Tsunami, earthquake and nuclear horror in Japan. Revolution throughout the Middle East. Grim austerity in much of Europe. America scarred by 25 million people in need of full-time work, and by pressure on wages and benefits. In Egypt, the unemployment of one in four young people led directly to the uprising. In the United States, unemployment among young people nears that level.
We live in troubled times.
In America, we learn how corporate corruption and government timidity delayed action on the nuclear plants in Japan, worsening the crisis and putting lives at risk. But aren't we in this country facing our own tsunami choice? We're in crisis. Fundamental changes are needed. Yet both parties in Washington seem divorced from the reality that faces us. Both seem to assume there is a recovery and are turning to how much to cut from the federal budget. Both seem to assume that America can go back to the economy that we had before the Great Recession.
But for working families, there is little sign of a recovery. Jobs are still scarce; homes are still underwater and being foreclosed upon; wages and benefits are still being cut, and vital public services are being dismantled.
Our old economy cannot -- and should not -- be recovered. It was built on unsustainable disparities such as record trade deficits, Gilded Age inequality and a declining middle class. Wall Street's bubbles overwhelmed the real economy.
If we are to rebuild a strong economy with a broad middle class and the opportunity for all to participate in its widely shared blessings, then wrenching and fundamental changes are needed. Consider even a partial list:
We must transform our energy system, for global warming is accelerating faster than even the alarmists predicted. This requires a bold strategy for building solar and wind energy, deciding about nuclear power, retrofitting homes and buildings, transforming our transportation system and much more. Yet, in Washington, denial dominates the Republicans in the House. The result is that little progress is being made.
We must rebuild our ability to make things in America, and dramatically change our global strategy. That will require unilateral steps at home and an intense global dialogue to reduce imbalances that all agree can't be sustained. Yet, Washington is repackaging old trade accords, ignoring ever more aggressive Chinese mercantilism and watching as the trade deficit begins to rise again.
We must empower workers to capture a fair share of the profits and productivity they produce. Without a broad middle class, there is neither sufficient demand to make the economy work nor sufficient revenue to support vital government services. Yet in Washington, the debate focuses on lowering top tax rates even more, and on protecting tax breaks to the richest Americans.
Instead of debating ways to empower workers, Republican governors across the country are leading an attack designed to strip workers of their basic rights to bargain collectively.
We must fix our health care system or it will bankrupt everything. Yet, House Republicans argue only for repealing the reforms that began to curb the excesses of the insurance companies that drive up prices.
We need a clear strategy for moving to full employment. The largest and most diverse generation in American history is graduating into the worst jobs market since the Great Depression. We cannot afford to squander their talent, their energy and their hopes. And yet, in Washington, their plight is simply ignored.
There is more -- spending less policing the world in order to rebuild America, curbing the big banks, revitalizing our schools, sensibly getting our books in order. But it is as if we are in an old movie house with a broken projector endlessly repeating the same scenes. House Republicans argue for returning to policies like deregulation, top end tax cuts and attacks on workers that drove us into the mess. Democrats remain compromised and divided.
So for those American commentators who decry the Japanese corporate corruption that impeded response to the nuclear disaster, one word of advice: Do not throw that stone without looking at the glass around you.
Follow Rev. Jesse Jackson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/revjjackson
the USA is still living in 1980- thinking the same solutions will solve vastly different problems today. The minor reforms the last few years will not be enough to prevent a far great economic catastrophe down the road- add to this climate change. The science for this presents an even darker more ominous view of our future.
If we are to rebuild a strong economy with a broad middle class and the opportunity for all to participate in its widely shared blessings, then wrenching and fundamental changes are needed. "
Rev. Jackson, if you decided to run, you'd have my support.
X2
Do you realize a good number of people in Egypt make $2 a day. They can't afford food and you negatively compare the economics of America? That makes a lot of sense.
That has been the case for a long time.
How about this for an answer: Toyota and Honda have lean, hard working management. Executives at these companies earn only about 11x what the workers do.
GM and Ford have huge, bloated and unproductive management structures that are filled with cronyism, nepotism and useless deadweight. Further, executives at GM and Ford are paid 475x what the workers earn.
But you conservatives are too cowardly to vent your venom at the rich.
From what your saying, the management are making about $23,000,000 per year. If you just think about that for a second, you would realize that is not true. There are few people in management that are paid that much. I don't disagree with the fact that their is a lot of dead weight in management, but there is dead weight in employees as well. Unions eventually make it impossible to remove dead weight.
The whole idea of health insurance is broken. When you pay for insurance, you shouldn't want to use it. You don't want to get a a car wreck - so you try your hardest not to, and car insurance prices remain fair. You don't want your house to burn down - so you don't leave the stove on, and home insurance prices remain fair. You don't want to get sick do you?
What do you do when little Sally gets a runny nose or a cough? Wait a few days to see if she gets better; or take her to the doctor because you have insurance, so why not.
What do you do if your back is sore because you don't exercise enough? Get some more exercise; or see your doctor, because you have insurance?
We are inflating the cost of health care by over using it. We are over using health care because we feel like we've already paid for it. Get rid of health insurance (this means medicare too) and let real supply and demand control the costs.
Perfectly said.
We need to shut these 'liberals cannot get elected' people up.
We need to have something to build on.
But "yes" to all of the rest of his very insightful points!
Cut government spending and get the government out of our pocket. Cut the new onerious regulations that are hurting new business start ups, and all small business in this country.
Obama and his union palls have almost ruined this economy and with them in power we are doomed!
http://www.businessinsider.com/seiu-union-plan-to-destroy-jpmorgan
I agree w/ you... but try convincing those who have the power to change it.
The wages are unaffordable, when you seek record profits and obscene gifts to CEO's !
Try again, you missed !