionaires in upper management. They’d be in lower management and the wage slaves. My wife is dealing with this where she works. Someone quits or gets fired, and they just spread that person’s work among the remaining peons. “Can’t justify replacing them. Boss needs another raise…”
I had a boss once who believed that cutting work staff would increase profits. We ended up losing our customers and the place went out of business. What a surprise.
Several economists have pointed out that around 100 years ago, US farm output per horse was going up rapidly, but this “increase in productivity of horses” didn’t benefit the horses.
Good points, every one. All Bernie needs in order to win the nomination is for working people to understand who he is and how he will handle the Presidency. Same goes for the national election to follow.
Unfortunately, the Board of Directors and Executive levels only shrink when the whole company goes under. (Those responsible are then rewarded with millions in severance, of course.)
If he arrived at the idea independently (easily imagined, given the current atmosphere of “downsizing”), then it is neither a rip-off nor does he owe anyone one an apology. And Wiley displays more than ample imagination to make the idea that he would appropriate another’s work ludicrous.
I like all the comments so far in response to ZorkAg’s “commie” statement. It shows that what is defined as “conservatism” nowadays is actually a distortion of a 19th century isolationist perspective that didn’t work then and certainly doesn’t work now.The images represented in the Currier & Ives paintings then and the Thomas Kinkaid paintings recently were and are false, romanticized images of life then and cannot be recreated in the present. Yet that, along with a TV ideology of the 1950’s is what the misled conservatives think they want. They should ask themselves why no Blacks, Asians or Hispanics want to go back there.I like Bernie Sanders and what his points state (thank you, Diane Lee). While I really think it will be Hillary who will win the Democratic nomination, I hope the points remain and become part of the Democratic platform.I was a Republican when being Republican meant being both financial AND social responsible. When they capitulated on those items, I bailed.
“And the pay has still remained lacking for all that diligent work force. And the companies claim they cannot afford to pay them what they are worth which is nonsense. Especially since the pay for the CEO and other bosses went up several 100% over the years.”Clear indication that wages are not linked to performance.
Irregardless of whether things change or stay the same, this strip is a rip-off of a Bill Lee cartoon that appeared 30 years ago."
Ok, this is pet peeve for me. THERE’S NO SUCH WORD AS “IRREGARDLESS”!What you mean is “regardless” or “irrespective”. Saying “irregardless” makes you sound like a moron…which leads us to the rather bizarre conclusion you leaped to concerning the origin of this cartoon…
The guy in the remaining chair is safe from anymore staff cutbacks. What he needs to fear is when the company gets caught doing something illegal/immoral/covering up dangerous product defects, and such. He’s the guy that they will pin it on and fire to show how responsible the corporation is. Of course, that’s when the guy at the head of the table decides it’s time to take that golden parachute of several million or more dollars and resign to show how he takes responsibility. It seems to me, they often get rewarded better for getting caught messing up, then they do for actually running a healthy and productive company.
Dear Penthouse, I never thought I’d be writing this letter……I was minding my own business, chatting around various Comic comment sections, when right out of the screen comes a naked allegation that suggested Willey Miller may have plagiarized, a simple gag. Miller is one of the most creative, interesting and talented writers and illustrators around……..He doesn’t need any help…And I’m pretty sure I can recognize a man with integrity….I was going to post this sooner, but.. then a beautiful long haired red headed curvy young woman knocked on my door and asked me if I could help her with her car, and if I knew the best way get some oil out of her yoga pants…….
“Irregardless of whether things change . . . ", irregardless will never be a word, only an irregular usage by irredeemable commenters whom, irrespective of their own irreconcilable opinions, have never met a non-word they do not like – regardless of what they may say to the contrary . . .
Plagiarism is a very serious charge in my business. Please think about it some more before making a public accusation and have proof of your allegation when making it. I have no doubt that you recall a cartoon from some 30 years ago may have been strikingly similar, but the memory is a tricky thing, especially over that period of time. There have been any number of variations on the board room scene in cartoons, and all of them with traditional chart going down. I didn’t originate it, nor did Bill Lee. It goes way back before either one of us were born. That is not, by any stretch, the definition of plagiarism. Please don’t use that term in such a cavalier manner.
I’m an as-yet unpublished short story writer who belongs to a writers group. We meet each month to critique each other’s work.
