At which point does profit become more important than the rights and needs of customers and employees. In both cases - food labeling and overtime pay - the basic issue is one of rights. It is also a measure of costs. It costs the worker extra pay incentives. It costs the food customer nutrition, and a reasonable healthy diet to reduce the eventuality of obesity, which today is one of the major health concerns for Americans.
First, let's look at the moral concerns in overtime pay, as now defined by the Bush administration: Is there a guaranteed right for overtime pay? The Democrats seem to think so. And, in opposing this new bill blamed the White House for "take(ing) away the overtime pay protection of Americans" (Planin 2003 1). Actually, the bill as passed by the House restricts overtime pay for high salaried workers, and, so the Bush people feel, actually benefits low-income workers. It would seem safe to say that anyone who works more than the required hours, should be eligible for overtime pay. Of course, this may not apply to many salaried executives. However, this bill benefits the business owner who may now "save" overtime pay costs. Where is the justice for the ordinary worker? Arlen Specter, senator from Pennsylvania is quoted as saying "That is a bad thing to do with the economy in its current condition" (editorial 2003 1). It is "justice" for the business owner, and something short of justice for the worker who may be deprived of extra income he sorely needs. It becomes clear that this is a pro-business administration, which is not to say this is "bad" but merely that its regulations and new laws favor the investor, the business owner and top corporate executives far more than the individual owner or, for that matter, the ultimate customer.
Even though the House eventually passed Bush's bill, it was a struggle because, as one congressman stated: "I just had to represent the concerns of my district" (Ellperin ...