Times are tough. Most Americans are experiencing the greatest financial crisis of their lifetimes and many are still struggling to find work. In times like these, it is easy to despair.
Instead of supporting legislation to solve the jobs crisis, right-wing pundits and politicians are encouraging this gloom by claiming America is in "decline."
These critics are cynical and wrong. Great crises have historically forged great leaders, and this one is no exception. President Obama's American Jobs Act is our country's opportunity to seize today's moment, and put our country back to work.
Along with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I listened to thousands of Americans this summer during the Speakout for Good Jobs Now! tour. Americans' message was consistent: times are tough, but we have hope.
Time and time again, our leaders have used progressive policies to help America get back on its feet. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln built the First Transcontinental Railroad to connect Americans from coast to coast. After World War II, America's national debt was higher as a percentage of GDP than now; yet, Dwight D. Eisenhower knew we needed an Interstate Highway System. And of course, our social safety net was born during the Great Depression. Because of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's leadership during a time of crisis, millions of Americans can now count on Social Security to protect them during retirement. President Obama knows this. Americans want action based on America's can-do spirit.
America remains the greatest country in the world and we inspire millions struggling for freedom around the world. When the people of Libya stood up against brutal repression this summer, they waved American flags in celebration and gratitude. As the people of Egypt shape their new government, they are rightly turning to the American Constitution as a model.
So before anyone mourns the decline of America, they should look at our history. We're Americans--in times of crisis, we step up.
Follow Rep. Keith Ellison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/keithellison
Frank Gruber: A Freeway Runs Through It: A Review of The Big Roads, by Earl Swift
Aaron Dorfman: Why Nonprofits Should Support the American Jobs Act of 2011
Obama is only a progressives when it's too late to do any of the things he advocates. When he needs the liberals back for the election. Just like the game the GOP plays with the conservatives.
Obama caved. He caved on the environment, Caved on the bush tax cuts, the 14th amendment prevention of the Debt ceiling extortion, and the 3 day recess appointments. Obama and gang are DLC Reaganomics loving sellouts. The Obama DLC are enablers of the GOP agenda because they sold their souls to get elected. They are Reagan democrats, moderate republicans if you will. AKA New democrats, pragmatic Progressive, Blue dogs, New American Foundation, Progressive Policy Council, Third Way.
Obama then looked the citizens in the eye, and said it was shared sacrifice. Wake up.
You want to fix that? Vote for the CPC progressives, The Progressive Democrats of America, Kucinich type folks in the primaries and the dems in the general. While you still CAN vote.
They want our skins....
However, we have no:
-Energy Policy
-Industrial Policy
-Trade Policy
-Immigration Policy
-Labor Relations Policy
All of these things would need to be determined, figured out, implemented and executed in order for your fairy tale to come true.
They are not even on the table for discussion.
Wishful thinking is just that.
-AJB
Perhaps the issue in the US is not a question of right or left, but of better management. If your car's off track, you don't steer right or left, you steer a combination of both, whatever is needed to go the right direction. The direction is your philosophy, left and right are the methods you use to get there.
what we lack is leadership and fair banking--
I can put together programs that will change this nation-I will give you good jobs and fair wages, I will tax you and control the inflation that is killing you but you have to get your head out of the robe of political party, shut off the dogma of political correctness and stop your manta of political doubler speak plus allow your eyes to see America of today and tomorrow. If you can do that we have a chance, if not just think of the US as another Great Britain!
When this ole gal first entered the workforce forty years ago, the minimum wage was $1.60 an hour, and a loaf of bread, a pack of smokes and a single gallon of gas all cost 25 cents each...meaning I could buy all three for slightly less than a half-hour's worth of pay.
Today the minimum wage is somewhere around $7.50 an hour, but now that same loaf of bread will set you back $2.50, the smokes around $4.50 (or more), and that gallon of gas will cost you at least $3.50, for a total of $10.50 minimum...meaning those at lowest rungs of the employment ladder must now work almost an hour-and-a-half to afford the things I could purchase for a half-hour's worth of pay all those years ago.
Moreover, when I started university, tuition, room and meals totalled $500 per quarter, so I was able to get an education without being saddled with the kind of college loan debt these kids have today. When you look at the pitiful starting wages of $8 or $10 an hour being offered to these new grads, who can blame them for wanting to dismantle Wall Street? I fear most of them will never know anything other than lives indebted to some faceless, soulless MBAed Wall Street thief.
From my perspective, America's best days are definitely NOT in front of us, they're in the past.
They are huge drivers of the economy. Until we get those costs under control with alternative methods we will be over a barrel (pun intended). Our government has known about those consequences and rise of prices since the 1970s.
And they still did nothing.
People need to wake up and demand political change in that arena. We are in for decline if we continue to do nothing and depend on the same old systems.
First thing we can do is pass the jobs bill to repair our infrastructure and technology governing our energy systems.