Solving Our Economic Problems _ Some Ideas for Change

WPA that's socialist big government, tax and spend liberal thinking. That being said we need some type of program for roads, bridges, dams etc. A lot of people who need a chance to get on their feet could benefit from a WPA and we as a country can benefit from such a program. To do this it will take vision instead of settling for things the way they are.

We also need a national tech program to boost the the tech skills of every American. Today we live in a global market place and our workers need to compete technically against countries like China, India and Japan. We need to bring highspeed (affrodable) internet to all Americans and maybe throw in a computer and digital camera for kids to learn hands on.

No one would like my change so I am just gonna stay out of it.

Interesting topic. I'll have to think about what I'd add, but here's my response to yours:

1) National health care -- YES. There is a consistency in care AND an efficiency in costing. In addition, there is a moral obligation to do this.
2) Shorten the work week -- I think you mean "overtime maximum". While I think this is a great idea, I see it resulting in overtime without pay (a claim that was made, in example, by some WalMart employees). It is possible it could result in critical understaffing in some areas, as well. No answers from me, but I am concerned it would require more legislation to prevent abuses.
3) More defense plants -- I think the idea of civil service is great, but cannot agree with a plan that seems to suggest war and fear. Defending is one thing, but supporting the joie de vivre is equally if not more important to a healthy populace and national security.
4) Get inventive -- YES! Great points on the positive job impact, environmental, and energy help.
5) Revive WPA -- This has great potential. I don't know how it would get beyond corporate greed, but its worth a try.
6) Schools -- I would consider this for K-5, but getting kids out of their limited neighbourhoods and meeting others is important, too. This would also require commitment by parents that is not always available (work, other kids, elder care, etc). I also wonder how this could be balanced with mandated testing, or mandatory education of special needs children.
7) Pet overpopulation -- If prisons, in general, were rehab-intensive, I think this could be great. Sadly, there seem to be few in that category. Prisoner overpopulation is a bug problem ... I'm not sure if it would be fair to pets or prisoners to add animals to that mix. Maybe it could be done in all minimum security prisons for a start?

I hope you have submitted your ideas somewhere besides Gather. These are a good starting point!

Super great post.

Your ideas are great, Mary Ann. I think that it is simpler than this. We have to restructure the tax code so that the breaks go to the middle income earners. This is how jobs are created. When the top 1% control 23% of the income as is the case today, the inequity is not sustainable. Your ideas about health care are right on target. Health care doesn't have to be so expensive, but as long as it is a for profit business we will always overpay for less care.

One thing you said, I disagree with. We are not necessarily headed for WWIII. Our lifestyle in the United States of America can be maintained without war.

You couldn't be more wrong, Linda. The fact is that small businesses are created by middle income earners everyday. Many succeed and create new jobs for more middle income earners. The fact is that at present 23% of the income is going to the upper 1% and the jobs are going down. This is exactly how it was in 1929 when the stock market crashed. The upper 1% claimed 20% of the income then. Time and again, it is shown that the wealthy do not create jobs. It is the middle that creates jobs. The government role is in giving the tax breaks. When there are strong middle income tax breaks, the economy thrives. Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy did not create jobs. Furthermore, the jobs that exist today are not good jobs that a family can be supported on. The strength is always in the middle, not the top or the bottom.

We need bring manufacturing back and create good qaulity goods that last, pay little more for them and keep them longer, rather than trash things every few years.
Most of the jobs are created by small businesses of all sizes.
Even in the service area jobs are being out sourced.
Big company are still going overseas to save money for service.

Lea I agree with you. We need more manufactoring back in this country. I had attempted to only buy American but find that many products are rarely produced here plus the few which are exceed my ability ot buy them . In a way the economy which has become more and more service oriented in recent years doesn't pay enough for many to afford quality American made items. We buy a huge amount of foreign goods which do not have the safety, environmental and quality controls as we require and do it over and over. Our trade deficit is a real yet rarely spoken of hindrance to our economic recovery. But above all if we had more manufacturing I'd bet we would have a stronger economy.

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Mary Ann - How about posting this also to my new group Innovation Futures? The goal of the group is to encourage new ideas in all walks of life.

Brian what do you call corporate welfare if not socialism? You republicans seem to always want to spout socialism unless it favors some corporate con.

The only thing that will bring the economy back is jobs and until our living wage jobs are brought back from the communists we will not have an economy no matter how many bailouts republican neocons want to give to their crony friends.

I think a good start would be being honest. Can you imagine the savings and the benefits of pure honesty? Think about it.

Hugs!

Great Ideas and thoughts

The next arena for major economic growth is energy - specifically, green energy. I highly recommend Thomas Friedman, Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How it Can Renew America.

Also, energy efficiency (hybrids, smart garages, smart grids) presents another arena for economic growth, literally using the "production" mantra of the 80s and 90s: "doing more with less".

Some useful websites that regularly present information around renewable energy and energy efficiency are:

The Rocky Mountain Institute

Renewable Energy World

GreenBiz.com

SustainableBusiness.com

You caught me, Brian. I am in many ways a closet liberal. Bottom line we have to get people working and fix the health care system. barack is right; our health care system is broken.

Alta, please share your ideas so we can decide if we like them or not.

Debra, the dove of peace is able to flutter about because the war hawk is there too. We live in dangerous times and I believe Biden is correct and that President Obama will be tested in some pretty unpleasant ways.

To explain my school idea better: Today's schools fail all of us. College students are often reading at what we used to consider a 6th grade level.

We also need to reinvent community. Welfare to work programs often send the only parent who is there in the home outside to work. Children need adult guidance and supervision.

Having smaller classes and someone there in the community will help. When WPA was initiated, families consited of a mom and a dad. Nowadays there are single parents who have a full time job at home.

So I want to improve education and rebuid community in one swoop.

Does that explain it?

Joe; we need larger factory. Middle class entreprenuers do not generat enough income to pay the big wages of yesterday. We have to find a way to recreate the factories that built America.

I agree with Spencer that when we buy products made in China and other emerging countries and environmental controls and social controls are not there. Your watch or phone could have been produced by child labor and 16 hour work days.

Obama's progressive income tax is not socialism and it is not new. progressive income taxes have always been with us.

Thank you all for your comments. and ideas.

Steve, thanks for your ideas. I have not read "Hot, Flat and Crowded" yet, but i will. Thank you for recommending it. And thanks for your other ideas. This is a start.

I have a small business in Vermont, and we have a gubernatorial candidate that worked with a local credit card processing company to start a program called Vermont Merchants United. It enables us as local small businesses to negotiate lower fees as a group, so the fees are more in line with those charged to the big Walmarts etc. The bigger stores get lower fees because of their huge daily sales while we small businesses feel penalized. We are creating many innovative programs in Vermont to encourage support of local business, even food stamps are being accepted at farmer's markets, which not only helps the agricultural businesses, but enables those who need the food to eat healthier.

Laurie, what a wonderful program. We miss not only the big factories, but the mom and pop stores too. Wouldn't it be great to have a Norman Rcokwell America.

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