Back from three weeks off grid, much of it hiking in Alaska and Australia.
When I left the U.S. economy was in a stall, Greece was on the brink of defaulting, the euro-zone couldn't get its act together, the Fed couldn't decide on another round of quantitative easing, congressional Democrats and Republicans were in gridlock, much of the nation was broiling, and neither Obama nor Romney had put forward a bold proposal for boosting the economy, slowing climate change, or much of anything else.
What a difference three weeks makes.
Here's a bold proposal I offer free of charge to Obama or Romney: Every American should get a mandatory minimum of three weeks paid vacation a year.
Most Americans only get two weeks off right now. But many don't even take the full two weeks out of fear of losing their jobs. One in four gets no paid vacation at all, not even holidays. Overall, Americans have less vacation time than workers in any other advanced economy.
This is absurd. A mandatory three weeks off would be good for everyone -- including employers.
Studies show workers who take time off are more productive after their batteries are recharged. They have higher morale, and are less likely to mentally check out on the job.
This means more output per worker -- enough to compensate employers for the cost of hiring additional workers to cover for everyone's three weeks' vacation time.
It's also a win for the economy, because these additional workers would bring down the level of unemployment and put more money into more people's pockets. This extra purchasing power would boost the economy overall.
More and longer vacations would also improve our health. A study by Wisconsin's Marshfield Clinic shows women who take regular vacations experience less tension and depression year round. Studies also show that men who take regular vacations have less likelihood of heart disease and fewer heart attacks.
Better health is not just good for us as individuals. It also translates into more productive workers, fewer sick days, less absenteeism. And lower health care costs.
In other words, a three-week minimum vacation is a win-win-win -- good for workers, good for employers, and good for the economy.
And I guarantee it would also be a winner among voters. Obama, Romney -- either of you listening?
ROBERT B. REICH, Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the last century. He has written thirteen books, including the best sellers "Aftershock" and "The Work of Nations." His latest is an e-book, "Beyond Outrage." He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine and chairman of Common Cause.
Follow Robert Reich on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RBReich
Good idea, thought.
Let's vote for Obama, and let's vote straight Democrat in the coming election.
Then, let's immediately to begin to actively support the Green Party.
The Green Party platform realistically addresses the nation's needs now.
It's "unrealistic" to Go Green; I can already hear that.
But honestly when you look at what the Democrats have done (not what they say , but what they've done), they have continued the seemingly inexorable shift of wealth to the 1% and continued to strip middle class programs:
"Carried interest" - remains. Three extensions of the Bush Tax Cuts (two with Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress). A Republican insurance industry subsidy program (Romney Care) - now called Obama Care. Extended and expanded "charter schools" - shifting public funds (taxes) to private sector, for-profit institutions. Expanding the war in Afghanistan - wasting money, ruining American reputation, killing hundreds of thousands, driving us deeper into debt. Raising George W Bush's military budgets - now higher than when W was in office.
These are Republican policies and bad for America and America's middle class.
Staying in the Democratic Party beyond November is just setting ourselves up for more Democratic 'bait & switch'. Obama in November, Green Party beyond - prepare for 2014.
I am with you, billiej. Great Plan.
Cheers
Fanned
But, in any case, I believe, people should be able to run their own lives. If I want to be employed under certain terms and conditions, and the employer agrees, who is Robert Reich to veto it? I don't want Reich to run any aspect of my life any more than he would want someone else to run his life. And you implicitly raise an important point. Who's to say three weeks are enough? Why not five? Or ten? And, once you concede that someone can veto your voluntary and consensual decisions with other people, why limit it to vacations? Why not sterilize the poor? Or ban junk food? Or impose spending limits on each individual? If it's good for that person, why not?
Besides, who are you, or Robert Reich, to tell people they must take three weeks' paid vacation? Not everyone wants that. Some people might want to earn more money, so that they can enjoy themselves at weekends. Some people might want only two-and-a-half weeks of vacation. Maybe I, or Robert Reich, should force you to do something you might not want to do, e.g. to get married or to eat more fruit or to go to Sunday school, because, hey, Robert Reich knows what's best for you, and you have no right to determine how you live your life.
Some employers could have rules to prevent abuses like taking a last minute 'sick' day on the day after a holiday and to assure sufficient staffing or cover for workers who do take planned days off.
Foodstuffs are more expensive because of geographical location, and also because you get much better quality in almost everything.
I'd rather spend a bit more, yet have much more quality time with my familiy than cheap treats. Perspective, I guess.
2. 4 day workweek / 32 hours
3. Retirement anytime with pension at 20 years at 2.5% of salary times years of service
4. Lifetime healthcare and legal benefits on retirement
5. 1 years minimum salary if terminated or laid off with 1 week added per year of service
6. Minimum wage of $20 hour
6. Full health, dental, disability, eye, and prescription drug benefits, all with $10 copays.
This is a fair system. And unemployment will be zero because extra workers will be needed to make up for the fewer hours worked per worker.
Wait......haven't we tried this already with some of the public sector and unionized industrial jobs. Is this like Spain? Can't recall how it is working out for them?