In a NY Times op-ed published after his blog post, Cronon recounted the history of Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin who were instrumental in developing Social Security, workers compensation, unemployment insurance and public employee bargaining.

FORBES: Wisconsin Republicans Attack a Brilliant UW Historian

The rise in health insurance costs has shifted the form of employee compensation.

FORBES: Raises Have Gone to Pay for Health Insurance

Health insurance has sucked up two-thirds of the increase in employee compensation over the last decade.

FORBES: Raises Have Gone to Pay for Health Insurance