Clive Crook: The American Dream Needs Repair

Sooner or later the US will find itself grappling with an immense fiscal problem. The recession and stimulus have combined to produce record-breaking deficits, and economic recovery will not come close to restoring balance. US voters have big questions to answer about the entitlements they demand and the taxes they are willing to pay.

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Comments

[deepintheheartoftejas]

Conservatives have a lot to contribute to recovering the American dream: taxes they've managed to weasel out of paying in the past 30 years since Reagan was elected.

[ILibertine]

There appears to be an intent at misrepresentation and generational division-making so as to enable deconstruction of the "social contracts" social security and Medicare. This appears from time to time as a suggestion that retired folks are wealthy and certainly undeserving of great government largesse in the form of payments for those received over some thirty, forty or more years of working and retirement/medical tax paying endeavor.

At the same time as this subversive perpetration is being voiced, literally trillions are being shoveled into the yawning furnace of financial houses, eight-plus yrs. of war and aid to needy entities such as AIG, Citibank, GM, Halliburton, Blackwater and the Pharma/big medical industry bonus bill that it the House's interpretation of "health care" (as it now stands), et al.

I've got news for those who may be swayed by arguments toward reducing these horrible social contracts: there may not be much else to rely upon as time goes by considering current trends; and the time until one confronts this likelihood goes by likety split. Then one may have the opportunity to discover what expenses await the wealthy retirees when non-covered medical expenses & etc. enter the scene.

It would be better to address how benefits are going to be enhanced, rather than reduced, that would require efforts to re-establish sound job environments and restrain outsourcing. The volatility of retirement funds (401K and so forth) should highlight how important sound and ample social contracts will continue to be.

[onenvrnos]

I believe all parent/s (single or married) should be required to attend classes regarding child rearing...­seriously. Or, perhaps such classes should be offered to students, beginning in middle school. Having and raising children is perhaps the most important job any of us will ever do; yet, ignorance in raising healthy children (emotionally, physically, academically, etc.) is rampant. As a former teacher, there is no doubt in my mind that the "problem" with school education pales in comparison with poor parenting skills. In a manner of speaking, this is a problem so pervasive in our society that our very foundation is at risk.

If we want to break down the whole gamut of inequities, we need to start at the foundation. We need to change our paradigm completely! Imho, our economy, structures, and institutions are at the crossroads of forced change--similar to what happened during the industrial revolution. We keep trying to have a mode of operation that might have worked in the past but fails miserably with the new challenges confronting us. Relevant education is the key--we can no longer afford the prevalence of ignorance that we face today, and that starts with child rearing.

[PepeLepew]

I got news for tro//s.
A lot of "libs" are actually pretty conservative deep down inside .. with money .. with what you call "values."

[eastcoastprogressive]

The definition of liberal is more like generous than promiscuous. The tro//s need to understand that.

[dieselis]

After the healthcare issue and congress's handling of it. You can see the futility of even suggesting something like this. Not that its a bad idea its not but you know our Congress.

[PaiaGirl]

"US voters have big questions to answer about the entitlements they demand and the taxes they are willing to pay."

Well, duh. If we continue to pay trillions for war profiteers, banks, and insurance corporations, of course we won't have enough money for social programs.

That has been the Republican game plan from the beginning: Loot the treasury so we can't afford social programs.

On the other hand, European countries are able to provide a safety net, health care and a secure life to all their citizens...why? Because they aren't being looted by the war profiteer corporations, Banks and Insurance corporations.

[Cunningham]

Why link to an article where you have to register for an account? Stop it, HP!

[PaiaGirl]

capture the article title, google it and you may be able to read it without registering.

[TinfoilLatte]

Sneaky.

[Cunningham]

Thanks for the great suggestion, PaiaGirl.

