To turn our economy around and provide economic security for all our
people, ambitious reforms will be necessary. A national strategy to create larger numbers of good jobs;
a substantial increase in the minimum wage; strengthened employee rights and enforcement of the right to join unions; expanded
investment in alternative energy, infrastructure, science, technology and job training; and reform of the Federal Reserve
Board and our financial regulation apparatus are part, not all, of what needs to be done.
"How can we turn the economy around?" (top left) provides an overview of progressive
economic policy recommendations from a variety of sources.
To
build a healthier society that lives up to American ideals and our global responsibilities, we will need rapid
action on global warming and the environment; quality health care for all at a reasonable cost; an education system that works
for all people of all ages; reversal of the third-world living conditions in parts of our cities and rural areas; a safety
net and social services that leave no person behind; massive relief for returning veterans; assistance for developing countries;
and other essentials of a democracy worthy of the name.
Recognition
of the need for a new direction is growing.
But
we are not facing up to the necessity of investing substantially more resources in our people, economy, environment, and international
society. Since the 1970's, the total "pot" of federal money for all our "domestic"
needs has been shrinking, as a percent of national economic output ("GDP"). In addition, genuine foreign aid,
as distinct from military assistance, has also declined.
"Where's
the money to rebuild America?" (top left) provides basic math and policy background to
show that we can afford the big jobs ahead, without breaking the bank or the budgets of ordinary people.
Please contact candidates for Congress and the Presidency to let them know
how you feel about this.
Call, write,
fax, email or meet them in person. Let them know how this affects you and people you know.
(For names and links:
U.S. Senate - http://www.dscc.org/, http://www.nrsc.org/;
U.S. House - http://www.dccc.org/, http://www.nrcc.org/.
President: http://www.barackobama.com/, http://www.johnmccain.com/.)
Write letters to the editor.
(Google: "[name
of your newspaper], letters to the editor" or see www.50states.com/news.)
We cannot rebuild our democratic society unless we shift significant resources
out of America's colossal military complex, and tax corporations and high-income individuals at the higher rates similar
to those of the post-World War II era. During those three decades, corporations and the well-off paid a higher
share of the tax burden, the economy boomed, and living standards increased for most (not all) of our people.
Of course, money, alone, is not enough;
political and organizational reforms are also essential. But do we honestly believe we can accomplish the significant tasks
we face without a significant outlay of resources?
For examples
of how current politics has been shortchanging many of our society's needs, see
"Tax cuts
for the few - good for the majority?" and
"Tax cuts for the few - good for our security?"
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
