Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Economic Analysis from Langley

US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. (Italics added.)

Which liberal commentator is this making the claim that technological developments in the United States have made the rich richer while everyone else gets left behind? Paul Krugman of the New York Times? Lefty historian Howard Zinn? Maybe Senator Ted Kennedy?

Nope. The statement comes from the most recent edition of the CIA World Factbook.

[Via Holly Sklar and Common Dreams.]