Here's a direct link to the article:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/91123d9c-d216-11de-a0f0-00144feabdc0.html

[William50]

The American dream is alive in the homes of America. It is dead in the halls of Congress and the White house.
You would think that the America of today has been hit by a giant tidal wave of debt that is so huge it can never recover. In fact and action this is what Washington wants the world and the citizens of the USA to believe. It is a lie.
Both R@D have for decades tried to destroy this great nation. They, equally have destroyed jobs, freed banking and set up many people to be strapped with loans they can never repay. They have indebted this nation with wars that should never have lasted over a year , and then spent billions on banks that have used tax money to feather their nests.
America is strong. Americans are strong. There is a re-birth of America growing. The people look at their America and know they can do better, make it better, think of new ways to produce and take back their country.
I know of at least three ways to put money intro the economy and start people working. How about you? It is your country and future.
middleamerican2010
Casey

[FreeNemo]

Care to enlighten us?

[Rmath]

While we're at it, let's kick ALL the lobbyists out of Congress, period. Toss 'em out and lock the doors.

[tck29]

Term limits!

[Skyhawk]

Tax Cut for the middle class / Raise taxes to pay for war. How about that?

[JackWhistle]

Hows about we just drop the Corporatism and make all elections publicly financed. That way our reps and sens can actually focus on doing their job instead of hunting for money.

[tck29]

Term limits!

[SiouxSayer]

Not much longer now...
I've sent out 96 resumes in 3 months. I've now received 5 rejection letters after following up on 47 of those resumes. I am 41 and apparently unemployable in the USA. Without work...without the possibility OF work, ...I don't see how I am going to survive. So many of you have helped and given me great advice and direction. I have taken ALL of that advice and followed EVERY option. Soon I will be on the streets causing my job gap to grow even further. So I see a very creative, productive and dedicated guy slip away into the swamp of poverty and despair. I simply can't find a way out! I will travel, I will relocate, I will do what it takes to be a great employee...but the opportunities are just ...not....there. OR there are 6 people for every open position available. What is a guy to do? Seriously? I'm getting closer and closer to the end of hope. My email is on my profile here. Please talk to me...about ANYTHING...I need help and direction.­..........­.

[DLBinPDX]

A friend is in a similar position, but the state she lives in is offering 'retraining' at community colleges after her unemployment runs out. Is that an option where you live?

The health industry needs nurses, technology professionals, and more. Just an example of what she is considering.

[hey0there]

unfortunately the tech jobs in health care go to guest workers from India on work visas and the nurse jobs go to guest workers on work visas from the Phillipines. You might get lucky and get a gig as a bedpan changer or janitor, though. Regardless of your experience, being an American means you won't work for the peanuts these foreigners will. The American dream isn't for Americans anymore.

[it is me]

Good to see someone finally write something along these lines.

But we also need to have everyone stop and acknowledge that for the past 30+ years, we have built a society based on cheap resources. Cheap land and cheap gasoline made huge houses, more cars, and longer commutes common for many. New roads, water and electric lines, etc. are all a result. We are going to have to pay the piper at some point in time for all of this. Simply look at the "older" cities and suburbs in the country that have crumbling infrastructure, outdated energy sources, etc. It is painfully obvious that we will all be paying more taxes in the future, as there is just no way that we can sustain the lifestyles that we have built.

Until we acknowledge this, the country will continue to spend money on the wrong things and keep its citizens struggling.

[BBackSoon]

I read the teaser paragraph and decided against wasting my time on the rest.

If you want the best of conservative and liberal ideals, it sounds an awful lot like something we used to call common sense. But that went out of style someplace back in the 80’s if I remember correctly.

[TJCole]

We need to borrow what's best from both systems...­Republican­s have nothing to offer but hypocrisy and double speak...!

We need to Nationalize all Major Energy...

Nationalize our Health Care to cut costs and increase and improve services, and get it off our Companies backs...so they are compete world wide

And Nationalize our Corrupt Major Banks, and use them to serve the General Prosperity and Stimulate the Economy...

If we did this we could create an economic boom...that would benefit all Americans...and lift all boats...