 If we care about inequality, economic opportunity, retirement security, poverty, and economic growth, then it's time we care about wages. Most people get the majority of their money from their paychecks, not stocks or bonds, and not on whole Sam. Economists call the money in our paychecks wages. For the 30 years right after World War II, as workers made more stuff and the economy grew, their wages grew right along with it. Our economy kept growing, but wage growth stalled in 1979. Corporations, along with lobbyists and politicians, have passed laws to keep wages down for most people, so CEOs and wealthy shareholders could reap ever larger profits. The result has been more inequality, persistent poverty, insufficient economic opportunity, and fewer rights for workers. If we're serious about solving these problems, then we need policies to get wages growing again.