Recently, one member submitted a story that had a theme that sounded familiar to me. I looked through a few years of my collection of short story mystery mags after the workshop, and found the story.
Now, here’s the point: our workshop member doesn’t read mysteries at all. He reads and writes SF (science fiction). So he would never have encountered that story dealing with exactly those themes. There was no copying.
Long story short: there are only so many ideas and themes around. No one should be surprised if an idea shows up every 30 years or so. Geez. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too…
Good job, Dianne. The only problem is that each and every point is anathema to the troll, who has been indoctrinated against anything that would benefit America.
This is how they teach it in MBA School: It’s the “Loot & Scoot” strategy of “Management”..Go in, steal everything that’s not nailed down, pay yourself a Big Bonus and move on to another company before the Bankruptcy becomes Public Knowledge..It made Mittens RMoney very rich.
I’m reminded of a friend’s experience as HR director for a Baltimore hospital and nursing home. upper management directed him to cut the workforce by some whopping percentage (close to 50%, IIRC), and to inform the terminated in person. Upon reporting to the board after completing his assignment, they said, “Thank you for your service. You’re not needed any more.” Let him be the bad guy; then got rid of him, too. Nice people.
Why people don’t attack those places, understand it would do no good to do so. Largely as, most of the people that would be hurt would be the more innocent employees. Other then that, it has to do with the people that notice those real problems are usually the people that try to resolve them without violence, real, inferred, or deferred (as in this case). That is, inciting others to commit violent acts. The worst thing about those people, in some regards, is not just the violence they incite against mostly innocent people, but their refusal to take responsibility for those acts of violence. Much as The Donald’s deplorable comments after some of his lovely followers beat up and threw out a Black Lives activist at one of his rallies, his comment of, “He probably deserved it.” will only ensure more violence from his mindless followers. I’m sure his legal team is on heightened alert since the event. That, aside, by throwing the guy out, he has shown that he does not want to hear any opinions that differ from his and his lack of diplomacy skills. And that is NOT Presidential. Not really OK for a spoiled rich schmuck in a boardroom, but sadly all too expected these days. Definitely Not OK, and should never be, for someone wanting to lead one of the largest countries in the world. The Republican field looks more like something out of a satire comedy than it should. It also makes the movie Idiocracy look far less far fetched.
As for the similarities in cartoons over the years or even on the same day. Actual political cartoons can resemble each other on the same day. I think it’s just kinda how that works. Especially when referencing political and business as usual issues.However, I am starting to wonder if Wiley hasn’t been spying on my horses and I over the years, because some of those Lucy comics, especially the ones where she’s seeing monsters where there are none…… :P
Wallythe2 about 9 years ago
There seems to be only two ways this could go, unanimous approval of the proposal (the ayes have it) or a tie… One to one against the proposal.
Argythree about 9 years ago
But the odd thing is, American productivity still shows as increasing, despite the fact that fewer people are doing the work of more. US workers also have fewer benefits than their European counterparts.
Every time someone suggests an increase in basic pay in the US, we hear about how that will mean a loss of jobs. We also hear about how US unions are responsible for job loss to overseas. Yet Germany has much stronger unions than the US, and no companies are rushing to leave Germany.
Any time there is a possibility that US workers might rebel against increased hours and no increase in pay, or increased costs for their medical insurance with no improved coverage, some industry leader either threatens to move overseas or to hire ‘immigrants’, and suddenly US workers line up with their bosses to protest better hours and pay…
Bilan about 9 years ago
Cutbacks are Nature’s way of saying that the Grim Reaper will be around shortly.
rocky ridge farm about 9 years ago
This isn’t accurate…. The cuts would not be the billionaires in upper management. They’d be in lower management and the wage slaves. My wife is dealing with this where she works. Someone quits or gets fired, and they just spread that person’s work among the remaining peons. “Can’t justify replacing them. Boss needs another raise…”
Linguist about 9 years ago
“…… It even had the same down-trending chart. I hope this is not an instance of intentional plagiarism".>>>>>>>>
No. simply a matter of how the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I am sure that there a many variations of this same idea.
P51Strega about 9 years ago
Great… another troll!
ladamson1918 about 9 years ago
I had a boss once who believed that cutting work staff would increase profits. We ended up losing our customers and the place went out of business. What a surprise.
strictures about 9 years ago
That looks like the most recent board meeting of the new KraftHeinz Co.
jc17 about 9 years ago
Several economists have pointed out that around 100 years ago, US farm output per horse was going up rapidly, but this “increase in productivity of horses” didn’t benefit the horses.
dabugger about 9 years ago
First asset stripping, layoffs, obvious board cutbacks. Maybe a permanent vacation for the ceo. . .
Earle H Landry about 9 years ago
Good points, every one. All Bernie needs in order to win the nomination is for working people to understand who he is and how he will handle the Presidency. Same goes for the national election to follow.
Wiley creator about 9 years ago
Oh, no! You uncovered my secret! Yes, of course I regularly go through my library of 30 year old Penthouse magazines to steal cartoon ideas!
Dude. Seriously?
Robert J Moriyama Premium Member about 9 years ago
Unfortunately, the Board of Directors and Executive levels only shrink when the whole company goes under. (Those responsible are then rewarded with millions in severance, of course.)
JanLC about 9 years ago
If what they are cutting is the executive jobs instead of the guys who get the product made and out the door, then I say “go for it”.
jahoody about 9 years ago
I didn’t know the top echelon ever did any work altho they always seem to get the top pay!!
Habogee about 9 years ago
Compare this to Trumps absurd racist ramblings.
QuiteDragon about 9 years ago
If he arrived at the idea independently (easily imagined, given the current atmosphere of “downsizing”), then it is neither a rip-off nor does he owe anyone one an apology. And Wiley displays more than ample imagination to make the idea that he would appropriate another’s work ludicrous.
Godfreydaniel about 9 years ago
“Splunge!”
mr_sherman Premium Member about 9 years ago
I like all the comments so far in response to ZorkAg’s “commie” statement. It shows that what is defined as “conservatism” nowadays is actually a distortion of a 19th century isolationist perspective that didn’t work then and certainly doesn’t work now.The images represented in the Currier & Ives paintings then and the Thomas Kinkaid paintings recently were and are false, romanticized images of life then and cannot be recreated in the present. Yet that, along with a TV ideology of the 1950’s is what the misled conservatives think they want. They should ask themselves why no Blacks, Asians or Hispanics want to go back there.I like Bernie Sanders and what his points state (thank you, Diane Lee). While I really think it will be Hillary who will win the Democratic nomination, I hope the points remain and become part of the Democratic platform.I was a Republican when being Republican meant being both financial AND social responsible. When they capitulated on those items, I bailed.
QuiteDragon about 9 years ago
“And the pay has still remained lacking for all that diligent work force. And the companies claim they cannot afford to pay them what they are worth which is nonsense. Especially since the pay for the CEO and other bosses went up several 100% over the years.”Clear indication that wages are not linked to performance.
Dr.silly about 9 years ago
Irregardless of whether things change or stay the same, this strip is a rip-off of a Bill Lee cartoon that appeared 30 years ago."
Ok, this is pet peeve for me. THERE’S NO SUCH WORD AS “IRREGARDLESS”!What you mean is “regardless” or “irrespective”. Saying “irregardless” makes you sound like a moron…which leads us to the rather bizarre conclusion you leaped to concerning the origin of this cartoon…
Wiley creator about 9 years ago
How does one acknowledge what one doesn’t know? Why would one apologize for something one did not do? Similarities in cartoons happen all the time.
GiantShetlandPony about 9 years ago
The guy in the remaining chair is safe from anymore staff cutbacks. What he needs to fear is when the company gets caught doing something illegal/immoral/covering up dangerous product defects, and such. He’s the guy that they will pin it on and fire to show how responsible the corporation is. Of course, that’s when the guy at the head of the table decides it’s time to take that golden parachute of several million or more dollars and resign to show how he takes responsibility. It seems to me, they often get rewarded better for getting caught messing up, then they do for actually running a healthy and productive company.
Varnes about 9 years ago
Dear Penthouse, I never thought I’d be writing this letter……I was minding my own business, chatting around various Comic comment sections, when right out of the screen comes a naked allegation that suggested Willey Miller may have plagiarized, a simple gag. Miller is one of the most creative, interesting and talented writers and illustrators around……..He doesn’t need any help…And I’m pretty sure I can recognize a man with integrity….I was going to post this sooner, but.. then a beautiful long haired red headed curvy young woman knocked on my door and asked me if I could help her with her car, and if I knew the best way get some oil out of her yoga pants…….
Raider Red Premium Member about 9 years ago
“Irregardless of whether things change . . . ", irregardless will never be a word, only an irregular usage by irredeemable commenters whom, irrespective of their own irreconcilable opinions, have never met a non-word they do not like – regardless of what they may say to the contrary . . .
Wiley creator about 9 years ago
Plagiarism is a very serious charge in my business. Please think about it some more before making a public accusation and have proof of your allegation when making it. I have no doubt that you recall a cartoon from some 30 years ago may have been strikingly similar, but the memory is a tricky thing, especially over that period of time. There have been any number of variations on the board room scene in cartoons, and all of them with traditional chart going down. I didn’t originate it, nor did Bill Lee. It goes way back before either one of us were born. That is not, by any stretch, the definition of plagiarism. Please don’t use that term in such a cavalier manner.
Argythree about 9 years ago
-Someone else came up with this idea
I’m an as-yet unpublished short story writer who belongs to a writers group. We meet each month to critique each other’s work.
Recently, one member submitted a story that had a theme that sounded familiar to me. I looked through a few years of my collection of short story mystery mags after the workshop, and found the story.
Now, here’s the point: our workshop member doesn’t read mysteries at all. He reads and writes SF (science fiction). So he would never have encountered that story dealing with exactly those themes. There was no copying.
Long story short: there are only so many ideas and themes around. No one should be surprised if an idea shows up every 30 years or so. Geez. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too…
kaffekup about 9 years ago
Good job, Dianne. The only problem is that each and every point is anathema to the troll, who has been indoctrinated against anything that would benefit America.
Tarredandfeathered about 9 years ago
This is how they teach it in MBA School: It’s the “Loot & Scoot” strategy of “Management”..Go in, steal everything that’s not nailed down, pay yourself a Big Bonus and move on to another company before the Bankruptcy becomes Public Knowledge..It made Mittens RMoney very rich.
K M about 9 years ago
I’m reminded of a friend’s experience as HR director for a Baltimore hospital and nursing home. upper management directed him to cut the workforce by some whopping percentage (close to 50%, IIRC), and to inform the terminated in person. Upon reporting to the board after completing his assignment, they said, “Thank you for your service. You’re not needed any more.” Let him be the bad guy; then got rid of him, too. Nice people.
newpakua about 9 years ago
We sometimes confuse the ideal with the real.
GiantShetlandPony about 9 years ago
Why people don’t attack those places, understand it would do no good to do so. Largely as, most of the people that would be hurt would be the more innocent employees. Other then that, it has to do with the people that notice those real problems are usually the people that try to resolve them without violence, real, inferred, or deferred (as in this case). That is, inciting others to commit violent acts. The worst thing about those people, in some regards, is not just the violence they incite against mostly innocent people, but their refusal to take responsibility for those acts of violence. Much as The Donald’s deplorable comments after some of his lovely followers beat up and threw out a Black Lives activist at one of his rallies, his comment of, “He probably deserved it.” will only ensure more violence from his mindless followers. I’m sure his legal team is on heightened alert since the event. That, aside, by throwing the guy out, he has shown that he does not want to hear any opinions that differ from his and his lack of diplomacy skills. And that is NOT Presidential. Not really OK for a spoiled rich schmuck in a boardroom, but sadly all too expected these days. Definitely Not OK, and should never be, for someone wanting to lead one of the largest countries in the world. The Republican field looks more like something out of a satire comedy than it should. It also makes the movie Idiocracy look far less far fetched.
GiantShetlandPony about 9 years ago
Hey, sorry for the short novel…. :-/
GiantShetlandPony about 9 years ago
Oh heck, since I’m on a roll this morning.
As for the similarities in cartoons over the years or even on the same day. Actual political cartoons can resemble each other on the same day. I think it’s just kinda how that works. Especially when referencing political and business as usual issues.However, I am starting to wonder if Wiley hasn’t been spying on my horses and I over the years, because some of those Lucy comics, especially the ones where she’s seeing monsters where there are none…… :P
Tarredandfeathered about 9 years ago
Cartoons occasionally “Repeat Themselves” because Stupid People, particularly Poli-Tick-tions, keep repeating themselves. . repeating themselves…
repeating themselves…repeating themselves….And we all know that Stupid is just Funnier.